Reporting to the Managing Director, Development Communications, the Graphic Designer will create design solutions for donor-facing materials across Audubon’s Development department, which spans a vast network of national and state offices, centers, and sanctuaries. They will use a discerning eye and a detail-oriented approach to design beautiful layouts for donor decks, brochures, booklets, reports, invitations, proposals, and more. The Graphic Designer will also help educate and support the Development department in adopting the organization’s recently refreshed brand guidelines for fundraising collateral, ensuring that all donor-facing materials reflect the Audubon brand. They will support the small but mighty Development Communications team by helping to translate ideas, data, and content into design, as well as proofing documents. The Development department at Audubon is in a tremendous growth period, and is entering the public phase of a fundraising campaign; we’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running.
- Use Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office programs—especially PowerPoint—and Keynote to design and produce elegant and refined layouts, infographics, maps, and communications, including brochures, reports, decks, one-pagers, event collateral, etc., for Audubon’s Development department, at the national and state levels. A keen eye for both writing and design, and a deftness in fluidly navigating between them.
- Work collaboratively with teams throughout the Audubon network in executing projects, including the fundraising campaign, and with the Art and Photography teams, as well as external consultants.
- Employ a strong knowledge of typography, grid systems, layout design, and color theory, as well as an eye for photography.
- Consistently meet deadlines under high pressure without sacrificing quality.
- Be a brand ambassador to the Audubon Development department and broader network, supporting and addressing questions about the brand, as well as proactively identifying and creating a series of templates based on the brand.
- Conceptualize new products with the Managing Director and Design Manager on the Development Communications team, as well as the Art and Photography directors on the Content team.
- Productively interface with staff and senior leadership and effectively articulate the vision behind your products. Respond to multiple points of view and make final recommendations while maintaining collegial relations.
- Bring creativity and fresh thinking to the design of print and digital publications.
- A proven track record of beautiful, clean, and inspiring print design.
- 2-3 years of experience in a competitive, deadline-driven, and professional design environment are essential.
- Experience in print design and corporate communications. Background in journalism a plus.
- Proficient in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Keynote, Microsoft Office—especially PowerPoint—and After Effects or Apple Motion.
- Strong understanding of typography, color theory, hierarchy, and balance in a layout, and knowledge of printing and digital design processes are required. Experience in animation is also highly desired.
- Experience with brand development and strategy.
- A definitive creative vision, a high level of design sophistication, keen eye for photography, and strong typography skills are vital.
- Experience with infographic design, conceptualizing data, and creating maps.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, as well as the ability to prioritize, juggle multiple projects simultaneously, and proactively problem solve are essential.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- A motivated team player who can build partnerships across many teams and who possesses diplomacy, finesse, and intuition, and can also work independently.
- Ability to take design critique with ease and to effectively incorporate that feedback into the design.
- Past experience with a conservation organization, or in fundraising, is not required, but a passion for Audubon’s mission is a must.
- An interest and ability to remain current with rapidly changing design, production, and distribution technologies, and marketing trends.
- A good sense of humor, tenacity, a positive attitude, and a commitment to customer service are essential.