Visual Identity (VI) Manager

The Visual Identity (VI) Manager role at our organization involves leading and evolving the global visual branding system in alignment with HCLTech's strategic brand direction. As the VI Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring consistency, innovation, and impact across all visual expressions of the brand, maintaining coherence in design across various platforms, touchpoints, and stakeholder groups. We are looking for a dynamic and detail-oriented individual to fill this role. Your primary responsibilities will include enhancing the visual identity program, supporting the development of new brand assets, governing their usage, and collaborating cross-functionally to elevate the overall brand experience. You will be responsible for leading the development of new use cases and references for brand elements, continuously improving and simplifying brand guidelines through innovative use of color, typography, and execution formats. Additionally, you will partner on the creation of new brand guidance, including data visualizations, infographics, merchandise, and event branding, and collaborate with the brand team on the evolution of the brand messaging kit and its integration with visual storytelling assets. It will also be crucial to consistently review the utilization of assets and make necessary revisions or replacements. In terms of governance, you will work closely with the creative studio on early-stage brand approval/VI reviews with a collaborative, solution-oriented approach. You will also be responsible for managing and updating brand assets on brand resources, guidelines, and Brandfolder pages, as well as empowering marketers to uphold brand standards through enablement and training. Collaboration will be a key aspect of this role, as you will work closely with the brand and enablement team members on strategies for training, feedback, and hands-on outreach. You will design a training strategy for different user groups, collaborate with internal comms to promote new assets, guidelines, and brand achievements, and conduct regular feedback cycles with super users and the broader marketing organization. Additionally, you will engage in cross-functional collaboration across the VI/Creative team and the marketing organization to assist teams with visual identity application and brand strategy. Special initiatives will also be a part of your role, involving working closely with external design and creative agencies to brief, review, and refine visual assets aligned with VI standards. You will contribute to creative for high-visibility events like the World Economic Forum and brand-level campaigns, ensuring the brand is accurately and impactfully represented. Furthermore, you will partner with the brand strategy team on major initiatives as needed. To qualify for this role, you should have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Visual Communications, Branding, Marketing, or a related field, along with at least 7 years of experience in visual identity management, brand strategy, or art direction. A strong portfolio demonstrating visual system development, brand storytelling, and scalable brand execution is essential. Proficiency in tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, or similar is required, and experience in training, governance, and asset management systems is preferred. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are also vital for success in this role. Key competencies for the VI Manager position include creative leadership with a strategic lens, systems thinking in design, attention to detail, consistency enforcement, collaboration across teams and functions, and brand stewardship with cultural fluency.,