Graphic Designer & Social Media Specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer & Social Media Specialist

Company: HumanKind

Location: Lynchburg, VA, US

Job Type: Part Time

Category: Marketing & Communications Operations

Date Posted: March 09, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develops and executes compelling visual content strategies for digital and print platforms to enhance brand awareness and mission impact.

• Manages and curates social media channels, creating engaging content to foster community, donor, and partner interaction.

• Ensures consistent brand messaging and visual identity across all marketing and communication materials.

• Supports internal teams with design and communication needs for events, initiatives, and outreach efforts.

• Analyzes social media performance and audience growth to inform content strategy and optimize engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a non-profit human services organization, implying a focus on mission-driven storytelling and community engagement. The "Operations" aspect is derived from the systematic management of design assets, social media calendars, and brand consistency, which are critical operational functions for a communications department.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design visually appealing graphics and layouts for digital (social media, web banners, email campaigns) and print (brochures, flyers, event materials) collateral, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines.

• Create and schedule engaging social media content across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, utilizing storytelling techniques to highlight HumanKind's mission and impact.

• Maintain and evolve the organization's brand identity, ensuring all visual communications are consistent, professional, and aligned with HumanKind's values.

• Collaborate with the Communications team and program staff to gather content, understand project requirements, and deliver high-quality design solutions on time.

• Monitor social media trends, engagement metrics, and audience feedback to identify opportunities for content improvement and audience growth.

• Assist in the development of marketing campaign materials, event promotions, and internal communications through creative design and compelling messaging.

• Manage and organize digital assets, including design files, templates, and social media content libraries.

• Support basic photography and videography needs for capturing program stories and events, if applicable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and strategic content management, essential for effective marketing operations. The emphasis on "compelling visual content" and "engaging social media content" points to a need for operational efficiency in content creation pipelines and distribution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, Communications, Digital Media, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years of progressive experience in graphic design, social media management, or digital marketing.

• Proven experience in creating and managing content for social media platforms.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, for professional design work.

• Strong understanding and hands-on experience with major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

• Demonstrated ability to develop engaging written and visual content that effectively communicates impact and tells meaningful stories.

• Excellent visual design skills with a keen eye for detail and the ability to maintain brand consistency across diverse materials.

• Proficiency with social media scheduling and analytics tools, such as Meta Business Suite or comparable platforms.

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the capacity to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Canva or similar user-friendly design tools for quick asset creation.

• Basic photography or videography skills for capturing authentic organizational content.

• Experience in nonprofit communications, marketing, or fundraising environments.

• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) for website updates.

• Basic understanding of SEO principles for social media content optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize technical design proficiency and social media platform expertise, crucial for operationalizing marketing and communication strategies. The preference for nonprofit experience and additional tools like Canva suggests an environment that values both professional-grade output and agile content creation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design projects, including digital assets (social media graphics, web elements) and print materials (brochures, flyers).

• Examples of social media content developed, demonstrating an understanding of platform-specific engagement strategies and storytelling.

• Projects that highlight the ability to maintain brand consistency and effectively communicate a brand's mission or message.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document and articulate the design process from concept to final delivery, including client (internal stakeholder) feedback loops.

• Understanding of social media content planning processes, including calendar development, scheduling, and performance tracking.

• Experience in developing and adhering to brand style guides and design process workflows to ensure operational efficiency and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role combining design and social media, a portfolio is paramount for demonstrating practical skills. The expectation for process documentation highlights the operational aspect, emphasizing the need for structured workflows in content creation and brand management.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $21.75 - $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Generous Paid Time Off: Over 5 weeks of Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay, offering flexibility for work-life balance.

• Retirement Savings: 403(b) Retirement plan with company match and contribution, supporting long-term financial planning.

• Professional Development: Tuition Reimbursement and Professional development opportunities to foster continuous learning and career growth.

• Health & Wellness: While not explicitly detailed, the non-profit sector often offers comprehensive health benefits, which candidates should inquire about.

Working Hours: Part-Time, 20 hours per week. This schedule allows for flexibility while requiring consistent contribution to ongoing projects and social media management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a part-time role with these responsibilities in Lynchburg, VA. The benefits package, particularly the extensive PTO and retirement plan, indicates a commitment to employee well-being and long-term engagement, which is attractive for operations roles that require sustained effort and dedication.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Nonprofit Human Services. HumanKind operates within the social services sector, focusing on strengthening children, families, and communities through various programs. This sector often emphasizes mission-driven work, community impact, and collaborative environments.

