Temporary Design Director, ELLE

Hearst Magazines; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 207,000; Full time

Job summary

Hearst Magazines is recruiting a Temporary Design Director for ELLE, overseeing visual identity and creative direction across print, digital, social, and events. You will lead a small design team, shape editorial layouts, and guide fashion shoots to reinforce ELLE's authority.

You will collaborate with editors, photographers, and contributors to deliver cohesive storytelling while meeting tight deadlines in a hybrid New York schedule. The role emphasizes hands-on design and strategic vision.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of editorial design experience across print and digital media.
• Experience overseeing the visual identity of a consumer editorial brand, including magazine cover design.
• Proven success leading creative teams in a collaborative environment.
• Experience partnering with editorial, photography, fashion, market, digital, and social leaders on cross‑functional creative initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, with experience using WoodWing and Figma.
• Strong design sensibility, excellent production skills, and exceptional attention to detail.
• Outstanding organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• A collaborative, inclusive, and solutions‑oriented approach with excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve ELLE's visual identity across print, digital, social media, video, events, photography, and emerging platforms, ensuring a cohesive and elevated brand experience.
• Direct the creative vision and production of the print magazine, including covers, editorial layouts, and special packages reflecting ELLE's fashion authority.
• Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of three designers with creative direction and professional development.
• Collaborate with editorial, photography, fashion, market, digital, social, marketing, branded content, and contributor teams on visual storytelling.
• Oversee creative development of fashion shoots and editorial initiatives with photographers, illustrators, and freelancers.
• Establish and maintain visual systems, design templates, and style guides for brand consistency across touchpoints.
• Manage projects from concept through production, balancing priorities while maintaining quality and deadlines.
• Drive long-term creative strategy and hands-on design execution for projects of varying scope.

Skills

Editorial design

Team leadership

Brand storytelling

Creative direction

Communication

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Photoshop

Illustrator

WoodWing

Figma

Job description

Be Part of What's Next

Great design doesn't just support great storytelling—it defines how audiences experience it. As Temporary Design Director at ELLE, you'll lead the creative vision for one of the world's most iconic fashion brands, shaping bold visual storytelling across every platform while inspiring a talented team to push creative boundaries.

About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?)

Hearst Magazines is home to 30 brands that inspire, inform, and entertain millions of readers across print, digital, social, video, and emerging platforms. Our portfolio includes some of the world's most trusted and influential media brands, reaching passionate audiences through award-winning journalism, innovative storytelling, and unforgettable creative experiences. We foster a collaborative culture where bold ideas thrive, creativity is celebrated, and talented people have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Key Responsibilities (What You Are Doing)

• Lead and evolve ELLE's visual identity across print, digital, social media, video, events, photography, and emerging platforms, ensuring a cohesive and elevated brand experience.
• Direct the creative vision and production of the print magazine, including covers, editorial layouts, and special packages that reflect ELLE's fashion authority.
• Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of three designers by providing creative direction, constructive feedback, and professional development.
• Collaborate closely with editorial, photography, fashion, market, digital, social, marketing, branded content, and contributor teams to develop compelling visual storytelling.
• Oversee the creative development of fashion shoots and editorial initiatives, partnering with photographers, illustrators, and freelancers to deliver exceptional work.
• Establish and maintain visual systems, design templates, and style guides that reinforce brand consistency across all consumer touchpoints.
• Manage projects from concept through production, balancing multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional creative quality and meeting tight deadlines.
• Drive both long-term creative strategy and hands‑on design execution, bringing innovative ideas and thoughtful craftsmanship to projects of varying scope and scale.

Qualifications (What We're Looking For)

• 10+ years of editorial design experience across print and digital media, ideally supporting a consumer fashion, luxury, or lifestyle brand.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing the visual identity of a consumer editorial brand, including magazine cover design.
• Proven success leading, mentoring, and developing creative teams in a collaborative environment.
• Experience partnering with editorial, photography, fashion, market, digital, and social leaders on cross‑functional creative initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, with experience using WoodWing and Figma.
• Strong design sensibility, excellent production skills, and exceptional attention to detail.
• Outstanding organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• A collaborative, inclusive, and solutions‑oriented approach with excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven editorial environment.
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule based in New York City, with 4 days per week in the office.

The hourly rate for this temporary role is $105.00 per hour. This position is not eligible for bonus or commission compensation. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, qualifications, and location.

Hearst Magazines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.