Summary/Objective
Job Description
About the BSO
Founded in 1881, the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is one of the premier orchestras in the world. The BSO is committed to bringing world class music and performances to the local and international communities. The key to our success has been our employees, from the musicians onstage to those behind the scenes.
About the Role
The BSO Marketing Department is seeking an experienced, temporary Graphic Designer to join our Creative Services team. This is a hands-on, deadline-driven role supporting design work across the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, and Tanglewood brands, as well as other BSO departments.
The ideal candidate is a versatile, self-directed designer who has carried a full campaign cycle end to end, can step into an established creative workflow quickly, and produces polished, on-brand work across print and digital media.
Responsibilities
- Execute design projects and campaign work across the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, and Tanglewood brands, working within the team’s established project management process.
- Maintain visual consistency across a season’s worth of campaign materials, applying strong fundamentals in visual hierarchy, alignment, typography, and color discipline so individual pieces read as part of one coherent body of work.
- Resize and adapt creative across formats and specs — print, digital, out-of-home, signage — preserving design integrity at every size.
- Recommend design solutions that work within brand guidelines and address stakeholder feedback.
- Produce collateral for other BSO departments as needed, including brochures, invitations, flyers, and related materials.
- Prepare production-ready files to the technical specifications of each output, including prepress, color, and accessibility requirements.
Required Education and Experience
- 5+ years of graphic design experience, with demonstrated craft and consistency across a body of work
- Strong foundation in visual hierarchy, typography, layout systems, and color; the judgment to apply them across a high volume of materials
- Comfortable working within an established brand system and maintaining harmony across a season-wide campaign
- Fluency with technical production standards — four-color printing, prepress and file preparation across output types, accessibility guidelines — and the discipline to apply them consistently
- Extensive knowledge of Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator
- Strong time management and the ability to consistently meet deadlines
- Bachelor’s degree required
Pay Rate Range: $25 - $40 per hour
The BSO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of graphic design experience
- Strong skills in visual hierarchy, typography, layout systems, and color
- Experience working within established brand systems and maintaining campaign consistency
- Knowledge of four-color printing, prepress, file preparation, and accessibility guidelines
- Extensive knowledge of Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator
- Strong time management and ability to meet deadlines consistently
- Bachelor's degree
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What We Do
Boston Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra and music presenter that performs in Boston and at Tanglewood, and reaches audiences through radio, television, online programming, recordings, and tours. It commissions works by contemporary composers, presents the Boston Pops and chamber music, and offers educational outreach, community programs, and training for young musicians. Its mission is to make music at the highest level and provide excellent performances and educational and training programs.
