Location: Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University Press seeks an Art Director - Books in its Books Division who will be responsible for supervising freelancers and staff and managing the design program including covers, interior layouts, and art packages of print and electronic books and related ancillaries. The Art Director will join a team of exceptional professionals committed to bringing the benefits of discovery to the world by providing global access, impact, and influence for the scholarship that we publish and distribute. This position will help to ensure that the Press is a leader in the selection and development of innovative ideas and scholarship; the creation of pioneering technologies to enhance discovery and learning; and the connection of people to the most trusted knowledge from global researchers, scholars, and educators.

The Art Director has primary ownership of the budgeting, quality, and timely preparation of book design assets for digital and print publications and their components. The Art Director supervises the work of design contractors, freelancers, staff, and vendors. The Art Director works closely with acquisitions, marketing, and publishing operations staff to manage design concepts and maintain appropriate visual, technical, and production standards for cover designs, content layouts, and art packages. The Press publishes between 120 and 150 titles annually in topics including: health and wellness, public health, science, higher education, and across the humanities. The Art Director serves as part of the Books Divisions management team and works cross-departmentally to decide on strategies for books and other publishing projects, resolve issues, and develop opportunities around seasonal list planning and management, external supplier services and performance, and staff training and development. This position reports to the Director of Publishing Operations.

The Press is committed to honoring every persons inherent dignity as human beings and making that the foundation of our organizational culture. We proactively find ways to ensure opportunities that promote justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. We strive to publish courageously, giving voice to groundbreaking ideas. We support each other and our stakeholders and envision a future where knowledge enriches the lives of every person. The successful candidate will join a welcoming community that is inclusive and values the contributions and perspectives of individuals from all backgrounds.

Specific Duties $ responsibilities

• Manage Hopkins Press Books Division design program with the ability to interpret and verbalize design concepts and elements to all levels of the organization, serving as a key resource across the Press for art and design-related leadership.

• Manage design area including assigning work and managing performance to ensure deliverables and services meet agreed cost, quality, and timing expectations.

• Lead cover art discussions and collaborate cross-departmentally to decide on the selection of and strategy for the packaging for publishing projects, keeping the Books Division apprised of title requirements and statuses, efficiently and cost-effectively resolving issues, mitigating risks to the Press's goals and program, and exploring opportunities to advance the Press's mission.

• Evaluate external service offerings, negotiate pricing and contract terms, onboard designers and compositors, and implement internal workflow changes in conjunction with Publishing Operations director and managers.

• Oversee archiving, distribution, and management of digital and physical book design assets, components, and finished products.

• Develop strategies and implement plans for continuous process improvement in collaboration with Books Division colleagues and Hopkins Press leadership.

• Act in designer and compositor capacity for special projects and assigned portion of the title list.

• Recruit, hire, train, mentor, supervise, and direct the work of design team (employee and freelance) and other Press staff, casual workers, students, and interns, if requested.

• Weave equity, justice, and inclusion principles into all aspects of the work

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Detailed understanding of book standards and requirements for composition, print manufacturing, and e-book conversion.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office with a keen understanding of typography, color, layout, font management, title databases, FTP clients and SharePoint sites, and file management best practices.

• Must be able to prioritize multiple tasks in tandem, while working with a variety of people (e.g., direct reports, peers, senior staff, and external designers and service providers) and performing design-related work at all levels (e.g., inputting corrections, building well-structured InDesign files for original designs, and manipulating illustrations, photos, and vector art).

• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, form collaborative teams, and inspire passion and drive in those teams.

• Outstanding critical thinking and communication skills; the ability to present content with clarity and impact to meet marketing and editorial expectations, clearly communicate schedules and nuances of design process to various levels of the organization, stay current on print and digital design trends and technologies, and problem solve.

• Excellent critical thinking and communication skills.

• Superior problem-solving skills including using analytics to drive decisions.

• Creative thinker; embracing new ideas; passionate about developing the potential of Hopkins Press.

• Inclusive in decision-making and problem-solving.

• Excel in effective use of resources; keen self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, or related field.

• Four years experience and a portfolio.

• Additional experience may substitute for required education, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cost estimating and budget preparation, forward planning and scheduling, purchasing and invoicing, and supplier (designer) selection and performance management.

• Experience coordinating or supervising freelancers, staff, or students and be able to provide guidance and opportunities for skills development.

Classified Title: Art Director- Books
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PC
Min/Mid/Max Annual Salary Range: $52,230-$71,890-$91,550 (Commensurate with experience)
Employee Group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F, 8:30am-5:00pm
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus
Department name: Books Design and Production
Personnel area: Academic and Business Centers

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/

NOTE:

This position does not offer sponsorship.

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:

JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate’s conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

During the Influenza ("the flu") season, as a condition of employment, The Johns Hopkins Institutions require all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care or clinical care areas to have an annual influenza vaccination or possess an approved medical or religious exception. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf
Important legal information
http://hrnt.jhu.edu/legal.cfm