Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Historic New England

Location: Haverhill, Massachusetts (Remote is not applicable for this role due to residency requirements)

Job Type: Contract-to-Permanent, Part-Time (20 hours/week)

Category: Marketing & Communications Operations

Date Posted: 2025-09-16

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

Remote Status: On-site (with potential for hybrid work arrangement once full-time)

🚀 Role Summary

• Responsible for conceptualizing and executing visual design projects across print and digital media to enhance brand recognition and audience engagement for Historic New England.

• Ensures brand consistency by maintaining and applying established guidelines for logos, typography, and color palettes across all marketing materials.

• Collaborates with internal teams and external vendors to manage design projects from inception to completion, adhering to timelines, deliverables, and budgets.

• Supports marketing priorities by creating visually compelling assets that communicate organizational value propositions and key messages, particularly for sponsorship and partnership opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the listing mentions "Haverhill, Massachusetts (Remote)", the "New England residency required by start of work" and "Valid driver’s license and means of transportation" strongly imply an on-site or hybrid presence is expected, particularly for collaboration and event attendance. The "remote" notation might be a misclassification or refer to potential future flexibility once the role is full-time. This role is firmly rooted in operations support for the marketing and communications function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce a wide range of marketing collateral, including signage, digital ads, website graphics, social media content, logos, banners, brochures, direct mail pieces, flyers, e-newsletters, and annual reports.

• Maintain and enforce brand identity standards, ensuring consistent application of logos, fonts, colors, and other branding elements across all visual communications to reinforce the Historic New England brand.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with various departments (e.g., marketing, development, programs) to understand project requirements, gather feedback, and ensure designs effectively meet communication objectives.

• Manage relationships with external vendors, such as printers and agencies, overseeing project execution to ensure adherence to design specifications, timelines, deliverables, and budget constraints.

• Support marketing leadership by contributing to the development of design strategies that maximize sponsorship and partnership opportunities, effectively communicating the brand's value.

• Assist in the creation and maintenance of vendor and partner relationships relevant to design and production needs.

• Participate in occasional community events to foster partnerships and build relationships, potentially requiring on-site presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for operational excellence in design execution, focusing on process adherence (brand guidelines, timelines, budgets) and cross-functional collaboration to drive marketing and communication objectives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in the graphic design industry, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality design work.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, prioritizing tasks and meeting varied design specifications, tight timelines, and budget requirements.

Required Skills:

• High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, for professional design output.

• Expertise in graphic design fundamentals, including strong typography, layout composition, and visual hierarchy principles.

• Exceptional attention to detail in all aspects of design and production.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration and stakeholder interaction.

• Strong organizational and project management skills to manage multiple tasks, deliverables, and timelines.

• Ability to accept and integrate constructive team feedback, quickly reacting to new information and revising designs as necessary.

• Proficiency in image editing and asset manipulation for quick and efficient workflow.

• Familiarity with current visual design trends and the ability to apply them appropriately.

• Knowledge of accessible design principles and best practices.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with content management systems (CMS) or website design platforms.

• Familiarity with video editing software or motion graphics.

• Knowledge of print production processes and best practices.

• Experience working within a non-profit or cultural heritage organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of technical design proficiency (Adobe Suite), project management capabilities, and soft skills crucial for operations within a marketing context. The requirement for "New England residency" is a critical location-based qualification.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of three years of professional graphic design work, demonstrating a range of projects across print and digital media.

• Portfolio pieces should highlight successful application of brand guidelines, effective typography, and compelling layout design.

• Include case studies or examples that illustrate the process of taking a design from concept to final execution, detailing problem-solving and decision-making.

• Demonstrate proficiency in using Adobe Creative Suite tools to achieve specific design outcomes, with clear examples of InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop usage.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how design projects were managed, including timelines, stakeholder communication, and vendor coordination.

• Demonstrate an understanding of workflow optimization, such as efficient image editing or asset organization.

• Evidence of how feedback was incorporated into design revisions and process improvements.

• Showcase an ability to work within budget constraints and manage project scope effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of design capability and operational execution. Candidates should prepare to walk through their process and rationale for design choices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Potential for full-time permanent position with comprehensive benefits package upon successful transition.

• Opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization dedicated to preserving New England's heritage.

• Exposure to diverse marketing and communications projects within a non-profit setting.

Working Hours:

• Initial phase: 20 hours per week, with flexibility to schedule these hours around project needs and team availability, but requiring consistent availability for collaboration.

• Potential transition to a full-time, standard work week (approximately 35-40 hours) with a more structured schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation is structured as a part-time contract, which may limit access to full benefits initially. The estimate is based on local market data for similar roles. The "New England residency" requirement is a key factor in location-based compensation considerations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Non-profit, Cultural Heritage Preservation, Historic Sites & Museums.

Company Size: Historic New England is a significant organization in its sector, likely employing between 50-200 individuals, indicating a structured environment where cross-functional collaboration is essential but potentially less bureaucratic than a very large corporation. This size offers opportunities for impact and visibility.

