Associate Director of Visuals

Agupdate; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arizona Republic in Phoenix is seeking an Associate Director of Visuals to lead a talented team of visual journalists, shaping the newsroom's visual identity across platforms—from breaking news photography to documentary storytelling—and driving innovation and audience engagement.

The ideal candidate blends visionary thinking with hands-on editing, mentors editors and reporters, and uses data, SEO and analytics to guide coverage while maintaining ethical, audience-centered storytelling.

Qualifications

• Experience leading visual journalism teams in a digital-first newsroom.
• Expertise in multimedia storytelling (photo, video, graphics) across platforms.
• Strong understanding of digital and social video platforms, especially YouTube.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong editorial judgment and ethics.
• Experience mentoring staff and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead The Republic's visual strategy in a fast-paced daily news environment across digital, print and social platforms.
• Manage a team of visual journalists delivering award-winning photos and videos.
• Oversee planning and execution of newsroom visuals for major coverage priorities.
• Partner with editors and reporters to develop visually forward projects for audience growth.
• Mentor staff and shape off-platform visual presence using data and insights.
• Direct visual planning across photo, video, graphics and interactive formats.

Skills

Visual leadership

Multimedia storytelling

Editorial judgment

Audience growth

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

YouTube

Job description

The Arizona Republic /azcentral.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking an Associate Director of Visuals to lead and inspire a talented team of visual journalists in one of the country's most dynamic newsrooms. This leader will shape The Republic's visual identity across platforms - from breaking news photography and social video to documentary storytelling - driving innovation and excellence in how we connect with audiences while closely collaborating with and mentoring editors and reporters across the newsroom.

The ideal candidate is both a visionary and a hands-on editor who understands how powerful imagery can define coverage, deepen engagement and expand reach on every platform. You'll foster collaboration among photojournalists, writers and newsroom leaders, guiding enterprise projects and shaping the newsroom's strategy for audience growth through bold and creative visual storytelling.

Responsibilities:

Lead The Republic's visual strategy in a fast-paced daily news environment, balancing enterprise and special projects while ensuring consistent excellence across digital, print and social platforms. Manage a team of visual journalists executing award-winning photos and videos capturing the stories captivating Arizona, ranging from culture, politics, sports, dining and breaking news. Oversee planning and execution of newsroom visuals for major coverage priorities, balancing real-time responsiveness with long-term storytelling ambitions. Partner with editors, reporters and teams to develop visually forward projects that drive audience growth, engagement and subscriptions. Lead and mentor across the newsroom. Shape and grow The Republic's off-platform visual presence, using data and audience insights to guide innovation. Use analytics, SEO and other audience insights to inform coverage and approaches. Direct visual planning, including coordination across photo, video, graphics and other interactive formats. Champion ethical, inclusive and audience-centered visual storytelling that reflects and embodies Arizona. Mentor staff, foster professional growth, and build a culture of creativity, collaboration, and journalistic integrity. Participate in regional and national visual strategy discussions within the USA TODAY Network to share best practices and expand visual impact.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in journalism, visual communication or a related field (or equivalent experience). Proven success leading visual journalism teams in a digital-first newsroom. Expertise in multimedia storytelling, including photography, video and cross-platform production. Strong understanding of digital and social video platforms, particularly YouTube, and experience developing content strategies for audience growth. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining creative excellence. Exceptional editorial judgment, with a deep commitment to accurate, ethical journalism. Experience fostering collaboration across disciplines and supporting staff development.