Chief Visual Storytelling & Editorial Design

Guardian Media Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee assistance program

Diversity and inclusion groups

Job summary

Guardian Australia is seeking a Head of Design to lead the visual and editorial design team in a fast‑paced newsroom. You will work hands‑on in editorial design and visual storytelling, collaborating across editors, journalists, photographers and developers to elevate our journalism on web, app and emerging platforms.

You will shape Guardian Australia's visual identity, manage a multidisciplinary team, and guide visual strategy alongside senior editorial leadership.

Qualifications

• Exceptional talent and skill in editorial design and visual journalism.
• At least eight years' experience in digital editorial design, visual storytelling and interactive formats.
• Experience creating engaging and accessible storytelling experiences across web, app and digital platforms from concept to execution.
• Demonstrated experience managing and giving creative direction on multiple complex editorial projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of capabilities and constraints of web and native platforms.
• Experience with Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere and After Effects.
• Knowledge of HTML, SCSS/CSS and digital production workflows.
• Awareness of web standards and accessibility guidelines.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced newsroom environment to strict deadlines.
• Ability to maintain a consistent visual style and editorial approach across multiple products and platforms.
• Demonstrable interest in Australian news, features and multimedia journalism.
• Broad understanding of Guardian audiences and how audience behaviour informs storytelling and product development.
• Up to date with developments in visual journalism, storytelling technologies and digital trends.
• Up to speed on the latest trends and technologies
• A passion for independent journalism and an understanding of our editorial code and values.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary visual and editorial design team to tell Guardian journalism through design, photography, illustration, graphics, animation and interactive formats.
• Collaborate with editors, journalists and engineers to create visually compelling experiences across web, app and emerging platforms.
• Set editorial and visual direction and contribute to Guardian Australia's storytelling strategy with the Creative Director.
• Balance tight newsroom deadlines with long‑form projects, ensuring high editorial quality and accessibility across devices.
• Mentor designers and visual journalists, advocate for visual literacy and drive workshops and planning sessions.
• Coordinate with Guardian colleagues internationally on shared editorial and visual projects.

Skills

Editorial design

Visual journalism

Digital storytelling

Interactive formats

Tools

Figma

Photoshop

Illustrator

Premiere

After Effects

HTML

SCSS/CSS

Web production workflows

Job description

Guardian Australia is seeking a Head of Design to lead the visual and editorial design team in a fast‑paced newsroom. You will work hands‑on in editorial design and visual storytelling, collaborating across editors, journalists, photographers and developers to elevate our journalism on web, app and emerging platforms.

You will shape Guardian Australia's visual identity, manage a multidisciplinary team, and guide visual strategy alongside senior editorial leadership.