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 & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-04-27

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for translating complex national security and defense policy ideas into compelling and accessible visual narratives, requiring a strong command of graphic design principles and execution across print and digital mediums.

• You will be instrumental in enhancing the presentation of CNAS's research and analysis, ensuring a high standard of visual communication that elevates the organization's brand and impact.

• This position offers a dynamic work environment with diverse design challenges, from high-level branding and editorial layout to intricate data visualizations and multimedia assets.

• Collaboration will be key, working closely with researchers, editors, and the Creative Director to interpret content and develop innovative visual solutions that resonate with diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Graphic Designer" is broad. Based on the description detailing responsibilities like report design, infographics, branding, motion graphics, and video storyboarding, this role is positioned within a specialized creative team, likely reporting to a Creative Director, and requires a mid-level designer with a robust portfolio in editorial and digital design, not just general graphic arts. The salary range and experience level reflect this specialization within a think tank environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and lay out comprehensive CNAS reports, ensuring visually appealing and error-free content for both print and web distribution, including custom cover art, interior graphics, and promotional assets.

• Develop clear and impactful infographics, maps, charts, and other data visualizations to effectively communicate complex national security topics and research findings.

• Create and maintain visual branding elements for new projects, campaigns, and special events, ensuring consistency with CNAS's established brand guidelines while also exploring novel creative concepts.

• Support various teams by developing graphics for presentations, internal meetings, and external events, often utilizing non-designer-friendly tools like PowerPoint.

• Produce storyboards and visual concepts for motion designers, guiding the development of explainer videos and other multimedia content.

• Assist the Creative Director in identifying opportunities to enhance the design team's capabilities, processes, and workflows, focusing on efficiency and innovation.

• Manage multiple design projects concurrently from initial brief to final delivery, exercising sound design judgment and operating with a high degree of autonomy and minimal oversight.

• Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders, including researchers and editors, to gather design requirements, present concepts, and articulate the rationale behind design decisions.

• Integrate feedback from both design and non-design colleagues, demonstrating flexibility and a proactive approach to creative problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are heavily weighted towards editorial design and data visualization, indicating a need for a designer proficient in translating dense, research-heavy content into digestible visual formats. The mention of assisting with PowerPoint suggests a need for strong template creation and user guidance skills for non-designers.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Proficiency: Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, with a strong emphasis on Adobe InDesign for creating and managing text-rich layouts for reports, magazines, and marketing materials. Exceptional attention to detail in typesetting, typography, and formatting is crucial.

• Data Visualization: Proven experience in creating compelling infographics, maps, charts, and data visualizations that translate complex information into clear and engaging visuals.

• Digital Design: Solid understanding of digital design principles, with the ability to produce graphics optimized for social media, email campaigns, event platforms, websites, podcasts, and video content.

• Branding & Identity: Experience in developing new brand identities from concept to execution, as well as maintaining and evolving existing brand systems.

• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, prioritize tasks, and consistently meet deadlines, taking projects from brief to final delivery with minimal supervision.

• Stakeholder Communication: Experience in gathering requirements, pitching design concepts, and confidently articulating the rationale and story behind design decisions to clients or stakeholders.

• Collaborative Mindset: Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly, integrating feedback from diverse team members and stakeholders, and bringing proactive creative instincts while remaining receptive to direction.

• Client/Stakeholder Management: Experience working directly with clients or internal stakeholders to gather requirements, present concepts, and articulate design rationale.

• Cross-functional Communication: Skill in communicating design principles and best practices to non-designers, and experience equipping colleagues with templates in tools like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Canva.

• Legal Right to Work: Must have the legal right to work in the United States.

• Location: Must be based in the Washington, D.C. metro area (DC, MD, VA) or willing to relocate.

