Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Center for a New American Security (CNAS)

Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design Operations

Date Posted: April 27, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Responsible for the end-to-end design of comprehensive reports, infographics, and branded campaigns to visually communicate complex national security analysis and elevate CNAS's intellectual output.

• Develops a wide range of visual assets, including custom interior graphics, compelling report cover art, data visualizations (maps, charts), and promotional materials for both print and digital platforms.

• Creates branding and illustrations for new projects and special events, contributing to the overall visual identity and impact of CNAS initiatives.

• Supports various teams by developing graphics for presentations and events, utilizing non-designer tools like PowerPoint, and creating storyboards for motion graphics and explainer videos.

• Collaborates with the Creative Director to assess and improve the design team's capabilities, processes, and overall efficiency in delivering high-quality visual content.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a high-impact think tank, requiring a graphic designer to translate complex, policy-oriented content into accessible and visually engaging materials. The emphasis is on a broad skill set encompassing editorial design, data visualization, and branding, with a strong need for project management and stakeholder communication skills. The hybrid work model suggests a need for adaptability and strong remote collaboration capabilities, balanced with in-office presence for team synergy and client interaction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and format CNAS reports, incorporating text placement, creation of custom interior graphics, and development of impactful report cover art, ensuring all files are optimized for both print and web distribution.

• Design promotional assets for reports and initiatives across various digital channels, including social media, email newsletters, and website banners.

• Create clear and compelling infographics, such as maps, charts, and data visualizations, to translate complex national security topics into easily understandable visual narratives.

• Develop novel branding and unique illustrations for new research projects, special events, and organizational campaigns to enhance visual identity and recognition.

• Assist research teams in developing graphics for presentations and events, including the creation of branded templates and assets for tools like Microsoft PowerPoint.

• Conceptualize and develop art and storyboards for motion designers to guide the production of explainer videos and other animated content.

• Collaborate with the Creative Director on strategic initiatives to enhance the design team's capabilities, streamline workflows, and implement best practices in visual communication.

• Manage multiple concurrent design projects from initial brief through to final delivery, ensuring consistent quality, adherence to brand guidelines, and timely completion.

• Engage directly with internal stakeholders (researchers, editors, program teams) to gather design requirements, present concepts, and articulate the rationale behind design decisions.

• Contribute to the evolution and maintenance of CNAS's brand identity across all visual touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of highly creative design tasks and detailed production work, emphasizing the need for a designer who can manage the entire lifecycle of a design project. The requirement to assist non-designers with tools like PowerPoint and Canva indicates a supportive role in democratizing design within the organization, pushing for consistent branding across all outputs.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5+ years of professional design experience, with a preference for candidates with 3+ years in an agency or multi-designer studio environment.

• Proven experience in managing design projects from concept to completion with minimal oversight.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, with a strong emphasis on Adobe InDesign for creating sophisticated, text-rich layouts for reports, magazines, and marketing materials.

• Data Visualization Expertise: Proven experience in creating clear, compelling, and accurate data visualizations, including maps, charts, and graphs, to communicate complex information effectively.

• Digital Design Capabilities: Strong understanding of digital design principles and experience producing graphics for social media, email, websites, podcasts, and video content.

• Branding and Identity Development: Experience in building new brands from scratch as well as maintaining and evolving existing brand guidelines.

• Project Management: Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, prioritize tasks, and consistently meet deadlines.

• Stakeholder Communication: Demonstrated ability to gather requirements, pitch concepts, and confidently articulate design rationale to clients or internal stakeholders.

• Collaborative Spirit: Works collaboratively and flexibly, integrating feedback from both designers and non-designers, and possesses proactive creative instincts while remaining receptive to direction.

• Cross-functional Support: Ability to communicate design principles to non-designers and equip colleagues with user-friendly templates in tools like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Canva.

Preferred Skills:

• Interest in government, U.S. national security, foreign policy, or international relations, providing context for design content.

• Experience with motion graphics and video storyboarding.

• Familiarity with web design principles and UX/UI concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on InDesign for text-rich layouts suggests a significant portion of the role will involve long-form content design, a critical need for a think tank publishing extensive research. The requirement to work with non-designers and provide templates highlights a crucial aspect of operations support within creative teams, ensuring brand consistency across the organization.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a diverse range of design work, demonstrating proficiency across both print and digital mediums.

• Specific examples of text-rich editorial design projects, such as reports, white papers, or magazines, highlighting typesetting, layout, and formatting skills.

• A strong collection of data visualization examples, including infographics, maps, and charts, that effectively translate complex data into clear visual narratives.

• Case studies demonstrating branding projects, illustrating the ability to develop new visual identities or evolve existing ones.

• Examples of digital design assets created for social media, web, or video, showcasing adaptability to different platforms and formats.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase an understanding of design workflows, from brief intake and concept generation to production and final output.

