Lead Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Graphic Designer

Company: GOOD360

Location: Alexandria, VA (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Communications / Creative Services

Date Posted: June 5, 2026

Experience Level: 5+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days/week in office, Tuesday anchor day) with Remote options for specific US states.

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the visual identity and brand strategy for a leading nonprofit organization, translating mission into compelling design.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive brand guidelines and systems to ensure consistency and recognition across all communication channels.

• Produce a wide range of high-impact multimedia assets, including reports, presentations, digital content, and campaign visuals.

• Collaborate closely with marketing, leadership, and cross-functional teams to drive creative excellence and support organizational growth.

• Leverage advanced design software and digital asset management (DAM) principles to optimize creative workflows and asset distribution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a pivotal leadership position within the Marketing & Communications department, focusing on brand stewardship and creative strategy. The emphasis on "mission-driven creative concepts" and "social impact experience" strongly suggests this role is crucial for GOOD360's external communications and brand perception, directly supporting their fundraising and partnership efforts. The requirement for leading rebranding initiatives and managing DAM systems indicates a strategic, operational, and systems-thinking component beyond pure design execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Brand Strategy & Leadership:

  • Lead the overall design strategy for GOOD360's brand, encompassing visual identity, comprehensive brand guidelines, templates, and scalable brand systems.
  • Translate organizational strategy, audience insights, and market research into impactful, mission-aligned creative concepts that resonate with stakeholders.
  • Develop and execute high-impact design assets that consistently reinforce brand recognition, trust, and a cohesive narrative across diverse audiences and platforms.
  • Champion the documentation, refinement, and continuous evolution of brand guidelines to support strategic growth and maintain brand integrity.

• Design & Production Execution:

  • Design and produce a diverse portfolio of high-quality creative multimedia assets, including annual reports, impact reports, presentations, digital and social media content, campaign visuals, and data-driven infographics.
  • Evolve and enhance the existing brand system and templates to adapt to organizational growth, emerging needs, and new communication strategies.
  • Establish and manage a self-service model for design templates, empowering cross-functional teams to create branded materials efficiently and consistently.
  • Proactively manage multiple concurrent design projects, ensuring high quality, brand consistency, and adherence to deadlines.
  • Support, maintain, and optimize assets within a web-based branding hub designed to serve external partners and stakeholders.
  • Implement rigorous quality control measures to ensure brand alignment and visual excellence across all materials and communication channels.

• Collaboration & Creative Oversight:

  • Act as a hands-on creative thought partner and advisor to the marketing team and organizational leadership, contributing to strategic discussions and creative ideation.

  • Lead an iterative design process, actively incorporating stakeholder feedback and fostering collaborative relationships across departments.

  • Effectively manage shifting priorities, demonstrating agility and the ability to pivot while consistently delivering high-quality work with speed and strategic intent.

  • Provide expert guidance and hands-on support for Digital Asset Management (DAM) platform selection, setup, governance, taxonomy, metadata standards, and ongoing maintenance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic brand leadership and hands-on design execution. The mention of "leading large-scale branding or rebranding initiatives" and "building and evolving organizational identity" points towards a need for a designer who can manage complex brand architecture and system development, not just execute individual design tasks. The explicit inclusion of DAM system involvement highlights a need for operational efficiency and systematic approach to asset management, a key aspect for larger organizations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for a lead-level role. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered. Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional brand design experience.

• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale branding or rebranding initiatives, preferably for high-visibility nonprofit or social impact organizations.

• Proven track record of building and evolving organizational identity systems, including typography, color palettes, iconography, layout and grid systems, photography style, templates, and brand usage standards.

• Hands-on experience developing and maintaining Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems.

• Proficiency in file management, collaboration, and cross-functional asset distribution using Microsoft 365 and SharePoint.

• Experience in designing for digital-first environments, including web, social media, and video-friendly formats. Required Skills:

• Brand Strategy & Visual Identity: Deep understanding of brand development, visual identity systems, and the ability to translate strategy into compelling design.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for professional design and production.

