THE OPPORTUNITY

NHSA is seeking a detail-oriented Graphic Designer to help bring our mission to life through clear, consistent, and compelling visual storytelling. This role is responsible for producing high-quality creative assets across digital and print channels while stewarding NHSA’s brand with care and consistency.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

NHSA is a unique organization looking to grow intentionally, and we’re looking for the right

person to join our team. This is not a place where everything is set in stone or predictable. Instead, you’ll often find yourself navigating ambiguity, taking initiative to solve problems, applying good judgement, and working independently, while also maintaining a collaborative spirit with colleagues who are equally committed to our mission. If that sounds energizing to you, keep reading.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Content Production

● Design high-quality visual assets across digital and print channels that align with NHSA’s

brand and elevate the organization’s voice

● Partner with the Marketing and Communications team to develop compelling creative

content, including graphics and multimedia assets that resonate with diverse Head Start

audiences

● Apply strong visual storytelling principles to highlight the impact of Head Start children,

families, and educators in authentic and bold ways

● Ensure all creative assets reflect brand consistency, accessibility standards, and platform

best practices

● Design visual assets aligned with NHSA’s brand style guide across digital and traditional

channels

● Maintain and evolve the NHSA brand style guide to ensure consistent implementation

organization-wide

● Partner cross-functionally to gather design needs and plan deliverables proactively

● Develop and maintain a user interface guide to support a consistent and user-friendly

website experience

● Support the Marketing and Communications team in maintaining visual quality, accuracy,

and brand integrity across all materials

Production Management

● Manage print production from concept through delivery, coordinating with internal

stakeholders and external vendors

● Source vendors for materials and pricing, and manage timelines, deadlines and budgets.

● Design and coordinate conference and event collateral production and ensure timely

fulfillment and delivery

Content Planning and Creative Strategy

● Collaborate cross-functionally to understand stakeholder priorities and translate them into

cohesive creative and content plans

● Connect the dots across campaigns, initiatives, and events to ensure visuals and

messaging feel unified and timely

● Support the development and execution of content calendars, ensuring deliverables are

planned proactively and deadlines are met

● Help build and maintain NHSA’s communications toolkit, including templates, visual

Our mission is to coalesce, inspire, and support the Head Start

field as a leader in early childhood development and education.

systems, UI guidance, and reusable design assets that expand organizational capacity

● Anticipate upcoming creative and print needs for major moments such as conferences,

advocacy pushes, membership campaigns, and product launches

● Contribute creative recommendations that strengthen engagement, clarity, and audience

relevance across channels

● Review and build UX pathways between software platforms

Data-Informed Creative

● Partner with the Marketing and Communications team to apply performance insights,

audience data, and emerging trends to creative decisions

● Identify opportunities to tailor visuals and storytelling based on audience behavior,

platform performance, and campaign goals

● Translate complex policy, research, and programmatic information into accessible,

visually engaging formats for diverse stakeholders

Collaboration and Agility

● Work collaboratively across the organization to deliver integrated creative support that

advances priority initiatives and ensures visual consistency across channels

● Adapt quickly to shifting priorities and last-minute pivots in a fast-paced environment

● Build strong working relationships with colleagues and external partners through steady

communication and reliable follow-through

● Support rapid-response communications during moments of urgency while maintaining

brand and message discipline

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE CONSIDERED

● Commitment to NHSA’s mission and to serving the Head Start community with integrity

and care

● 2+ years of experience in visual design, supported by a portfolio demonstrating your

work

● Expertise in Google workspace Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud

● Ability to build trust with colleagues through clear communication and reliable follow-

through

● Curiosity and active listening skills to understand the goals and pressures of different

teams

● Comfort navigating competing priorities with professionalism, empathy, and sound

judgment

● Ability to deliver high-quality work under tight timelines in a fast-paced environment

Our mission is to coalesce, inspire, and support the Head Start

field as a leader in early childhood development and education.

● Excellent written communication skills, including proofreading and copyediting

● Proficiency with project management tools (such as ClickUp) and willingness to learn new

systems

● Strong verbal and written communication skills

● Bachelor’s degree in visual arts, marketing, advertising, art direction, or a similar field

● Experience managing creative workflows within marketing or communications teams

● Familiarity with email marketing platforms, social scheduling tools, and basic web

publishing

● Experience with Cvent event planning software

● Experience with video editing and photography

● Experience supporting Marketing and Communications for live or virtual events

● Background in nonprofit, education, or public policy organizations

WHY JOIN NHSA?

● Play a key role in telling the stories that shape national advocacy and policy for early

childhood education.

● Collaborate with a passionate team committed to making a difference for children and

families nationwide.

● Opportunities for professional growth and creativity in a mission-driven environment.

TRAVEL

Less than 5%

THE PROCESS

Please submit your cover letter, résumé, samples of work in one PDF document to [email protected] with Graphic Designer in the subject line. If you have a website of your portfolio, you can include a link in your application email.

NHSA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.