Art Director, Premium Publishing

About The Team | Dotdash Meredith Premium Publishing produces newsstand print titles and several quarterly premium subscription titles. The titles are predominantly focused on food, holiday, home and garden.

Job Profile Summary

Lay out and design all assigned pages for assigned magazines. Handle and understand all job duties including visual interpretation of story assignment, art planning, budgeting, and photography art direction. All work must meet internal deadlines as well as external pre-press schedules. Pre-press production files must be complete and accurate. Additional design and photo tasks may be assigned for the broader Premium Publishing group by the Design Director. This position will have the potential to be client-facing and must communicate effectively with all team members, internal and external. In addition, this position will oversee and manage contractors and freelancers.

Hybrid 3x a week- Des Moines

In-office Expectations: This position is hybrid in-office, with the ability to work remotely for up to 2 days per week.

Job Summary | Major goals and objectives.

Effectively design all assigned magazines/products and utilize software systems and organizational tools per company and group policy. Understand the consumer, brand,/client and visually interpret  story assignments, planning, and photography. Continue to stay up-to-date on software, typography, and publishing trends.

Essential Job Functions

Weight %

Accountabilities, Actions and Expected Measurable Results

30%

Story Concept Development: Works with Design Director, department

Editors and/or clients to plan and conceptualize stories and magazine content. Communicates clearly and

organizes the visual approach of each story, section, and magazine. Place high priority on newsstand covers 

maintaining standards set by the Newsstand team and EIC, focusing on the target audience.

50%

Layout: Design, produce, and execute layouts per brand standards and Design Director’s vision. Maintain high quality and consistent graphic/typographic design throughout the magazine. Produce consistent charts, information graphics and illustrations as required.

10%

Photography Direction: Direct assigned photo shoots to ensure quality imagery for the magazine and/or clients. Work with design director, photo editors and/or client to assign, hire and contract photographers for produced shoots. Maintain budgets by negotiating and adhering to our dept. rate requirements.

5%

Production Quality: Monitor and maintain all production deadlines for assigned titles. Stay up-to-date on all software and processes to effectively keep work/magazines on deadline.

5%

Service: Executes all additional duties as requested by the Design Director.

The Role’s Minimum Qualifications and Job Requirements:

Education:

4 year college degree 
 

Experience:

8+ years of professional design experience

Specific Knowledge, Skills, Certifications and Abilities:

Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite including InDesign, InCopy, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

Should have basic knowledge of WoodWing.

Experience with InData helpful, but not required.
 

% Travel Required (Approximate):

5-10%