Lead Graphic Designer

Role OverviewThe Graphic Design Manager will be at the heart of driving our visual communication, playing a pivotal role in how our brand connects with clients and customers. This role requires a blend of creative vision, leadership, and a deep understanding of how design influences sales and marketing strategies.As the Graphic Design Lead, you will have a strong vision for the company's design direction and be able to translate that vision into visually stunning designs that effectively communicate our brand and message to our target audience. You will also be responsible for managing and leading a team of designers, ensuring that all projects are completed on time and to the highest standards. Job ResponsibilitiesLead and Manage: Oversee the graphic design team, setting clear goals and expectations for team members, aligning with overall company objectives, managing project loads, and ensuring deadlines are met. Regularly monitor individual and team performance metrics, offering timely feedback. Identify development areas and devise improvement plans for team members and overall team output. Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning.Process: Setting up necessary processes to ensure the highest efficiency and quality. This includes developing and implementing standards and procedures for design work, as well as tools and systems for project management and communication. Continuously reviewing and improving these processes to ensure that they are effective and support the team's goals and objectives.Brand Stewardship: Develop a cohesive and compelling visual identity for NxtWave that reflects our mission, values, and target audience. Ensure all design outputs are aligned with NxtWave's brand identity, values, and standards.Design Execution: Oversee design of marketing materials, website, educational content, presentations, etc. Ensure high quality and consistency. Provide creative direction on all design projects, ensuring high-quality outputs that align with our brand and business goals.Content Creation Strategy: Develop visual content strategies that support marketing goals. Guide creation of compelling visual assets.Sales Support: Develop compelling sales materials - including presentations, brochures, and digital content - that effectively communicate our value proposition.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the marketing and sales teams to create designs that align with our strategic objectives and support business growth. Drive effective communication and alignment on design needs.Innovation and Trends: Stay ahead of design trends and introduce innovative design solutions that keep our brand fresh and engaging. Continuously seeking innovative design solutions that enhance the user experience and engagement.Feedback and Iteration: Establish a process for collecting feedback on design projects and implementing iterative improvements.Startup Agility: Embrace the fast-paced nature of a startup, be adaptable to changing priorities, and wear multiple hats as required.Growth Focus: Create visually compelling assets to drive user acquisition and engagement. Track the impact of design assets on user metrics. Collaborate with marketing to optimize visual content.Qualities We ValuePassion for Education: You deeply believe in the power of education and technology to transform lives.Outcome-Oriented: Prioritize results over output. Design with measurable user goals in mind.Process-Driven: Demonstrate a meticulous attention to detail and respect for established processes, frameworks, brand guides and standards.Growth Mindset: Demonstrate a willingness to learn from mistakes, proactively seek feedback, and evolve your design approach.Leadership Mindset: A natural mentor with exceptional communication skills and the ability to motivate and guide a team.Adaptable and Flexible: Embrace change, work extended hours if needed, and thrive in our dynamic startup environment.Disciplined and Reliable: Demonstrate punctuality, strong work ethic, and contribute effectively to our team.Empathetic: Put yourself in the user's shoes to craft intuitive experiences.Creative Visionary: You possess an eye for detail, bring fresh ideas to the table, and have a knack for translating complex concepts into engaging visuals.Team Player: Strong communication and collaboration skills to work successfully with cross-functional teams and receive feedback constructively.Ownership Mindset: Proactive, self-motivated, and driven to take responsibility for projects and see them through to completion.Continuous Learner: Possess a strong thirst for knowledge and a commitment to staying up to date with the latest design trends, tools, and technologies.Technologically Adaptable: Demonstrate a willingness and ability to quickly learn and adapt to new design tools, frameworks, and evolving technologies. QualificationsEducational Background: Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communications, or a related field is often preferred. However, the significance of a degree can vary depending on the candidate's portfolio and experience.Experience: A minimum of 5 years of experience in graphic design, with at least 2 years of proven experience in a leadership role with above mentioned responsibilities or similar ones, ideally with some exposure to an early-stage startup environment.Portfolio: A detailed portfolio showcasing case studies and previous design projects is critical. This portfolio should demonstrate a deep understanding of Graphic Design principles, visual storytelling, attention to detail, design process, from research to the final visual design.Certifications and Courses: While not always necessary, certifications from recognized design institutions or completion of reputable online courses in relevant graphic design courses can be advantageous.SkillsTechnical SkillsAdobe Creative Suite Expertise: In-depth mastery of the primary Adobe design tools:Photoshop: Image manipulation, photo editing, digital painting, composite creation.Illustrator: Vector graphic creation, logo design, illustration, complex layouts.InDesign: Multi-page layouts, print design (brochures, flyers, reports), and interactive document creation.Figma Expertise: Expertise in Figma and its advanced features, including Auto-Layout, Components, Variants, and their applications in graphic design (OR the ability to quickly learn and master Figma's advanced features).Other Design Tools: Knowledge of other design tools like Spline to explore new possibilities and enhance overall design outputs.Foundational SkillsDesign Fundamentals: A deep understanding of core design principles, including:Color theory and its psychological impact.Typography selection, hierarchy, and readability.Composition, layout, and visual balance.Branding and visual identity development.Visual Storytelling: Ability to transform complex concepts and information into clear, engaging, and persuasive visuals. This includes an understanding of:Data visualization and infographics.Narrative flow within design projects.Aligning visuals to target audience preferences.Concept Development & Ideation: Proven ability to ideate, sketch, and bring fresh ideas to life. Comfort with rapid prototyping and design iteration.Attention to Detail: Meticulous eye for design execution including spacing, alignment, and overall polish of assets.Client/Stakeholder Management (if applicable): Ability to understand project requirements, present design solutions effectively, and effectively incorporate feedback from various stakeholders.Problem-Solving Mindset: A proactive approach to finding creative solutions for design challenges, technical limitations, and project constraints.Why work with us?Transform Lives Through Education: Be part of a mission-driven company that makes a real difference. Your designs will help shape learning experiences that empower people and unlock new opportunities.Experience startup energy: Experience the thrill of working in a fast-paced startup. Your work will have direct, visible impact as we rapidly scale.Rapid Learning: Gain firsthand experience working in a fast-paced startup environment, adapting to challenges and developing diverse skillsets. Benefit from a culture of continuous learning and development, designed to unlock your potential.Career Development Opportunities: Grow alongside NxtWave. We support professional development and offer pathways for leadership within our growing design team.Transparency: Enjoy a transparent, merit-based environment where your hard work and achievements are recognized and rewarded.Additional InformationWork Location: Hyderabad, IndiaWork Arrangement: Work from officeWork Schedule: Daily work timings of 09:00 to 18:30 IST. Weekly schedule consists of 5 effective working days. PRB