Art Director, Licensing, UNSQ, Kids

SUMMARY:

The Art Director, Licensed Publishing oversees 30 to 40 projects annually for the Union Square Kids licensed publishing program. The projects range from picture books to activity books, to board books, journals, stationary, and other gift products. This is a rapidly growing area of UNSQ Publishing, working with top-tier author/illustrator talent and branded properties.

Duties include:

• Development and oversight of all cover and interior design from concept through final file delivery
• Creative collaboration with the editorial team and licensing partners on title content development with an eye to building, maintaining, and complimenting brand standards
• Oversight of a team of several freelance specialty artists and designers
• Timely routing of cover and interior passes to hit seasonal deadlines as well as project planning and tracking
• Coordination with licensing partner for character, asset creation, and brand adherence; building and maintaining art asset pools with licensor partners to meet publishing needs present and future
• Work with UNSQ production manager to ensure quality control and title-by-title consistency; review of all printer proofs for title quality and excellence
• Collaborate with the UNSQ marketing and publicity team for exclusive edition content and supplying creative assets for ad/marketing materials
• Design a select group of high-end titles for the trade list related to key authors and properties. Trade titles may include original board books, picture books, novelty, or other licensed or unlicensed titles

Minimum requirements:

• 8–10 years of experience in children’s licensed and/or trade publishing design
• 4-year college degree or equivalent work experience
• Proven track for working with high-profile authors and illustrators and generating high-end, design-forward work

• Proven track for working with licensed properties and developing and adhering to brand standards
• Ability to manage multiple titles at a time while adhering to creative vision and production schedule deadlines
• Expertise in Adobe Design Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat), and other related technologies.
• Expertise setting up files for dieline cutting and novelty elements
• Detailed knowledge of pre-press requirements for print, manufacturing processes and proofing
• Excellent communication skills with internal and external partners, key collaborators, and outside talent
• Deep understanding of the children’s trade publishing market
• Ability to manage project-specific freelance artists and designers, including identifying talent and negotiating project fees, deliverables, and schedules

The compensation for this position is $80,000-$100,000. Salary can vary based on a number of factors including skills and experience— talk with your recruiter to learn more. There may be times that you will be required (or requested) to work overtime due to the nature of your role or exceptional workload issues or special projects. This role is hybrid work from home two days, and three days in NYC office.

As a leading book publisher, we believe that including and representing diverse voices in all aspects of our business is fundamental to what we do. Our publishing programs must reflect the broad range of backgrounds, experiences, political views and ideas that shape our society and publish books for all readers.

Hachette Book Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The following benefits are offered by the company: medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life, short-term and long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, health and dependent care FSA, commuter benefit plan, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, travel assistance, 401(k), discretionary bonus program, PTO (15 vacation days, 3 personal days, 10 holidays and generous sick leave) and group discounts on auto and home insurance and legal services. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification, hours worked and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.