Art Director

The Portland Mercury; Oregon (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a talented Art Director to lead the design of both print and digital editions of prominent publications. This role involves overseeing a dynamic production team, collaborating with editors, and ensuring a cohesive visual identity across various platforms. The ideal candidate will possess strong design skills, a collaborative spirit, and the ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines. Join a vibrant team that values diversity and creativity, and make a significant impact in the media landscape while enjoying a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in editorial design or media-focused agency.
• High proficiency with design tools and excellent knowledge of media design.

Responsibilities

• Lead creative direction for print and digital editions of major publications.
• Manage production team and ensure timely delivery of projects.

Skills

Editorial Design

Creative Direction

Project Management

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Design or related field

Tools

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Figma

Bridge

Job description

Job Title: Art Director
Company: Noisy Creek
Location: Seattle or Portland

Salary: $90,000-$120,000 DOE

Noisy Creek is hiring an Art Director to join our vibrant and growing team. This position will lead the design of the print and digital editions of The Stranger and Portland Mercury, and be responsible for the overall production process. The Art Director will lead and manage the production team to ensure a cohesive and compelling visual identity for these two marquee publications each month, as well as related digital and social assets. This position will have the opportunity to engage on broader creative decisions for Noisy Creek as a whole, and to support key areas of work with the marketing, sales, and product teams.

We’re looking for an Art Director who is talented, entrepreneurial, and detail-oriented. This position reports to Noisy Creek’s COO / CFO, and works closely with the editors of The Stranger and Mercury, Noisy Creek’s Publisher, and the heads of other divisions to develop the look of digital and print visuals, manage the visual identity of print editions, and provide vision and cohesion across the publications. The ideal candidate will have a collaborative spirit, be entrepreneurial and driven, be a conceptual thinker and excellent communicator, and be able to manage multiple projects on deadline simultaneously.

Requirements

• Lead creative and art direction for The Stranger and Portland Mercury.
• Lead and manage the production team, including a production manager and assistant art director.
• Work closely with Editors in Chief of The Stranger and Mercury to set and achieve print and digital deadlines.
• Work closely with design and photography staff, freelancers, and printers to facilitate great visuals and layouts.
• Design and layout feature stories, packages, and special sections for print and online versions of the papers, as well as associated digital products.
• Complete work on time and on budget.
• Commission illustration for features.
• Mark up and review design and art work by freelancers and staff.
• Assist with other creative projects on an as-needed basis.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of magazine, newspaper, editorial design, media-focused agency, or relevant brand experience.
• High proficiency with design tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Bridge, InDesign, and Figma.
• Excellent knowledge of newspaper and/or media design, typography, photography, and illustration.
• Contacts with photographers and illustrators.
• Proven track record with strong examples of high-impact innovative design in digital and/or print.
• Ability to think laterally and creatively to come up with great design solutions quickly and efficiently in a demanding and challenging environment.
• Extremely well organized and good at managing and juggling projects – big and small.
• An understanding of the aesthetic and editorial style and tone of our papers.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Employer contributes toward medical, dental, and vision premiums.
• Retirement Plan: SIMPLE IRA with employer matching contributions.
• Paid Time Off: Seven paid holidays, two any-day paid holidays, and vacation starting at two weeks in the first year, increasing up to 4 weeks after 5 years.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access to wellness and financial support services.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Options to set aside pre-tax funds for medical and dependent care expenses.

Why Noisy Creek?
Aside from being an equal opportunity employer, we’re also a vibrant, creative team that believes the more diverse voices that are at the table, the better the conversation—and the work! We realize that not everyone receives the same professional or educational opportunities, so if you don’t meet all the above qualifications but still think you’d be a good fit, please consider applying. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and other underrepresented communities. If you want to be part of a team where your skills and ideas are valued, we want to hear from you!

Additional Information
This is a full-time position. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, though hours vary significantly with this role. We have a hybrid team, with employees expected to be available to come into the office in either Seattle or Portland as needed.