Senior Interactive News Designer

Application Instructions

Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.

Job Description

The Washington Post is looking for a senior interactive news designer to join the News Design team. 

The News Design department is a team of visual journalists elevating The Washington Post’s content across platforms through innovative storytelling that informs and captivates our readers. As a designer at The Post, you will create visual packages and presentations across platforms, including washingtonpost.com, mobile apps, newsletters, a printed newspaper and social media.

Senior Interactive News Designers have a range of responsibilities that include building enhanced storytelling presentations, creating content-driven interactive designs or visualizations, and delivering creative presentations on tight deadlines. They have coding skills that allow them to comfortably adapt or write new interactive Javascript components within a web framework and contribute to the underlying framework for the team.

Responsibilities:

• Brainstorm and build enhanced storytelling presentations through strong collaborative relationships with various departments across the newsroom.

• Create engaging, content-driven designs or illustrations that are smart, risk-taking and reader-centric.

• Deliver creative presentations on tight deadlines by guiding the storytelling in all phases from concept to launch, reviewing work for errors and incorporating feedback.

• Identify and overcome coding challenges to create new storytelling formats. 

• Mentor and support others on the team through designated office hours.

• Evaluate the performance of your and others’ code and help to refine and templatize when necessary.

Key qualifications:

• Typically, at least five years of professional design and development experience.

• Demonstrated ability to independently overcome development challenges, with minimal guidance, on a consistent basis over a sustained period.

• Full proficiency in partnering with other developers and non-developers to create a shared vision. This can include paired programming or mentoring other designers.

• Full proficiency in consistently exercising strong news judgment. 

• Full proficiency in using development frameworks like React and tools like StoryBook.

• Comfortable contributing to and help maintain a large production codebase.

• Familiarity with SEO and load time performance concerns, as well as testing software such as Jest.

• Full proficiency in using storyboard and sketch software such as Figma and Adobe XD.

• Demonstrated ability to evaluate design and/or coding work produced by others. 

• Demonstrated ability to create interactive components for use by others.

We provide a framework that supports career growth for designers.

This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom and will require night and weekend work.

Interested applicants should submit a résumé and a cover letter outlining their vision for the role to our jobs portal. If helpful, a portfolio of work can be included. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Mar. 31 will be prioritized. Cover letters should be addressed to Head of Visuals Greg Manifold and Interim News Design Department Heads Matt Callahan and Brian Gross.

The starting salary range for this position is: $83,600.00 - $155,500.00 USD. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

The Washington Post’s policy for employees is five days per week in the office, with exceptions for newsgathering and general business travel.

Compensation and Benefits

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage

• Company-paid pension and 401(k) match

• Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave

• Nine paid holidays and two personal days

• 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent

• Robust mental health resources

• Backup care and caregiver concierge services

• Gender affirming services

• Pet insurance

• Free Post digital subscription

• Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed. 

Ever wondered if what you are doing will Impact Tomorrow? At The Washington Post, every employee shapes the way we deliver the news. Find the career that’s right for you

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