• Canva & Microsoft PowerPoint: Proficiency in Canva for broader accessibility of design templates and Microsoft PowerPoint for presentation design.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM): Hands-on experience with DAM systems, including selection, setup, governance, taxonomy, and metadata standards.

• Accessibility Standards: Familiarity with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and inclusive design best practices to ensure designs are accessible to all audiences.

• Typography & Layout: Strong command of typography, layout principles, and grid systems for effective visual communication.

• Infographics & Data Visualization: Ability to translate complex data into clear, compelling, and visually engaging infographics.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted relationships, incorporate feedback constructively, and work effectively across teams.

• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience supporting or leading creative work specifically within the nonprofit or social impact sector.

• Familiarity with AI-powered design and productivity tools to enhance creative output and streamline workflows.

• Experience using project management platforms like Asana for workflow, timeline, and deliverable management.

• Understanding of UX/UI principles or experience contributing to website redesign processes.

• Experience managing project-based brand initiatives with multiple stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a strategic and operational approach to design. Beyond core design skills, the emphasis on "leading large-scale branding initiatives," "building and evolving organizational identity across typography, color systems, iconography, layout and grid systems, photography style, templates, and brand usage standards," and "hands-on experience developing and maintaining digital asset management systems" highlights a need for a designer who can architect and manage brand systems holistically. The preference for nonprofit/social impact experience is a strong signal of the organization's values and industry focus.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust, mission-driven portfolio that clearly demonstrates expertise in brand strategy and visual identity development.

• Showcase cohesive creative systems, illustrating how individual design elements (typography, color, iconography, layout) work together to form a unified brand.

• Include examples of large-scale branding or rebranding initiatives, detailing the process, challenges, and outcomes.

• Present case studies that highlight the development and evolution of brand guidelines, templates, and scalable brand systems.

• Demonstrate proficiency in creating a diverse range of high-impact multimedia assets, including annual/impact reports, presentations, digital content, and infographics, showcasing attention to detail and brand consistency. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your process for translating organizational strategy and audience insights into creative concepts.

• Detail your approach to developing and evolving brand guidelines, including how you ensure scalability and adoption across an organization.

• Explain your methodology for managing multiple concurrent projects, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining quality under tight deadlines.

• Articulate your experience with Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems, including selection, setup, governance, and metadata strategy.

• Provide examples of how you have built and maintained self-service design template models for cross-functional teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Graphic Designer role, the portfolio is critical for demonstrating strategic thinking and execution capability. The emphasis on "brand strategy," "visual identity development," and "cohesive creative systems" means the portfolio should not just be a collection of pretty pictures, but a narrative of how design solves business problems and builds brand equity. The inclusion of DAM system experience suggests a need to see how candidates manage and organize creative assets systematically.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000 annually

Benefits:

• Health Coverage: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance programs, including competitive deductible and reimbursement policies.

• Insurance: Short-term and long-term disability coverage options, alongside life insurance coverage.

• Retirement Savings: 403B plan with employer matching contributions.

• Paid Time Off: Generous and flexible paid time off policy to support work-life balance.

• Volunteer Time Off: Dedicated policy for employees to engage in volunteer activities.

• Work Environment: Hybrid work environment, offering flexibility and a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on the Washington, D.C.–Maryland–Virginia (DMV) market data, reflecting the role's location and experience level. The note about adjusting offers for candidates outside this area indicates a commitment to fair compensation based on local market conditions, a standard practice for roles with remote flexibility. The benefits package is comprehensive, aligning with typical offerings for full-time positions in the nonprofit sector, with a particular emphasis on work-life balance and employee well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Nonprofit / Product Philanthropy & Purposeful Giving

Company Size: GOOD360 is a significant nonprofit organization, recognized as a top employer in the DC metro area and nationally. While the exact employee count isn't provided, its scale as the global leader in product philanthropy and its partnerships with over 400 companies suggest a robust operational structure.

Founded: 1983. This long history indicates a stable organization with established processes and a deep understanding of its mission.

