Digital Designer

Job Title: Digital Designer
Organization: American Retirement Association
Location: Hybrid (On-site 3+ days/week, Arlington, VA)
Position Type: Full-Time | Exempt
Reports To: Art Director

About Us

At the American Retirement Association (ARA), we are dedicated to empowering retirement professionals to help all Americans achieve a secure retirement. We do this through education, advocacy, and innovation. Join our collaborative, mission-driven team and help shape the future of retirement in America.

Position Summary

We’re looking for an experienced Digital Designer to create compelling, on-brand digital assets across multiple platforms and media channels. This role combines creative design expertise with technical proficiency to develop user-focused digital experiences including websites, mobile applications, advertising materials, social media content, 2D and 3D animations, basic video content, and interactive displays. The Digital Designer requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to transform concepts into polished digital designs while maintaining brand consistency and technical standards. The Digital Designer stays current with design trends and emerging technologies and contributes to the overall digital strategy through innovative visual solutions that enhance user engagement and support organizational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and Develop Digital Assets: Design on-brand creative solutions for a variety of digital media including websites, mobile apps, advertising, emails, social media, 2D and 3D animations, basic video content, and interactive displays. Maintain and manage digital asset libraries to ensure brand consistency across all platforms.
• Collaborate and Execute Projects: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to interpret concepts into digital design, taking ideas from concept to execution. Present design concepts and recommendations to stakeholders and incorporate feedback into final deliverables. Deliver digital designs that are creative, useful, align with technical and brand standards, and deliver an effective user experience.
• Project Management and Quality Assurance: Manage multiple design projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining quality standards. Review and test digital designs across various devices and platforms to ensure optimal functionality and user experience.
• Stay Current and Analyze Performance: Maintain technical knowledge in graphic design and emerging trends. Monitor and analyze the performance of digital designs and make data-driven recommendations for improvements.

Qualifications

• Skills Requirements: Interpersonal, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills. Multitasking, project management, planning, organization, and customer service skills. Analytical and problem-solving skills. Time management skills.
• Knowledge Requirements: Digital design principles and practices, user experience (UX) design, and brand consistency standards. Web design best practices, responsive design principles, animation techniques, basic video editing principles, and emerging digital trends. Digital publication workflows and navigation design for online formats. Familiarity with AI-enabled image production tools and willingness to integrate AI technologies into design workflows.
• Technology Requirements: Extensive experience in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), and Microsoft Office Suite. Knowledge of Adobe Premiere and/or Adobe After Effects preferred.
• Experience Requirements: 5+ years of digital design, content creation, and curation, and information architecture experience is preferred. Animation and video production experience a plus. Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and managing multiple design projects simultaneously.
• Supervisory Requirements: None.
• Travel Requirements: Local travel via motor vehicle.
• Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, both in a home and office environment. Ability to use standard office equipment, including computers, keyboards, phones, and printers. Visual acuity to view and analyze information on a computer screen for extended periods. Occasional light lifting (up to 10 lbs) for transporting a laptop or office materials between work locations. Ability to commute to the office as required (i.e., at least 3 days per week). Ability to participate in virtual and in-person meetings, presentations, or team collaborations.

Why Join Us?

We’re a purpose-driven organization that values innovation, collaboration, and meaningful impact. As the Digital Designer, your work will directly support our mission and enhance the way we connect with our community.

We offer:

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits
• Hybrid workplace
• Opportunities for professional development

Employee Benefits

ARA offers its full-time employees a robust benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Profit Sharing 401(k) Plan
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• Eleven Paid Holidays
• Eighteen Days of Paid Time Off
• Two Hours of Personal Leave Per Month
• Parental Leave
• Hybrid Work Arrangement (Telework on Mondays and Fridays)
• Commuting/Telework Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Membership in Absorb Learning Management System
• Membership in You Need a Budget (YNAB)
• Membership in Experian My Financial Expert
• Membership in Calm App
• Spot Pet Insurance Discount
• Worldwide Travel Assistance Program
• Will Preparation Services

Equal Opportunity Employer

American Retirement Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. American Retirement Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Ready to Make an Impact?

Apply now to join a team that’s helping build a secure retirement future for millions of Americans.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $89,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Digital design: 5 years (Required)
• Adobe Creative Suite: 5 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Arlington, VA 22203 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Arlington, VA 22203