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Design Observer is hiring: Design Director, New York Magazine in New York

Design Observer, New York, NY, USA

Pay: $220,000-$250,000/yr

Job type: Full Time


New York Magazine is seeking a Design Director to lead its award‑winning print and digital design teams. This leader will define and evolve the magazine’s design language, ensuring strong visual storytelling and elegant cohesion across the bi‑weekly print magazine, its digital verticals (Intelligencer, Vulture, The Cut, The Strategist, Grub Street, and Curbed), and a range of brand extensions, including events and consumer revenue initiatives.


The Design Director will oversee the design process from concept to execution, ensuring each story and project reflects and advances our voice while continuing to refine and evolve it. This person must be a skilled, seasoned, and highly organized manager who can balance multiple projects simultaneously and thrive under tight deadlines. The ideal candidate inspires creativity, collaboration, and excellence across teams.


Candidates must have a minimum of ten years of magazine design experience in senior roles, with deep expertise in typography and a nuanced understanding of both print and digital design. They should be fluent in illustration and fine art across multiple mediums, and have a strong track record of discovering and commissioning emerging creative talent. The ideal candidate demonstrates both an instinct for classic taste and the ability to innovate from project to project. They are an idea generator who actively contributes to creative brainstorming and cross‑functional collaboration. This role reports to the Creative Director.


What You’ll Do



  • Lead and oversee New York Magazine’s award‑winning print and digital design teams, setting a cohesive, forward‑thinking creative vision grounded in the brand’s legacy.

  • Direct design across the bi‑weekly print magazine, six digital verticals, newsletters, and social.

  • Design each issue’s cover in close collaboration with the Editor‑in‑Chief and Creative Director, from concept through execution.

  • Partner with the Creative Director, product design teams, and editorial leadership to extend the brand identity across experiential and revenue‑driving initiatives, including events and consumer products.

  • Oversee the full print creative process from concept to final execution, ensuring each story reflects and advances the magazine’s voice.

  • Identify, commission, and cultivate emerging illustrators and creative contributors.

  • Initiate regular story‑ and project‑specific visual brainstorms with art and editorial teams.

  • Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while meeting tight production deadlines.

  • Maintain the highest standards of typography, layout, illustration, and art direction across print and digital platforms.

  • Collaborate with the Creative Director, Editor‑in‑Chief, and senior leadership on the magazine’s long‑term creative strategy.


Where You’ll Work


This job is based in our New York, NY office and requires presence in the office five days per week.


Equal Opportunity Employer


Vox Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer and qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, national origin, protected veteran status, age, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. Vox Media will also consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with applicable Fair Chance laws. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations as part of the application process to candidates with disabilities.


Pay Range: $220,000 – $250,000 USD


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