Preferred Skills:

• Interest in government, U.S. national security, foreign policy, or international relations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on InDesign for text-heavy layouts and the requirement to "equip colleagues with templates in tools like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Canva" suggests the role involves not only high-end design but also the creation of user-friendly templates and basic design support for non-designers within the organization. This indicates a need for strong organizational skills and patience in communicating design concepts.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a wide range of design capabilities, with a specific focus on:
  • Editorial Design: Showcase examples of well-designed reports, white papers, magazines, or books, highlighting your expertise in typography, layout, and visual hierarchy for text-rich documents.
  • Data Visualization & Infographics: Include examples of infographics, charts, maps, and other data visualizations that effectively translate complex data into clear, compelling, and aesthetically pleasing visuals.
  • Branding & Identity: Present case studies of brand development projects, illustrating your ability to create cohesive visual identities and apply them across various media.
  • Digital Assets: Provide examples of graphics designed for web, social media, email campaigns, and video, demonstrating an understanding of digital design best practices and optimization.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of your ability to document and streamline design workflows, including:
  • Workflow Design: Showcase examples of how you've designed or optimized design workflows to improve efficiency and collaboration.
  • Template Creation: Demonstrate experience in creating user-friendly templates for common design assets (e.g., reports, presentations, social media graphics) that empower non-designers.
  • Asset Management: Show an understanding of organizing and managing design assets for easy retrieval and consistent application.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is critical. Candidates must showcase not just aesthetic talent but also the ability to handle complex, text-heavy documents and data, and to create assets that serve a strategic communication purpose for a think tank. The ability to create templates for non-designers is a key differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage:

  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance

• Life & Disability:

  • Life Insurance
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
  • Short-Term Disability Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Financial & Retirement:

  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care
  • 403(b) Retirement Accounts with potential employer contributions (details to be confirmed)

• Commuting & Wellness:

  • Transportation Subsidies to help with commuting costs

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week.

• The role is hybrid, necessitating a regular presence in the D.C. office, with flexibility to discuss specific remote and in-person arrangements with strong candidates. This hybrid model aims to balance collaborative in-office work with the benefits of remote flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on market data for similar roles in Washington D.C. and the specified experience level. The benefits package is extensive, typical for established non-profit organizations, and strongly emphasizes employee well-being and financial security. The hybrid nature of the role indicates a need for self-discipline and strong time management skills.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

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

Company Size: Approximately 51-200 employees (based on typical think tank structures and typical BambooHR listings). This size suggests a highly collaborative environment where individual contributions are visible and impactful.

Founded: CNAS was founded in 2001, indicating a mature organization with established processes and a strong reputation in its field.

Team Structure:

• The graphic designer will be part of a creative team, likely reporting to a Creative Director.

• This team will collaborate closely with research departments, editorial teams, and communications staff.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: The core of CNAS's work involves rigorous research and data analysis to inform policy recommendations. Designers must be adept at translating this data into visually understandable formats.

• Policy-Focused Communication: All visual materials serve the purpose of communicating complex policy ideas effectively to policymakers, experts, and the public.

• Bipartisan & Pragmatic Approach: The organization emphasizes pragmatic, principled, and bipartisan policy development, which should be reflected in the clarity and neutrality of the visual communications.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The think tank environment implies a mission-driven culture focused on intellectual rigor and policy impact. Designers will need to be comfortable working with academic and policy professionals, translating complex ideas into accessible visuals without oversimplifying or misrepresenting the content.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Graphic Designer. This role is not entry-level; it requires demonstrated experience and the ability to work independently on significant projects. It sits below a Senior Designer or Art Director but is a crucial contributor to the creative output.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Creative Director, who oversees the overall visual strategy and team management. The designer will also work directly with various research and editorial teams, acting as a key functional partner.

Operations Impact: The graphic designer's work directly impacts CNAS's ability to communicate its research and policy recommendations effectively. High-quality visuals can enhance the credibility, reach, and influence of CNAS's work, contributing to its mission of shaping national security discourse. This role is vital for external perception and internal communication consistency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like complex data visualization, motion graphics, or editorial design for research publications.