Team Structure:

• The Lead Graphic Designer reports to the Senior Director of Brand & Strategic Marketing, indicating a clear line of leadership within the marketing function.

• The role is expected to be a "hands-on creative thought partner" for the marketing team and organizational leadership, implying close collaboration and influence.

• Collaboration will extend across multiple teams, requiring the ability to build trusted relationships and integrate feedback from various stakeholders. Methodology:

• GOOD360 emphasizes a mission-driven approach, aiming to "Close the Need Gap to Open Opportunity for All." This mission should permeate all creative output.

• The organization values strong culture, as evidenced by its recognition as a top workplace.

• A data-driven approach to impact is evident through its distribution of billions in goods and recognition on Forbes' lists.

• The focus on "purposeful giving" and "product philanthropy" suggests a strategic and efficient approach to resource allocation and distribution.

Company Website: good360.org

📝 Enhancement Note: GOOD360's reputation as a top employer and its significant impact in product philanthropy are key cultural indicators. The role of Lead Graphic Designer is positioned as central to shaping the organization's brand narrative and visual communication, implying a culture that values strong creative leadership and strategic marketing contributions. The emphasis on collaboration and a mission-driven approach is paramount.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Lead" position, signifying a senior individual contributor role with significant responsibility and influence. It sits at the intersection of creative execution and strategic brand management. The role requires not just design skill but also leadership in shaping brand direction and systems.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Graphic Designer reports directly to the Senior Director of Brand & Strategic Marketing. This high-level reporting line suggests direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic marketing initiatives.

Operations Impact: The Lead Graphic Designer's work has a direct impact on GOOD360's brand perception, its ability to attract corporate partners, secure donations, and communicate its mission effectively to both donors and beneficiaries. High-quality, consistent, and mission-aligned creative assets are crucial for fundraising, public relations, and stakeholder engagement. The role also impacts operational efficiency by creating self-service templates and managing DAM systems.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in brand system development, nonprofit branding, or digital asset management.

• Leadership: Potentially grow into a Creative Director role or manage a small design team as the organization expands.

• Strategic Influence: Further contribute to the overall brand strategy and marketing direction of a leading nonprofit.

• Skill Expansion: Develop expertise in areas like UX/UI, AI-powered design tools, or advanced digital marketing design as preferred qualifications suggest.

• Industry Recognition: Contribute to award-winning campaigns and initiatives that enhance GOOD360's reputation and industry standing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title suggests a role that requires independent decision-making and strategic oversight, rather than just task execution. The reporting structure to a Senior Director indicates a strategic function within the marketing department, offering opportunities to influence brand direction and contribute to broader organizational goals. Growth potential likely involves expanding strategic responsibilities, team management, or deepening specialized expertise within the nonprofit sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, with a minimum of two days per week in the Alexandria, VA office, anchored by Tuesdays. Fully remote candidates are considered for specific US states. This indicates a flexible, modern workplace that balances in-person collaboration with the benefits of remote work.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located at 625 N. Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314, in Old Town Alexandria. This location is known for its vibrant atmosphere, accessibility, and amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: The hybrid model encourages focused individual work at home and collaborative sessions, brainstorming, and team building in the office. Tuesdays are designated as a key day for in-person interaction.

• Tools & Technology: The role requires advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Microsoft 365, and SharePoint. The company also supports DAM platforms and potentially project management tools like Asana.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with the marketing team, Senior Director, and other organizational leaders is expected, fostering a dynamic and communicative work environment.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time (40 hours/week) with a hybrid arrangement, allowing for flexibility in managing work hours and location, provided responsibilities are met and in-office days are observed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a significant aspect, catering to a modern workforce that values flexibility. The specific requirement for in-office days (minimum two, with Tuesday anchor) is crucial for candidates to understand. The inclusion of remote options for specific states further defines the geographical flexibility. The workspace context implies an environment that supports both individual creative focus and team-based ideation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess fit with the role's requirements and GOOD360's mission.

• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, highlighting key projects demonstrating brand strategy, visual identity development, and cohesive creative systems. This will be followed by an interview focusing on experience, approach to design challenges, and cultural fit.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: A potential design challenge or case study related to brand development, campaign creation, or problem-solving within a nonprofit context.

