MARKETING AND CREATIVE SERVICES SPECIALIST

ABOUT DC CENTRAL KITCHEN:   

DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is an iconic nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. Our approach provides hands-on culinary job training while creating living-wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed in our city. We serve scratch-cooked farm-to-school meals in DC schools; deliver fresh, affordable produce to corner stores in neighborhoods without supermarkets; provide delicious catering; and operate healthy cafes that double as job training venues. Above all else, we are committed to creating a more just, equitable, and inclusive community, both outside our doors and right here on our team. We strive to offer a safe environment to learn, discover, and develop individual strengths while pursuing meaningful career pathways. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we recognize and work to address the lasting effects of historic injustices and systemic racism, and we strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ people, returning citizens, and people who have experienced poverty or homelessness to apply to join our team.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:

The Development and Communications team directs DC Central Kitchen’s fundraising, communications, marketing, event planning, and advocacy activities. This diverse team of ten skilled professionals oversees DCCK’s external affairs, stewards nearly 11,000 annual donors, manages marketing and communications efforts for the organization as a whole and for each DCCK social venture, raises $13 million in donations each year, and organizes Capital Food Fight, the city’s best foodie event. We prioritize transparency, teamwork, and creativity in our daily work while taking an asset-based approach to storytelling and upholding donor-centered fundraising practices.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Marketing and Creative Services Specialist supports the visual execution and production of marketing and communications materials for DC Central Kitchen. This role is responsible for independently translating established creative strategy, brand standards, and approved messaging into high-quality, accessible, and timely visual assets that support fundraising, programs, events, and organizational priorities. Reporting to the Marketing & Creative Services Manager, the Specialist serves as a hands-on creative producer for the Development and Communications team, collaborating closely with Communications, Events, Development, and Program staff. This role exercises sound judgment and creative problem-solving to ensure materials are accurate, on-brand, strategically aligned, and delivered on deadline. The position plays a critical role in ensuring strong, consistent, and effective execution across platforms.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Design and produce a wide range of print and digital marketing assets, including campaign materials, donor communications, program collateral, event signage, internal-facing resources, and social media content.
• Interpret creative direction, campaign goals, and brand standards to independently execute visual solutions that meet strategicobjectives.
• Ensure all creative assets meet brand, accessibility, and quality standards prior to delivery.
• Adapt and resize creative assets across formats and platforms to support integrated marketing and communications efforts.
• Contribute creative production support for major fundraising campaigns, seasonal appeals, and signature events by developing visual assets aligned with approved creative and marketing plans.
• Design and produce social media graphics and content that support storytelling, campaigns, events, and organizational priorities, in collaboration with the Communications team.
• Partner with Communications staff to translate approved storytelling and messaging into compelling visual materialsoptimizedfor multiple channels.
• Collaborate with Development, Programs, and Events staff to create polished materials that support fundraising, outreach, and community engagement.

• Utilize,maintain, and help refine brand templates, toolkits, and design systems to support efficient and consistent creative execution.
• Support organization, management, and retrieval of shared photo and design assets across the department.
• Prepare creative files for production andassistwith coordination of external vendors (e.g., printers, photographers, freelance designers), providing clear specifications and guidance as directed.
• Provide on-site photography support for events and organizational needs, asrequired.
• Assistwith photoselection, light editing, and preparation for use across digital and print materials.
• Support coordination of photo and video shoots when internal or external resources are engaged.
• Manage assigned design projects witha high levelof autonomy, including timelines, revisions, and final delivery.
• Proactively communicate project status, needs, and potential challenges to ensure deadlines are met.
• Receive feedback and creative direction constructively and implement revisions efficiently.
• Participate in occasional night and weekend events to support fundraising and community engagement needs.
• Perform other duties and tasks needed to drive the vision, mission, and values of DC Central Kitchen.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Bachelor’s degree inGraphicDesign, Visual Communications, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 2–4 years of professional design experience
• Produce high-quality print and digital creative assets from concept through final delivery.
• Proficiencyin Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)required.
• Experience designing content for digital platforms and social media, with an understanding of platform-specific formats and best practices.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing work, and meeting deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Working knowledge of print production processes, including preparing files forvendorsand collaborating with external partners.
• Basic photography skills, including shooting, selecting, and editing photos for marketing and communications use.

• Proficiencyin Canva Pro, including template creation, brand kit management, and asset organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be capable of independent local travel 
• Must be able to attend occasional night and weekend events 
• May occasionally move Audio/Visual and other office equipment or lightweight items weighing up to 25 pounds for various meeting and event needs; Some functions of this position may require moderate physical activity, including transporting, positioning, installing, or removing office equipment items, such as printers, computers, phones, and so on 
• Will occasionally move about inside the office and commercial kitchen space to access supplies, materials, file cabinets, office machinery, etc. 
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer; constantly positions self to access and maintain computer equipment; and must be able to remain in a stationery position for at least 50% of the time. 
• Must be able to work in an environment where exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, fumes, dirt, smoke, loud noise, and a variety of odors is common 
• This job description is subject to change at any time.  

BENEFITS:

• Medical,dental, and visioninsurance (DCCK pays 100% of employee premiumsfor individual coverage)
• Flexible Spending Accounts(Healthcare and Parking)
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, and personal leave)
• 11Company Paid Holidays
• Bonding Leave for new parents 
• Commuter Benefits plan
• Matching 401(k) program 
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Wellness Reimbursement program