Senior Book Jacket Designer

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world‑changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high‑quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

About Harvard University Press

Founded in 1913, Harvard University Press is renowned for publishing influential works of scholarship, including titles by authors like Carol Gilligan, Stephen Jay Gould, Toni Morrison, and Thomas Piketty. We bring groundbreaking ideas to both academic and general audiences and are committed to preserving intellectual traditions through works like our Loeb Classical Library.

Job Description

Harvard University Press (HUP), one of the world’s leading academic publishers, is seeking a talented Senior Book Jacket Designer to join our creative team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced graphic designer passionate about books, design, and the publishing industry. In this role, you will play a key part in creating visually compelling book covers that reflect our tradition of excellence, while working in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.

As Senior Book Jacket Designer, you will collaborate with the Creative Director and the design team to develop visually distinctive book covers and interiors. You will oversee design projects from concept to completion, managing 10–15 titles per season. Your work will directly contribute to a diverse and impactful portfolio of trade and academic titles.

Job‑Specific Responsibilities:

• Design: Create visually striking and captivating covers. Responsible for multiple design concepts to present to the team for feedback and approval.
• Collaboration: Work closely with editors, illustrators, photographers, authors, and the production team to communicate the essence of each book through design. Manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Freelance Management: Direct freelance illustrators and photographers to produce high‑quality designs.
• Feedback & Refinement: Incorporate editorial feedback to ensure the final design aligns with both creative and production standards.
• Production Coordination: Ensure the final designs and mechanicals meet production requirements, including preparing print‑ready files and overseeing mechanicals.
• Cultural awareness: Stay current with design, art, and technology trends to produce innovative, market‑leading book designs.
• Interior Design: Design several interior design titles per season.
• Special Projects: Design marketing projects connected to book cover and interiors.

This is a 2‑year term position.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.

• Minimum of 7 years of design experience, with at least 5 years in book jacket design or book publishing.
• A strong portfolio showcasing a variety of design work in book publishing.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, After Effects)
• A fine‑tuned sense of design, with an emphasis on typography and visual storytelling
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills
• A collaborative mindset and passion for books and design
• Knowledge of printing and prepress processes
• Interior design experience
• Experience collaborating with freelancers (illustrators, photographers) to execute high‑quality artwork
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Hand lettering, illustration skills a bonus

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 21 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre‑employment reference and background screenings: Identity and Education
• Other Information:
  • This position will have a 3‑month orientation and review period.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that the duties and responsibilities can effectively be performed fully remotely at a non‑Harvard location. Employees in fully remote positions must work all scheduled hours in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. At the discretion of the department, fully remote employees may occasionally be required on site at a Harvard location. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work‑life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non‑discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non‑discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.