Associate Director of Visuals

USA TODAY Co., Inc.; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is seeking an Associate Director of Visuals to lead a dedicated team in shaping the visual identity of The Arizona Republic. This role emphasizes managing projects across digital, print, and social platforms, ensuring visually compelling storytelling while fostering creative collaboration.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in journalism, exemplary leadership skills, and a strong understanding of multimedia storytelling techniques that drive audience engagement. Join us in making a significant visual impact!

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead visual strategy, manage a team, oversee planning for major coverage.
• Partner with teams for visually forward projects, use data and audience insights.
• Champion ethical and inclusive visual storytelling.

Skills

Visual communication

Multimedia storytelling

Digital and social video platforms

Leadership

Creative excellence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field

Job description

Associate Director of Visuals

Company: The Arizona Republic, a part of the USA TODAY NETWORK

Location: Arizona

Position Summary: Lead and inspire a team of visual journalists to shape the visual identity across platforms in a fast‑paced newsroom.

Responsibilities

• Lead the visual strategy in a 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 covering Arizona 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.

Equal Opportunity

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where USA TODAY Co. employs employees. In addition, USA TODAY Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individual’s application for employment with USA TODAY Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact USA TODAY Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at [e-mail]. Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location. Applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission.