Design Director, Opinion

Mission of The New York Times The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It’s why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It’s why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it’s why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it’s worth paying for.

About the Role

The New York Times Opinion department is looking for a Design Director to work with editors and visual teams to distinguish our coverage wherever it is encountered. You will help convey to audiences on all platforms how Times opinion coverage is distinct from newsroom coverage.

You will partner with senior visual leaders, collaborating with graphics, photography, video and podcast teams. You will work with Opinion editors and teams across the company to reach new audiences with ideas and formats that provoke intelligent conversation and debate. You are an imaginative leader, able to translate complex ideas into accessible narrative experiences with a high standard of craft.

This is both a design and management role. You will be responsible for hands‑on design and art direction. You will also play an active part in the broader design community, mentoring outside artists and designers as contributors and cultivating new talent.

This is an in‑office position, based in New York City and includes regular attendance in the office. There may be some flexibility to work remotely per your departmental guidance.

Responsibilities

• Partner with editors to conceptualize and execute a cohesive creative vision across print and digital platforms, translating editorial into original visual storytelling.
• Lead art direction and develop weekly concepts for the Daily Opinion report and Sunday Opinion, including high‑impact cover stories, features, and packages.
• Translate complex journalism into immersive, scalable, visually driven digital experiences, shaping interactive storytelling across platforms.
• Drive concept development from ideation through execution, inspiring and nurturing designers while presenting multiple creative explorations and format options.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams—including editorial, photo, design, data, audience, video, and audio—to align storytelling and design.
• Ensure visual consistency and creative excellence across print, digital, audio, and video platforms.
• Provide rigor in all details of execution, through hands‑on execution in design, graphics, and typography.
• Collaborate with and cultivate relationships with artists and illustrators from sketches through final execution.
• 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.
• Report to the Creative Director.

Basic Qualifications

• 7+ years of design experience across print and digital, with 3+ years leading designers and art directors.
• Deep expertise in design fundamentals across digital, mobile, print, and video, with advanced proficiency in Figma, InDesign, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Proven ability to shape and develop editorial content, collaborating with a global network of illustrators, photographers, filmmakers, and videographers.
• Strong communicator of visual ideas, translating concepts through conversation, sketches, and wireframes for cross‑functional teams.
• Portfolio showcasing exceptional typographic, illustrative, and conceptual design work.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of digital design experience with some understanding of product limitations.
• Familiar with UX/UI guidance for complex storytelling and basic knowledge of front‑end design wireframes.
• Experience working in a news/media environment.
• Highly‑developed judgment of trends and styles in both illustration and photography.
• Experience maintaining brand identities while working with emerging platforms.
• Experience building collaborative environments that foster trust, mentorship and growth opportunities.
• Open to working in a fast‑paced, constantly evolving news environment, managing tight deadlines, multiple stakeholder feedback, and a flexible, news‑driven schedule that may include nights or weekends.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual base pay range for this role is between $160,000 – $180,000 USD. For roles in the U.S., dependent on your role, you may be eligible for variable pay, such as an annual bonus and restricted stock. Benefits may include medical, dental and vision benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts, a company‑matching 401(k) plan, paid vacation, paid sick days, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement and professional development programs. For roles outside of the U.S., information on benefits will be provided during the interview process.

The New York Times Company is committed to being the world’s best source of independent, reliable and quality journalism. We embrace a diverse workforce that has a broad range of backgrounds and experiences across our ranks, at all levels of the organization. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

The New York Times Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)’s Know Your Rights Poster is available here. The New York Times Company will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.

The Company encourages those with criminal histories to apply, and will consider their applications in a manner consistent with applicable "Fair Chance" laws, including but not limited to the NYC Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act.

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