Digital Art Director

The Guardian; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading news organization is seeking a Digital Art Director to shape visual storytelling across multiple platforms. The role involves leading creative projects, collaborating with journalists and designers, and producing innovative designs that align with editorial objectives. Ideal candidates will possess proven skills in visual journalism, illustration, and motion design, along with experience using industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite. This is a full-time role based in Greater London with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Six weeks of annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Private healthcare

Enhanced parental leave policies

Access to yoga and pilates classes

Qualifications

• Proven talent and skill in visual journalism & design
• Exceptional understanding of editorial design layout structure
• Demonstrable ability to bring a diverse perspective

Responsibilities

• Lead creative projects and collaborate with various teams
• Produce high quality, innovative designs representing journalism
• Advise and art-direct for editorial desks without design resources

Skills

Visual journalism

Illustration

Motion design

Layout design

Editorial design

Creativity

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Apple Keynote

Web Design

Maya

Job description

Description

Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers fearless investigative journalism and holds power to account. Our team of award‑winning journalists, cutting‑edge commercial professionals and industry‑leading digital experts are committed to making a difference and represent a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. We offer a challenging and exciting environment for career development with a focus on training, growth and fostering an inclusive culture.

The Guardian is looking for a Digital Art Director to shape the visual direction of our storytelling across platforms. From illustration and motion design to imagery and brand projects you’ll ensure our work is bold, innovative and unmistakably Guardian.

You’ll lead and commission creative projects, manage a diverse pool of contributors and collaborate with journalists, designers, engineers and editors to deliver visually compelling stories on and off platform.

If you’re a hands‑on, organised and curious art director with a strong design background, a flair for visual storytelling and an eye on emerging trends, we’d love to hear from you.

About this role

• Working to tight deadlines in collaboration with creative leads, editors and engineers create the design concept as an expression of our journalism and values with the reader in mind.
• Collaborate with colleagues to understand editorial objectives and identify challenges and opportunities.
• Produce high quality, innovative and eye‑catching designs to project the journalism using imagination, energy and flair.
• Creatively lead, advise and art‑direct particularly for editorial desks without dedicated design resources.
• Design engaging editorial experiences using formats and media appropriately, advocating for new formats where appropriate and consulting with interactive colleagues on any bespoke storytelling opportunities to ensure designs consistently meet high standards in terms of function, accessibility and usability.

About you

• Proven talent and skill in visual journalism & design
• Illustration experience
• Motion experience
• Exceptional craft in layout and complex formats
• Exceptional understanding of editorial design layout structure is desirable
• Exceptional experience commissioning and creating imagery
• Ideally you’ll have a demonstrable ability to bring a diverse perspective to this role

We actively encourage applications from candidates who are BAME or from other groups traditionally underrepresented in the media.

How to Apply

To apply please upload your latest CV/portfolio (where possible) and a cover letter which outlines why you’d love to take on this role and why you’re a great match for what we’re looking for.

The closing date for applications is Thursday 16th October 2025.

Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to help your application – this includes providing documents in accessible formats or personalising the process to better support your needs. Please contact Sean on (telephone) to discuss further so we can work with you to support you through your application.

We appreciate the time taken to prepare each application we receive. We do not use AI‑assisted technology to review applications; every application is reviewed by a member of our recruitment team.

Benefits at the Guardian

You’ll have six weeks of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays) with the option to purchase an additional 5 days. Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8‑12% (depending on your age). We believe in giving back which is why employees are given 2 volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving. Season ticket loans are also available.

You are entitled to private healthcare, life cover, income protection and eye tests. You can also opt in to dental insurance.

We have enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place. We also support our employees by offering an IVF, menopause, baby loss and trans equality policy.

Culture and Wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. Our various employee forums provide a platform to use their voice to foster an inclusive workplace. We became the first major media organisation to achieve B Corp status.

We offer tools to help you prioritise your wellbeing including access to our employee benefits platform which provides tailored support for health and addiction – we also offer free yoga and pilates classes. These run alongside our corporate gym membership and cycle‑to‑work scheme.

Our canteen has views overlooking the Regents Canal and caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Learning and Development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.

Required Experience

Director

Key Skills

Apple Keynote, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, Adobe Creative Suite, Digital design, Maya, Web Design, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign

Employment Type: Full‑Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1