Founded: Historic New England was founded in 1910, signifying a long-standing history and established mission, which implies a culture that values tradition, preservation, and long-term impact.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely report to the Director of Marketing or a Marketing Manager, working within a marketing and communications department.

• The role requires close collaboration with various departments, including program staff, development, and leadership, to gather design needs and ensure brand alignment.

Methodology:

• Design processes will focus on understanding organizational objectives and translating them into effective visual communications.

• Emphasis on data-driven approaches, using analytical data to inform design choices and measure their impact on audience engagement and communication goals.

• Workflow planning will involve project management techniques to balance multiple design requests and deadlines efficiently.

• Automation and efficiency practices may be utilized for tasks like asset management or template creation.

Company Website: historicnewengland.org

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission and long history suggest a culture that is dedicated, possibly traditional, but also forward-thinking in its approach to engaging modern audiences. The operations of the marketing team are geared towards supporting this mission through effective outreach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an entry to mid-level for a specialized operational function within marketing. It offers hands-on experience in executing design projects that directly support organizational outreach and brand management.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a marketing leadership role, likely the Director of Marketing, ensuring alignment with broader organizational communication strategies.

Operations Impact: The role's operations impact is significant, as effective visual communication is crucial for audience engagement, donor cultivation, program attendance, and overall brand perception for a heritage organization. Well-executed designs directly support fundraising efforts and public awareness campaigns.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design software, explore new design trends, and gain experience in various marketing collateral types.

• Industry Exposure: Develop a strong understanding of the non-profit and cultural heritage sector's marketing and communication needs.

• Career Progression: Potential to transition into a full-time permanent role with increased responsibilities, and possibly advance to Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director roles within larger organizations, or specialize in areas like digital design or branding.

• Leadership Exposure: Working closely with the Director of Marketing provides exposure to strategic marketing planning and decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The contract-to-permanent structure is a key growth indicator, suggesting potential for long-term career development within Historic New England. The emphasis on mission alignment also offers intrinsic career satisfaction.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Haverhill, Massachusetts, implying a physical workspace within an office setting, likely at one of Historic New England's administrative locations or a dedicated office space.

Office Location(s): Haverhill, Massachusetts. Candidates must reside in New England.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, requiring interaction with marketing team members and staff from other departments.

• Access to necessary design software and hardware (Adobe Creative Suite) will be provided or expected to be used.

Work Schedule:

• The initial 20-hour work week offers some flexibility. Candidates should be prepared to manage their hours effectively to meet project deadlines while coordinating with team members for collaborative tasks.

• The ability to be responsive to project needs and attend occasional events is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is based in Haverhill, the "New England residency" requirement suggests a commitment to the region. The work environment will be typical of a non-profit office, emphasizing collaboration and mission-driven work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and design capabilities.

• First Interview: Typically with the hiring manager (Director of Marketing), focusing on experience, skills, approach to design, and understanding of the organization's mission. This stage will likely involve discussing portfolio pieces.

• Design Challenge/Task: Candidates may be asked to complete a small design exercise or present a more in-depth critique/redesign of an existing piece of Historic New England's collateral to assess practical skills and strategic thinking.

• Second Interview: May involve meeting with other team members or leadership, focusing on cultural fit, collaboration style, and broader organizational alignment.

• Reference Checks: Standard procedure for assessing past performance and professional conduct.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your strongest, most relevant work. Focus on projects that demonstrate versatility across print and digital, and highlight your ability to adhere to brand guidelines.

• Tell a Story: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your role, the challenges, your process, and the outcome. Emphasize how your design solutions met the client's or organization's objectives.

• Highlight Process: Clearly show your design thinking, from initial concept sketches (if applicable) to final polished assets. This demonstrates your problem-solving approach.

• Showcase Technical Skills: Include examples that clearly demonstrate your command of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Address Brand Consistency: If possible, include examples where you've successfully worked within or developed brand guidelines.

• Tailor to Historic New England: Research Historic New England's current branding and marketing materials. If you have examples that align particularly well, highlight them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Mission: Familiarize yourself with Historic New England’s mission, values, and target audience.

• Analyze Existing Materials: Review their website, social media, and any available print materials to understand their current visual identity and identify potential areas for enhancement.

• Prepare for a Brief: If a design challenge is provided, ensure you understand the brief thoroughly and focus on delivering a solution that is both creative and aligned with the organization's needs.

• Focus on Efficiency: Demonstrate an ability to produce high-quality work efficiently, as the role is initially part-time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the portfolio. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design process and demonstrate how their skills align with the operational needs of a non-profit marketing department.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Adobe InDesign: Essential for layout and print design (brochures, annual reports, flyers). Proficiency in creating multi-page documents, managing typography, and preparing files for print.
  • Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations. Expertise in creating scalable graphics and understanding vector manipulation.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Necessary for image editing, retouching, and creating digital graphics for web and social media. Proficiency in color correction, layer management, and optimizing images for various platforms.

