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ProPublica is seeking an art director to lead our story presentation team. This new position will be a key part of the newsroom, providing strategic vision as well as day-to-day oversight on how we use photography, illustrations and other visuals to elevate our journalism to maximize its resonance and impact.
The person in this new position will oversee a team of story producers. The team and its leader touch every project we do and will be expected to match the sophistication of our story presentation to the urgency of our journalism. When the team does its best work, it helps build understanding, empathy and outrage in our readers.
You and your team will be responsible for commissioning and art directing photography and illustration and elevating stories through the strategic use of audio, video, charts and other elements. Our work appears in many places and many formats across the web; ensuring that our visual presentation meets the needs of audiences wherever they encounter our work is a priority. You’ll be expected to maintain and extend the high standards of an outstanding team that’s had work featured in the PDN Photo Annual, The Fence, American Photography and American Illustration, among others.
Partnership is central to ProPublica’s mission and self-identity, both in the way we work with other newsrooms and in the way our teams work together. As such, you will work closely with teams across the newsroom that are responsible for presenting our work to the public, including platform and audience.
Strong editorial judgement and a focus on managing staff in a growing mission-driven newsroom with exacting quality standards are priorities for this job. This position is full time, includes benefits and will be based in ProPublica’s New York office.
What we’re looking for:
- At least three years of experience in a management or senior role commissioning and editing photos and illustrations in a newsroom.
- The ability to set and defend a consistent visual approach while pursuing an innovative vision.
- Experience managing people and creating sane, supportive, high-performing teams — especially during times of transition and growth.
- Excellent time-management skills, keen attention to detail.
- The ability to understand investigative journalism and advocate for what visuals will help readers fully understand a complex story.
- Enthusiasm for visual storytelling across multiple platforms, from the web to social platforms to third-party news apps
- Familiarity with common visual design tools like Photoshop, Sketch, etc.
- A commitment to being a great colleague and a respectful human being.
Do you have something else you can bring to this job? We’d love to hear about it. Tell us about how you see your skills amplifying what we need from this role. We know there are great candidates who won’t fit everything we’ve described above, or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.
ProPublica is dedicated to improving our newsroom, in part by better reflecting the people we cover. (Here is a breakdown of the ProPublica staff.) We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. And we are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.
Fill out this form to apply. The deadline to apply is 9 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, Feb. 18. We’ll consider applicants on a rolling basis.
Have questions? Email Scott Klein at [email protected]. Scott is ProPublica’s deputy managing editor in charge of visual and data journalism. This position will report to him.
