Director of Production and Graphic Design

Title:  Director, production and graphic design

Exemption Status: Exempt

Department:  Marketing and Communications

Reports to : Vice President, Marketing and Communications         

Year-Round Full-time

Supervises: three senior graphic designers and one staff photographer

Year-Round Full-time employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

• 2025 Chicago Botanic Garden Benefit Guide - Year-Round Full-time

Compensation Philosophy:

At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

Our objective is to create compensation and growth opportunities for our employees that are highly competitive, internally equitable and transparent. The foundation of our efforts is a straightforward approach that can be easily communicated by managers with defined pay ranges for all positions. When posting job openings, we share the minimum salary up to the budgeted amount.

The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate’s qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job. Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate’s salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual’s contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets.

Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments.

Position Overview:

The Chicago Botanic Garden seeks a strategic, experienced, and detail-oriented Director of Production and Graphic Design to lead the creative execution of print and digital assets across the organization. This role requires a creative and strategic thinker who can transform ideas into compelling visuals while maintaining the Garden’s brand identity. This leadership role oversees a talented team of designers, ensuring that projects meet high quality standards, and are delivered on time and within budget.

The Director is responsible for optimizing production workflows, guiding the design process, managing budgets, and collaborating with internal and external partners to support institutional priorities—including marketing campaigns, exhibitions, events, fundraising, education, and visitor engagement.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:  

Team Leadership & Oversight

• Supervise a team of graphic designers and photographer, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to develop and execute innovative and visually appealing designs that reflect the Garden's identity. Foster a collaborative and creative work environment that encourages growth and excellence.

Project & Production Management

• Oversee, prioritize, and assign to team members multiple concurrent design and production projects from concept through delivery.
• Manage timelines, resourcing, and deliverables to ensure timely, efficient completion.
• Streamline and optimize workflows to enhance productivity and maintain quality standards.
• Oversee, and occasionally lead the transport and setup of signage and banners, as well as maintain storage spaces and materials. 

Design Oversight

• Safeguard brand integrity ensuring consistency and adherence to the Garden's brand guidelines across all projects and communication channels, including those developed by partners. Uphold the Garden's visual identity while adapting to various media.

• Review and approve design concepts and final assets across all channels—including print collateral, interpretive signage, exhibitions, architectural signage – both internal and external, and wayfinding.
• Maintain consistency, clarity, and excellence across all visual communications.

Budget & Vendor Management

• Develop and manage the department’s annual budget, including estimates, procurement, and reconciliation.
• Source and oversee relationships with external vendors including printers, freelance designers, and production partners.
• Negotiate contracts, manage timelines, and ensure quality control of externally produced materials.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Development, Public Programs, Education, Visitor Experience, and other departments to understand objectives and deliver impactful creative solutions.
• Serve as a key liaison between design/production and internal stakeholders, translating needs into clear creative deliverables.

Quality Assurance 

• Conduct thorough quality checks on design deliverables to guarantee accuracy, clarity, and visual appeal.  Strive for excellence in every design produced by the team.

Innovation & Trends

• Stay up to date with industry trends in design, production techniques, and marketing technology.
• Recommend and implement innovative solutions to improve visual storytelling and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communications, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in design and/or production management, with at least 2 years in a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-channel creative projects from start to finish.
• Expertise in both print and digital media, including pre-press and digital production best practices.
• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to inspire, coach, and motivate.
• Exceptional project management skills with an ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and project management tools 
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills for engaging internal and external stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Proven experience in budget planning and financial management, with the ability to create and oversee annual design budgets.

Physical Demands: 

The position involves a dynamic work environment encompassing both indoor and outdoor settings. It requires regular physical activity such as standing, walking, and bending, along with strong communication skills (listening and speaking) and proficiency in operating standard office equipment (computers, phones, copiers, scanners, and fax machines). Occasional lifting, pushing, or pulling of items under 30 pounds may be necessary.

Why Apply? 
Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.