• Team/Leadership Interviews: Interviews with the Senior Director of Brand & Strategic Marketing and potentially other key stakeholders to evaluate strategic thinking, collaboration skills, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that directly align with the job description, emphasizing brand strategy, visual identity development, and cohesive systems. Prioritize nonprofit or social impact work if available.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief/problem, your role, your strategic approach, the design process, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use case study format.

• Showcase System Thinking: Demonstrate how you build and maintain brand systems, including guidelines, templates, and visual language across various applications.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, include examples of projects where you collaborated with stakeholders, managed feedback, and navigated team dynamics.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or results that showcase the effectiveness of your design work (e.g., increased engagement, improved brand recognition, successful campaign performance).

• Prepare for DAM Discussion: Be ready to discuss your experience with DAM systems, their importance, and how you've implemented or managed them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Mission: Thoroughly research GOOD360's mission, values, target audiences, and recent campaigns.

• Brand Analysis: Be prepared to analyze GOOD360's current brand and suggest potential areas for enhancement or strategic creative direction.

• Problem-Solving: Anticipate a design challenge that requires you to develop creative concepts for a specific GOOD360 initiative (e.g., a fundraising campaign, a partnership announcement, an impact report).

• Process Articulation: Practice explaining your design process clearly and concisely, focusing on strategic decision-making and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the candidate's portfolio as tangible proof of their capabilities. The emphasis on "brand strategy," "visual identity development," and "cohesive creative systems" means candidates need to present their work not just as aesthetic pieces, but as solutions to strategic marketing challenges. The inclusion of DAM system experience as a requirement means candidates should be prepared to discuss this operational aspect of design management.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency is essential, specifically:

  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and complex illustrations.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • InDesign: For layout design, publications, and interactive documents (reports, presentations, templates).

• Canva: Proficiency for creating accessible templates and empowering cross-functional teams.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: For designing high-impact presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly a primary tool for this role, understanding how to design for platforms that track analytics (e.g., social media engagement, website traffic) is implied. The ability to design infographics to present data clearly is key. CRM & Automation:

• Microsoft 365 & SharePoint: Essential for file management, collaboration, and cross-functional asset distribution.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) System: Hands-on experience is required. Candidates should be prepared to discuss specific DAM platforms they have worked with or their understanding of DAM principles (selection, setup, governance, taxonomy, metadata).

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with platforms like Asana is preferred for workflow management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on core graphic design software and essential productivity/collaboration tools. The emphasis on DAM systems is a significant operational requirement, indicating the need for a structured approach to asset management and distribution. Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG) is also a critical technical consideration for digital design outputs.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A deep commitment to GOOD360's mission of closing the need gap and opening opportunity is paramount. All creative work should reflect this purpose.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, building trusted relationships, and working constructively across departments.

• Excellence & Quality: Pride in producing high-quality, impactful work that maintains brand consistency and earns trust.

• Efficiency & Agility: The ability to manage multiple projects, pivot with changing priorities, and execute with speed and intention.

• Innovation: Openness to exploring new design approaches, including AI-powered tools, to enhance creative output and efficiency.

Collaboration Style:

• Thought Partnership: Actively engaging with marketing and leadership as a creative advisor, contributing strategic insights.

• Iterative Design: Embracing a feedback loop for design development, working collaboratively to refine concepts.

• Cross-Functional Support: Empowering other teams through self-service templates and clear brand guidance.

• Stakeholder Management: Building rapport and trust with diverse stakeholders to ensure design solutions meet broader organizational goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as "strong" and values-driven, with GOOD360 being recognized as a top workplace. The emphasis on mission, collaboration, and quality suggests an environment where creative professionals can make a significant impact while being part of a supportive team. The "hands-on" nature of the role implies a collaborative, rather than purely managerial, approach to leadership.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Evolving Needs: Maintaining a strong, cohesive brand identity while adapting to new campaigns, organizational growth, and emerging communication channels.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Feedback: Synthesizing input from various internal and external stakeholders to create design solutions that satisfy multiple perspectives while remaining strategically sound.