• Provide examples of how you have managed competing deadlines and project priorities efficiently.

• Demonstrate experience in collaborating with subject matter experts and incorporating their feedback into design solutions.

• Illustrate how you communicate design decisions and project status to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role in a think tank, the portfolio should emphasize the ability to handle complex information and translate it visually. Case studies that detail the problem, the design solution, and the impact (e.g., increased engagement, clarity of message) will be highly valued. The ability to document and articulate one's design process is crucial for demonstrating operational efficiency and collaborative capability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

The estimated salary range for this Graphic Designer position in Washington D.C. is between $60,000 and $95,000 per year. This range is based on industry benchmarks for mid-level graphic designers in a major metropolitan area, considering the organization's status as a non-profit think tank and the required experience level. The specific salary offered will depend on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and interview performance.

Benefits:

CNAS offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional development of its employees, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Robust health coverage options for employees and their families.

• Life and AD&D Insurance: Financial protection in case of unexpected events.

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance: Income replacement to ensure financial security during periods of disability.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Pre-tax accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.

• 403(b) Retirement Accounts: Retirement savings plan with potential employer contributions.

• Transportation Subsidies: Assistance with commuting costs to the office.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for personal and work-related challenges.

Working Hours:

This is a full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. The work schedule is hybrid, with a regular presence expected at the D.C. office. CNAS is open to discussing specific hybrid arrangements with strong candidates, suggesting a degree of flexibility in balancing remote work and in-office collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on typical compensation for graphic designers with 5-10 years of experience in Washington D.C., a high cost-of-living area. The benefits package is detailed as provided by the company, emphasizing comprehensive health and financial support, which is common for non-profit organizations in this sector. The hybrid nature of the work arrangement is noted, along with the organization's openness to discussing specifics, which is a key detail for potential applicants.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Think Tank / Non-Profit Research (National Security & Defense Policy)

CNAS operates within the highly influential government and public sector, specifically focusing on national security and defense policy. This means the work environment is intellectually rigorous, policy-driven, and often fast-paced, responding to evolving global events and political landscapes. Design work must align with a serious, analytical, and research-oriented mission.

Company Size: The exact company size is not specified in the provided data, but CNAS is a well-established think tank with a significant national and international reputation, suggesting a mid-sized organization with multiple research programs and a dedicated administrative and creative staff. This implies a structure where specialized roles like Graphic Designer are integral to operations and communications.

Founded: Founded in 2001, CNAS has a history of developing bold, innovative, and bipartisan national security and defense policies. This longevity and consistent mission indicate a stable yet dynamic organization committed to shaping policy discourse and preparing future leaders.

Team Structure:

• Creative Team: The Graphic Designer will work closely with a Creative Director and likely other members of a creative team (e.g., other designers, possibly video editors or content specialists).

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role necessitates extensive collaboration with researchers, editors, program directors, and communications staff across various CNAS initiatives.

• Reporting: The Graphic Designer will report to the Creative Director, who oversees the visual output and strategic direction of the design function.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: The organization's core methodology involves rigorous, fact-based research to inform policy recommendations. Design must support the clarity and impact of these data-driven insights.

• Pragmatic Solutions: CNAS focuses on developing practical, actionable policy solutions. Design should reflect this pragmatism while also being innovative and engaging.

• Bipartisan Approach: The commitment to bipartisan policy development means designs should aim for broad appeal and avoid overtly partisan visual cues, focusing instead on clarity, professionalism, and intellectual substance.

Company Website: https://www.cnas.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of a national security think tank is crucial. Designers must be comfortable with serious subject matter and understand how to visually represent complex policy ideas without oversimplifying or sensationalizing them. The emphasis on bipartisan collaboration suggests a need for design that is balanced and inclusive.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Designer

This role is designed for a Graphic Designer with a solid foundation in design principles and practical experience, capable of independent work and project management. It's a step beyond entry-level, requiring the ability to handle complex projects, manage multiple stakeholders, and contribute to strategic visual thinking.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to the Creative Director. This structure allows for mentorship, guidance on strategic visual direction, and opportunities to learn advanced design thinking and team management from a senior creative leader.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer plays a critical role in the operational success of CNAS by translating complex research and policy ideas into accessible, compelling visual content. This visual communication directly impacts the organization's ability to:

• Influence Policy Debates: High-quality reports and graphics enhance the credibility and readability of CNAS's research, making it more likely to be consumed and acted upon by policymakers.

• Expand Reach and Engagement: Visually appealing content drives engagement across digital platforms, increasing the impact and dissemination of CNAS's work.

• Strengthen Brand Identity: Consistent and professional design reinforces CNAS's reputation as a leading, authoritative voice in national security.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas such as data visualization, motion graphics, or editorial design through project work and potentially professional development.

