Visual Communications Manager

Overview

The Microsoft Events Studios and Production (ESP) team is seeking an experienced Presentation design profession to be a part of the team that delivers outstanding support experiences for Microsoft Executives at events. We create world-ready visual content for Microsoft executives that aligns to strategic messaging and corporate brand guidelines. In this role you will be a part of a team of design/communication professionals, creating impactful design experiences across our entire event portfolio, including key external events, 3rd party events and internal company events.

This role comprises a mix of design management and creative implementation skills, along with a passion for technology and events. You will be responsible for creating best-in-class visual storytelling solutions for executive presentation needs at events, and continuously drive design/event projects through to successful completion. As a trusted thought leader in the realm of presentation design and communications you will be responsible for navigating a complete realm of storytelling processes and requirements to create stunning and impactful moments for Microsoft’s customers, partners and employees.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary point of contact for a team of executives aligned to a specific narrative construct, focusing on thought leadership that translates into the implementation of visual narrative solutions, storyboarding concepts and engaging necessary resources to complete presentation design projects, ensuring a constancy in quality and impact

Communicate and drive design solutions for executive communication assets that not only follow the varied brand compliance guidelines, but also adhere to the intent and messaging framework set forth by Microsoft Brand team, Experience Design team, or creative production vendors with stakeholder responsibilities to event brand and messaging

Engage with a diverse ecosystem of presentation design and communication vendors to create visual storytelling and graphic design solutions related to executive presentations that meet the high standards of visual design our executives and events require, and act as primary point of contact for vendors for resolution of roadblocks and the creation of storyboard/wire frames

Ensure design teams are utilizing the latest design best practices and processes, communicating any updates to key stakeholder and vendors that may affect future workstreams

Demonstrate a strong fundamental knowledge base in the visual design disciplines (typography, iconography, composition, color, layout, etc.) and creation of a variety of visual mood boards, storyboards, creative briefs, and motion/visual guidelines

Effectively manage and assign priorities and workloads, determining deadlines and forecast additional staffing needs for executive support or high impact periods of activity

Build visual narratives and concepts that tell the story while adhering to the event strategy goals to ensure presentation success, collaborating closely with other art directors and designers, producers, content teams, and executive management to achieve

Impart critical feedback to and guidance on specific projects completed by vendors providing support to this role and the assigned executive’s presentations, during both the pre-event development process, as well after the event is complete

Leverage team and company resources into opportunities for sharing content from executives, internally and externally when needed, as well as ensuring all content for executive presentations is properly archived for future reference

Establish proactive engagements with the communications team with each assigned executive to anticipate teams and remove potential roadblocks before they occur or develop effective avoidance strategies.

Support may include travel to events that may include international travel

Required/minimum qualifications

3+ years experience in program management, digital content publishing/management, or experience in a writing or editing role OR equivalent experience.

Additional or preferred qualifications

10+ years managing design projects and a track record of leading successful design teams to the completion of event related content

Travel for event pre and show dates. Travel estimated to be 15%+ and could incl. weekends and international destinations

Frequent contact with all levels across the company including business groups, senior executives, field marketing groups, and external suppliers

Strong technical understanding, and preferably usage, of the Microsoft ecosystem and services

Collaboration and cross-team partnerships

Self-motivated and directed person, requiring minimal supervision for successful completion of duties

Knowledge of Adobe design programs including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign

Knowledge of motion graphics and postproduction workflows

Excellent verbal and written interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with creative team members, media leads and senior leadership

Ability to navigate ambiguous situations, identify and solve for blockers, and know when to escalate to keep projects and process development moving forward

A strong understanding of creative teams and processes will be crucial and experience in a range of mediums will be key

Strong executive presence and demonstrated ability to build, extend and maintain senior client relationships with executive communications teams

Exceptional communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills while working with all levels within the company and demonstrate the ability to get things done within Microsoft.

Must be nimble enough to negotiate with multiple stakeholders, be able to defend work, and also know when to accept direction

Content Program Management IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $102,100 - $202,200 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $133,800 - $219,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances.

If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

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Common previous titles: Digital Specialist, Visual Communications Manager, Content Program Manager, Content Designer, Senior Designer, Recruiter, Engineer, Digital Account Executive, Account Manager