Associate Director, Art (MCPG)

Macmillan • New York, NY

3d • $90,000 - $100,000 • Remote

About The Position

Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group is seeking an Associate Art Director to join their 1C team. This role will be responsible for designing covers and interiors for fiction and non-fiction chapter book, middle grade, and young adult titles. The ideal candidate will have a strong sense of commercial & literary design, branding, knowledge of the children’s book marketplace, and a keen eye for illustration, typography, and photography, and how they influence new ideas and trends.

Requirements

• Exceptional portfolio displaying strong typographic skills. The work you present should demonstrate creative talent and a powerful sense of communication.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat), Google Suite, and Mac Platform.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in print production processes.
• Expertise in color theory and design fundamentals.
• A team player who is able to receive constructive feedback and is motivated to learn from and collaborate with colleagues.
• Knowledge of and an interest in the book publishing industry.
• A passion for storytelling through art and design.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in bookmaking, ideally in children’s publishing.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in graphic design or another related field, or equivalent work experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and art direct designers and freelancers.
• Coordinate multiple projects concurrently for yourself and your direct reports, ensuring adherence to deadlines and the maintenance of design excellence.
• Design and manage all stages of book packaging (covers, jackets, interiors), from early concept to final bound book.
• Deliver original, effective cover comps and polished final covers that are visually compelling and fresh for the market.
• Conduct thorough research and recommend talented illustrators and photographers for various projects.
• Route material for approval, maintain schedules and budgets, prepare files for output, and manage the proofing process.
• Closely collaborate on book projects with the editorial team, creative director, and production department to ensure materials requests are met in a timely and effective manner.
• Support the Senior Art Director in optimizing departmental processes and defining industry-leading best practices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree