Job Overview

About The Role

The Associate Director - Web Design plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual and interactive experiences of NCSL’s digital content built on the DNN content management system. Reporting to the Communications Division’s Director of Publishing and Digital Content, the associate director has extensive UI/UX experience, along with a high level of creativity, initiative and graphic design skills, and a strong grasp of standards and best practices.

Responsibilities

What You'll Do

• Develop user interface designs, wireframes, prototypes and interactive mockups to effectively communicate design concepts.
• Create visually appealing and cohesive digital assets and visualization tools, such as maps and charts, to enhance reports, databases and other resources, while ensuring brand consistency.
• Design and publish site content regularly in a fast-paced environment, working with programs across the organization.
• Ensure webpages are accessible, responsive and optimized to increase conversions across devices and browsers.
• Manage complex projects under tight deadlines, prioritizing workloads and establishing deadlines and schedules.
• Participate in and contribute to team meetings to plan content for the Communications Division’s editorial calendar.
• Collaborate closely with Communications and IT teams, as well as contractors, to identify best practices and opportunities for site enhancements in design and development and maintain and improve all aspects of the website.
• Performs other responsibilities as needed.

Supervisor/Management Responsibilities:
This position has direct supervisory responsibilities of the web design team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in digital media, graphic design, UI/UX design, communications or related field with a minimum of nine years of proven experience working as a UI/UX designer with a focus on designing websites and digital assets.
• Five years of supervisory and management experience directing and allocating personnel.
• Expertise in content management systems and template design (DNN a plus), and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong portfolio showcasing a range of UI/UX design projects working within a CMS.
• In-depth knowledge of Javascript data visualization libraries (such as D3, Charts and Highcharts), HTML, CSS and Excel.
• Experience building DNN website platforms that are mobile friendly.
• Proven understanding of web design fundamentals.
• A solid understanding of relational databases (SQL Server is a plus) and database-driven content, as well as the ability to work not only with NCSL data but open data sources.
• Skilled at responsive design and API-driven web development.
• Ability to continuously seek ways to improve or enhance visualizations, and to share and recommend advancements with team members.
• Basic understanding of digital asset management systems, SEO principles and analytics/reporting tools a plus.
• Experience leading projects from start to finish, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and manage changing priorities while working independently.
• Experience in state government, legislative institutions or a membership-based organization is a plus.
• Excellent initiative and creativity that will help make state legislatures stronger, meeting one of NCSL’s missions: to foster interstate cooperation and facilitate the exchange of information among legislatures.
• Ability to communicate and work with staff in the organization, within and outside of the communications division, as well as with state legislators of both political parties and legislative staff who may be partisan or nonpartisan.
• Sound judgment in communicating information in a neutral, nonpartisan manner.
• A basic understanding and appreciation of representative democracy.

Work Environment

This full-time position is mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. NCSL provides a unique hybrid remote work policy with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development. Employees routinely use standard office equipment such as laptops, printers, scanners, copy machines, and smartphones. Occasional travel by airplane, including overnights and weekends, is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Benefits

NCSL has a flexible remote work policy.  Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month.  The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development.  We are committed to offering a full range of other benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Our outstanding benefits include low-cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life & disability insurance, 3-weeks paid vacation with 5+ years of paid full-time work experience, generous time off plans and paid family leave, floating holidays, identity theft protection, employee assistance programs, pet insurance, paid time off to volunteer, and more! Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates.

About the Organization

Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge, and experience to truly make a difference. NCSL’s mission is purposeful – strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation’s most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff. Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission. NCSL has a flexible remote work policy.  Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month.  The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development. 

How to Apply

If you are a purpose-driven, dedicated professional looking to give as much as you get – submit your resume and cover letter by 11:59 PM MT, Dec. 8, 2023 for best consideration. The start date for this role will be in January 2024. Learn more about working with NCSL by visiting our careers page.

We are looking forward to receiving your application!

NCSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing a diverse, dynamic team and inclusive workplace. NCSL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation.