Temporary Design Director — Lead Design NYC Hybrid

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

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.