Design Lead

Forum One is a full-service digital agency that helps mission-driven organizations expand their influence through technology. Every day, our team of strategists, architects, designers, and developers partners with leading nonprofit organizations and government agencies to create digital experiences that make an impact.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a Design Lead to join our team. In this role, you will guide the creative vision across multiple digital projects—from websites and mobile applications to branding systems and digital campaigns. You’ll work collaboratively with UX strategists, developers, and clients to turn bold ideas into meaningful digital experiences.

This is a hands-on role for someone who excels at both crafting high-quality design work and inspiring a team. You’ll lead by example—bringing strong design instincts, excellent communication skills, and a passion for mission-driven work to every engagement.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the creative direction of projects from concept through execution.
• Design and prototype responsive websites, mobile experiences, and branded digital assets.
• Collaborate with UX, strategy, and development teams to ensure design solutions are user-centered and technically feasible.
• Present design concepts to clients and internal teams with clarity and confidence.
• Provide design leadership, mentorship, and feedback to junior and mid-level designers.
• Contribute to the evolution of Forum One’s design practice by helping define standards, processes, and tools.

What you need to bring to the table:

• Experience: 6+ years in digital design, with at least 2 years in a senior role
• Design Brains: You're a pro in visual and interaction design, knowing all about typography, color, layout, responsive design, accessibility, and design systems.
• Awesome Portfolio: Show off your strategic thinking, creativity, and polished designs, especially examples of design systems and how you take ideas from start to finish.
• Tool Master: You're a whiz with Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and prototyping tools.
• Design System Guru: You really get design systems, responsive design, and UX best practices.
• Big Project Pro: You've led visual design on large projects like websites, apps, and microsites.
• Communicator Extraordinaire: You can clearly explain your design decisions and stand up for design excellence.
• Time Management Champ: You can juggle multiple projects without breaking a sweat and hit those deadlines.
• Client Handler: You're comfortable presenting work to clients, getting their feedback, and managing their expectations.

Role Expectations 

• Design Delivery: You'll be the main visual design lead, running creative sessions, turning business problems into cool visuals, joining strategic talks, and making sure deliverables are top-notch. You'll create design concepts, page designs, design systems, prototypes, and final visuals that hit all the usability, accessibility, and brand marks.
• Design Leadership: You'll guide and support other designers, giving them useful feedback to make their work shine.
• Growing the Business: You'll look for ways to expand design services with current and new clients, and show off the value of design in pitches. You'll also stay on top of design trends and share your knowledge to keep Forum One at the forefront. You'll even work with leadership to create new design services.
• Portfolio Power: Your portfolio should scream strategic thinking, creative genius, and visual polish, with examples of your design system work and how you take concepts from idea to execution across different digital platforms.

Forum One is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. For this position, the target base salary range is $97,000 to $140,000. Actual compensation salary will be determined based on a variety of factors, such as your qualifications, skills, experience, security clearances, certifications, and the scope of your responsibilities. The salary pay range is subject to change and may be modified at any time.