The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national, nonprofit public charity dedicated to finding permanent homes for the more than 140,000 children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s® founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and innovative grantmaking.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
With support from the senior manager of graphic design, the graphic designer will serve a support role within the marketing and communications team, collaborating with internal teams and other designers to ensure a cohesive brand experience that builds awareness and support for the Foundation’s mission. The graphic designer will implement a variety of design-related tasks and projects that support marketing and communications to the Foundation’s various audiences.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. Help maintain the organization’s creative brand standards, including primary and sub-brands, across various digital channels and print
- Serve as the primary designer of emails that educate supporters on the Foundation’s mission, programs, initiatives and events. Set up, code and design emails aimed at raising funds and driving participation, following visual direction provided by agency partners; leverage best practices for accessibility and ensuring quality control across platforms for desktop and mobile view
- Design fliers and other materials for events and partnership communications, including images for social media and presentations
- Implement basic web content updates (blogs, landing pages, statistics and some images) using a CMS content editor, with guidance from team leads; perform simple in-house video editing tasks, including embedding in-house video captions
- Ensure all designs adhere to the Foundation’s brand guidelines and maintain consistency in tone, style and visual identity across all mediums
- Maintain an organized file structure, ensuring proper version control to streamline collaboration and quality
2. Collaborate with outside print and production vendors and agency partners, as needed
3. Assume responsibility for professional growth and development, keeping current with industry trends and best practices
4. Perform other duties, as requested
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
The following qualifications are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required to serve in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Proficiency in designing emails and other materials using the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, including Dreamweaver, After Effects and Premiere Pro; experience with content placement in web content management systems platforms, such as WordPress; knowledge of Luminate Online or other email marketing platforms a plus; ability and willingness to learn new systems quickly
- Strong understanding of design principles and best practices, with the ability to proactively apply and adapt brand guidelines across various platforms and formats; deliver error-free design that meet brand standards while maintain version control and consistency across projects
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and support multiple projects; efficient implementation of repetitive tasks; proficient use of project management systems that aid internal communications and planning
- Demonstrates openness to feedback and a willingness to learn, adapting design approaches based on the Foundation’s needs and evolving industry trends
- Values diversity and supports an inclusive culture through the ability to successfully communicate with and influence a diverse group of audiences
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Associate degree in graphic design, visual communications or related field or completion of related formal training program
- 1+ years of experience in multimedia graphic design (print, digital, web)
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Limited travel required (less than 5%)
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, religious beliefs, political affiliation, creed, HIV/AIDS status, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, familial status, veteran/military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, prior arrest or any other category protected by applicable law. Any employee who engages in such conduct is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.