• Leadership Development: Potential to take on more senior project responsibilities, mentor junior designers (if the team grows), or lead design aspects of major campaigns.

• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience in the policy and non-profit sector, potentially leading to roles in similar organizations or government agencies, or even transitioning to a more strategic design leadership role.

• Cross-functional Skill Building: Develop stronger communication and project management skills by working with diverse teams and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth in this role is likely to be horizontal (deepening design skills) or into project leadership rather than a steep hierarchical climb, given the specialized nature of the Creative department within a think tank. The "operations" aspect here refers to the operational efficiency and impact of the design function itself.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as hybrid, meaning there will be a mix of in-office and remote work. This suggests a modern office setup designed to accommodate flexible work arrangements.

Office Location(s): The office is located in Washington, D.C. (specifically in the 20005 zip code), a central location in a hub for policy and government affairs. This proximity offers networking opportunities and access to industry events.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect a work environment that encourages collaboration, with meeting rooms, common areas, and potentially open-plan desk arrangements to facilitate interaction with colleagues from various departments.

• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design software and hardware will be provided. The presence of non-designer tools like PowerPoint indicates a focus on enabling broader team members with basic design capabilities.

• Intellectual Environment: Working within a think tank means being surrounded by researchers, policy analysts, and writers, fostering an intellectually stimulating atmosphere.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week is expected, with the hybrid model allowing for some flexibility in daily scheduling, subject to team needs and project deadlines. Regular in-office presence is required, likely for team meetings, collaborative sessions, and focused work that benefits from direct interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature suggests a need for strong self-management and clear communication regarding availability and work location. The D.C. location is strategic for a national security think tank, offering access to key institutions and individuals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation/Interview: Likely a session where you present your portfolio to the Creative Director and potentially other team members. Be prepared to walk through your process, rationale, and the impact of your work on specific projects.

• Skills-Based Assessment: This may involve a design challenge or a discussion about how you would approach specific design scenarios relevant to CNAS's work (e.g., visualizing a complex policy brief, designing a report cover for a sensitive topic).

• Cultural Fit Interview: An opportunity for the hiring team and candidate to assess mutual fit with CNAS's mission-driven culture, collaborative style, and team dynamics.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills required for this role – particularly editorial design, data visualization, and branding for complex topics.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your design process, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the measurable impact or outcome. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Highlight InDesign & Data Viz: Specifically call out projects where you demonstrated advanced InDesign skills for text-heavy layouts and effective data visualization techniques.

• Showcase Collaboration: If possible, include examples or discuss how you collaborated with writers, researchers, or stakeholders.

• Tailor to CNAS: Emphasize projects that show an understanding of communicating complex ideas, and ideally, demonstrate an interest in policy or national security.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand CNAS's Work: Familiarize yourself with CNAS's recent publications, research areas, and overall brand aesthetic.

• Practice Translating Complexity: Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing for topics like AI, digital currency, or drone warfare.

• Prepare for "Why": Be ready to explain the strategic thinking behind your design choices, not just the aesthetic appeal.

• Template Familiarity: Think about how you would structure templates for PowerPoint or Word that are both branded and user-friendly for non-designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on portfolio evaluation. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not only design skill but also strategic thinking, communication ability, and an understanding of the think tank's mission. The "operations" aspect here is the efficiency and effectiveness of the application and review process itself.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential suite including:

  • Adobe InDesign: For professional page layout, typesetting, and report design. This is a critical tool for this role.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, icons, and custom illustrations.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Adobe After Effects/Premiere Pro (Preferred): For motion graphics and video editing, as the role involves assisting with video assets and storyboarding.

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • PowerPoint: For creating presentation graphics and templates for colleagues.
  • Word: For creating document templates and ensuring consistent formatting.