• Leadership Potential: With experience and demonstrated effectiveness, there is potential to grow into senior design roles, leading specific projects or mentoring junior designers.

• Strategic Design Input: Contributing to the strategic direction of visual communications and brand development for CNAS initiatives.

• Industry Exposure: Working on topics related to national security, foreign policy, and international relations offers unique exposure and learning opportunities within a highly relevant field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section is tailored to highlight how a creative role contributes to the broader operational goals of a policy-focused organization. Growth opportunities focus on skill development and potential career progression within a specialized sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Environment

CNAS utilizes a hybrid model, meaning the role involves a blend of remote work and in-office presence at their Washington D.C. office. This setup aims to balance the flexibility of remote work with the benefits of in-person collaboration, team building, and spontaneous idea exchange.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Washington, D.C., specifically in the 20005 zip code. This is a central location, likely accessible via public transportation, which is a common feature for organizations in the D.C. metro area. The requirement for candidates to be based in the D.C. metro area or willing to relocate underscores the importance of in-person engagement.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The D.C. office will serve as a hub for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and direct collaboration with researchers, editors, and other staff members. This facilitates real-time feedback and idea generation.

• Tools & Technology: Employees can expect access to necessary design software and hardware, as well as organizational IT support. The hybrid nature may also involve robust remote access and collaboration tools.

• Intellectual Environment: The workspace is situated within a dynamic think tank environment, fostering intellectual exchange and exposure to cutting-edge research and policy discussions.

Work Schedule:

The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, full-time. While the hybrid model offers flexibility, a "regular presence" at the D.C. office is expected. Specific days and frequency of in-office work will likely be determined in discussion with the Creative Director and based on project needs, team collaboration requirements, and organizational policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the "Workspace Context" emphasizes the intellectual and collaborative nature of the environment, which is key for a think tank. The hybrid model's implications for workflow and collaboration are highlighted.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

The interview process is likely to be multi-stage, designed to assess both design skills and cultural fit within a policy-oriented organization:

1. Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by the hiring team to assess basic qualifications and creative caliber.

2. Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: Candidates may be asked to complete a take-home design challenge or a timed exercise during an interview. This will likely involve creating a visual asset (e.g., an infographic, report cover) based on a CNAS-style brief, testing their ability to interpret complex information and apply design principles under constraints.

3. Interviews with Creative Director and Team: In-depth discussions focusing on your design philosophy, past projects, problem-solving approach, and experience with editorial design, data visualization, and stakeholder management. This stage will also assess your understanding of national security topics and your ability to adapt to the CNAS brand.

4. Interviews with Key Stakeholders: Conversations with researchers, editors, or program leads to evaluate your collaborative skills, communication style, and ability to translate their needs into effective visual solutions. This assesses your fit within the broader operational context.

5. Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and confirm alignment with CNAS's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your skills relevant to this role: editorial design (long-form text), data visualization, branding, and digital assets. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Tell the Story: For each project, articulate the brief, your role, the challenges, your design process, the solutions you implemented, and the outcome or impact. Use a structured narrative.

• Highlight InDesign & Data Viz: Ensure specific examples demonstrating your expertise in Adobe InDesign for layout and your proficiency in creating clear, accurate data visualizations are prominent.

• Showcase Adaptability: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to work with different types of content and for various platforms (print/digital).

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether it's a digital PDF or a website.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and deconstruct any design challenge brief, identifying key objectives, target audience, and required deliverables.

• Research CNAS: Familiarize yourself with CNAS's mission, recent publications, and existing visual style. This will inform your design choices and demonstrate your engagement.

• Focus on Clarity & Impact: For policy-related content, prioritize clear communication and visual storytelling over purely aesthetic flair. Ensure your design enhances understanding.

• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within realistic timeframes, as you may be given a time limit for challenges.

• Prepare Rationale: Be ready to articulate the strategic thinking behind your design decisions, explaining why you chose specific layouts, colors, typography, and visual elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a graphic design role within a policy think tank, emphasizing the need to showcase specific skills like editorial design and data visualization, and to prepare for challenges that mimic real-world scenarios for CNAS.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential suite for graphic design.

  • Adobe InDesign: Critical for text-rich layouts, reports, and editorial design. High proficiency is a must.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and detailed illustrations.
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro: For PDF creation, editing, and pre-press preparation.

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint: Expected to create graphics and presentations for non-designers, and to equip colleagues with templates.
  • Microsoft Word: For creating templates and ensuring consistency in document formatting.

• Canva: May be used for quick designs or empowering non-designers, requiring the designer to create templates or guide its use.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Integration Tool:

• Not directly applicable to this design role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe InDesign is critical, reflecting the role's focus on long-form content. The inclusion of Microsoft PowerPoint and Canva highlights the need for a designer who can support broader organizational needs beyond specialized design software.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Intellectual Rigor & Excellence: A commitment to producing high-quality, fact-based research and analysis, which extends to the visual representation of this work.

