Position Title: Art Director

Location: Remote, DC-based HQ

Employment Type: Full-time, exempt, union. This position falls within the CWA/TNG Bargaining Unit in place between The American Prospect and Washington-Baltimore News Guild

Reports To: Executive Editor

About The American Prospect

The American Prospect is an influential magazine dedicated to rigorous journalism and progressive ideas. We are committed to providing in-depth analysis and thoughtful perspectives on political, economic, and social issues. Our mission is to inform and inspire our readers to engage in public discourse and action.

Position Overview

The Art Director leads the visual identity of The American Prospect across every product and platform — the print magazine, prospect.org, our suite of newsletters, social channels, fundraising campaigns, and institutional materials. This role sets the creative direction of the brand and ensures that every reader touchpoint, from a magazine cover to a daily web illustration to a year-end donor appeal, reflects the Prospect’s editorial voice and ambitions. The Art Director works closely with the Executive Editor, Managing Editor, and Publisher to translate reporting and ideas into compelling visual storytelling, and manages a roster of freelance illustrators and photographers in addition to collaborating with in-house design staff.

Key Responsibilities

Print Production

• Lead art direction for every issue of the print magazine, including cover concepts, feature wells, columns, and department pages
• Commission original illustration and photography for features, moving the magazine away from generic wire photography so that every visual element is purposefully illustrated, edited, and selected
• Build and maintain a roster of freelance illustrators, photographers, and photo editors whose work reflects the Prospect’s sensibility
• Oversee layout, typography, and production workflow through to print
• Manage the art budget for each issue and ensure timely delivery to the printer

Digital

• Direct the visual identity of prospect.org, including homepage presentation, article templates, and feature packages
• Oversee daily web art, including image selection/approval and commissioning illustration where appropriate to develop and maintain a consistent visual voice across the site
• Partner with managing editor and associate publisher to build a repeatable process for commissioning and producing illustrations on editorial deadlines
• Direct the Prospect’s in-house illustration work, including overseeing marketing manager’s output
• Develop distinctive visual branding for current and future verticals
• Design newsletter templates and ongoing visual treatments across the Prospect’s newsletter portfolio
• Lead visual design for UX improvements and any future site redesign in partnership with the Publisher and Executive Editor

Branding and Marketing

• Steward the Prospect’s overall visual identity system — logo usage, color, typography, and brand guidelines — across all applications
• Assist marketing manager with design for art for fundraising campaigns across the website, email, and social channels
• Develop and maintain the Prospect’s visual identity on social platforms
• Assist marketing manager with design on institutional collateral for fundraising and other business needs

Qualifications

• 5+ years of art direction or senior design experience, ideally in editorial, magazine, or journalism contexts
• Demonstrated ability to commission and direct illustrators and photographers on editorial timelines and budgets
• Strong portfolio spanning both print and digital work
• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and familiarity with web production tools; Newspack or WordPress experience a plus
• Experience designing for email and social platforms
• Excellent visual storytelling instincts and a clear point of view about what good editorial art looks like
• Ability to manage multiple simultaneous deadlines across print production cycles and daily web demands
• Comfort collaborating remotely with editorial and business colleagues across time zones
• Interest in progressive politics, policy, and public affairs journalism is a plus

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and portfolio to mgrummon [at] prospect.org with the subject line “Art Director Application – [Your Name].” Applications will be accepted until May 22nd, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

The American Prospect is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, ancestry, marital status, union activity, AIDS/HIV status, on-the-job injuries, or any status otherwise protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages and we especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities.

Our benefits include health, dental, and vision benefits for our employees and their dependents, paid vacation starting at three weeks per year, and an HSA/FSA program, and a 37.5-hour workweek.

This job description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role, but it is not exhaustive. Duties may change as per the needs of the organization.

Salary Range: $75,000–$105,000