Festival Lead Graphic Designer

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Festival Lead Graphic Designer is charged with supporting the development of visual storytelling strategy and creative ideas across graphic and creative assets for the Sundance Film Festival. This includes generating designs and refining projects and drafts for both print and digital media.

As we develop a stronger narrative approach to our communications, the Festival Lead Graphic Designer will work closely under the Creative Director to elevate our storytelling capabilities to ensure the graphic assets they create across all print and digital platforms promote the vision of Sundance Institute and its programs to meet our marketing goals.

This temporary position works full time (40 hours per week) from Wednesday, September 2, 2026 to Tuesday, January 26, 2027. This full-time position is based within a commutable distance to Boulder, CO, Salt Lake City, UT, Los Angeles, CA, or New York, NY. The role requires flexibility, including extended hours, evenings, and weekends during peak periods, as well as travel to Institute locations, events, and meetings as needed.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…

• Supporting the conceptualization of campaign narratives and developing the visual language for digital campaigns across video content, websites, social media, and other marketing materials.

• Working closely with our Content Producer and Editor to help develop narratives as well as the look and feel of videos for the Film Festival.

• Partnering with leaders and project managers to develop, kick off, and ensure projects and campaigns fully communicate the strategy agreed upon by the project teams.

• Working to reduce bottlenecks in the creative approval process during high volume and high output periods.

• Ensuring graphic design work meets strategic and narrative direction, preemptively adjusting timelines, and carefully planning solutions.

• Selecting and securing illustrative material by formulating layout design concepts and conducting research.

• Reviewing graphics created and used by outside vendors, partners, and outlets for quality but strategic alignment and appropriate application.

• Working closely with the Senior Graphic Designer in support of the production of graphic systems and design asset kits.

• Ensuring design output from the seasonal design team is cohesive and meets design standards and guidelines.

• Designing assets for the Festival including, but not limited to, print and digital ads and campaigns, social assets, environmental graphics, signage, merchandise design, special event branding and invitations, video tags, email templates, and digital presentations as assigned.

• Managing employees, including selecting and training highly effective graphic designers, providing direction, feedback, and support to ensure employees understand responsibilities and are effective in their roles.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

• 5 years of experience developing large and small campaigns across varied platforms, including experience designing creative assets.

• Leadership skills and demonstrated experience managing and motivating a team.

• A graphic design portfolio that demonstrates creativity and versatility of skills as well as digital design expertise.

• Experience creating graphic assets for digital platforms and developing ideas and assets for video.

• Extensive knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and familiarity with other emerging technologies such as Canva.com.

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Organizational skills to handle multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities.

• Knowledge of printing production methods, fabrication, and installation preferred.

• Experience developing advertising campaigns preferred.

You will be successful in this role if you...

• Bring bold ideas and develop world class campaigns that elevate the Sundance Institute’s level of storytelling.

• Continue to push our conceptual, visual, and narrative vocabulary.

• Collaborate well with various teams to uplevel our ideas and work.

• Ensure the team produces graphics that align with department goals and convey the spirit, concept, and nature of the Festival as well as the mission of the Institute.

• Anticipate problems while proposing solutions and improvements.

In addition to a weekly pay of $1,500.00, this position* is eligible for benefits & perks, highlights include:

• Paid sick leave and Institute holidays

• Employee assistance program

• Employee Wellness Initiatives

• Sundance Film Festival passes and benefits (varies each year)

*Applications open 8/12/2026 and will be accepted for at least one week