Freelance Magazine Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Help shape how millions of readers discover and shop the products they love. As Senior Designer on Hearst Magazines' Central Commerce team, you'll lead the creative direction of commerce design across more than 20 iconic brands while building the systems, workflows, and processes that enable high-quality work at scale.

About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?)

Hearst Magazines is home to 30 brands that reach millions of readers through trusted journalism and compelling storytelling across print, digital, social, and emerging platforms. From fashion and beauty to health, lifestyle, food, entertainment, and news, our brands create meaningful connections with audiences while driving innovation across media. Join a collaborative team where creativity, technology, and commerce come together to shape the future of content.

Key Responsibilities (What You Are Doing)

• Lead the day-to-day design function for Hearst Magazines' centralized commerce editorial team, supporting shopping content across a portfolio of 20+ brands.
• Create compelling visual assets, including lead images for shopping stories, while developing scalable creative templates for web, social, and emerging platforms.
• Establish, refine, and maintain design systems, workflows, templates, and best practices that improve consistency and efficiency across the team.
• Identify operational opportunities and implement scalable solutions that enhance creative output, collaboration, and overall team performance.
• Partner closely with editorial, commerce, and brand-level art teams to ensure creative work reflects each brand's unique identity while supporting business goals.
• Drive projects independently, balancing speed, quality, and competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-volume commerce environment.
• Help evolve the long-term structure of the commerce design function by introducing processes that support growth and scalability.
• Manage freelance design resources and budgets as needed to support business priorities.

Qualifications (What We're Looking For)

• 5+ years of professional design experience in digital editorial, commerce, or a related content-driven environment.
• Demonstrated ability to combine hands-on creative execution with strategic thinking around design systems, workflows, and operational improvements.
• Strong visual storytelling skills with the ability to design across multiple brand aesthetics, audiences, and digital platforms.
• Experience developing scalable creative processes, templates, and design systems that improve team efficiency.
• Advanced proficiency with Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Familiarity with motion design, GIF creation, illustration, video, and content management systems is a plus.
• Excellent organizational, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills with the ability to lead initiatives and influence cross-functional partners.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment with minimal oversight and a continuous improvement mindset.
• This role is based in New York, NY and follows a hybrid schedule requiring 4 days per week in the office.

Benefits (What We Offer)

• Work with the Best: Collaborate with top-tier professionals across media, advertising, tech, fashion, lifestyle, and publishing, shaping the future of these dynamic industries.
• Grow Your Skills: Unlock your potential with access to innovative training programs, immersive workshops, and exclusive industry events.
• Work-Life Harmony: Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid work, empowering you to balance professional success with personal priorities.
• Foster Connection & Belonging: Join our Employee Resource Groups and help create a welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered.
• Wellness First: Prioritize your well-being with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance from Day 1.
• Plan for Your Financial Future: Enjoy competitive financial perks, including a 401(k) plan with a generous company match.

The base salary range for this role is $88,000-$106,000. This position is not eligible for bonus or commission compensation. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, qualifications, and location.

Hearst is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, national origin, ancestry, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We value diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences and believe they strengthen our business, our brands, and our communities.