Assistant Art Director

Society for Science is dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, access to STEM education and scientific research for more than 100 years. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, our mission promotes the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform, educate, and inspire. We are best known for our award-winning magazine, Science News, our world class science research competitions and our outreach and equity STEM Programs making sure that every young person can strive to become an engineer or scientist.

The Society is looking for an Assistant Art Director to support the Science News Magazine Group team. Science News, a biweekly magazine and website, is seeking a hardworking and talented assistant art director for a full-time, on-site position.

To perform the job successfully, this candidate must have publishing design experience. The Assistant Art Director will primarily work with the Art Director, Graphic Designer and editors to create layouts and other supporting visual materials to share compelling storytelling for Science News magazine, website, and electronic editions. The Assistant Art Director may also perform artistic and production work for the marketing team when needed.

We value strong analytical and interpersonal skills, and the ability to contribute to a fast-paced environment as an individual and as part of a team.

This position will report to the Chief Design Officer and the Design Director. This is an exempt position.

Job Responsibilities

  • Work with editors to research and prepare art and graphics for articles in multiple formats
  • Graphics creation, including editing/adapting existing material to Science News style and custom infographics
  • Collaboration with design team and editorial team to create compelling storytelling on print and web
  • Create print layouts for magazine
  • Assist art directors and web producer in producing specialized web graphics
  • Perform production duties including optimizing images, reviewing pages for press, and formatting text-only document of issues
  • Layout and prepare advertisements for press
  • Create print proofs of pages for press
  • Handle permissions, licensing and rights of images, including completing check requests and tracking image rights information in spreadsheets
  • Support to Marketing team design projects
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications 

  • Work with editors to research and prepare art and graphics for articles in multiple formats
  • Strong design and layout skills, particularly in publication and/or long format design
  • Excellent typography and type design
  • Good eye for tasteful, considered design
  • Knowledge and practice of web optimization on all platforms
  • Flexible, adaptable, and comfortable working in a newsroom environment and on deadline
  • Experience in art directing illustrations and proficiency at researching stock art sites
  • Photo editing skills including color correction
  • Proficiency in Adobe CS, especially InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator
  • Knowledge of HTML and CSS, and familiarity with CMS
  • Proofreading ability and attention to detail
  • Affinity for the mission of the Society for Science
  • Exceptional communications skills, both written and verbal
  • Ability to develop rapport with colleagues and external clients

Additional Preferred Skills

  • Illustration skills
  • Experience with interactive infographics and websites such as Tableau
  • Video editing skills a plus
  • Familiarity with science topics or strong interest in subject matter

Supervisory Responsibility

No supervisory responsibility

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee usually works in an office setting. Our office is located near the Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metro stations. Due to the pandemic, the Society is operating on a hybrid work schedule.

Position Type and Expected Hours

This is a full-time, exempt position. The normal business hours of the Society are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, with core hours of 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST. The working hours for this position will be 9:00 a.m. –5:30 p.m., with the option to flex-time upon supervisor’s approval.

Salary

$70,000 – $80,000; salary commensurate with experience

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree preferred in art or design, with a minimum of two to four years design experience and 2 additional years of art directing experience.

Additional Information

Society for Science has mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for employees coming into the office and attending Society events. Exceptions to the vaccine requirement may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons.

How to Apply

Submit a professional resume and cover letter to be considered for this position. For this position, submitting a PDF portfolio or portfolio site url is required.

Please apply through Applicant Pro:

Please apply through Applicant Pro:
https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/societyforscience/jobs/3100115-560473

EEO Statement

The Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Society for Science & the Public is committed to equal employment opportunity. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, the Society does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression,ancestry, national origin, disability, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, age and/or any other categories protected by the laws of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover every duty, responsibility and activity that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.