Graphic Designer

AARP • Washington, DC

5h • Hybrid

About The Position

AARP Foundation is the nation's leading organization serving the 39 million older adults living in poverty or one life event away from slipping into it. Our mission is to strengthen financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems. We do this by creating pathways to quality employment, removing barriers to benefits, and promoting equitable access to essential goods and services.
The Graphic Designer is responsible for designing and developing highly engaging digital and print content, including graphics, reports, newsletters, infographics, designed reports, presentations, and data visualizations, with a strong and consistent brand identity, that advance AARP Foundation’s mission and objectives. This position will produce new ideas, concepts, and ways to tell the Foundation's story through print, presentations, digital design, marketing collateral, promotional materials, and interactive media. This role requires excellent design skills and a high degree of autonomy, while collaborating closely with multiple departments and teams to ensure that content is relevant and timely. The Graphic Designer will understand and design for multiple audiences (including program participants, donors, and volunteers) and to increase engagement across multiple and varied communications channels (e.g., print, digital, multimedia, and social media). Top candidates will be exceptional designers with strong project/client management skills. Secondary responsibilities include overseeing photography needs for the Foundation, including maintaining the organization’s photo library. Must have strong communication, collaboration and agency/vendor management skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, or a related field.
• 8+ years of professional design experience in a corporate, agency or nonprofit environment.
• A portfolio that illustrates digital graphic design works will be required.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite design programs: Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign; Canva; PowerPoint, and approved AI tools.
• In-depth current knowledge of standards and trends in design, typography, illustration, photography, color theory, brand development, and identity.
• Experience using project management software such as Asana, Smartsheet, or Basecamp to track projects.
• AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.
• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise

Responsibilities

• Creates graphics, content, and/or visuals for digital and print publications or platforms. Develops visuals and designs content, including layouts or digital stories.
• Displays a strong vision for photography and collaborates with the photo department on execution.
• Collaborates with editors and production staff to meet deadlines.
• Provides regular feedback to and manages day-to-day workload for junior design staffers.
• Provides feedback on projects and direction to junior design staff.
• Provides input on contracts for illustrators, uploads illustrations to the Content Management System (CMS), and generates lists for award submissions, depending on assigned functional area.

Benefits

• AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level