• Translating Complex Ideas: Effectively communicating GOOD360's impactful but potentially complex mission and operations through compelling visual narratives.

• Optimizing Creative Workflows: Ensuring efficient production of high-quality assets across multiple projects and platforms, potentially leveraging new technologies.

• Championing Brand Standards: Educating and guiding non-designers on brand usage to maintain consistency across the organization.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Nonprofit Branding Expertise: Gain extensive experience in the unique challenges and opportunities of branding for social impact organizations.

• Master DAM Systems: Become an expert in Digital Asset Management, a critical operational function for brand governance.

• Explore AI in Design: Experiment with and integrate AI-powered design tools to enhance productivity and explore new creative avenues.

• Contribute to Strategic Marketing: Work closely with senior leadership on brand strategy, influencing the organization's overall communication direction.

• Develop Presentation & Leadership Skills: Enhance abilities in presenting creative strategies, leading design processes, and advising stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a lead designer role in a growing organization, requiring strong strategic, communication, and project management skills. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to become a subject matter expert in nonprofit branding and DAM, and to play a key role in shaping the visual future of a respected organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Walk us through your process for developing a visual identity system for a new brand or rebranding initiative. How do you incorporate stakeholder input and ensure scalability?"

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex organizational mission or strategy into a compelling visual asset (e.g., infographic, annual report cover). What was your approach and what was the outcome?"

• "How do you approach managing multiple design projects with competing deadlines and priorities? Can you provide an example?"

• "What is your experience with Digital Asset Management systems? What are the key components of a successful DAM strategy, and how would you implement/manage one for GOOD360?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about GOOD360's mission and our work in product philanthropy? How does that resonate with you as a designer?"

• "How would you contribute to building and maintaining a strong, mission-driven brand culture here at GOOD360?"

• "Describe your ideal collaborative working relationship with a marketing team and senior leadership."

• "How do you ensure your design work is inclusive and adheres to accessibility standards like WCAG?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your presentation logically. Start with an overview of your experience and then dive into 3-5 carefully selected case studies.

• Focus on Strategy: For each project, clearly articulate the "why" behind your design decisions. Connect your work to the client's objectives, GOOD360's mission, and strategic goals.

• Showcase Systems Thinking: Present how you build cohesive brand systems, not just individual pieces. Demonstrate your understanding of typography, color, layout, and iconography working together.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, present metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs. For nonprofit work, this could be engagement rates, partnership inquiries, or successful campaign participation.

• Be Ready for DAM Discussion: Have talking points prepared about your DAM experience, including challenges and solutions.

• Enthusiasm for Mission: Convey genuine passion for GOOD360's mission and how your design skills can directly contribute to its success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, process-driven execution, and a deep understanding of brand building within the nonprofit sector. Candidates should be ready to articulate their experience with DAM systems and accessibility standards, as these are specific requirements. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring candidates to tell a compelling story about their work and its impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Graphic Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Apply through the provided link on the Paycom portal. Ensure your resume is up-to-date and tailored to the role.

• Portfolio Customization: Prepare your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating brand strategy, visual identity development, cohesive creative systems, and ideally, nonprofit/social impact work. Be ready to showcase your process and outcomes for each selected project.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 5+ years of professional brand design experience, leadership in branding initiatives, proficiency in required software (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, PowerPoint), and any DAM system experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Research GOOD360: Thoroughly research GOOD360's mission, values, recent campaigns, and target audiences. Understand their impact in product philanthropy and their position in the nonprofit sector.

• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on telling the story behind your work, articulating your strategic approach, and demonstrating your ability to build and manage brand systems. Be prepared to discuss your DAM experience and any relevant accessibility standards knowledge.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description provides a comprehensive overview based on the provided information and industry standards for a Lead Graphic Designer role in the nonprofit sector. All details regarding responsibilities, qualifications, and interview processes should be confirmed directly with GOOD360 during the application and interview stages.