Application Instructions
Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.
Join the future of news
We’re on a mission to deliver riveting storytelling for all of America. At The Washington Post, you’ll help reinvent news. Our work is driven by a deep investigative spirit and enhanced by innovation to bring audiences closer to the stories that matter most.
About Our Team
The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning News and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.
Why This Role Matters
The Washington Post is seeking to hire two creative, collaborative and deadline-driven Print Desk Designers to help shape our daily and weekly print editions.
The designers who fill these roles will have the opportunity to help produce visually compelling print journalism at one of the world’s leading news organizations. Print Desk Designers work across news and features products, including themed sections and standalone special editions, helping bring stories to life through thoughtful layout, strong visual hierarchy and sharp presentation.
We are looking for designers with excellent news judgment, a sophisticated eye for typography and layout, and the ability to work quickly and collaboratively under deadline pressure. The ideal candidate is adaptable, eager to learn new tools and committed to maintaining the highest visual and editorial standards across all print products.
These positions are based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom. Schedules typically include some Eastern Time evening shifts and at least one weekend day.
What Motivates You:You are passionate about the craft of print design and visual storytelling.
You thrive in fast-paced production environments and enjoy solving problems under deadline pressure.
You care deeply about presentation, clarity and the reader experience.
You enjoy collaborating with editors, designers and production teams.
You are energized by experimenting with new tools and workflows.
Use The Post’s content management systems and design tools to adapt edited text, photography and graphics across print products.
Design visually compelling pages and story packages for daily and weekly print editions, as well as special sections.
Collaborate with print editors and fellow designers to execute strong, cohesive visual storytelling.
Maintain high standards for accuracy, tone and brand consistency across all print products.
Contribute ideas for improving workflows, presentation and the overall print experience.
Work efficiently under tight deadlines while balancing multiple assignments.
A portfolio demonstrating excellence in print news or magazine design.
Typography, layout and visual storytelling skills.
Strong news judgment and an understanding of how design shapes the reader experience.
Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively in a deadline-driven work environment.
Comfort learning and adapting to new technologies and production workflows.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Prior experience with Méthode, Roxen and Adobe Creative Suite are big plusses.
Interested candidates should upload a résumé, cover letter and portfolio to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Sept. 25 will be prioritized. Cover letters should be addressed to Deputy Managing Editor for Print Carla Broyles and Deputy Head of Print Laura Michalski.
The salary range for this position is: $85,100 - $127,700. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.
Collaboration makes us stronger. That’s why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week.Compensation and BenefitsWherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:
Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage
Company-paid pension and 401(k) match
Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave
Nine paid holidays and two personal days
20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent
Robust mental health resources
Backup care and caregiver concierge services
Gender affirming services
Pet insurance
Free Post digital subscription
Leadership and career development programs
Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.
Learn more about The Post at careers.washingtonpost.com.
Skills Required
- Portfolio demonstrating excellence in print news or magazine design
- Strong typography, layout, and visual storytelling skills
- Strong news judgment and understanding of how design shapes the reader experience
- Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in a deadline-driven environment
- Ability to learn and adapt to new technologies and production workflows
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
- Prior experience with Methode, Roxen, and Adobe Creative Suite
The Washington Post Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about The Washington Post and has not been reviewed or approved by The Washington Post.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, with medical, dental, and vision plans, robust mental‑health resources, and for Guild‑covered roles, employer‑paid single coverage plus an HRA for certain travel needs. Feedback suggests these features make core health benefits a reliable anchor even as specifics can vary by role.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is highlighted at a generous level for all new parents, alongside backup care, caregiver concierge, and gender‑affirming services in some postings. These family‑forward supports stand out within the broader package.
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Pay Growth & Progression — Recent union agreements secured across‑the‑board raises and significantly higher salary floors for lower‑paid cohorts, with automatic increases beginning in 2024. Feedback suggests these gains improved satisfaction at the lower end even as overall pay views remain varied.
The Washington Post Insights
What We Do
The Washington Post is an award-winning news leader whose mission is to connect, inform, and enlighten local, national and global readers with trustworthy reporting, in-depth analysis and engaging opinions. The Post is as much a tech company as it is a media company, combining world-class journalism with the latest technology and tools so readers can interact with The Post anytime, anywhere. Our approach is always the same– shape ideas, redefine speed, take ownership and lead. Every employee, every project, every day.
Why Work With Us
Rapidly growing, this team is committed to creating excellent experiences and products worthy of our tradition and our future. Our dedication to innovation, excellence and integrity are at the core of what we do, and why our employees are proud to call The Post their home.
