Graphic Designer

The Center for a New American Security is an independent, bipartisan, nonprofit think tank that develops strong, pragmatic, and principled national security and defense policies. CNAS is looking to hire a graphic designer to work with our creative director, editors, and researchers to produce visual materials that elevate the presentation of our national security ideas and analysis. In this position you’ll have the opportunity to design everything from branded campaigns to infographics, custom illustrations, maps and charts, editorial design and layout, motion graphics, video, and web content.

This position is for a creative who loves variety: someone who can create novel cover art concepts for a report on drones, sketch out artboards for an explainer video on digital currency, or create new branding for a center-wide campaign, while also laying out 60 pages of text for a report on AI, developing a PowerPoint deck for an internal board meeting, or selecting a branded holiday gift for partners and employees. The research at CNAS is entrepreneurial and bold, enabling the design team to push boundaries with visual solutions.

Visit this link to see some of our design work.

Responsibilities

• Designing CNAS reports to include formatting text; placing assets; creating custom interior graphics and report cover art; preparing files for print and web; and designing assets for promotion.
• Creating infographics such as maps, charts, and data visualizations.
• Developing branding and illustrations for new projects or special events.
• Assisting teams with graphics development for presentations and events using non-designer tools like PowerPoint.
• Developing art and storyboards for motion designers to develop explainer videos.
• Assisting the creative director in ways to improve design team capabilities and processes.

Qualifications and Requirements

Required:

• Has a BA/BS in graphic design or equivalent experience.
• Has a portfolio demonstrating relevant work across print and digital products.
• Is skilled in Adobe Creative Cloud — with an emphasis on InDesign — to create text-rich layouts for reports, magazines, newspapers, books, and marketing materials, with strong attention to detail in typesetting and formatting.
• Has experience creating data visualizations that translate complex topics into clear, compelling visuals.
• Understands digital design spaces and can produce graphics for social media, email, event platforms, websites, podcasts, and videos.
• Has experience building new brands as well as maintaining and evolving existing ones.
• Is well organized, manages multiple concurrent projects and files, and consistently meets deadlines — taking projects from brief to final delivery with sound design judgment and minimal oversight.
• Has experience working directly with clients or stakeholders: gathering requirements, pitching concepts, and confidently articulating the story and rationale behind design decisions.
• Works collaboratively and flexibly, integrating feedback from both designers and non-designers, and brings proactive creative instincts while remaining receptive to direction.
• Can communicate design principles to non-designers and equip colleagues with templates in tools like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Canva, and data visualization software.
• Has legal right to work in the United States.
• Is based in Washington, D.C. metro area (DC, MD, VA) or willing to relocate upon job offer. This position includes a mix of remote and in-person work, with a regular presence at our D.C. office expected. We're open to discussing the specific arrangement with strong candidates.

Preferred:

• Has 5+ years of design experience, or 3+ years in an agency or multi-designer studio environment.
• Has an interest in government, U.S. national security, foreign policy, or international relations.

About CNAS

The Center for a New American Security develops bold, innovative, and bipartisan national security and defense policies that promote and protect American interests and values. Building on the deep expertise and broad experience of its staff and advisors, CNAS engages policymakers, experts, and the public with innovative fact-based research, ideas, and analysis to shape and elevate the national security debate. As an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization, CNAS leads efforts to help inform and prepare the national security leaders of today and tomorrow. CNAS is located in Washington, D.C.

CNAS is a proud equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

CNAS offers a complete and competitive benefits package for employees which includes medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short and long term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, 403(b) retirement accounts, transportation subsidies, and an employee assistance program.