Senior Art Director

Crain Communications

Senior Art Director leading visual storytelling and design across Crain’s portfolio. Focusing on digital-first experiences and collaborating with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced newsroom.

Posted 4/28/2026full-timeChicago • District of Columbia, Illinois, Virginia, Wisconsin • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $95,000 - $110,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

WordPress

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the design and delivery of high-quality visual storytelling across digital and print platforms, with a primary focus on digital-first execution.
Concept and develop story presentations from pitch through publication, shaping how content is experienced across platforms.
Partner with Ad Solutions to create custom content and client-driven storytelling, while collaborating with editorial and audience teams on cross-platform initiatives.
Generate innovative design concepts and visual approaches that elevate storytelling and audience engagement.
Translate complex information into clear, compelling visuals, including data-driven and interactive formats.
Own project timelines and lead projects from concept through final delivery, ensuring stakeholder alignment and high-quality execution.
Manage multiple projects and priorities within a high-volume production environment while maintaining efficient workflows.
Mentor and support Art Directors and designers by providing feedback, guidance and creative direction.
Contribute to team development by sharing best practices, helping onboard new tools and supporting adoption of AI-informed workflows.
Present design concepts and articulate creative decisions to cross-functional stakeholders, including editorial and client teams.
Apply strong news judgment and copy editing skills when shaping visual presentations.
Stay current with evolving digital design trends, tools and storytelling formats.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual journalism, or a related field.
7+ years of experience in news, editorial, or content-driven design environments, with a focus on digital-first storytelling.
Strong portfolio demonstrating multi-platform design, audience-focused work and high-impact storytelling.
Digital design expertise, with the ability to confidently shape how content is experienced across platforms.
Proven ability to translate complex ideas into clear, engaging visual experiences.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to own multiple project timelines and drive work from concept to completion in a fast-paced environment.
Advanced understanding of typography, layout, color and visual hierarchy.
Experience designing for digital platforms, including responsive design and best practices for engagement and usability.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign); experience with motion, video or interactive tools (e.g., Ceros and Canva) is a plus.
Familiarity with CMS platforms such as Arc XP or WordPress.
Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across editorial, audience and client teams.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced newsroom environment.
Working knowledge of SEO and digital publishing best practices.
Experience mentoring or guiding other designers in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive benefits including retirement plan savings contributions
Bonus opportunities based on individual and company performance

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

graphic designvisual journalismdigital designtypographylayoutcolorvisual hierarchyresponsive designSEOdigital publishing

Soft Skills

project managementcommunicationpresentationcollaborationmentoringcreative directionstorytellingaudience engagementfeedbacknews judgment

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in graphic designBachelor’s degree in visual journalism