Senior Production Specialist (National Geographic)

Job Summary:

Lead print production support for NGM and other complex feature-driven editorial publications. This role would manage high-volume, high-visibility pages that often require close coordination across Design, Editorial, Photo, and external vendors.

Responsibilities:

• Own production workflow for assigned NGM stories and departments from late-stage design through release.
• Prepare files for proofing, prepress, and final delivery to Quad.
• Review layouts for technical accuracy, including overset text, image quality, folios, layers, style consistency, and preflight issues.
• Manage color correction and retouching workflows in partnership with photo and design teams.
• Track corrections across proofs, EIC rounds, and final release stages.
• Coordinate with editors, designers, and photo editors to ensure all assets are complete and correctly placed.
• Support complex pagination, late-breaking changes, and issue close with accuracy and speed.
• Help maintain production standards for files, naming, packaging, and release readiness.

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in an editorial production environment
• Advanced InDesign production knowledge
• Strong print prepress and proofing expertise
• Excellent quality control and troubleshooting ability
• Ability to manage multiple moving parts under deadline
• Strong cross-functional communication

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting the production of high-profile, feature-driven magazines or other complex print publications with demanding quality and deadline requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of print manufacturing, color management, prepress processes, and vendor coordination.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and adapt quickly to late-stage editorial and design changes.
• Experience working in highly collaborative environments with editorial, design, photo, and production teams.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated success maintaining quality standards in fast-paced publishing environments.
• Familiarity with digital asset management systems, workflow automation tools, and evolving print production technologies.
• Experience mentoring junior production staff or serving as a subject matter expert on production best practices.
• Advanced knowledge of print manufacturing, color management, color correction, image reproduction, and prepress processes.

Required Education:

• Specialized training or certification in print production, color management, prepress, or publishing technologies

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, Publishing, Journalism, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant print production experience.

The hiring range for this position in Washington, D.C. is $105,100 to $140,900 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.