Freelance Brand Designer / Creative Lead - National Nonprofit Rebrand

Job Title: Freelance Brand Designer / Creative Lead — Mission-Driven Organization (National Nonprofit Rebrand) (Contract-to-Hire Potential)

Type: Freelance, 40 hrs/week

Start: ASAP (February 2026)

Length: 3–6 months initial contract (strong potential for extension or conversion to full-time Associate Director, Creative)

Location: Fully remote (nationwide); no hybrid/office requirement

Compensation: $55–$85/hr (DOE; aligned with senior nonprofit brand leadership)

A nationally recognized, mission-driven nonprofit operating at the intersection of product philanthropy, disaster relief, and corporate social impact is entering a critical brand evolution and seeking a Freelance Brand Designer / Creative Lead to steward its next chapter.

This role is not for campaign-only or consumer-brand designers. It is for a seasoned brand leader who has led full organizational rebrands within public-trust environments such as large nonprofits, humanitarian organizations, foundations, healthcare systems, or similarly complex mission-driven institutions.

You will act as a hands-on creative lead and strategic thought partner to marketing leadership—owning brand systems, visual identity, and governance while translating a complex, values-driven mission into a clear, credible, and human-centered brand expression across all touchpoints.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

• Lead the design and execution of a national nonprofit rebrand, from brand evolution through identity systems, guidelines, and rollout

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• Own and refine the organization’s brand system (visual language, typography, color, iconography, photography, layouts, templates, usage standards)
• Design and produce high-stakes, donor- and partner-facing materials, including annual/impact reports, executive and board presentations, ESG/impact infographics, and digital content
• Translate brand research and strategy into mission-aligned creative that builds trust, clarity, and recognition across diverse audiences
• Partner closely with marketing leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure brand consistency and disciplined storytelling
• Provide light creative direction and oversight to internal designers or freelancers once systems are established
• Act as a bridge during transition to a permanent Associate Director, Creative, maintaining momentum and quality throughout the rebrand phase

MUST-HAVES (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):

• 5–8+ years of professional brand design experience, with direct ownership of at least one full organizational rebrand
• Demonstrated experience in national nonprofits, humanitarian organizations, foundations, healthcare systems, or similarly regulated public-trust environments
• A portfolio showing brand systems leadership (not just campaigns): guidelines, identity frameworks, templates, and multi-channel application
• Proven ability to design for donor, CSR, partner, and executive audiences, balancing emotional resonance with credibility and restraint
• Hands-on experience with Digital Asset Management (DAM) platforms (e.g., MediaValet, Canto, Bynder, Acquia, Brandfolder) at a power-user or governance level

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• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign); comfortable working across digital-first environments
• Strong digital sensibility (web, presentations, social, motion-aware)—minimal print-only focus
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. and residing in an approved state (required)

YOU’LL STAND OUT IF YOU…

• Have led brand or rebrand work at organizations such as United Way, Planned Parenthood, Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Rubicon, or comparable national nonprofits
• Bring experience designing impact reports, ESG materials, or complex data visualizations that translate outcomes into compelling narratives
• Have served as a long-term brand steward, not just a project-based designer
• Are comfortable operating in fast-moving, mission-driven environments with high visibility and accountability
• Are genuinely open to a contract-to-hire path if the partnership proves exceptional

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This role requires deep nonprofit brand experience. Candidates whose backgrounds are primarily in consumer, DTC, entertainment, or campaign-only agency work without institutional nonprofit rebrand leadership will not be considered.