Associate Data Visualization Designer

Job Summary

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

The Associate Data Visualization Designer will translate datasets into graphs, charts, and other data visualizations to be featured in CSIS's premiere product - our publications. The core of this position is to process data and quickly produce relevant data visualizations. Second to this is creating data visualizations outside of the publications process, including but not limited to CSIS Charts, data visualizations for newsletters, and data visualizations for web based digital reports.

You will work in a creative environment with other editorial designers, editors, developers, and producers who are eager to bring information to life on the web and across platforms, partnering with some of the most respected foreign policy experts and researchers.

The ideal candidate has solid design, technical, and communication skills. They also bring a passion for bridging the intersection between data, design, technology, and foreign policy/national security.

The successful candidate will be eager to improve their skills and contribute to CSIS's vision of telling dynamic fact-based public policy stories. The candidate will have strong problem-solving skills and independent self-direction, coupled with an aptitude for design and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team.

Additionally, the candidate will be a team player, possess outstanding communication and project management skills, and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced and innovative environment while meeting tight deadlines. We're looking for someone who is eager to improve and keep growing their skills and knowledge, including by staying current with the latest trends in data and design.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Design data visualizations using Flourish and Datawrapper. Create infographics.
• Help researchers, analysts, and non-technical partners to effectively communicate their findings using data.
• Work closely with editorial designers to merge data visualizations with the layout of publications.
• Work closely with publication team editors to help advise programs toward optimal data visualization solutions.
• Support the team to gather feedback from clients and partners to continually improve the products and tools we create.
• Support the design, layout, and illustration of communication materials for print and digital platforms, including reports and presentations.
• Work closely with program stakeholders and relevant iDeas Lab staff to identify CSIS Charts objectives and audiences, and design data visualizations for this product stream.
• Prepare and present concepts/work to stakeholders, articulating design thinking and decisions to non-designers and content experts.

Knowledge, Education & Experience

• A./B.S/A.B. in relevant field (data analysis, data visualization, computer science, graphic design) or other relevant experience, including bootcamp training or freelance work.
• 2+ years of experience in data visualization design.
• Solid understanding of data visualization design best practices and general design principles.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud applications (Illustrator), HTML5, and CSS3/SASS.
• Experience coaching a team of researchers, analysts, and non-technical partners through the design process to surface data stories.
• Solid command of visual design capabilities, including composition, layout, information hierarchy, typography, and color discernment.
• Ability to create in a wide range of media especially web and print.
• Experience in receiving feedback gracefully, knowing how to respond appropriately to client concerns and how to iterate and improve designs based on feedback.
• Strong interest in global affairs and public policy.
• Illustration skills are a plus.

Some Technologies We Use

• Flourish and Datawrapper
• Adobe C Suite, JS libraries and frameworks like React, Vue, Highcharts, D3, and jQuery
• Figma
• HTML5, CSS3/SASS, JavaScript, PHP
• Mapping tools like Mapbox, Leaflet and Carto
• Content management systems (WordPress, TinaCMS)
• GitHub
• Shorthand

Additional information

You don't need to be proficient in all of these, but familiarity with some is a plus, and a willingness to learn is key.

Physical Requirements and Work Conditions

Equal Opportunity Employer.