Art Director

About Rational 360  Rational 360 is a full-service strategic communications and digital company that helps organizations win in high-stakes public affairs, corporate communications, and reputation management. We combine data-driven insights, creative storytelling, and cutting-edge technology to deliver results for clients across industries. Our team is collaborative, entrepreneurial, and driven by impact. With a staff of approximately 120 and growing, Rational 360 is partially employee-owned and deeply invested in professional development, mentorship, and career advancement. Our teams work at the forefront of strategic communications, public policy, and media engagement across a wide variety of sectors. Position Overview  Rational 360 is seeking an Art Director who brings strong conceptual thinking, disciplined execution, and the ability to manage medium- to large-scale creative projects from strategy through delivery. This role requires a balance of creative leadership and operational efficiency — someone who can elevate design quality while maintaining organization, timelines, and consistency within established design systems.  The Art Director will work with junior designers, collaborate cross-functionally, and ensure that all creative output aligns with the brand standards and strategic objectives of our clients.   Requirements Core Responsibilities  Creative Leadership  Develop compelling visual concepts across print, digital, environmental, and campaign applications  Translate strategic briefs into cohesive, high-impact creative solutions  Uphold and evolve brand standards within established design systems  Ensure conceptual integrity and craft excellence across all deliverables   Project Management  Lead medium to large projects from concept through final delivery  Bring deeper or specialized expertise (e.g., web, motion, interactive, or systems thinking)  Translate creative direction into strong, scalable execution  Mentor designers on craft, process, and quality standards  Help define and document best practices for specific disciplines  Partner with Creative Director on execution strategy and problem-solving  Collaboration and Team Development  Provide guidance, constructive critique, and mentorship to junior design staff  Support skill development and growth within the creative team  Foster a collaborative and accountable studio culture  Lead by example in both creative rigor and professional conduct  Success Looks Like  Clear end-to-end ownership of complex projects and skill expansion   Complex projects are handled confidently and efficiently  Higher craft level across the team  Reduced dependency on external vendors for core capabilities  Designers learn how to work, not just what to make  Qualifications  5–7 years of professional design experience, ideally within an agency, design studio, or in-house creative team  Demonstrated experience leading projects of moderate to high complexity  Strong portfolio showcasing conceptual thinking and executional craft  Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), Figma, and relevant digital tools  Experience working within structured brand systems and style guides  Strong organizational and time-management skills  Clear, professional communication skills  Benefits Why Join Rational 360?  Collaborative, mission-driven team environment  Exposure to high-impact work across public affairs, communications, and digital  Competitive compensation and benefits  Hybrid work model with flexibility- this role will be required to adhere to our hybrid work policy which requires employees to work in-person from our HQ located in downtown DC on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  Salary range for this role is 85,000 to 110, 000 USD annually Rational 360 is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to building an inclusive workplace.

Created: 2026-03-04