• Canva (Familiarity Preferred): For potentially creating accessible templates or assisting non-designers.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how design assets are deployed through marketing automation or content management systems could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of InDesign and PowerPoint, alongside the broader Adobe Creative Cloud suite, defines the core technical requirements. Proficiency in these tools, especially InDesign for editorial work, is non-negotiable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Intellectual Rigor & Accuracy: A commitment to producing designs that accurately and effectively represent complex research and policy, reflecting the organization's dedication to fact-based analysis.

• Clarity & Accessibility: A drive to make intricate information understandable and engaging for a broad audience, demonstrating the value of clear visual communication.

• Collaboration & Partnership: A proactive approach to working with researchers, editors, and other teams, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering strong working relationships.

• Innovation & Boldness: Embodying the entrepreneurial spirit of CNAS by pushing creative boundaries and developing novel visual solutions that stand out.

• Professionalism & Reliability: A dedication to meeting deadlines, managing projects efficiently, and delivering high-quality work with minimal oversight.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The design team is integrated into the research and editorial processes, requiring designers to be active participants in project teams.

• Feedback-Oriented: An open culture where constructive feedback is welcomed and used to refine designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Expected to share design expertise, best practices, and potentially provide guidance or training on design tools and principles to colleagues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely to be fast-paced, intellectually stimulating, and mission-focused. The ideal candidate will be a team player who can navigate diverse professional backgrounds and contribute to a shared goal of impactful communication.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Content: The primary challenge will be translating dense, technical, and often abstract national security and policy concepts into visually engaging and accurate designs.

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Creativity: Maintaining brand integrity while pushing creative boundaries for a variety of projects requires a nuanced approach.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Working with subject matter experts who have varying levels of design understanding and specific content-related priorities.

• Fast-Paced Environment: The think tank environment can be dynamic, with shifting priorities and tight deadlines, requiring adaptability and efficient project management.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Policy Understanding: Gain significant exposure to critical national security and foreign policy issues, enhancing contextual understanding for design work.

• Advanced Design Specialization: Opportunity to hone skills in specific areas like advanced data visualization, infographic design, or multimedia asset creation.

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Develop stronger communication and collaboration skills by working with experts from diverse fields.

• Portfolio Expansion: Build a robust portfolio with high-impact work for a reputable organization, enhancing career prospects in policy, non-profit, or specialized design roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to the nature of policy communication design. Growth opportunities are significant for a designer looking to align their skills with impactful subject matter and develop a unique niche.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate complex data or a technical topic into a clear visual. What was your process?" (Focus on data visualization skills, problem-solving, and clarity.)

• "How do you approach designing for a brand that requires both seriousness and innovation, especially in a field like national security?" (Assess understanding of brand strategy and creative application.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for a national security think tank like CNAS?" (Gauge genuine interest and alignment with the mission.)

• "How do you handle receiving critical feedback on your designs, especially from non-designers?" (Assess collaboration, receptiveness to feedback, and communication skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (e.g., Reports, Infographics, Branding) or by showcasing your most relevant projects first.

• Focus on Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, your specific contributions, the tools used, and the outcome. Use visuals to illustrate your points.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, mention how your design contributed to the project's success (e.g., increased engagement, clearer understanding of data).

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, your workflow, and how you'd handle specific challenges CNAS might present.

• Demonstrate InDesign Mastery: Be ready to discuss your InDesign techniques for complex layouts, typography, and pre-press preparation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design talent but also strategic thinking, effective communication, and an understanding of the CNAS mission. The ability to articulate the "why" behind design decisions is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio through the CNAS careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features strong examples of editorial design (reports, publications), data visualization, and branding projects that align with the responsibilities and requirements outlined. Highlight your proficiency with Adobe InDesign.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize relevant experience, specific design skills (especially InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, data visualization), project management capabilities, and any experience with policy or non-profit organizations. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work during an interview. Practice presenting your portfolio and discussing how your skills can benefit CNAS.

• Research CNAS: Thoroughly research the Center for a New American Security's mission, recent publications, and overall brand aesthetic to demonstrate a genuine interest and understanding of their 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.