Design Director

Position description

The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies. HRF unites people in the common cause of defending human rights and promoting liberal democracy. Our mission is to ensure that freedom is preserved and promoted worldwide. We seek, in particular, to sustain the struggle for liberty in those areas where it is most under threat.

HRF produces the Oslo Freedom Forum, an annual human rights conference in Norway. For more information on HRF and its work, please visit our website at www.hrf.org. To learn more about the Oslo Freedom Forum, please visit www.oslofreedomforum.com.

Job Overview

The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is seeking an experienced and visionary Design Director with exceptional craft to lead HRF’s core creative team in the design and execution of events, publications, and campaigns, including our flagship event, the Oslo Freedom Forum. The Design Director will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the organization’s visual and design initiatives — translating ideas into compelling visual systems, leading work from concept through production, ensuring creative consistency across all touchpoints, and mentoring junior and mid-level designers.

This is a senior, hands-on role that balances exceptional craft with strategic thinking and meticulous attention to detail. The Design Director will report to the Creative Director and collaborate closely with the Programming, Events, and Marketing teams, as well as with external contractors and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and visual initiatives end to end — from research and strategy through concept, development, and execution — stewarding the organization’s brand presence across experiential and print
• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level designers, fostering a supportive culture that helps them refine their craft and support their creative and professional growth
• Develop cohesive event brand identities, including environmental graphics, signage, and print materials, ensuring consistency, craft, and impact
• Collaborate closely with the team, mentoring wherever possible and acting as a trusted conduit between the Creative Director and designers to ensure clarity, momentum, and design excellence
• Advocate for design across internal teams by clearly articulating creative rationale, strategic intent, and audience impact, while prioritizing workflows and resources without compromising design quality
• Manage multiple concurrent projects in fast-paced environments, balancing timelines, priorities, and resources while maintaining clear cross-functional communication
• Partner with production teams and external vendors (including printers and fabricators) to deliver cohesive, on-brand experiences, ensuring feasibility, quality, and on-time delivery while overseeing samples, mockups, production files, on-site installation, exploring materials, fabrication methods, and emerging event technologies.
• Oversee design, production, and implementation, leading execution with strong creative judgment and technical expertise
• Work closely with the Creative Project Manager to document, refine, and improve workflows and processes, continuously increasing team efficiency
• Collaborate with videographers and photographers to develop event shot lists for social media, post-event recaps, and marketing use
• Stay up to date with industry trends, design tools, and emerging technologies, and share insights with the team to drive innovation and excellence
• Split time between leadership, mentoring and hands-on design: 25% mentoring | 25% design direction | 50% design

Bonus Points

• A passion for human rights and the mission of the Human Rights Foundation
• Experience with 3D tools such as SketchUp, Blender or Rhino
• Familiarity with environmental design, signage fabrication, and connections with the creative and fabrication community
• Proficient in Google Suite and Excel, familiar with Airtable and or similar project management software

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Graphic Design or a related field
• 7+ years of professional graphic design experience, preferably in creative agency, event production or experiential marketing setting
• Portfolio demonstrating concept development and execution, event design, and print, with excellent craft, visual and spatial design sensibility and strong understanding of design principles, brand identity, typography and print and production processes
• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and Figma and familiarity with AI design software
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and collaborate effectively with stakeholders
• Experience managing junior designers, interns and freelancers
• Proactive with excellent communication skills, extremely collaborative; able to work effectively with project leaders, stakeholders, vendors, and external agencies
• Proven ability to lead multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, adapting effectively to changing priorities while consistently meeting tight timelines
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, while remaining flexible and adaptable
• Must be able to travel as needed

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $135,000, commensurate with experience. We offer a generous benefits package that includes fully covered medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; a flexible PTO plan and comprehensive company-paid holiday schedule; and many other voluntary benefits.

Application instructions

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