Senior Designer, Children's Trade

Description:

Established in 1998 and located in midtown Manhattan, Bloomsbury USA is an independent, general interest publisher of adult and children’s books which has become known for both its high-quality fiction and non-fiction for adults and children as well as its extensive Academic publishing from the world’s most recognized experts.

Bloomsbury Children's Books publishes books for readers of all ages, including Renée Watson’s All the Blues in the Sky (Newbery Medal) and Piecing Me Together (Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award), Shannon Hale’s Princess Academy (Newbery Honor Award), Salina Yoon’s My Kite Is Stuck! And Other Stories (Theodore Seuss Geisel Award), Justine Pucella Winans’ The Otherwoods (Stonewall Honor), Martin W. Sandler’s 1919 (National Book Award), Trang Thanh Tran’s She is a Haunting (Morris Finalist); as well as works by New York Times bestselling authors Brigid Kemmerer and Kalynn Bayron.

Bloomsbury is also the worldwide publisher of #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, as well as the original publisher of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series in the UK.

Position Description

Bloomsbury is seeking an experienced Senior Designer to join its busy Children’s Art Department. The role reports to the Associate Art Director and is responsible for concepting, designing, and overseeing the visual development of high-quality children’s books across picture books, early readers, middle-grade, and young adult programs.

The Senior Designer will play a key role on a small team: working independently, collaborating cross-departmentally, and ensuring that each title meets the highest standards of creativity, storytelling, and commercial viability.

This is a NYC-based opportunity. Please note our workplace is a hybrid model.

• Design and format cover, jacket, and interior files, spanning picture book, middle grade, and YA titles on the Children’s list
• Act as lead lead designer, managing all phases of design and production for a list of approximately 20-25 titles per year across age categories, with administrative and design support from the Design Assistant
• Conduct photo / art / illustrator research
• Hire and direct freelance artists and designers. Manage associated feedback, schedules, budgets, and supporting paperwork
• Prepare live picture book artwork for scanning overseas with repro house.
• Ensure artwork provided from freelance artists complies with industry standards for press-ready files
• Color-correct picture book artwork against proofs received from repro house
• Collaborate closely with editors to develop cover concepts for novel covers
• Co-art direct picture book and illustrated novel artists alongside Associate Art Director and Editorial
• Actively participate in team meetings, production meetings, and cover meetings
• Help to support, train, and mentor junior design staff
• Stay current and aware of visual trends in children’s publishing
• Keep files clearly organized and manage scheduling of own projects
• Update entries in Bloomsbury tracking and archiving systems promptly and consistently
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously within tight deadlines
• Work with Associate Art Director on other art department needs

Requirements:

• 5–8+ years of design experience in children’s publishing or related industry
• Strong portfolio demonstrating excellence in children’s book design (covers and interiors)
• Advanced Proficiency in Macintosh operating systems and Adobe software (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat Pro)
• Strong typographic skills and a strong eye for color and composition. Ability to pick up stylistic cues from market
• Deep knowledge of print and production processes for both mono and color projects. Strong enthusiasm for color print work especially.
• Flexibility to adapt design approaches swiftly in response to feedback. Ability to balance creative ambition with commercial awareness.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills (verbal and written).
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time well

Equal Opportunity Employment:

Bloomsbury Publishing USA is committed to a merit-based, equal-opportunity workplace. We hire, retain, and promote employees based on individual qualifications, skills, and performance, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our company fosters an inclusive environment where all employees are treated fairly and have the opportunity to succeed based on their abilities and contributions. We remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and fairness in all aspects of employment.