Design Director, Opinion

The New York Times Opinion design department is seeking a Design Director to partner with editors and visual teams to elevate and distinguish our Opinion coverage across all platforms. In this role, you will convey how Times Opinion stands apart from newsroom coverage through bold, thoughtful visual storytelling.

We are looking for an idea generator and passionate storyteller who approaches visual solutions in unexpected ways, translating complex ideas into accessible narrative experiences. You will collaborate closely with senior visual leaders across graphics, photography, video, and audio, as well as Opinion editors, to reach new audiences with formats that spark debate and intelligent conversation.

As a lead design role, this position balances strategic vision with hands-on execution. You will guide and mentor the design team, art direct creative solutions through wide-ranging commissions, and step directly into digital projects as a visual editor—shaping story flow, defining lead visuals, and setting the overarching design direction.

This is an in-office position, based in New York City, but there may be some flexibility to work remotely per your departmental guidance.

Responsibilities:

• Shape, protect and maintain the visual approach for the Sunday Opinion section and covers, digital interactive packages, daily report, newsletters, title graphics and promotional art to support all stories on and off platform, all while maintaining brand distinction from the newsroom
• Direct and inspire the design team to develop strong concepts, and give feedback for impactful executions; step in as a hands-on visual editor to define story flow and lead visuals
• Partner with editors, graphics, photo, video, audio, and product teams to plan upcoming packages and cover stories, and build multi-platform narrative experiences
• Build and guide a diverse global network of external illustrators, photographers, and artists to collaborate on initial pitch through final execution
• Maintain rigorous typography, layout, and graphic standards while establishing efficient workflows to meet tight newsroom deadlines and stakeholder feedback, within budget
• 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
• You will report to the Creative Director, Opinion

We’re excited to learn more about you and your experience. To keep our hiring process as fair and authentic as possible, we ask that you submit your own work and not use GenAI tools to generate substantive content during the application and interview process.

If you’re an engineering candidate, we’ll let you know what specific GenAI tools you are permitted to use for your technical assessment.

The New York Times Company is committed to being the world’s best source of independent, reliable and quality journalism. To do so, 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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, 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. 

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