Music is essential to the human experience and a vital component of education for everyone. That belief has guided Kaufman Music Center since its founding and continues to shape everything we do. Kaufman Music Center is one of New York City's leading institutions for music education and performance. Merkin Hall, the Center's intimate performance venue, provides unparalleled access to extraordinary artists, bold ideas, and world premieres where every performance offers audiences the chance to share music at the highest level. Its acclaimed Artist-in-Residence program also gives performers the resources to develop groundbreaking, multidisciplinary projects as well as educational opportunities to mentor and inspire. Kaufman Music Center continuously cultivates and nurtures new generations of artists through Special Music School, the nation's only K-12 public school prioritizing an immersive musically-focused education, as well as Lucy Moses School, one of New York City's finest community performing arts schools for students of all ages. As the Graphic Designer you will play a critical role in shaping the organization's visual identity across diverse platforms. Working as part of the marketing team, you will collaborate cross-functionally with various internal departments to deliver creative solutions that align with strategic goals. This position requires a strong ability to work within established brand guidelines while also bringing fresh, creative ideas to projects. The Graphic Designer will handle a wide variety of tasks, from creating digital assets and social media content to designing print collateral and environmental graphics. Additionally, you will be responsible for file organization, vendor management for print production, and ensuring that all deliverables meet high-quality standards.

Responsibilities:

Design and Branding:

o Maintain and update brand guidelines for the organization and its divisions. o Create unique seasonal and event brand systems that adhere to institutional guidelines, utilizing knowledge of artistic design principles, such as color theory, layout and hierarchy, and visual storytelling. o Design and edit a variety of assets, including presentation decks, social media graphics, digital display ads, web graphics, environmental signage, infographics, and occasional video content. o Design seasonal print brochures and multi-page impact reports, utilizing knowledge of content organization, hierarchy, layout, and information graphic design. o Create and manage templated materials for email campaigns, presentations, and digital and web assets.

Print Production Management:

o Oversee print production, including file preparation, vendor management, and ensuring adherence to print specifications (e.g., bleed, color, image resolution). o Coordinate with external print vendors to produce high-quality marketing and promotional materials. o Participate in proof review processes bringing a strong attention to visual detail.

Project Management:

o Manage projects end-to-end, from initial brief to implementation, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with organizational goals. o Organize and maintain a robust file management system for all design assets.

Cross-Platform Expertise:

o Use Adobe Creative Suite applications (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator), and optionally After Effects and Premiere Pro. o Create designs within Microsoft Office tools like PowerPoint and Word. o Leverage tools like Canva for collaborative or templated projects.

Technical Skills:

o Apply basic knowledge of HTML and web design principles when needed. o Maintain a strong understanding of layout, typography, color theory, and user experience across all formats.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field or equivalent work experience. 3+ years of experience in graphic design, with a portfolio showcasing a range of print and digital projects. Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator). Working knowledge of video editing tools (After Effects, Premiere Pro) and web design tools. Experience managing print production, including vendor coordination and specification adherence. Proficiency in presentation tools (PowerPoint, Canva) Strong organizational skills for file and project management. Adaptability to switch seamlessly between digital, print, environmental, and multimedia design tasks.

Key Traits:

Multidisciplinary skill set with the ability to manage diverse design projects. Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring consistent, high-quality results. Strong communication and collaboration skills, comfortable working across teams. Passion for design and the ability to innovate while adhering to brand standards. Required Skills Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign) Print and Digital Vector / Scalable Graphic Design Brand and Identity Systems Presentation Design Template Design Social Media Content Creation Print Production Knowledge Project Management Cross-functional Communication Additional Preferred Skills Video Editing and Visual Storytelling HTML and Web Design knowledge Motion Graphics Digital / Vector Illustration User Experience Design Environmental Design Familiarity with project management software (e.g., Airtable) Interest in and/or knowledge of non-profit arts and culture