Senior Director of Creative & Design (Volunteer)

Senior Director of Creative & Design (Volunteer)

PromiseBrands | Creative Strategy, Design Excellence & Visual Storytelling

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromiseBrands

Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Commitment: Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Type: Volunteer Senior Leadership Role

Minimum Commitment: 6-month commitment required

Reports To: Chief of Brands

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization serving children and youth experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, workforce development, creative opportunity, advocacy, housing innovation, and community-centered support.

Every child deserves to see themselves reflected in stories, experiences, and creative work that inspire possibility, belonging, and hope.

As MAP expands across publishing, media, technology, education, marketing, advocacy, and community engagement, creative excellence plays a vital role in how our mission is experienced and understood.

About PromiseBrands

PromiseBrands is MAP's brand strategy, marketing, communications, creative services, audience engagement, and organizational identity division.

The division is responsible for shaping the visual, creative, and emotional experiences that connect communities to MAP's mission while ensuring consistency, quality, and brand excellence across all platforms.

Role Overview

The Senior Director of Creative & Design serves as the senior creative leader responsible for the visual expression of the Mentor A Promise brand.

This role oversees creative strategy, design systems, visual identity execution, campaign development, creative direction, and design excellence across the organization.

Working closely with PromiseStudios, PromiseVoice, PromisePublic, PromiseProducts, PromiseLantern, PromisePages, and executive leadership, the Senior Director ensures that every visual experience reflects MAP's mission, values, and commitment to children and families.

The Senior Director helps transform ideas into compelling creative experiences that inspire action, strengthen engagement, and build trust with audiences.

Key Responsibilities

Creative Vision & Strategy

• Develop and lead MAP's creative vision and design strategy
• Establish creative standards that support organizational goals
• Guide the visual evolution of the MAP brand
• Ensure creative work aligns with mission, audience, and strategic priorities
• Support innovation across creative and design initiatives

Creative Direction

• Provide creative leadership across campaigns, programs, and organizational initiatives
• Review and approve major creative assets and design projects
• Ensure consistency across digital, print, video, social, educational, and event materials
• Maintain high standards of creativity, quality, and execution
• Mentor and support creative team members

Design Systems & Brand Consistency

• Oversee organizational design systems and visual standards
• Maintain consistency across all MAP divisions, programs, and platforms
• Develop creative guidelines, templates, and asset libraries
• Ensure brand alignment across all visual communications
• Strengthen design governance practices

Campaign Development

• Lead creative development for major campaigns and initiatives
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams on audience engagement strategies
• Support fundraising, recruitment, awareness, advocacy, and community campaigns
• Create compelling visual narratives that advance MAP's mission
• Ensure campaigns are audience-centered and impact-driven

Visual Storytelling

• Partner with PromiseStudios and PromiseVoice to strengthen storytelling initiatives
• Support creative development across books, podcasts, documentaries, animation, journalism, and educational content
• Help translate complex ideas into engaging visual experiences
• Strengthen emotional connection between audiences and MAP's mission

Cross-Divisional Creative Leadership

• Collaborate with technology teams on digital product experiences
• Support PromisePublic advocacy and awareness initiatives
• Partner with PromiseFinance on fundraising and donor engagement materials
• Work closely with leadership to support organizational priorities
• Strengthen creative collaboration across the organization

Leadership Responsibilities

The Senior Director provides leadership and oversight for:

Creative Direction

Responsible for:

• Creative strategy
• Creative reviews
• Art direction
• Design quality

Graphic Design

Responsible for:

• Marketing materials
• Campaign assets
• Digital graphics
• Brand execution

Visual Identity

Responsible for:

• Brand standards
• Design systems
• Visual consistency
• Brand stewardship

Campaign Design

Responsible for:

• Fundraising campaigns
• Recruitment campaigns
• Awareness initiatives
• Community engagement campaigns

Creative Operations

Responsible for:

• Workflow management
• Asset organization
• Creative planning
• Project coordination

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in creative leadership, graphic design, art direction, visual communications, marketing, advertising, branding, or related fields
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creative excellence and strategic thinking
• Experience leading creative teams and multidisciplinary projects
• Exceptional visual storytelling and design abilities
• Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills
• Passion for mission-driven creativity and social impact

Why This Role Matters

People often experience an organization through its creative work before they experience its programs.

The Senior Director of Creative & Design helps ensure that every visual interaction with Mentor A Promise reflects the organization's values, professionalism, compassion, and commitment to excellence.

This role helps transform mission into meaningful experiences that inspire trust, engagement, and action.

Success Measures

• Creative quality and consistency across MAP
• Brand alignment and visual excellence
• Campaign performance and engagement
• Audience growth and interaction
• Creative team development and effectiveness
• Cross-divisional collaboration
• Strengthening of MAP's visual identity and reputation

Volunteer Expectations

• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment
• Maintain timely and professional communication
• Collaborate through MAP systems and communication platforms
• Support MAP's mission, safeguarding standards, and organizational values
• Participate in leadership and strategic planning meetings

What You'll Gain

• Senior leadership experience overseeing creative strategy and design excellence
• Opportunity to shape the visual identity of a growing nonprofit organization
• Collaboration with executive, marketing, communications, publishing, media, and technology leaders
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Meaningful impact supporting children and families experiencing housing instability

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume, portfolio, and cover letter.

Please highlight experience involving creative leadership, graphic design, branding, visual communications, campaign development, art direction, marketing, or storytelling.

Help create the visual experiences that inspire communities, strengthen trust, and bring the Mentor A Promise mission to life.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.