Contract Digital Designer (editorial, web) at Solutions Journalism Network

Position type, duration: Contractor, short-term/ongoing

Location: Remote

Exempt or Non-Exempt (Salaried or Hourly): Hourly

Compensation Range: $55/hr-$80/hr

Benefits: N/A

Applications due: Oct 3, 2021 

Interviews: Oct 6-8

Start Date: Oct 13, 2021

Background:

The Solutions Journalism Network, a national non-profit organization, is catalyzing critical reporting about responses to social problems. Solutions journalism provides a framework, grounded in journalistic ethics and informed by today’s professional challenges, that enables journalists to cover society more comprehensively, revealing possibilities for civic agency and connection. 

In SJN’s eight years, solutions journalism has become a credible reporting practice recognized for driving meaningful impact in society.  Over 18,000 journalists have been exposed to our curriculum. More than 300 news organizations have engaged SJN to produce staff workshops, develop reporting projects, and consult on audience or community engagement activities.

SJN publishes a wide range of public-facing materials including resource guides, playbooks, blog posts, an annual report and more. We also regularly host live workshops/trainings with associated slides and handouts. In 2021, we are relaunching our website and, by extension, going through a slight rebranding of all digital assets. 

Production of these materials is led by individuals across the entirety of the organization, which means the Digital Designer will be working with a range of individuals and teams to support their efforts in maintaining consistent visual branding across designs. Assignments will be made on an as-needed basis and generally require immediate attention.

Role Description:

The Digital Designer will complete design projects for final sign off by an SJN staff member. This will include creating templates for slidedecks in Google Slides, and may also include future projects such as handouts, reports, and web pages. The Digital Designer will use SJN’s existing style and branding guidelines to inform their work, but, as there are few existing assets, this is also an opportunity to help us explore new ways to bring our communications materials to life.

This role will report to the Data & Intelligence team, which coordinates SJN’s information and tech needs, and will also work closely with other staff as assigned. 

As Designer, you will:

• Become deeply familiar with SJN branding guidelines
• Work as a solo designer, in collaboration with various members of the SJN team, to deliver designs for assets such as handouts, slidedecks, and (occasionally) web pages
• Support SJN’s communications team with designed images for social media
• Work quickly and efficiently on deadline
• Accommodate new needs as they emerge 

This position is part of a bigger picture: helping ensure that SJN’s external communications meet the highest standards of transparency, clarity, cohesion, accessibility, and professionalism; engage our myriad audiences; and spark further interest in our work.   

Does this sound like you? We hope so. We’re an energetic, ambitious, and fun bunch, and we want great people to join us. 

Diversity of perspective, identity, and experience is important to us: We want to reflect and serve the whole of society. As a result we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to seek employment, and we make all employment decisions without regard to race, age, gender, sexual orientation, or any other factors protected by federal, state or local law. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Elizabeth Tompkins.

What we’re looking for:

• At least 5 years experience working as a graphic designer
• Comfort leading design projects and working independently
• Experience delivering templates in Google Slides and Canva
• Experience designing assets using Canva
• Ability to adhere to in-house visual style guide
• Ability to work quickly and under pressure
• Excellent teamwork skills and strong work ethic
• Web design experience ideal
• Nonprofit experience ideal

Won’t you join us?

This is a remote, part-time, ongoing contractor role, without benefits.