Company Size: Part-time role suggests a potentially mid-sized organization where individuals may wear multiple hats, or a larger organization with specialized departments. HumanKind's long history (over 120 years) indicates stability and established impact.

Founded: Over 120 years ago, signifying a long-standing commitment to its mission and a deep understanding of community needs.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Communications team, suggesting close collaboration with communication strategists, writers, and potentially marketing leadership.

• Cross-functional collaboration is expected with program staff to gather stories and insights, and potentially with development or fundraising teams to support their outreach efforts.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Storytelling: Utilizing program impact data and client stories to create compelling narratives for marketing and fundraising.

• Brand Consistency: Implementing and maintaining strict brand guidelines across all communications to ensure a unified organizational voice.

• Agile Content Creation: Developing and deploying content efficiently to meet campaign deadlines and respond to timely opportunities, especially on social media.

• Community Engagement: Actively interacting with the online community through social media to build relationships and foster support.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "human services" and its long history suggest a culture that values empathy, dedication, and impact. This implies that marketing and design efforts should resonate with these values, focusing on authentic storytelling and community connection rather than purely commercial objectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is considered an entry-level to mid-level specialist position within the Marketing & Communications Operations function. It focuses on the execution of design and social media strategies.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer & Social Media Specialist reports to a Communications Manager or Director, working within the broader Communications team.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the organization's public perception, donor engagement, and community awareness by translating the impact of HumanKind's programs into accessible and engaging visual and social media content. Effective operations in this role lead to increased brand visibility, stronger community relationships, and potentially greater support for the organization's mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Communications Specialist: Progress to roles with broader communication responsibilities, including content writing, email marketing, and campaign coordination.

• Digital Marketing Manager: Advance into managing digital marketing strategies, including SEO, paid advertising, and website analytics, alongside social media oversight.

• Communications Manager: Take on leadership of the communications function, overseeing strategy development, team management, and budget allocation.

• Director of Communications: Lead the entire communications department, setting strategic direction and representing the organization externally.

• Nonprofit Leadership: Opportunities to transition into broader leadership roles within the nonprofit sector, leveraging expertise in marketing, communications, and organizational mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit listing of a "Career Path" in the job description is a significant indicator of growth potential. This role serves as a foundational stepping stone for individuals looking to build a career in nonprofit marketing and communications operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site," suggesting a traditional office environment within HumanKind's facilities in Lynchburg, VA.

Office Location(s): Lynchburg, VA. This location is where the candidate is expected to work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with the Communications team and program staff, indicating an open and communicative workspace.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Cloud) and social media management tools will be provided. The environment likely supports creative workflows and digital content production.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with colleagues to brainstorm ideas, receive feedback, and coordinate on projects.

Work Schedule: Part-time, 20 hours per week. This flexible schedule may allow for some autonomy in managing workload, but requires consistent availability during core working hours for team collaboration and timely content deployment.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site, part-time role in a nonprofit setting often implies a focused, mission-oriented work environment where individuals are dedicated to supporting the organization's goals. The emphasis on collaboration suggests a team-oriented culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative capabilities.

• First Interview: Typically with a hiring manager or HR representative, focusing on your experience, understanding of the role, and cultural fit. Be prepared to discuss your motivations for working in the nonprofit sector.

• Skills Assessment/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth discussion of your portfolio, potentially including a small design challenge or a presentation of specific projects. This is where you'll demonstrate your technical skills and strategic thinking.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with additional team members or leadership to confirm fit and discuss final details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your graphic design and social media management skills relevant to nonprofit communications.

• Showcase Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the process, the tools used, and the outcome or impact achieved (e.g., increased engagement, successful campaign). Quantify results where possible.

• Highlight Brand Consistency: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to work within brand guidelines and maintain visual integrity.

• Demonstrate Social Media Savvy: Showcase examples of social media campaigns, engaging posts, or strategy execution.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Articulate your design choices, your approach to social media strategy, and how your work aligns with HumanKind's mission.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief, adhering to brand guidelines, and delivering a clear, well-executed concept within the given timeframe.

• Social Media Strategy: Be ready to discuss how you would approach content planning for HumanKind, considering their mission, target audiences, and platforms.

• Storytelling: Prepare to talk about how you leverage design and social media to tell compelling stories that drive engagement and support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their work but also to discuss the strategic thinking and operational execution behind each piece, especially as it relates to nonprofit mission and audience engagement.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential proficiency in Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop for creating professional digital and print graphics.