• Pragmatism & Impact: A focus on developing practical, actionable policy solutions that can influence real-world outcomes. Design should contribute to this impact.

• Bipartisanship & Inclusivity: A dedication to fostering constructive dialogue across the political spectrum. Visuals should aim for broad accessibility and avoid alienating any audience.

• Innovation & Boldness: A culture that encourages entrepreneurial thinking and pushing boundaries in policy development. Design can reflect this by being creative and forward-thinking.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working together across different teams and disciplines to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The design team is expected to work closely with researchers, editors, and program staff, acting as a partner in communicating complex ideas. This requires active listening, clear communication, and a willingness to understand diverse perspectives.

• Feedback Loops: A culture that values constructive feedback from both designers and non-designers to refine and improve work. The designer should be receptive to direction while also confidently advocating for design best practices.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of design knowledge and best practices across the organization, potentially through training or template development, to elevate the overall visual communication of CNAS.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are framed within the context of a policy think tank, emphasizing the importance of intellectual rigor, impact, and bipartisanship in all aspects of work, including design. Collaboration is presented as a key operational aspect for a creative role within such an organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Policy: The primary challenge is to visually represent highly complex, often abstract, national security and foreign policy concepts in a way that is both accurate and accessible to a broad audience, including policymakers, experts, and the public.

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Creativity: Maintaining a consistent organizational brand while also producing fresh, innovative designs for diverse projects and campaigns requires skillful navigation.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Working with individuals from various research teams, each with unique communication goals and aesthetic preferences, necessitates strong diplomacy and project management skills.

• Evolving Digital Landscape: Keeping pace with the rapid changes in digital design trends, social media best practices, and video content formats to ensure CNAS's visual communications remain relevant and engaging.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas such as advanced data visualization techniques, motion graphics for explainer videos, or complex editorial layout through project work and potentially professional training.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining in-depth knowledge of national security, foreign policy, and international relations through exposure to CNAS's research and staff.

• Strategic Communication: Developing a deeper understanding of how design strategy contributes to organizational mission and policy influence.

• Mentorship: Learning from the Creative Director and collaborating with experienced researchers and editors can foster professional growth and a nuanced understanding of the policy space.

• Process Improvement: Contributing to the refinement of the design team's workflows and processes, potentially leading to greater efficiency and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around the unique demands of designing for a policy-focused think tank, while growth opportunities highlight skill development relevant to both design and the broader policy context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a highly complex or technical subject into a clear and compelling visual. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on data visualization and editorial design).

• "How do you approach balancing brand guidelines with creative innovation, especially when working on diverse projects for different stakeholders?" (Assesses understanding of branding and creative problem-solving).

• "Walk us through a project where you had to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities. How did you ensure successful delivery for all stakeholders?" (Evaluates project management and organizational skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about CNAS's mission and work in national security and foreign policy?" (Assesses genuine interest and research into the organization).

• "How do you envision your role contributing to CNAS's overall goals of informing policy and shaping the national security debate?" (Connects design function to organizational impact).

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment and collaborating with remote and in-office team members." (Evaluates adaptability to the work arrangement).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each selected project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the objective, your design process, the constraints you worked within, your final solution, and the impact or results.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out examples that demonstrate your proficiency in InDesign for editorial layouts, your data visualization skills, your branding experience, and your digital design capabilities.

• Showcase Process: Briefly explain your workflow, from initial concept to final delivery, emphasizing how you gather requirements, iterate on ideas, and collaborate with stakeholders.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, technical processes, and how you would approach specific challenges related to CNAS's work.

• Demonstrate Enthusiasm: Convey your passion for design and your genuine interest in contributing to CNAS's mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are geared towards assessing a designer's ability to handle complex content, manage projects, and collaborate effectively within a policy-focused, hybrid work environment. Portfolio presentation advice emphasizes storytelling and showcasing relevant skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position at the Center for a New American Security:

• Submit Your Application: Navigate to the careers page at cnas.bamboohr.com/careers and locate the Graphic Designer (or relevant job ID) listing. Complete the online application form.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your editorial design, data visualization, and branding skills. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., a professional website or a well-organized PDF) and clearly showcases your process and results.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience and skills directly relevant to the job description, such as proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (especially InDesign), data visualization, project management, and experience working with text-heavy documents. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare for the "Why CNAS": Research CNAS's current initiatives, recent publications, and mission. Be ready to articulate what specifically draws you to their work in national security and foreign policy and how your design skills can serve their objectives.

• Practice Your Presentation: If invited for an interview, practice walking through your portfolio projects, clearly explaining your design decisions, challenges, and outcomes. Be prepared to discuss your approach to a hypothetical design brief related to CNAS's work.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.