Design Director, Los Angeles Times

Job Description: Los Angeles is one of the most creative cities in the world, and we’re ready to make the West Coast’s largest newspaper a true reflection of that unique energy. We are looking for a design director to work closely with our creative director to create a powerful, consistent visual brand across our digital and print publishing platforms.

Our design department is venturing into exciting new territory, transitioning from a team that mainly handled print to one that will set the editorial visual style and tone for latimes.com and the rest of our digital products. If you’re excited about leading and inspiring a large design team through a critical transition while setting the standard for visual excellence across our organization, we want to hear from you.

Job Requirements: This role will require a complete overhaul of existing workflows. We need to establish new processes in order to set the team up for success, particularly when it comes to work across digital platforms. You’ll be responsible for creating a culture where people can learn, experiment and excel.

The most exciting part of this job is that we’re still in the process of creating our brand’s visual voice and style guide, and we are waiting for you to help us shape the brand. Think typography, colors, illustration styles, photo art direction and more. Coming up with our design language will be a collaborative effort among the creative leaders and managers, and you will play a key role in its creation and execution.

In this position, you will:
* Lead and manage the design team of 20+ people responsible for the presentation of editorial publishing on digital and print platforms (this includes managing deputy design directors, senior art directors and designers)
* Create and implement a brand style guide, under the direction of the creative director
* Enforce a strict visual language and brand coherence across every product and project we work on
* Overhaul workflows and processes in need of major updates to be able to support digital design efforts
* Collaborate with senior editors across the newsroom to tell stories with impact
* Collaborate constantly with photo, video and graphics teams
* Identify and recruit exceptional talent
* Pitch and develop visual-forward digital products

Qualifications:
* Minimum of 10 years of experience in editorial design, art direction, typography or illustration and five years of management experience
* Impeccable journalistic instincts and an unimpeachable commitment to ethics
* Demonstrated understanding of the power behind a brand’s visual language, which must be present in your online portfolio
* A track record of fostering teamwork across visual disciplines (photo, video, graphics)
* Strong writing, storytelling, communication and presentation skills
* Familiarity and a passion for newsgathering and journalistic forms (investigative, narrative, explanatory, breaking news)
* Demonstrated ability to think strategically as well as creatively
* Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (including PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Pro and/or After Effects) and related software
* Expertise or knowledge in JavaScript, HTML and CSS
* Experience collaborating with product and tech teams, as well as marketing and advertising
* Sophisticated typographic skills and color use that translate across multiple digital products
* Experience in a fast-paced, deadline-driven workplace environment
* Strong working knowledge of digital analytics
* Awareness of industry best practices and innovations
* A competitive spirit and proactive work style

The L.A. Times is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Times staff is currently working remotely, but when we return to the newsroom the position will be based in El Segundo, Calif.

Type of Job: Design, Print and Digital

City: El Segundo

State/Country: CA

Duration: Full-time

Company: Los Angeles Times

About Our Company: The Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country, with a daily readership of 1.4 million and 2.4 million on Sunday, more than 39 million unique latimes.com visitors monthly and a combined print and online local weekly audience of 4.3 million. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Times has been covering Southern California for more than 139 years.

Los Angeles Times’ businesses and affiliates include The Envelope, Hot Property, Times Community News and Los Angeles Times en Español. The Times also owns California Community News, LLC.

At the L.A. Times, we believe in opportunities for all. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, religion, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. None of our applicants will be discriminated against based on disability, genetics, or anything protected by federal, state, or local laws.

We’re committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment for everyone. Our people come first. We value the views and ideas of everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. We are passionate about safety, inclusivity, and diversity. It is our goal to create a space where everyone feels safe and welcome.

If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

If you're interested in an exciting career with a respected media company as we move toward a digital future, we invite you to explore what The Times has to offer on our Career Website at https://careers.latimes.com/.

Click here to view our current job openings and apply for positions online: http://www.latimes.com/careers.

How to Apply: Qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter and applicable work samples or portfolio link to Creative Director Amy King by Dec. 28. Please note, the opportunity to attach additional documents appears on the third screen and is labeled “Upload.” https://nantmedia.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/LATimesCareers/job/El-Segundo-CA/Design-Director_REQ_000617