Assistant Art Director - Brand and License - (Hybrid)

Random House Children’s Books is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Assistant Art Director to join our Brand and License art department. The Assistant Art Director must have a solid grasp on the essentials of visual branding and maintaining a strong brand identity within a wide range of formats. This role will support the growth of the Dr. Seuss publishing business by developing new frontlist titles, collaborating on innovative approaches to expand format or content, and managing extensive backlist projects, all of which evoke the Brand’s goal “to make learning fun”. The right candidate will have a nimble, creative mindset and bookmaking expertise in multiple formats, such as picture books, board, novelty and activity books for the Dr. Seuss Brand. In this fast-paced, collaborative environment, the Assistant Art Director will be highly organized, solution and process-oriented and a top-notch communicator. This role reports to the Senior Executive Art Director. 

Responsibilities:

• Guide individuals to refine design concepts and maintain brand consistency, ensuring projects are on schedule and meet high-quality standards across multiple formats. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand project requirements and develop design solutions that align with brand guidelines for Dr. Seuss. 
• Communicate effectively within the editorial team and with the external Dr. Seuss partners to ensure seamless workflow and meet expectations.  
• Self-manage workload to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks accordingly. 

Essential Functions:

• Work collaboratively with editors to develop projects, brainstorm new format ideas, and support the imprint’s objectives. 
• Oversee all phases of book design for approximately 40 titles per year, while managing a Designer and maintaining one’s own list of projects. 
• Research and pitch new artists, ensuring that newly illustrated art is in line with original Ted Geisel art, present appropriate samples and materials at art/editorial meetings.  
• Make offers and negotiate terms for illustration contracts within budget. Work closely with illustrators from initial sketch development through revisions to final art for covers and interiors of own projects. 
• Prepare jacket and interior mechanicals for routing, approvals, and release to production per printing standards, ensuring attention to detail and timely completion to maintain schedules and meet deadlines. 
• Create digital sales materials for own projects. 
• Communicate effectively, professionally, and courteously with supervisors, team members, other departments, and outside agencies.  
• Attend and participate in production meetings, cover meetings, team meetings, and meetings with supervisors and editors for specific projects. 

Qualifications:

• 7-10 years of experience in children’s book design publishing, with an emphasis on highly illustrated titles, or equivalent exposure to the publishing process. 
• Four-year college degree or completed an equivalent Fine Art/Graphic Design program. 
• Strong Mac computer skills and technical knowledge, including a mastery of current InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator programs and the preparation of print-ready files. 
• Knowledge of MS office programs. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, quality, and process, ability to prioritize and multi-task, and manage time efficiently. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively, with sensitivity and self- awareness, in large group setting. 
• Hardworking, self-starting, collaborative, and able to work independently. 
• Genuine passion for children’s books, illustration, and typography. 

This NYC-based role is a hybrid position with in-office responsibilities for a minimum of two days a week in the office. We will consider candidates who can work from a commutable distance to our offices at 1745 Broadway, which includes the tri-state area (NJ, CT, & PA). 

The salary range for this role is $80,000-$84,000. All positions are currently eligible for annual profit award or bonus, subject to company results.

Please apply by October 1, 2025 and include your resume for consideration. Before applying for any role at Penguin Random House, we recommend you review our applicant resources page and our FAQs page.  

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.

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.

 Company: Penguin Random House LLC | Job ID: 282928