Temporary Design Director, ELLE

Description

The company publishes a portfolio of 30 well-known brands, including Cosmopolitan, Delish, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Men's Health and Road & Track, which together reach nearly 130 million people each month.

This is a temporary senior leadership role at ELLE, one of the world's most influential fashion brands. You will set the creative direction for how the brand looks, feels and connects with readers across print, digital, social, video, events and newer formats, while leading a team of designers.

The company combines journalism, cultural storytelling, technology, data and commerce to inform, inspire and entertain audiences across generations and around the world.

Responsibilities

• Set ELLE's visual identity and creative direction across print, digital, social, photography, video, events and new formats.
• Lead a team of three designers by giving creative direction, mentoring them, offering feedback and support, and building a collaborative, ambitious culture.
• Art direct the print magazine, including covers, editorial spreads and other high-profile visuals.
• Work with photography, art, editorial, fashion, market, digital, social, marketing, branded content and contributor teams to produce cohesive, compelling work.
• Build visually bold stories and packages using photography, illustration, infographics, motion, video and other storytelling formats.
• Develop and lead creative direction for fashion shoots, editorial projects and special initiatives that strengthen ELLE's visual voice.
• Create and maintain visual systems, style guides and templates that keep the brand consistent while leaving room for experimentation across platforms.
• Run projects from concept to production, balancing long-term creative strategy with hands-on design while meeting tight deadlines.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of professional editorial design experience in print and digital. Experience in consumer fashion, luxury, media or lifestyle brands is preferred, though equivalent experience is accepted.
• Proven record of shaping the visual identity of a consumer editorial brand, including magazine cover design and high-profile editorial work.
• Experience leading, mentoring and growing a creative team, with a thoughtful, collaborative approach to managing people.
• Solid grasp of fashion, luxury, editorial storytelling and contemporary visual culture, with a refined, distinctive design sensibility.
• Track record of working well with editorial, photography, fashion, market, digital, social, marketing and other cross-functional teams.
• Advanced skills in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator, plus experience with WoodWing and Figma.
• Strong production skills and attention to detail, with the organization to juggle several priorities in a fast, deadline-driven setting.
• A collaborative, open-minded leadership style, with the confidence to champion creative expertise while helping others do their best work.
• Based in New York, working a hybrid schedule.

Conditions

Hybrid schedule, based in New York.

Base salary: $105 USD.

The base salary shown is the company's good-faith estimate for this role in the posted location at the time of posting. The final starting salary will depend on lawful, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, training, certifications, education, location and market conditions.

Temporary role.