Senior Designer, WHO HQ, Penguin Young Readers (Open to Remote)
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Senior Designer, WHO HQ, Penguin Young Readers (Open to Remote)
73,500 / Year
Location
New York, , United States
Experience
Senior
Posted
Jul 10, 2026
Apply by
August 9, 2026
Applicants
0
Early applicantEasy applyFull-timeWork from Home
Job Description
## Company Description
Penguin Random House is the leading adult and children's publishing house in North America, the United Kingdom and many other regions around the world. In publishing the best books in every genre and subject for all ages, we are committed to quality, excellence in execution, and innovation throughout the entire publishing process: editorial, design, marketing, publicity, sales, production, and distribution. Our vibrant and diverse international community of nearly 300 publishing brands and imprints include Ballantine Bantam Dell, Berkley, Clarkson Potter, Crown, DK, Doubleday, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Little Golden Books, Knopf, Modern Library, Pantheon, Penguin Books, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House Audio, Penguin Young Readers, Portfolio, Puffin, Putnam, Random House, Random House Children's Books, Riverhead, Ten Speed Press, Viking, and Vintage, among others. More information can be found at http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/.
Penguin Random House values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.
## Job Description
Penguin Workshop, an imprint in the Penguin Young Readers division of Penguin Random House, is seeking a Designer for the #1 New York Times best-selling Who HQ series. You will help build on our previous successes in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
The Who HQ non-fiction series includes Who Was?, What Was?, Where Is?, What Is the Story Of?, What Do We Know About?, and Who HQ Now. Each book has a signature bobblehead cover and 80 B&W interior illustrations. The list includes approximately 30-40 new titles per year plus the occasional boxed set and activity book. To learn more about the brand visit [www.whowasbookseries.com](http://www.whowasbookseries.com/). (Please note the board books, picture books, and graphic novels are done by a separate design team.)
In this exciting role you will be the lead Designer responsible for hands-on design and all aspects of book production, from concept to file release, for the mainline WHO HQ book publishing program as outlined above. You will work closely with the Associate Publisher, Designers, and Editorial, and freelancers. You will have the chance to shine as you bring your unique perspective to covers and interior art for even our most thought-provoking topics. You will work directly with top artists to bring covers and interiors to life while maintaining strict brand guidelines and deadlines. You will be part of a team that genuinely cares about getting quality non-fiction into the hands of young readers.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Art directing and designing covers and interiors for approximately 30-40 new titles per year.
- Working directly with the Associate Publisher, designers, and editorial staff.
- Hiring and art directing illustrators.
- Effectively communicating art direction to artists.
- Working with off-site freelancers on interior layouts.
- Strict adherence to the brand guide and templates.
- Creating, maintaining, and strictly adhering to schedules.
- Trafficking materials for approval with multiple stakeholders.
- Preparing press ready files and approving proofs.
- Remaining current on illustration, design, and publishing trends.
## Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a design capacity in publishing; children’s publishing strongly preferred
- A portfolio that highlights an understanding of illustration, book making, and typography skills
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with strict timelines is a must
- Advanced knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to rough sketch complex cover compositions
- Knowledge of pre-press, four-color, 2-color, and specialty printing processes a plus
## Additional Information
The salary for this position is $73,500. All positions are currently eligible for annual profit award or bonus, subject to Company results.
Please apply using our ATS system by July 23, 2026 , and include your resume and cover letter for consideration. Before applying for any role at Penguin Random House, we recommend you review our [applicant resources page](https://careers.penguinrandomhouse.com/applicant-resources/) and look over our hybrid and open-to-remote guidelines on our [FAQs page.](https://careers.penguinrandomhouse.com/applicant-resources/frequently-asked-questions/)
Penguin Random House job postings include a good faith compensation range for each open position. The salary range listed is specific to each particular open position and takes into account various factors including the specifics of the individual role, and candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.
Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Student Loan Repayment Program, Educational Assistance & generous paid time off.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Disclosure requirements pertaining to the collection of your personal data:
Responsible for processing the information provided in your application is the company specified in the job advertisement, with its registered office as indicated. The company processes your data for the purpose of establishing an employment relationship on the basis of Art. 6 (1) b GDPR / Section 26 (1) sentence 1 BDSG.
The retention period for your data is determined by the statutory time limits applicable in the respective country, beginning upon completion of the recruitment process. You can find these [here](https://bertelsmann-hr.de/docs/Overview_of_Data_Retention_Periods_EN.pdf).
You can contact the company’s Data Protection Officer at the above-mentioned postal address.
Further information on data protection and your rights can be found [here](https://jobsearch.createyourowncareer.com/content/Privacy-Policy/?locale=en_US).
Recruiting-Platform powered by SmartRecruiters.
Key Responsibilities
- Art direct and design covers and interiors for approximately 30-40 new titles per year.
- Collaborate with the Associate Publisher, designers, editorial staff, and freelancers.
- Hire and art direct illustrators.
- Communicate art direction effectively to artists.
- Work with off-site freelancers on interior layouts.
- Adhere strictly to brand guides and templates.
- Create, maintain, and adhere to production schedules.
- Traffic materials for approval with multiple stakeholders.
- Prepare press-ready files and approve proofs.
- Stay current on illustration, design, and publishing trends.
Skills Required
Adobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopIllustrationBook makingTypographyPre-pressFour-color printing2-color printingSpecialty printing processesOrganizational skillsAttention to detailInterpersonal skillsCommunication skillsAbility to work in a fast-paced environmentAbility to work with strict timelinesChildren's publishing experience
Benefits
- Medical/Prescription drug insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account
- Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k)
- Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Life/AD&D Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Student Loan Repayment Program
- Educational Assistance
- Generous paid time off
- Annual profit award or bonus
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