• Canva: Helpful for quick design tasks and potentially for empowering non-designers within the organization to create basic assets.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Meta Business Suite (or similar): For scheduling social media posts, monitoring engagement, and generating basic performance reports on Facebook and Instagram.

• LinkedIn Analytics: To track performance on the professional networking platform.

• Google Analytics (potentially): To understand how social media traffic impacts website engagement.

CRM & Automation:

• Social Media Management Tools: Platforms like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Sprout Social may be used for content scheduling, monitoring, and analytics across multiple platforms.

• Email Marketing Platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact): May be used for designing email campaigns that integrate with social media efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Cloud and Meta Business Suite indicates the core operational tools required. Familiarity with additional social media management platforms and analytics will enhance a candidate's operational efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Focused: A deep commitment to HumanKind's mission of serving children, families, and communities, reflected in all creative output.

• Equity & Inclusivity: Actively promoting these values in design and social media content, ensuring representation and respectful communication.

• Collaboration & Humility: Working effectively with diverse teams, practicing curiosity, and being open to feedback and shared learning.

• Continuous Improvement: Evolving design and social media strategies based on performance data and emerging trends, embracing innovation.

• Responsibility & Accountability: Taking ownership of projects, meeting deadlines, and ensuring the quality and integrity of all communications.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with program staff to capture authentic stories and with the Communications team to align on strategy and messaging.

• Feedback Loop: Open to constructive criticism and iterative design processes to refine content.

• Proactive Support: Anticipating the design and communication needs of internal stakeholders and offering creative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values (equity, inclusivity, humility, responsibility, continuous evolution) are central to its culture. Operations professionals in this role should demonstrate alignment with these values, particularly in how they approach content creation, team collaboration, and mission communication.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Mission & Marketing: Effectively translating the complex and often sensitive nature of human services work into compelling, easily digestible content that resonates with a broad audience.

• Resource Constraints: As a part-time role, managing a high volume of design and social media tasks efficiently and prioritizing effectively will be crucial.

• Measuring Impact: Quantifying the direct impact of design and social media efforts on donor engagement, program awareness, and overall organizational goals can be challenging.

• Staying Current: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving social media trends, platform algorithms, and design best practices while maintaining brand consistency.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities for professional development in areas like advanced graphic design techniques, digital marketing analytics, video editing, or UX/UI design principles.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend nonprofit marketing conferences or workshops to gain insights into best practices and network with peers.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced communications professionals within HumanKind and potentially through external mentorship programs.

• Portfolio Expansion: Gaining experience across a wide range of projects, significantly enhancing the portfolio for future career advancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for creative operations roles in nonprofits, requiring adaptability and strategic thinking. The growth opportunities are clearly articulated, pointing towards a structured path for career advancement within the organization or the broader sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a social media content calendar for HumanKind, considering our mission and target audiences?" (Prepare to discuss content pillars, engagement tactics, and platform-specific strategies.)

• "Describe a time you had to create visual content for a cause-driven organization. What were the key considerations and outcomes?" (Focus on your ability to align design with mission and impact.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across various digital and print materials, especially when working with multiple stakeholders?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and process management.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for a nonprofit organization like HumanKind?" (Connect your personal values and career goals to the organization's mission.)

• "How do you handle constructive feedback on your designs or content ideas?" (Emphasize your openness to iteration and collaboration.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling Approach: Frame your portfolio review as a narrative, explaining the problem, your solution, and the impact for each project.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your design and social media efforts (e.g., engagement rates, reach, click-through rates, material usage).

• Showcase Versatility: Present a mix of digital and print designs, as well as examples of social media content strategy.

• Highlight Process: Briefly explain your creative and operational process, including how you collaborate with stakeholders and manage projects from start to finish.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also operational discipline, strategic thinking, and a strong alignment with HumanKind's mission and values. The portfolio is the most crucial tool for showcasing these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer & Social Media Specialist position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP link.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, emphasizing your experience in graphic design, social media management, content creation, and any relevant nonprofit experience. Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible (e.g., via a website or shared link), and showcases your best work relevant to this role. Organize it to highlight both design skills and social media content examples.

• Research HumanKind: Thoroughly review HumanKind's website and social media channels to understand their mission, current campaigns, brand voice, and target audience. This will be invaluable for tailoring your application and preparing for interviews.

• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your experience, skills, and passion for the role and the organization's mission during the interview process. Practice presenting key projects from your portfolio.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions. The role is part-time and on-site, and candidates should confirm any specific expectations regarding work hours and location.