Senior Graphic Designer — Nonprofit Direct Mail & Multi-Sector Publication Design

We are seeking an experienced and highly creative Senior Graphic Designer to lead the design and production of nonprofit fundraising direct mail campaigns alongside editorial publications and event journals focused on New England businesses, organizations, and community events.

This role requires a designer with strong expertise in print production, editorial layout, typography, donor-focused communications, and publication storytelling. The ideal candidate understands both fundraising-driven design strategy and sophisticated business publication aesthetics, with the ability to create compelling materials that engage donors, readers, sponsors, and event attendees.

Key Responsibilities

Nonprofit Direct Mail Design

• Design compelling fundraising direct mail campaigns for nonprofit organizations, including:
• Appeal letters
• Donation reply devices
• Postcards and self-mailers
• Donor acquisition and retention packages
• Campaign inserts and stewardship materials
• Apply fundraising design best practices that improve donor response, readability, and engagement.
• Collaborate with development teams, and copywriters to align creative with fundraising goals.
• Prepare production-ready files for printers and mail houses.

Magazine & Editorial Layout

• Design and produce magazines, special publications, and editorial content focused on:
• New England businesses
• Community organizations
• Economic development
• Regional events and recognition programs
• Create clean, modern, publication-quality layouts with strong visual hierarchy and typography.
• Design feature spreads, advertorials, sponsor ads, infographics, and editorial templates.
• Maintain consistency in branding and publication standards across multiple issues and projects.

Event Journal & Recognition Publication Design

• Design event journals, gala books, sponsorship recognition materials, awards publications, and commemorative programs.
• Collaborate with event and editorial teams to organize advertiser content, sponsor recognition, and editorial assets.
• Develop visually polished layouts that balance advertising, editorial storytelling, and sponsor visibility.
• Ensure all event-related materials meet production deadlines and print specifications.

Creative Production & Project Management

• Manage projects from concept through final print production.
• Coordinate with printers, publishers, mail houses, and external vendors.
• Review proofs for accuracy, color consistency, typography, and print quality.
• Handle multiple deadlines in a fast-paced production environment.
• Assist in maintaining and evolving visual brand standards across publications and campaigns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field preferred.
• 5–8+ years of professional graphic design experience in publishing, nonprofit marketing, editorial design, or agency environments.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating:
• Nonprofit direct mail campaigns
• Magazine/editorial layout
• Event journals and sponsorship publications
• High-level print production work
• Advanced proficiency in:
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Strong understanding of:
• Typography and editorial layout systems
• Print production and prepress preparation
• Multi-page publication design
• Direct mail formatting and production requirements
• Excellent organizational and communication skills with strong attention to detail.

Preferred Experience

• Experience working with nonprofit fundraising organizations.
• Familiarity with New England business communities, chambers, associations, or regional publications.
• Experience managing advertising-heavy layouts and sponsor-driven publications.
• Understanding of donor communications and fundraising campaign strategy.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across editorial, sales, and marketing teams.

Success Metrics

• High-quality publication and direct mail production delivered on schedule.
• Strong visual consistency across publications and campaigns.
• Effective donor and reader engagement through compelling design.
• Accurate, press-ready files with minimal production revisions.
• Positive collaboration with clients, editorial staff, advertisers, and fundraising teams.

Portfolio Requirement

Applicants should provide a portfolio including:

• Nonprofit fundraising direct mail
• Magazine/editorial layouts
• Event journals or sponsorship publications
• Print production samples
• Multi-page publication design examples