Visual Design Associate [Term-Limited]

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Visual Design Associate in the Development Department of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. 

This is a two-year, term-limited position that begins in September 2026. 

The ACLU’s passionate community of donors and activists is stronger than ever. The mission of the ACLU’s Development Department is to unlock the full potential of donors and the ACLU as partners in the creation of a more perfect union. We pursue our mission by building long-term donor relationships and organizational partnerships, by demonstrating impact in response to threats, by taking interest in our donors and facilitating personal action, by being accountable stewards of their funds, and by asking donors to consider giving the ACLU their full support. 

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the Deputy Director, Creative Content & Strategy, the Virtual Design Associate will provide graphic design and visual editing support to the Development Department, ensuring fundraising teams have timely, high-quality, and audience-driven print and digital materials that enhance donors’ connection to the ACLU’s mission.  

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• Design print and digital fundraising materials, including donor proposals, reports, presentations, recognition listings, event invitation suites, infographics, email graphics, and other marketing materials. 
• Support design and visual storytelling projects, such as ACLU Magazine and the ACLU’s annual report, in collaboration with colleagues in the Donor and Brand Activation unit, the ACLU’s Marketing and Communications Department, and/or freelance graphic designers. 
• Assist with the collection of photography, B-roll, and other visual content—from developing shot lists to providing on-site assistance—to ensure visual assets meet fundraising needs, to support ACLU clients and other subjects with care and professionalism, and to assist production members. 
• Provide other production support, including formatting, color proofing, preparing digital files, and coordinating with print houses and other external vendors as directed. 
• Contribute to established workflows by logging projects, tasks, and deadlines in project management software, and use institutional systems, such as the digital asset management system (DAM), to source and organize visual assets accurately and efficiently. 
• Ensure all visual assets meet the ACLU’s brand standards, tools, and templates and accessibility protocols, and follow any approval processes established by legal counsel. 

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL 

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communication, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience. 
• Detail-oriented with strong typographic, layout, composition, and image-editing skills across print and digital platforms. 
• Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Figma, and Canva. 
• Basic photography and videography skills. 
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with staff at all levels within the organization and be receptive to feedback and direction. 
• Self-starter adept at planning, prioritizing, organizing, and follow-through, including adherence to deadlines and ability to manage multiple projects at the same time with overlapping deadlines. 

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Knowledge of Dreamweaver, HTML and CSS. 
• Knowledge of, or desire to learn about, the fundraising field and donor psychology. 
• Experience working at complex, fast-paced national or international nonprofits. 

COMPENSATION

WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. 

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change.  We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.    

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email benefits.hrdept@aclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.