Opinion Design Director: Lead Bold Visual Storytelling

The New York Times Company; New York (NY); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Restricted stock

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k)

Employee stock purchase plan

Paid vacation

Paid sick days

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Job summary

The New York Times Company's Opinion design department seeks a Design Director to partner with editors and visual teams to elevate our Opinion coverage across platforms, translating complex ideas into bold, accessible storytelling.

This lead role balances strategic vision with hands‑on execution, mentoring the design team, directing commissions, and serving as visual editor to shape story flow and lead visuals.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of print and digital design experience.
• 5+ years managing designers/art directors in a media or news environment.
• Proven ability to generate multiple visual concepts and adapt to fast-paced news cycles.
• Expertise in commissioning and art directing global talent across illustration, photography, typography and motion.
• Deep expertise of design fundamentals and tools, including Figma, InDesign, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• A portfolio showcasing high-level conceptual thinking, typography, and complex editorial layouts.

Responsibilities

• Shape, protect and maintain the visual approach for the Sunday Opinion section and covers, digital interactive packages, daily report, newsletters, title graphics and promotional art to support all stories on and off platform, all while maintaining brand distinction from the newsroom
• Direct and inspire the design team to develop strong concepts, and give feedback for impactful executions; step in as a hands‑on visual editor to define story flow and lead visuals
• Partner with editors, graphics, photo, video, audio, and product teams to plan upcoming packages and cover stories, and build multi‑platform narrative experiences
• Build and guide a diverse global network of external illustrators, photographers, and artists to collaborate on initial pitch through final execution
• Maintain rigorous typography, layout, and graphic standards while establishing efficient workflows to meet tight newsroom deadlines and stakeholder feedback, within budget
• Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world
• You will report to the Creative Director, Opinion

Skills

Design leadership

Editorial layouts

Figma

InDesign

Adobe Creative Suite

Portfolio

Concept development

Tools

Figma

InDesign

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

The New York Times Company's Opinion design department seeks a Design Director to partner with editors and visual teams to elevate our Opinion coverage across platforms, translating complex ideas into bold, accessible storytelling.

This lead role balances strategic vision with hands‑on execution, mentoring the design team, directing commissions, and serving as visual editor to shape story flow and lead visuals.