National Security Graphic Design Lead

Guidehouse is hiring a Graphic Design Lead to support national security and federal mission work from the Arlington, VA office. In this onsite role, you will translate complex information and organizational priorities into clear, branded, and accessible visual communications that serve both internal teams and external stakeholders.

What you will do

• Convert complex information, mission objectives, and organizational priorities into compelling, professional, and accessible visual communications.
• Partner with government stakeholders, communications teams, and project leadership to define creative direction, maintain brand consistency, and deliver high-quality products for internal and external audiences.
• Oversee design and production of communications materials such as executive presentations, infographics, reports, fact sheets, briefing materials, digital content, event materials, templates, graphics, and other branded assets.
• Develop and sustain visual identity standards, conceptualize creative approaches, and manage multiple design priorities while ensuring work is accurate, audience-appropriate, accessible, and aligned with client communications objectives.
• Collaborate with communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and program management teams to turn technical or complex subject matter into clear visual narratives.
• Provide creative consultation to clients, recommend innovative methods for communicating key messages, and support high-visibility communications campaigns and initiatives.
• Operate effectively in a fast-paced federal environment by managing competing priorities and short-turnaround requests, moving work from concept and storyboarding through client review, revision, and final production.
• Present creative concepts to senior stakeholders, incorporate feedback, and maintain quality control and creative direction across deliverables.

What you bring

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Federal or DoD “PUBLIC TRUST”. Candidates must obtain approved adjudication of their Public Trust prior to onboarding with Guidehouse. Active Public Trust or Suitability is preferred.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Communications, Marketing, Fine Arts, or a related field.
• 5+ years of professional graphic design, visual communications, creative services, or related experience.
• Experience in a lead graphic design or creative role, including developing concepts, setting creative direction, and managing products through final delivery.
• Strong proficiency with professional design and presentation tools, including Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft 365, especially PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage concurrent design requests, incorporate stakeholder feedback, and deliver high-quality work within deadlines.

Technologies

• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Microsoft 365
• PowerPoint

Compensation and benefits

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

Location and work setup

• Arlington, VA (onsite)
• Travel required: up to 10%
• Clearance required: Ability to Obtain Public Trust

What would be nice to have

• Active and maintained DHS Public Trust
• Experience supporting graphic design or visual communications within DHS, federal law enforcement, or another federal agency
• Experience as the creative lead for large-scale communications, branding, public affairs, or stakeholder engagement campaigns
• Experience developing brand standards, visual identity systems, templates, style guides, and communications toolkits
• Experience creating public-facing communications for outreach initiatives, digital campaigns, events, conferences, or executive-level engagements
• Experience translating communications objectives into creative concepts and finished products with senior government stakeholders
• Experience designing data visualizations, infographics, process graphics, organizational graphics, and other products that simplify complex information
• Experience supporting communications in a fast-paced, high-visibility law enforcement or national security environment
• Knowledge of Section 508 accessibility requirements and experience developing accessible communications products
• Demonstrated experience developing executive presentations, infographics, reports, fact sheets, digital graphics, templates, and other branded materials
• Experience translating complex or technical information into clear, compelling, and audience-appropriate visual communications