The American Counseling Association (ACA) is the world’s largest organization representing professional counselors in various practice settings.

Our vision: We are the preeminent advocate and resource for professional counselors and their clients in a world where everyone has access to mental health services.

Our mission: Advancing the counseling profession, mental health and well-being through education, advocacy, community, inclusion and research.

Our values: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Integrity, Proactive Leadership, Professional Community & Relationships, Scientific Practice & Knowledge, Social Justice & Empowerment.

All American Counseling Association team members are encouraged, supported, and expected to demonstrate The Way We Work Values: Be Flexible, Be Creative, Be Empowered, Be Inquisitive, Be Collaborative and Be Respectful.

Job Purpose

The Manager. Graphic Design is responsible for delivering high-quality design for the association. The Manager, Graphic Design oversees the development and creation of the organization’s visual assets. The Manager develops and implements policies, procedures and guidelines for ACA’s visual identity while maintaining consistency and creativity in all visual communications. This position collaborates with the Director of Marketing and other internal staff on all projects that have a design component. Additionally, the role supervises the graphic designer and manages contractors and vendors as required.

In addition to the list of responsibilities below, the Manager, Graphic Design, will carry out assigned tasks that are consistent with the general responsibilities of the position.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the design queue and process for all assigned projects, based on best practices for project management.
• Translate strategic direction into high-quality design concepts that solve design challenges and align with ACA’s brand and graphic identity.
• Supervise and mentor graphic designer, providing direction and support as needed.
• Collaborate, brainstorm, and strategize with the Director of Marketing and other internal stakeholders on a wide range of materials that may include web pages, presentations, programming collateral, signage, internal communications, newsletters and other marketing materials.
• Support visual consistency through all print, video, and digital marketing efforts, with a focus on positioning ACA as a professional, relevant and compassionate leader in mental health.
• Effectively and creatively cultivate visual sub-brands to visually differentiate while remaining consistent.
• Ensure brand consistency with non-marketing created collateral (email signatures, stationery, and organization materials as templates in MS Office).
• Implement the conceptual and stylistic direction, with little instruction, for design (video, print, digital) projects and see them through their completion for a wide variety of projects (video, print, digital) included but not limited to brochures, emails, postcards, ads, expo booths, signs, digital platform images and designs, PowerPoint (as document and as presentation tool) etc.
• Prepare files for printing/publishing/manufacturing.
• Manage and coordinate with vendors and contractors supporting ACA’s design and brand work.

• Bachelor’s degree in art design, marketing or related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in advertising, design or related field.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively, understand complexity and visually distill down to its essence.
• Must be proficient on a Mac-based platform and software including, but not limited to, Adobe Creative Suite CC, Microsoft Office, etc.
• Comfort working under pressure and shifting priorities.

Location #LI-Hybrid

The ACA headquarters office is in Alexandria, VA.

Candidates based in the Washington, DC metro area (DC, VA, MD) are preferred; however, we welcome applications from neighboring locations. This role usually requires in-person office presence, multiple times per quarter.