Graphic Designer I

About The Company At Awana, we are dedicated to Equip Leaders, Reach Kids, and Change the World. With over 75 years of experience, we believe that genuine transformation occurs within communities when children and youth are engaged in biblical discipleship and are transformed by the gospel in the presence of caring adults. Our mission is rooted in helping children come to know, love, and serve Jesus throughout their lives. We partner with local churches across the United States and around the globe, providing innovative solutions and resources that empower leaders to disciple the next generation effectively. Currently, Awana reaches over 10 million children in 140 countries, supported by more than 500,000 trained leaders in approximately 91,000 clubs and churches. Our work is vital in global evangelism and discipleship, and we are committed to fostering a lifelong faith journey for every child we serve. About The Role We are seeking a talented and motivated Graphic Designer I to join our ministry team. In this role, you will play a crucial part in advancing our mission by creating compelling visual content that aligns with our brand and communicates our message effectively. You will utilize current and trending design concepts, technologies, and tools to produce high-quality graphics for various platforms, including digital campaigns, print materials, and promotional resources. The position involves collaborating with freelancers, vendors, and internal teams to develop engaging content that resonates with our target audiences—children, youth, parents, church leaders, and partners worldwide. You will be responsible for visualizing ideas, preparing files for production, and ensuring all deliverables meet brand standards and technical specifications. This role is primarily remote, with occasional travel to our offices in St. Charles, IL, or Nashville, TN, for organizational meetings, conferences, and photoshoots. The salary range for this position is $45,000 to $49,000 annually. Candidates are required to submit a portfolio or a link to their work to demonstrate their creative capabilities. Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of demonstrated experience in graphic design or visual communications
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Lightroom
• Solid understanding of design principles such as typography, color theory, layout, and composition
• Experience with image editing, formatting, and preparing files for print and digital use
• Ability to create visual assets based on templates and style guides, with opportunities for conceptualization
• Experience working with external vendors and printers, including preparing production-ready files
• Strong organizational skills for managing design assets and project files
• Excellent communication skills for proactive workflow updates and collaboration
• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field preferred but not required
• Understanding of printing processes and technologies is a plus
• Knowledge of the Bible and familiarity with Christian ministry is preferred
• Eligibility to work in the United States; this position does not sponsor visas
• Portfolio or work samples demonstrating creative and technical skills

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the graphic design process by creating layouts, icons, digital assets, and photo assets for various projects
• Execute design work based on established templates and style guides, with opportunities to develop new themes
• Perform basic image editing, formatting, and file preparation for print and digital distribution
• Assist in building campaign concepts across multiple platforms in collaboration with other departments
• Prepare and refine design files for internal review and final production, ensuring accuracy and adherence to brand standards
• Create and organize production-ready files, including PDFs, for review and printing
• Identify and communicate potential design or production issues to senior team members
• Support project development by following timelines and completing tasks efficiently
• Maintain organized design assets, including fonts, images, logos, and working files
• Participate in creative critiques, brainstorming sessions, and team meetings to foster innovation
• Apply feedback constructively and adapt designs to meet project goals
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support ministry initiatives and communication needs
• Uphold the cultural values of Awana in all internal and external interactions
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support organizational objectives

Benefits

• Mission-driven work that impacts children and youth worldwide
• Flexible, remote-first work environment with opportunities to work from home or at our offices in St. Charles, IL, and Nashville, TN
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid family leave and generous paid vacation and holidays
• Retirement plans including 401(k) and Roth 401(k) with employer matching
• Adoption assistance and college scholarship programs
• Employee wellness programs and resources to support overall well-being
• Opportunities for professional growth and development within a supportive ministry environment

Equal Opportunity Awana is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable laws. We believe that a diverse team enhances our ability to serve children and communities effectively and invite individuals from all backgrounds to apply.