Visual Brand Designer

Overview

Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a leading nonprofit membership organization, research center, and publisher, with headquarters in New York, an office in Washington, DC, and programs nationwide. It is dedicated to increasing America's understanding of the world and contributing ideas to U.S. foreign policy. CFR's 5,000+ members are leaders in international affairs and foreign policy. CFR also publishes Foreign Affairs, the preeminent magazine on global issues, and provides up-to-date information about the world and U.S. foreign policy on its award-winning website, CFR.org.

Position Summary

CFR is seeking a talented and creative visual brand designer to join our team. The Visual Brand Designer will be responsible for creating visually compelling digital and print content, including advertising materials, social media graphics, marketing collateral, event materials, and publication layouts. The designer will report to the Director of Design and User Experience and collaborate closely with the Digital Content, Editorial, and Outreach teams across the organization.

This full-time position is based in CFR’s New York City or Washington, DC office on a hybrid basis. CFR currently defines hybrid status as working at least three days a week onsite, with Tuesdays and Thursdays considered institutional anchor days where all staff are required to be onsite. 

The major responsibilities of this position will include (but are not limited to):

• Design a variety of assets for both print and digital platforms, including advertisements, event materials, brochures, reports, social media posts, infographics, web graphics, icons, and signage.
• Create layouts for reports, newsletters, and other CFR publications following recently redesigned brand guidelines.
• Collaborate with editorial, marketing, and digital teams to conceptualize and execute engaging visual content.
• Develop design concepts from initial ideation to project completion.
• Maintain brand consistency and design standards across all platforms and media.
• Prepare and package final files for print production or digital publishing.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring all deadlines are met.
• Stay current with design trends, tools, and best practices.
• Contribute creative ideas to enhance CFR’s brand presence across media channels.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as needed.

Qualifications

Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field.
• At least 4 years of professional graphic design experience across digital and print media.
• Experience creating graphics for social media, email marketing, web, print, and promotional materials.
• Proven experience with preparing files for both digital publication and professional print production.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop; experience with After Effects or other motion design tools is a plus.
• Proficiency in Figma.
• Experience working within established brand guidelines and developing new visual assets as needed.
• Strong typographic skills and attention to visual detail.

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Strong portfolio showcasing creative, effective, and visually cohesive work.
• Ability to manage feedback and revisions constructively and professionally.
• Strong communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of basic video editing and animation (After Effects, Premiere) a plus.
• Experience in marketing or communications environments preferred.
• Experience designing within web environments; knowledge of basic HTML/CSS a plus.
• An interest in global affairs is a plus.

Required Application Materials

• Please submit a résumé, cover letter stating your interest in the position, and a portfolio of recent design work (digital and print samples).

Compensation and Benefits

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $85,000 – $100,000, depending on experience.
• In addition to competitive salaries, CFR provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.

About CFR

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is committed to fostering a foreign policy community in the United States that is more representative of American society, recognizing that diverse backgrounds and perspectives contribute to broader, more informed participation in the foreign policy debate and lead to an enhanced understanding of the world and the United States’ role therein. To that end, CFR is dedicated to continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its work and workplace by building a more diverse membership and staff, producing and dispensing thoughtful analysis on a broad range of foreign policy issues, and developing relevant, wide-reaching programming that also serves to expand the foreign policy talent pipeline to underrepresented populations.