Variety: Senior Art Director

Penske Media • Los Angeles, CA

21h • Hybrid

About The Position

Variety is seeking a Senior Art Director to join our award-winning creative team. In this role, you will shape the visual language of one of the most iconic entertainment brands in the world — across digital and print platforms. You will bring editorial stories to life through bold, sophisticated design, collaborating closely with the creative team, editors, developers, and brand leaders to produce award-winning creative work. The ideal candidate is an experienced visual storyteller who thrives in a fast-paced newsroom environment, leads with a strong point of view, and brings both conceptual thinking and high-quality execution and speed to every project.

Requirements

• 5–8+ years of design experience, ideally in a media, publishing, or editorial environment
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)
• Understanding of both digital UX/UI design principles and print production workflows
• Strong typographic sensibility and an eye for layout, color, and visual storytelling
• Demonstrated experience designing longform digital editorial packages or similar immersive content
• Ability to work collaboratively across editorial, photo, and technology teams
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines in a high-velocity newsroom

Nice To Haves

• Experience at a national entertainment, news, or lifestyle publication
• Familiarity with K4 or Woodwing
• Familiarity with HTML/CSS or basic front-end concepts
• Knowledge of accessibility and responsive design best practices
• Portfolio that includes both digital packages and print editorial work

Responsibilities

• Execute and spearhead print layouts for weekly feature stories and special print editions, ensuring consistent quality and adherence to production schedules
• Drive the visual direction of the weekly feature well and major print packages
• Own themed packages and develop bespoke visual language
• Partner with editors to shape story packaging, pacing, and visual hierarchy across the issue
• Mentor members of the design team and provide art direction and feedback
• Maintain rigorous attention to typography, grid systems, and brand standards across all print deliverables
• Ensure all files meet print production standards including preflight, color accuracy, and press specification
• Work within a fast-paced weekly production cycle with strict ship deadlines
• Contribute to select digital packages, special series, and editorial verticals that elevate Variety's storytelling across web and mobile platforms
• Collaborate with editorial, photo, and development teams to craft compelling visual narratives — from concept through final execution
• Maintain and evolve Variety's visual identity across digital and print, ensuring consistency and innovation in equal measure
• Contribute to the ongoing development of design systems, templates, and style guidelines
• Attend editorial planning meetings and actively contribute to layout reviews and creative ideation
• Provide mentorship and design direction to junior designers and freelance collaborators when needed
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight editorial deadlines without compromising quality

Benefits

• PMC-Paid Healthcare with no employee paycheck contributions on medical, dental, and vision for you and your family
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care & Commuter)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Insurance
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with an Employer match
• Company discounts and perks including Pet Insurance, Home & Auto Insurance, Mortgage discounts, and a variety of other savings on wellness, lifestyle, and financial essentials
• Flexible Vacation Policy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees