Art Director (NYC Hybrid) - HarperCollins Publishers

Overview

HarperCollins seeks an Art Director with a passion for sequential storytelling to join its graphic novel imprint, HarperAlley. Established in 2020, HarperAlley is a collaborative, creator-focused publisher of graphic novels across all age categories and genres. The ideal candidate will have 7–10+ years of experience art directing and designing graphic novels and possess strong written and oral communication skills. The highly motivated candidate will have a collaborative spirit and work across the division with a creative and dynamic group to publish groundbreaking books that will resonate with readers all around the world.

Responsibilities

• Lead and refine process for cover and interior graphic novel development while designing and art directing a full list of books across all age categories and formats
• Exhibit a passion for graphic novels with strong typographic vision on cover and interior design
• Collaborate with and manage cartoonists, illustrators, letterers, colorists, flatters, and freelance designers to keep them on top of schedules to meet print dates
• Be able to work independently and as part of the team while contributing to department goals
• Be a team player with excellent time management skills, with ability to prioritize, multitask, manage resources across multiple projects, and meet deadlines
• Manage budgets for assigned titles
• Regularly check in with the Publisher and Creative Director
• Occasional travel

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of progressive experience art directing and designing graphic novels {with a trade book publisher or Comics Publisher}
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in the publishing industry
• Experience managing illustrators, letterers, flatters and freelance designers, keeping track of schedules
• Have an expert understanding of the needs of graphic novels from early development through printed book stages
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• A positive, can-do attitude plus possesses the ability to work well with different types of personalities
• Expert skills in Adobe Creative Suite, with experience in Clip Studio with proficiency in a Mac-based environment
• Have an advanced understanding of offset printing and the print industry, as well as prepping files for the printer and reviewing proofs

HarperCollins Publishers is a company full of people who are passionate about books. When you apply for a position, we want to know why you want to work here, and why you are interested in the job. That’s why cover letters are strongly preferred.

HarperCollins Publishers is an equal opportunity employer.

The salary for this position is $100,000-$125,000. We recognize that attracting the best talent is key to our strategy and success as a company. As a result, we aim for flexibility in structuring competitive compensation offers to ensure we are able to attract the best candidates. The quoted salary range represents our good faith estimate as to what our ideal candidates are likely to expect, and we tailor our offers within the range based on the selected candidate's experience, industry knowledge, technical and communication skills, and other factors that may prove relevant during the interview process.  

In addition to cash compensation, the company provides a comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package, with a variety of physical health, retirement and savings, caregiving, emotional wellbeing, transportation, and other benefits, including "elective" benefits employees may select to best fit the needs and personal situations of our diverse workforce.     

HarperCollins Publishers is an equal opportunity employer.