Art Director, Simon & Schuster

Simon & Schuster•New York, NY

10h•$95,000 - $95,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Simon & Schuster is seeking an experienced and highly creative Art Director to collaborate with the Lead Art Director across the Simon & Schuster, Summit, and 37 Ink imprints. This role is responsible for designing and art directing compelling frontlist book covers for a wide range of fiction and nonfiction titles within the adult trade market. The ideal candidate is a strategic visual thinker with a strong editorial design background, exceptional typographic skills, and the ability to guide projects from initial concept through final production. This position requires close collaboration with editors, production teams, designers, illustrators, and photographers to deliver market-driven, visually distinctive covers while maintaining deadlines and workflow efficiency.

Requirements

Minimum of 10 years of experience in publishing, specifically within the adult trade market
Strong portfolio demonstrating diverse design sensibilities across fiction and nonfiction categories
Advanced typography, layout, and visual storytelling skills
Ability to work independently while managing complex creative projects
Excellent organizational, communication, and project management abilities
Strong understanding of print production and publishing workflows
Proficiency in Mac-based design environments, including Adobe Creative Cloud
Experience with photo retouching and image compositing preferred
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven creative environment

Nice To Haves

Deep understanding of current publishing and cover design trends
Strong creative leadership and collaborative mindset
Ability to mentor or guide junior designers when needed
Passion for books, storytelling, and visual branding
Detail-oriented with a strong sense of time management and prioritization

Responsibilities

Design and art direct frontlist book covers across multiple imprints
Develop original visual concepts for fiction and nonfiction titles
Collaborate with freelance and in-house designers, illustrators, and photographers
Oversee projects from concept development through final production
Partner closely with editorial, managing editorial, and production departments to ensure smooth workflow and timely delivery
Maintain awareness of publishing trends, competitive titles, and adult trade market aesthetics
Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high creative standards
Present and communicate design concepts clearly to internal stakeholders
Adapt quickly to creative feedback and shifting project priorities