Graphic Designer & Digital Communications Manager

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is seeking a Graphic Designer & Digital Communications Manager to lead the design and production of impact reports, marketing materials, and digital assets, manage social media accounts, support email and web design, and assist with website maintenance for our multi-entity organization.

The Graphic Designer & Digital Communications Manager will report to the External Affairs Director and will play a key role in strengthening the organization’s brand awareness and expanding its digital presence. The role combines strong design skills with digital communication strategy to plan, implement, and monitor campaigns across multiple platforms, including those of partner/affiliate entities, Education Reform Now (ERN) and Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERNA).

This is an exceptional opportunity for a creative professional to join an organization committed to ensuring equitable access to education and student success.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Graphic Design & Visual Branding

• Create high-quality visual assets (social media graphics, infographics, presentations, ads, icons and branded collateral) that align with organizational brand guidelines.
• Design layouts for digital and print materials, including policy briefs, one-pagers, reports, memos and event invitations.
• Develop templates and style guides to ensure consistent brand identity across platforms and partner entities.
• Collaborate with staff across departments to translate complex policy ideas into visually engaging and accessible content.

Digital Communications & Content Creation

• Manage all social media accounts (e.g., IG, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook), including planning, drafting, and designing tailored content.
• Track, analyze, and report on social media metrics to evaluate campaign success and identify areas for improvement.
• Engage audiences and stakeholders across social platforms while staying current on emerging trends and best practices to grow engagement and visibility.
• Assist in implementing SEO and SEM strategies to grow digital reach.
• Design and manage brand ads for LinkedIn and other platforms, including targeting and optimizing campaigns.

Website & Email Support

• Maintain and update website content on WordPress, ensuring pages remain current, functional, and aligned with brand and accessibility standards.
• Compile daily news clips for staff and maintain digital resource libraries.
• Create and test email marketing templates; manage list segmentation, A/B testing, and audience engagement strategies.
• Design and build email marketing campaigns (e.g., in Mailchimp, Constant Contact) for newsletters, fundraising appeals, and event promotions.

Cross-Organizational Support

• Assist state chapters with design, social media, and digital needs on an ongoing basis.
• Help set and measure KPIs for design and digital campaigns, such as engagement metrics, shares, or ad performance.

WHO WE ARE 

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) supports and elects Democrats who deliver bold reforms that put students and families first. We work with leaders who believe public education is not a system to be preserved but a promise to be fulfilled—a promise that every child, regardless of background, can access  an education that unlocks their full potential. Our mission is grounded in the belief that families deserve agency, options, and the resources to help their children learn, grow, and thrive.

DFER partner Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERNA) is an advocacy group that advances education reform measures through empowering community leaders to support our legislative and political advocacy work. ERNA consistently engages with legislators to champion high-quality public education. 

DFER partner Education Reform Now (ERN) is a nonpartisan think tank that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in K-12 public education, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families. 

WHAT WE DO 

1. Support for Forward-Thinking Education Leaders — In an approach that is markedly different from our peers and partners in the field, DFER engages directly with candidates and elected officials to empower them to advocate for education policies that focus foremost on serving students. Our partner organization, Education Reform Now, does work that involves policy research, analysis and education that helps policy makers at all levels understand complex education issues and make informed decisions. 

2. Informing the Education Debate — Our coalition work reflects the breadth of our policy priorities. We work collaboratively with organizations and our community networks to create an education system that serves and is held accountable to all students and families.

3. Targeted Interventions and Rapid Response — DFER’s reach, from the most local district relationships to state and federal policymakers, enables us to respond quickly to the changing landscape and policy trends. Activities vary significantly from project to project and may include training, policy analysis, public engagement, electoral and issue advocacy, and policy guidance for elected officials and local advocates.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Democrats for Education Reform welcomes applications from all, and strongly encourages women, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees & LGBTQ people to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and recruiting a team that reflects the diversity of the students we serve. 

Please apply as soon as possible, even if you are not available to start immediately. Applicants should include a portfolio or examples of their work as part of the initial application. All applications are held in strict confidence.  References will be requested in a later stage of the selection process.  Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States and will be required to submit proof of eligibility. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and skills:

• 3-5 years of professional experience in a communications role with significant graphic design responsibilities.
• Portfolio demonstrating strong graphic design skills and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Proficiency with CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress), Mailchimp, Google AdWords, and basic HTML/CSS.
• Ability to balance creativity with brand consistency and adapt designs for multiple platforms.
• Ability to take somewhat ambiguous ideas and translate them into clear, actionable outputs. 
• Exceptional ability to balance competing priorities and deadlines while maintaining meticulous attention to detail. 
• Excellent writing and editing skills with a sharp eye for clarity, consistency, and tone. 
• Highly independent and proactive; able to manage projects with minimal oversight while maintaining close collaboration and open communication with colleagues.
• Knowledge of digital communications strategies, multi-platform campaigns, social media management, and web content optimization.
• Experience in cross-channel marketing campaigns, integrating multiple interconnected channels for a cohesive digital communications strategy
• Demonstrated capacity to continuously learn new design tools and digital technologies.
• Strong commitment to equity, education reform and innovation with the education sector.

The base salary range for this position is $80,000 - $100,000.  We are proud to offer excellent benefits: health, vision, and dental coverage; flexible spending plan; life insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; 401K plan with a match plan; flexible spending/benefits plan; paid family leave; paid time off (vacation, sick time, floating holidays, and all National holidays).