Art Director

Scholastic • New York, NY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Our design team is currently seeking an experienced Art Director to spearhead our Non‑fiction School Market publishing within the Children’s Licensing, Brands & Media Trade Art Department. This role oversees all non‑fiction titles and is responsible for leading, art directing, and mentoring a direct report and freelance designers. The Art Director will take full ownership of the overall creative direction of the non‑fiction list, including both original and licensed titles targeted to preschool through young adult readers. The role requires maintaining high visual standards across all non‑fiction projects each season in line with brand and licensor requirements.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in the publishing industry
• Hands-on experience designing non-fiction and novelty books
• Highly creative
• Attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Able to work under pressure
• Highly motivated and organized
• Excellent computer skills in relevant art/design software
• Experience designing for print and building files for print production
• Work within budgets
• Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
• BA in Graphic Design or equivalent

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Non-fiction, creating novelties, and working with licensed brands preferred
• Experience: 10+ years of children publishing, focusing on Non-fiction a plus

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the creative direction and design of 40+ original and non‑fiction titles annually, including book covers and interiors.
• Lead the development of compelling visual concepts for new non‑fiction books and series for both Trade and School markets, ensuring strong market positioning and visual impact.
• Lead and contribute directly to the design of select key titles while reviewing and approving all design work. Ensure visual quality, cohesion, and alignment with editorial vision, audience needs, and market requirements.
• Hire, art direct, and manage freelance designers, illustrators, and packagers. Provide clear creative direction, feedback, and approvals to ensure work meets creative standards, schedules, and budget expectations
• Develop and manage budgets and timelines for assigned projects. Partner with editorial and production teams to plan workflows, monitor progress, and ensure all deliverables are completed on time and within scope.
• Collaborate with editorial, production, sales, and marketing teams to align creative execution with publishing goals. Represent design in status meetings, reviews, and presentations, clearly communicating creative intent, project updates, and solutions.
• Identify opportunities for business growth and revenue generation through creative services. Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitors’ offerings, and propose innovative strategies to expand the company’s artistic services and portfolio.

Benefits

• Full suite of health and wellness benefits (including a $0 deductible Medical Plan)
• Retirement Savings Plan 401(k) with options for both Roth and Traditional Contributions
• Tuition-Free programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees
• Generous Parental Leave Program
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with opportunity for discounted stock at a 15% discount

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director