Founded more than a century ago, Holton-Arms School encourages young women in grades 3- 12 to approach the world with a thirst for challenge, unflinching curiosity, and a sense of responsibility to use what they learn for the greatest good. A nationally recognized school that prioritizes purposeful connections, Holton is a vibrant place where both students and faculty are deeply engaged in the process of learning and bring tremendous spirit and passion to their work. With a long legacy of excellence in educating girls, Holton provides students with time-tested and future-forward programming, preparing them for what the world needs next.
The mission of the Holton-Arms School is to cultivate the unique potential of young women through the “education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit.” Founded in 1901 by two visionary women, Holton-Arms continues to cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and equitable school community; tend to the health and wellbeing of its members; and build a global curriculum that responds to the learners in its classrooms and the world around us.
The School’s aspirations and current program are rooted in Mrs. Holton’s founding vision: “My high hope is that they who entered through the ‘Open Door’ of Holton- Arms remember they felt, in the friendliness of a home, the urge to learn and the joy of overcoming obstacles as the way to happiness and the fullest life.” In this vibrant community committed to academic excellence, discovery, creativity, and joy, students are scholars, artists, and athletes who find their voices, take risks, learn from mistakes, pursue opportunities for leadership, and build lifelong friendships. The school motto, Inveniam viam aut faciam (“I will find a way or make one”), exemplifies this spirit of agency and empowerment. Here, students excel, while as a community, they enthusiastically support the wins and experiences of one another.
Holton-Arms lives out its mission through a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach to supporting each student and ensuring that all students thrive in school and in life, growing into leaders who will make the world a better place. Inspired by accomplished alumnae, caring faculty and staff, and each other, Holton students step up to challenges, try often, fail gracefully, and succeed proudly.
The Brand and Design Lead is the expert and guardian of the School's visual identity across all print, digital, and environmental touchpoints. This role is responsible for the conception, design, and execution of all branded materials, ensuring consistent adherence to the visual identity and maintaining the highest quality standards for both internal and external communications.
Key Responsibilities
Creative Direction and Brand Management
- Visual Identity Stewardship: Serves as the lead for the application and maintenance of the school's visual identity. Advises colleagues across all departments and divisions on appropriate usage and brand compliance.
- Branded Assets: Develops and maintains a library of branded assets and templates for use by the broader school community to ensure consistency.
- Environmental Branding: Responsible for the design, production, and installation of campus signage, updates, and environmental branding initiatives throughout the year (e.g., banners, display screens, and on-campus graphics).
- Photography Review: Reviews all school photography for brand alignment and visual consistency.
Print and Publication Design
- Magazine Design: Responsible for the comprehensive design and layout of the school's magazine.
- Print Production Management: Co-manages print vendor relationships, coordinating the submission of files, providing precise specifications, ensuring print quality, and managing a calendar for routine print material updates.
- Material Design: Leads the design and production of all required print and collateral materials, including for the Advancement and Admissions teams, including the annual report, brochures, invitations, and mailings. Request and catalog print samples for quality assurance.
- Compliance Oversight: Ensures the brand compliance of all print materials, including those created by external vendors and internal school partners.
Digital and Multimedia Design
- Digital Content Creation: Develops compelling, branded visual content and graphics for digital and print advertising, updating creative assets as needed throughout the year.
- Web and Email Graphics: Collaborates with the Digital Marketing and Content Strategy team members on graphics and photos needed for the website, ensuring visual identity adherence across all web properties. Designs graphics for email headers for divisions and events, and manages updates to the school's email signature.
- Multimedia Collaboration: Engages in the planning process for school videos, advising on the appropriate use of visual identity and collaborating during shoots as necessary.
- Social Media: Creates graphics and consult on appropriate photography for daily social media content.
Photography and Asset Management
- Photo Planning: Works with the Assistant Director (AD) to establish yearly needs for photo planning and scheduling. Coordinates with the Content Strategy and Communications (CSC) and AD on the specific types of photos required for upcoming projects.
- Event Photography: Photographs school events throughout the academic year to build the school's photo archive.
- Asset Organization: Manages the upload, tagging, and organization of all school photography within the digital asset management system.
Project Management and Workflow
- Project Tracking: Keeps track of assigned tasks, noting progress, and managing deadlines.
- Signage Rotation: Manages the rotation schedule and updating of creative for campus banners and exterior signage.
- Video Displays: Provides graphics and assets as needed for the school's video screen displays.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- 2-5 years of professional experience in graphic design
Skills and Qualifications
- Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) for both print and digital design, as well as Canva.
- Demonstrated experience with print production processes, file preparation, color management, and vendor coordination.
- Competency in digital asset management systems for organizing and cataloging media.
- Proficiency in event photography and basic photo editing/retouching.
- Proven ability to translate brand strategy into high-quality, compelling visual design for diverse media.
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills to oversee multiple complex projects (e.g., magazine, signage) simultaneously.
- Strong collaborative and consultative skills to effectively advise and partner with colleagues and external vendors.
- Meticulous attention to detail regarding text, color, typography, layout, and brand standards.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for presenting design concepts and articulating brand guidelines.
Salary & Benefits
The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $70,000, the exact salary to be determined based on education and experience. Benefits include health insurance with a generous employer contribution to medical, dental, and vision; life and disability insurance; 403b retirement savings with an employer match and non-elective contribution; employee assistance program, tuition remission for eligible children; professional development opportunities; paid parental leave after one year of employment; paid vacation, sick and personal days; and lunch is provided on school days.
Application Details
To be considered for this position, candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, a writing sample, and the names and contact information of three references (one of whom must be a current or most recent supervisor).
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Statement
Holton-Arms cherishes the uniqueness of each of our members including current and former students, faculty, and staff. We seek to create an inclusive environment that sees, values, and supports diverse identities and experiences, cultivates engaging discourse, and empowers our students to be thriving members of the global community.
At Holton-Arms, each of us is responsible for fostering an equitable, respectful, and just community. We are committed to:
- Discovering, developing, and valuing our full authentic selves.
- Deepening awareness of personal and systemic biases and being accountable for the impact of our words and actions.
- Developing an understanding of the historical origins and perpetuation of systems of power and privilege.
- Engaging in open and brave conversations that promote growth, understanding, connection, and agency.
- Embracing every individual as essential to the community.