• Project Management Software: While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for task management and workflow tracking would be beneficial.

• File Sharing/Collaboration Tools: Dropbox, Google Drive, or similar for asset sharing and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics (e.g., Google Analytics): Understanding how to interpret basic website traffic data and user engagement metrics to inform design decisions and assess campaign performance.

• Social Media Analytics: Familiarity with built-in analytics on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to gauge the effectiveness of visual content.

• Reporting Tools: Ability to contribute to reports that track the performance of design assets, potentially through data provided by the marketing team.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge): While not a direct user role, understanding how marketing collateral interfaces with CRM data for targeted campaigns or donor communications is a plus.

• Email Marketing Platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact): Experience designing and implementing email campaigns would be highly advantageous.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with platforms like WordPress for website content updates and design integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite is the core technical requirement. Understanding how design outputs integrate with marketing operations and analytics is key to demonstrating strategic value.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to Historic New England's mission of preserving and promoting New England's historic sites and stories is paramount.

• Collaboration: A supportive and team-oriented environment where open communication and cross-functional teamwork are encouraged.

• Attention to Detail: A commitment to accuracy, quality, and adherence to brand standards in all design work.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging fresh ideas and approaches to visual communication while respecting the organization's heritage.

• Professionalism & Excellence: Maintaining high standards of work ethic, client service, and creative output.

• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA): A commitment to creating inclusive designs and fostering an equitable work environment is a stated value.

Collaboration Style:

• The team likely operates with a collaborative spirit, valuing input from various departments to ensure design projects align with overall organizational goals.

• Expect regular check-ins and feedback sessions on design projects, requiring a proactive and responsive approach to communication.

• Knowledge sharing and continuous learning are likely encouraged, especially as new design trends and technologies emerge.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should demonstrate an alignment with the non-profit sector's collaborative ethos and the specific values of Historic New England, particularly regarding heritage preservation and IDEA principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Managing a diverse workload with varying deadlines and creative requirements in a part-time capacity.

• Brand Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive brand identity across a wide array of materials and platforms while innovating.

• Non-Profit Budget Constraints: Working within the financial limitations typical of non-profit organizations, requiring creative problem-solving and efficient resource management.

• Transitioning to Full-Time: Successfully demonstrating value and fitting into the team to secure a permanent position.

• Adapting to New Information: Quickly incorporating feedback and changes from multiple stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific design software modules or explore new areas like UX/UI design or motion graphics.

• Industry Best Practices: Learn about effective design strategies for non-profit marketing, heritage interpretation, and audience engagement.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain insight into the operations of other departments within a cultural heritage organization.

• Networking: Build relationships with vendors, partners, and colleagues within the non-profit sector and New England region.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges present significant opportunities for skill development and career growth, particularly in project management and adaptive design within a mission-oriented context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your process for designing a brochure/social media campaign from concept to final delivery. How do you ensure brand consistency?" (Focus on workflow, stakeholder input, and brand adherence.)

• Problem Solving: "Describe a time you had to work with tight deadlines or limited resources for a design project. How did you manage it?" (Highlight project management, prioritization, and creative solutions.)

• Collaboration: "How do you typically collaborate with non-designers or stakeholders who have different ideas about a design? Provide an example." (Emphasize communication, feedback integration, and diplomacy.)

• Brand Understanding: "What are your initial impressions of Historic New England's current visual branding? How might you approach enhancing it while maintaining its heritage?" (Show research, strategic thinking, and respect for brand identity.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Historic New England's mission and this specific role?" (Connect your skills and passion to the organization's purpose.)

• "How do you approach working in a team environment, especially in a non-profit setting?" (Discuss collaboration, shared goals, and adaptability.)

• "How do you stay current with design trends and software advancements?" (Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically. Consider grouping by project type or client. Have a concise overview for each piece ready.

• Narrative: For 2-3 key projects, prepare a brief verbal presentation (2-3 minutes each) covering the brief, your role, challenges, design process, and the outcome.

• Highlight Key Skills: Point out specific examples that demonstrate your proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, typography, layout, and brand application.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your choices, the software you used, and how you handled feedback or revisions.

• Showcase Impact: If possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback on how your designs performed (e.g., increased engagement, positive feedback).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will assess not only design skill but also the candidate's operational approach to design projects, their ability to collaborate, and their alignment with the organization's mission and values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio (or attach relevant work samples) through the provided application link: https://historicnewengland.bamboohr.com/careers/87

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to a non-profit organization focused on heritage, ensuring a strong representation of print and digital collateral.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize graphic design skills, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, project management experience, and any relevant non-profit or cultural sector experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Historic New England's mission, current marketing efforts, and visual identity. Understand their audience and the importance of preserving historical context in design.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, explaining your portfolio pieces, and connecting your skills to the organization's needs and values. Be ready to discuss your approach to brand consistency and stakeholder collaboration.

⚠️ 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.