High Country News seeks a Design Director to help lead our transition to a digitally driven, audience-centered publication. The Design Director will lead the fantastic team of visual editors and designers who are helping this reader-supported nonprofit drive vital conversations about land, water and wildlife, Indigenous communities, climate change, and other topics essential to understanding the Western United States. This is a chance to develop and execute HCN’s cross-platform visual strategy, and advance HCN’s mission of informing and inspiring people to act on behalf of the West’s diverse human and natural communities.
The Design Director is responsible for the overall look and feel of HCN’s website and other digital products, our monthly print magazine, and our fundraising and marketing materials. This role has hands-on design and production responsibilities and directs a small dispersed staff of visual editors and contractors, and work collaboratively with the Editorial, Marketing and Fundraising teams. The Design Director uses UX data and nimble design strategies to reach and engage diverse audiences and draw them into a seamless customer journey. Their goal: to attract readers and motivate them to become subscribers and donors.
The ideal candidate is a creative and seasoned professional with strong design and project management skills, a deep understanding of journalism, and strategic and creative expertise across all platforms. They have deep knowledge of the Western United States and an appreciation for the value of independent journalism; and experience advancing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in their work.
Duties/Outcomes
The DESIGN DIRECTOR will work under the direct supervision of the Executive Director & Publisher Duties will include:
● Oversees the design of all HCN products, ensuring that they adhere to the organization’s brand and commitment to creating journalism that reflects the complexity and diversity of the West.
● Hires, guides, performance manages and mentors a talented Art Department team, fostering a positive work environment and creating a culture of high performance, meeting deadlines and ensuring consistent branding and quality.
● Oversees relationships with key external contractors including Graphic Designer & Social Media Coordinator and printer.
● Oversees the design and production of digital products, including the website, email newsletters and social media, working with the Editorial and Marketing teams to find innovative approaches to storytelling and audience engagement.
● Leads the design and production of each monthly print edition of High Country News, working with Visuals and Editorial staffers to ensure that different options for design and presentation are considered from story inception, and commissioning, designing and incorporating art for a variety of story types, ranging from infographics to longform features.
● Champions well-designed audience-centered user-experience (UX) strategies across platforms, ensuring usability, accessibility, and engagement whether viewed on mobile, desktop, print or social media.
● Oversees the design and production of marketing and fundraising materials, including house ads, campaign mailings and HCN’s annual report, with the goal of attracting readers and converting them into subscribers and donors.
● Builds out annual and monthly art and production calendars, overseeing scheduling and various production-related assignments to ensure publication deadlines are met.
● Works with Visuals staff to cultivate a diverse group of freelance artists and photographers with first-hand knowledge of, and cultural competency with, a broad range of western communities.
● Participates in the strategic planning process, setting Art Department goals in alignment with organization strategy and representing them with the staff, board and other stakeholders.
● Leads Art Department’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI).
● Builds and manages the Art Department budget, ensuring that expenditure is effectively controlled to meet organizational needs.
● Covers various duties for Art Department staff as needed.
● And other duties as may be assigned.
High Country News is working to address a historic lack of representation, inclusion and equity in journalism with effective solutions. We welcome applicants from all life experiences and encourage members of traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to apply, including Indigenous people, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, women, and people with disabilities.
Skills and Experience
We’re most interested in hearing how your own skills, broader experience and qualifications would enhance the role and benefit HCN and the communities we serve and hope to serve across the West. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about the mission and values of HCN, and driven to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in journalism and in working practices and company cultures.
The ideal candidate understands how best to present topics important to diverse audiences and embrace the need for smart innovation in a fast-changing media environment. They have a deep knowledge of the Western United States, and an understanding of HCN’s core areas of coverage: Land, Water & Wildlife; Indigenous Affairs; Climate Change; Western Culture & Politics; and Justice & Equity.
They hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree in journalism, graphic design or visual communication, or equivalent experience, and substantive experience with editorial, marketing and fundraising design and production across platforms. They have experience managing nimble, results-oriented teams in creating content that is relevant to a diverse readership, and demonstrable cultural competencies covering diverse communities and issues.
The ideal candidate has substantial experience collaborating at a management level and working with a dispersed workforce, distributing workloads, orchestrating multiple projects on different timelines, and contributing to team members’ professional development. They have the ability to inspire their team to make HCN look its best, and set art and design standards that engage readers and inspire them to support our work.
A deep understanding of journalism and design principles, visual communication and project management is essential. Excellent skills in Adobe suites software, Tableau, Excel, WordPress and email marketing software are a must. Experience with Newspack software is ideal.
Compensation and general terms
This is a full-time, exempt position with employer-funded medical, dental, and vision healthcare benefits; paid vacation leave starting at 12 days a year plus 11 HCN paid holiday days each year; paid sick and family leave benefits; “TK Time” – one paid half-day off per month that does not accrue; a monthly remote work stipend and IT start-up stipend; 401k retirement plan with employer match contribution; and a salary in the range of $78,195 to $86,884 annual equivalent, dependent on skills and experience.
HCN’s business headquarters is in Paonia, Colorado, but the Art Department works remotely. It is strongly preferred that this individual resides in, or is willing to relocate to, HCN’s coverage area of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
To apply, complete our online application at this link:
https://airtable.com/appE4tl7MKSBjPnMv/shrKzrFWWhPMRM4Or
You must include a resume, cover letter, and 3 examples of relevant design work across platforms to be considered. You can attach or link examples to the application form, or include links in your cover letter or resume. This position is open and accepting applications until filled, with preference for applications submitted by March 2, 2025.
High Country News is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion among our staff, volunteers, programs, and partners; and to creating a safe, supportive and accommodating work community. HCN is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits the unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
Background
High Country News is the nation’s leading independent source of thoughtful, in-depth reporting on the Western United States. Established in 1970, HCN produces an award-winning monthly magazine and a popular website, along with email newsletters and events. From Alaska and the Northern Rockies to the Desert Southwest, from the Great Plains to the West Coast, HCN is a beloved and essential resource for those who care about this region. HCN is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to inform and inspire people to act on behalf of the West’s diverse natural and human communities.
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