Design Manager
South By Southwest
Austin, TXThis is a Full Time Job
Job Purpose
SXSW seeks an individual to coordinate and produce engaging, branded visual assets in various media while meeting deadlines. The ideal candidate for this role will have strong project management, time management, organizational, typographic, and graphic design skills. The candidate should be able to work seamlessly between print and digital formats, as well as on small- and large-scale projects, and be willing to tackle a variety of production assignments. This individual will collaborate with other departments and Experience Designers to ensure consistency across digital and physical touchpoints.
Duties & Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Collaborate with the team, stakeholders, and vendors to establish deadlines and a production schedule for a range of physical wayfinding and branding signage.
• Collaborate with other teams to assess signage needs and map out locations for large-format wayfinding and branding graphics.
• Update supporting documents, including Signage Policy and How-to Guide, as well as conduct training to advise and support staff with signage needs, including making requests, onsite coordination, and post-event recycling.
• Work closely with other experienced designers to produce impactful branded designs, route them through internal stakeholders for approval, and compile them into a portfolio that will serve as a guide for the season.
• Produce flexible, production-ready, large- and small-format signage templates (using Adobe InDesign and Illustrator) that adhere to established brand guidelines, serving as the foundation for creating hundreds of unique signage designs.
• Generate internal request forms and corresponding Airtable bases to organize & track signage details, assess production needs, and keep jobs on schedule.
• Instruct Seasonal Production Artists and Experience Designers to support signage production, including design template training, sponsor logo process, and signage approvals.
• Work within existing design templates to both produce and coordinate production (with support from Seasonal Production Artist) for a large volume of work in various sizes.
• Prepare files for print, meticulously ensuring each file prints as intended, as press checks are not always possible, and time is of the essence.
• Communicate and coordinate with external print vendors, from file delivery and proof checking to on-site receipt of physical signage.
• Attend several weekly meetings.
• Hire, train, and manage a Seasonal Event Signs Coordinator on all small-format signage requests.
• Contribute to the team effort by taking on production projects as bandwidth allows.
• Work closely with the Planning department and the Print Manager to review and confirm the accuracy of graphics invoices.
On-Site Responsibilities
• Serve as point of contact and lead for physical signage deliveries, standing sign deployment, and other signage tasks as needed
• Walk through venues daily to ensure signage displays stay consistent throughout the events
• Liaise between the Experience Design team, SXSW staff, and print vendors as necessary
• On-call for any Experience Design Team needs
• Work required on-site signage shifts
Qualifications & Skills
Qualifications include:
• Proven graphic design experience
• A degree in design or a related field is a plus
• Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop. After Effects skills are a plus
• Design efficiency, flexibility & time management skills
• Strong typographic skills, including a keen eye for typographical errors
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy; meticulous
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently, with the team, and with external vendors
• Proficiency in Google Cloud applications such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides
• Knowledge of Airtable, JotForm, PageProof, Box, and Dropbox is a plus
Physical Requirements
Facilitate load-in and load-out duties, as well as signage deliveries, during the event. Walking, sitting, and standing for long periods is frequently required, with or without accommodation. Manual dexterity is essential for using keyboards, computers, and office equipment. Occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds is required. This position may require you to stay away from home for 10-14 consecutive days during the event.
Direct Reports
• Seasonal Event Signs Coordinator
Work Location & Schedule
The position is located in Austin, Texas. Core business office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. Must be available to work additional hours from January to March, including evenings and weekends.
