Jake Niehl

Irwin, PA
Jniehl82@gmail.com
+1 412 805 6996
linkedin.com/in/jacobniehl

Visionary Graphic Designer and Developer with a proven record of success in providing strategic artdirection and guidance to deliver innovative design solutions that meet project specifications and clientexpectations. Operates at the intersection of complex analysis and creative innovation, demonstrating a balancedperspective, a well-rounded understanding of design principles, and an ability to create effective brandidentities and creative solutions. Successfully applies advanced design skills and creative strategies, adapting techniques, procedures,tools, equipment, and materials as needed to meet project parameters and anticipated outcomes. Manages impressive portfolio of creative projects, ensuring delivery within established timelines andbudgetary constraints. Prioritizes multiple projects seamlessly, adapting workloads, processes, and unexpected assignmentchanges to achieve satisfactory completion.

Key Client List: Home Partners of America, Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates, JPAR Real Estate, ExcellaHealth Network, Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Highmark Stadium,Leader’s Edge Training, Walnut Grill, Fanvest, TapNPay+, Kinect Energy Group, Freedom Mortgage,Audrey’s Kitchen, Elliott Company, Ag Choice, FS Elliott, Giant Plumbing, Chatham University, RobertMorris University, Steel City Shockwave

Authorized to work in the US for any employer

Work Experience

CRM Specialist/Social Media Manager

My BFF Social - Pittsburgh, PA

January 2022 to Present

• Inherited 20+ clients enveloped within a major advertising agreement with Home Partners of America and achieved a 95% client reconnection rate within 3-4 weeks by facilitating each client’s business manager interaction with My BFF Social’s new business manager.

• Developed and implemented a manual drip campaign of contacting and scheduling each client for a15-minute reconnection meeting.

• Collaborated with Technical Team and proactively learned to properly connect, onboard, and train 20 clients on a newly rolled out CRM platform, providing best in class technical guidance and support.

• Guided and directed 98% of clients in utilizing Facebook advertising and creating a business manager and ad account.

• Conducted 1-hour long sessions and walked each client step-by-step through each aspect of creating anew business manager and ad account set up, enabling them to manage multiple advertising campaigns.

• Partnered with Technical Director to develop new CRM software that could be tailored to each client’s specifications via texting, email communication, Facebook integration, and more.

• Collaborated with Technical Director to compile a complete report of previous advertising strategy and provide background information on the complete client onboarding process from completing a lead form to making direct customer contact.

• Successfully created a best-in-class CRM that soared beyond client expectations.

Communications Manager

Center for Young Musicians - Wexford, PA

January 2019 to Present

• Partnered with Leadership in developing a plan for overhauling outdated website to optimize access for 95% of inbound web traffic, achieved a 20% boost in total website views, and maintained 81% overall site health (per SEMRush).

• Created a mock-up and collaborated with a hired web developer on constructing the new Wordpress website.

• Fine-tuned the newly created website backend, adjusting colors, images, logos, content, and functionality.• Integrated direct registration between Wordpress and Timetap scheduling software.

• Edited and created video and graphic content to add pages to site; and managed/edited key SEO information to increase website traffic.

• Encouraged company Leadership in 2019 to participate in Night Mart festival as opportunity to promote/sell services to local community by showcasing talented staff and distributing over 200 information leaflets that resulted in attracting 20 new students.

Freelance Graphic Designer

Self - Pittsburgh, PA

January 2010 to Present

• Managed projects for multiple clients, including Excella Health Network, Elliot company,
Ag Choice, FSElliott, Giant Plumbing, Penn-Trafford High School, Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation, Walnut Grill, Fanvest, TapNPlay+, Audrey’s Kitchen, Chatham University, Robert Morris University, Smashed Waffles, Lincoln Arts Performing Arts School, and Steel City Shockwave.

• Worked through Valiant 3 communications for Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation, creating a robust, clean design(incorporating Notre Dame’s color scheme) for the 2020 Jerome Bettis Blue and Gold Classic.

• Designed, managed, and edited 250 graphics for Robert Morris University’s undergraduate and graduate ceremonies as an undergraduate student. Presented the completed graphics prior to my graduation (2010-2012) as part of the approval process to ensure all critical information was correct.

• Assisted contracted clients by developing all artwork for promotional items, including totes, shirts, pens, and more.

Multimedia Designer

My BFF Social - Pittsburgh, PA

January 2019 to December 2019

• Manage multimedia projects for various clients such as Freedom Mortgage and Kinetic Energy, providinga broad range of individualize solutions including organic social media posts, direct mail, LinkedInBanners, and more.

• Worked with Kinetic Energy to capitalize on an approaching March Madness tournament by creating a direct mail design that incorporated a hardwood basketball court with a “tournament bracket” composed of electrical wiring and utility poles to provide a dynamic design solution.

• Worked with Freedom Mortgage on an organic post for a life insurance policy, using a motion video representation of a planted/growing tree in the front yard of a family of 4 playing in the front yard.• Operated at 99% timely completion rate and customer satisfaction by expertly leveraging deep knowledge of brand guidelines and identified client needs to deliver individualized brand solutions.

Social Media Manager/Graphic Designer

Premier Promotional Solutions - Harrison City, PA

2017 to 2019

(2017 - 2019; Freelance Designer 2010 - 2017) Designed and managed all social media advertising accumulating hundreds of views. Converted and prepared artwork for promotional items for numerous clients within 1 business day. Designed various direct mail pieces while maintaining a 100% deadline accuracy.

Production Assistant

WPXI Channel 11 News - Ross Township, PA

January 2014 to December 2017

Mastered multi-camera driving system that required positioning, focusing, and maintaining 3 cameras during live newscasts; alsoperformed floor directing on-air talent.

Completed required training that required arriving 2-3 hours early to practice correct camera positioning, focusing, and simulatedbroadcasts, eventually working with producers, and on-air talent.

Achieved reputation as a trusted camera operator with over 97% accuracy rating for newscasts of Stanley Cup final coverage, Olympics coverage, Primetime Newscasts, and more for top 25 TV market with a 10K daily viewing audience.

Motion Graphics Intern

Pittsburgh Penguins - Pittsburgh, PA

January 2012 to December 2013

Worked alongside employees to help create motion and interactive designs for various projects.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Robert Morris University, 2013

Skills

Adobe Illustrator (10+ years), Photoshop (10+ years), InDesign (8 years), After Effects (8 years), Adobe Premiere Pro (9 years), Final Cut Pro (8 years), WordPress (3 years), HTML (7 years), Timetap (3 years), SEMRush (Less than 1 year), Blender (Less than 1 year), Team Player, Enthusiastic, Creative, Leader, Loyal, Sincere, Honest, Adobe Creative Suite, Content creation, Branding, SEO, Video production, Video editing, Website maintenance, Illustration, Motion graphics, Email marketing, Photography, Graphic Design, Typography, Filming, User Interface (UI)

Certifications and Licenses

Northwestern University’s “What is Social?” coursework; January 2020 to Present

SEMRush Digital Marketing Certification; February 2021 to Present

LinkedIn Skills Badge (Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator); May 2022 to Present