Graphic Design Specialist at YMCA OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA – Bradenton, Florida

The Graphic Design Specialist supports association-wide marketing and brand execution for the YMCA of Southwest Florida, ensuring the Y’s mission, impact, and value are visually represented across the community and marketplace. This role contributes to program and membership growth by developing high-quality, brand-aligned creative assets that support marketing strategies, campaigns, and communication efforts.

As a key contributor to brand stewardship, this position helps bring the YMCA brand to life across all touchpoints, ensuring alignment with Y-USA brand standards across all locations, campaigns, and platforms. The Graphic Design Specialist collaborates across departments to translate strategic initiatives into effective visual storytelling, helping to inspire engagement, strengthen community connection, and advance youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Creative Development and Brand Execution

• Design and produce high-quality, mission-driven marketing materials—including flyers, brochures, signage, digital ads, social media graphics, email templates, and program collateral—that bring the YMCA brand to life and inspire community engagement.
• Ensure consistent application of YMCA brand standards across all creative assets, maintaining alignment with Y-USA guidelines.
• Translate marketing strategies into visually compelling assets that support membership, program participation, and community awareness.
• Support development and execution of association-wide campaigns across multiple platforms.

Digital and Content Support

• Assist with creation and optimization of digital assets for website, email marketing, and social media platforms.
• Support content development through basic photography, graphic creation, and visual storytelling.
• Maintain and organize digital asset libraries, templates, and brand resources.

Partnership with Philanthropy

• Collaborate closely with the Philanthropy Department to support annual campaigns, donor engagement, and fundraising initiatives.
• Design donor-facing materials including campaign collateral, impact reports, case statements, sponsorship materials, and stewardship communications.
• Visually communicate Social Impact initiatives, community outcomes, and mission-driven stories that connect donors to the YMCA’s work.
• Support alignment of marketing and fundraising efforts to maximize engagement and impact.

Production and Collaboration

• Coordinate production of marketing materials including program guides, publications, and on-site signage.
• Collaborate with internal teams to understand project goals and deliver creative solutions that meet timelines and objectives.
• Support marketing and fundraising events through design of promotional materials, presentations, and on-site visuals.
• Attend association events as needed to support marketing efforts and capture visual content.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines

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LEADERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS

Mission Advancement

• Models and communicates the YMCA’s mission and core values through visual storytelling and design.
• Supports a culture of philanthropy by creating materials that elevate donor engagement and community impact.

Collaboration

• Builds strong relationships across departments to support marketing, operations, and philanthropy goals.
• Works effectively with internal stakeholders to translate ideas into creative solutions.

Operational Effectiveness

• Produces high-quality work with strong attention to detail, organization, and efficiency.
• Maintains brand consistency and follows established processes and standards.

Personal Growth

• Demonstrates creativity, adaptability, and a continuous learning mindset.
• Stays current with design trends, tools, and marketing best practices.

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, Communications, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional graphic design experience.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creative, brand-aligned design work across print and digital platforms.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop); familiarity with digital platforms and content management systems.
• Solid understanding of design principles including typography, layout, color theory, and composition.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Experience supporting nonprofit marketing, fundraising, or donor communications is preferred.
• Photography, videography, or motion graphics experience is a plus.

CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• CPR and First Aid Certifications preferred.
• Completion of YMCA of the USA Child Abuse and Neglect class
• Completion of the YMCA’s Blood Borne Pathogens training
• Must be able to meet the association’s background screening requirements.
• Adhere to drug/alcohol/smoke free workplace policy.
• Additional training classes as recommended by the Supervisor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device. The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• On-site attendance is required of this position.
• Employment is contingent upon completing required Level 2 background screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com

YMCA of Southwest Florida has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and YMCA of Southwest Florida reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the YMCA of Southwest Florida may deem appropriate.