Senior Editorial Designer – National Geographic

Job Summary:

We are looking for a detailed Senior Designer to join our team. The Senior Designer is comfortable working across digital platforms in addition to multiple print products. They possess exceptional design skills and closely collaborate with members of graphics, cartography, interactive, photography and other special publications departments to plan, shape, design and produce our highest quality products. The Senior Designer has outstanding conceptual skills and is responsible for creating imaginative solutions, with an exceptional eye for design and typography – especially when creating bespoke issues, packaging, and interactive storytelling.

We are looking for a self-starting design peer who leads from the front, with excellent self-management skills and is an enthusiastic collaborator, readily willing to take on tasks outside of the wide range of responsibilities for the betterment of the company and the team. 

Responsibilities:

• Conceptualize, plan, shape, design, and produce layouts for NGM, Bookazines and special issues, NG Kids and Little Kids, along with Interactive Storytelling.
• Lead design on special issues, packages, bookazines entire issues, NGM Kids, and Little Kids, including any upcoming redesigns.
• Commission and art direct illustrators and collaborate closely with the editorial and photography departments, along with the rest of the Creative Team.
• Act as a valuable resource for junior design staff by mentoring and providing guidance, inspiration, feedback, constructive criticism, and direction.
• Work with the production department to color proof and ensure the highest quality product, reviewing lines for Proof, responsible for Production and Preflight for release of layouts for Bookazines + Special Issues, NGM and NG Kids/Little Kids Layouts
• Lead project teams, maintaining schedules and effectively communicating with all members of story team and direct managers to ensure project runs smoothly
• Continuously communicate effectively with managers, peers, and all other project stakeholders.
• Collaborate with design managers to maintain production schedule

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience using design to develop engaging content-based experiences across print and digital media for consumer audiences
• Expertise with Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Comfortable with digital storytelling and UX design.
• Exceptional eye for typography and story packaging.
• Strategic thinker with a solutions-based mindset and exceptional problem-solving skills.
• Effective and outstanding communicator with strong leadership skills.
• Positive attitude with an eagerness to be involved with many different projects, and excited to push them to the next level.
• Driven self-starter with strong ability to manage time and varying production schedules.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Publishing or editorial design a plus
• Digital / UX experience
• Experience using Figma and Sketch

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree (preferably in Design)

The hiring range for this position in Washington, D.C. is $103,500 to $138,800 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.