Graphic Designer & Brand Manager

Our Mission in Action

Trees play a vital role in solving some of the most pressing issues facing our communities, our society, and our world today. For 150 years, American Forests has stood boldly at the forefront of the conservation movement, working collaboratively and innovatively to ensure that all people have access to the benefits of trees. As we look ahead to the next 150, continued collective action will be essential to securing a healthy, climate-resilient future for all. To support this work, we are looking for a Graphic Designer & Brand Manager to join our Communications team.

What You’ll Do

As part of the team, you will steward and evolve our visual identity across digital, print, and campaign channels. This role blends hands-on design execution with brand management, ensuring all creative output is cohesive, compelling, and aligned with our mission.

This position is ideal for a confident mid-level designer who can own projects end-to-end, collaborate cross-functionally, and apply design thinking to environmental impact.

You’ll have ownership, influence, and visibility — without full people management or enterprise-level brand overhaul responsibilities — and will work closely with leadership while remaining hands-on in design execution.

Who You Are:

The ideal candidate blends strong storytelling ability with creative thinking and understands how design principles and visual strategies work together to drive brand awareness, engagement, and mission alignment. You are able to translate complex data and subjects into simplified creative visuals for public audiences. You are high-energy, enthusiastic, and visionary. You have good instincts and strategic awareness.

You think-outside-the-box and are willing to try new approaches and take risks – i.e., you know how to cut through the noise and grab people’s attention through innovative visuals. You are efficient and effective, capable of meeting deadlines and navigating a dynamic, fast-moving workplace. You make sure the job gets done and done well.

You are excited about evangelizing on behalf of American Forests – bringing more visibility to our efforts to strengthen landscapes and communities.

Responsibilities include:

Graphic Design & Creative Execution

• Design assets for digital campaigns, email, social media, web, presentations, and reports
• Support major campaigns and initiatives with cohesive visual storytelling
• Create print materials including one-pagers, event collateral, and donor materials
• Collaborate with external vendors, freelancers, and agencies as needed

Brand Management

• Serve as a guardian of the American Forests brand, ensuring consistency across all visual materials
• Maintain and evolve brand guidelines, templates, and design systems
• Review internal and external creative assets for brand alignment and quality
• Partner with communications, development, and program teams to translate strategy into visuals
• Designing presentation decks for external audiences.
• Designing one-pagers, proposals and pitches for various partners as well as external and internal audiences.
• Managing the production of high-quality digital brand collateral as well as reviewing collateral developed across departments for brand consistency and brand visual identity.
• Oversee creative direction: Ensure all creative outputs align with the overall brand strategy and messaging from a visual perspective.
• Help oversee/advise on SWAG design and logo usage on brand materials, including but not limited to SWAG, conference and event materials like tablecloths, signs, banners, etc.
• Understanding of digital marketing principles and storytelling techniques.

Collaboration & Project Support

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines and priorities
• Translate creative briefs into polished visual solutions
• Support fundraising and marketing efforts with conversion-focused design
• Provide creative input during campaign planning and concept development
• Ability to adapt to changing requirements and priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.

What We’re Looking For

We don’t expect you to check every single box. If this role excites you, we want to hear from you! We’re interested in your ability to learn, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives.

• 4–7 years of professional graphic design experience (in-house, agency, or nonprofit)
• Strong portfolio demonstrating brand systems, campaigns, and multi-channel design
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Canvas, Illustrator, Photoshop) Experience with Image Relay preferred
• Solid understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy
• Experience designing for digital platforms (web, email, social media)
• Ability to manage projects independently and collaborate across teams
• Strong creative and copywriting skills; Knowledge of AP Style and ability to copy edit for design space.
• Experience working within a nonprofit, mission-driven, or advocacy organization
• Familiarity with web design systems and CMS platforms
• Motion graphics or light video/animation skills (nice-to-have, not required)
• Interest in environmental, climate, or conservation issues

• Reporting and Supervision

The Graphic Designer & Brand Manager reports to the Director, Digital Strategy & Brand. This position will work closely with multiple departments across the organization, including Operations and Programs. This position does not have any direct reports at this time.

Working Conditions

This is a remote position based in the United States.

This position requires the ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods and to operate a computer and other office equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to support individuals across the full range of abilities and experiences in performing the essential functions of the job

Compensation & Benefits:

This is a full-time, salaried exempt position. The budgeted salary range is between $65,000 to $80,000.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package focused on health and wellness, work-life balance, and financial security, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; vacation and sick leave; paid holidays; a 401(k) with match; flexible spending accounts; disability, life, and AD&D insurance; parental bonding and bereavement leave; an employee assistance program; a technology stipend; pet benefits; and military leave.:

About Us:

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to large forest landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal, and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restoring urban forests and forested landscapes for over 150 years.

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member.

American Forests is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/LGBTQ+ Encouraged to Apply

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.