Art Director, NYTT

ITP Media Group is hiring an Art Director to lead the visual identity and design execution of T: The New York Times Style Magazine MENA across print digital social video audio and live experiences. Reporting to the Editor in Chief the Art Director will drive the visual agenda translate editorial ideas into striking culturally resonant design and uphold world class standards in line with the global T brand while building a distinct regional aesthetic.

Requirements

1) Visual Vision & Brand Stewardship

Working with our Group Art Director define and codify T MENA s visual language across all platforms typography colour grid photography illustration motion and UI/UX balancing global T guidelines with a distinctive MENA sensibility.

Own and maintain brand style guides design systems and component libraries for print and digital; ensure consistent application across English and Arabic outputs (RTL considerations bilingual typography).

Partner with the Editor in Chief on cover concepts tent-pole packages and signature franchises; champion visual excellence and originality.

2) Editorial Design & Production

Lead issue design from flatplan to final files: pacing visual hierarchy typography image selection and layout craft for a monthly print cadence.

Oversee digital design for feature templates social franchises newsletter layouts and article packaging ; ensure responsive accessible and on brand execution.

Manage prepress and print production with our production team: colour management (CMYK conversions ICC profiles) retouching standards proof reviews paper stock recommendations and press sign off.

3) Photography Shoots & Visual Commissioning

Commission and direct photographers stylists set designers illustrators and retouchers across fashion portraiture art/design and still life.

Build shoot treatments and storyboards; lighting styling and composition meet T standards.

Maintain a best in class roster of regional and international visual talent; source fresh voices and experimental approaches.

4) Cross Platform Motion & Social Aesthetics

Set motion guidelines for video opens lower thirds kinetic type and graphic packages; partner with video leads on story packaging and color grading.

Create social first visual systems (Reels/Shorts carousels Stories TikTok) that translate T s refinement into high impact platform native design.

Oversee podcast identity systems (cover art episode templates waveform/video art) and live/experiential branding for talks salons and exhibitions.

5) Collaboration Church & State

Collaborate with the Deputy Editor on schedules flatplans and delivery milestones; ensure flawless handoffs between editorial design photo and production.

Partner with commercial priva agency and partnerships teams on branded content and special projects within licensor guidelines.

Present creative to internal stakeholders and clients with clarity and conviction; adapt feedback without compromising craft.

6) Operations Budget & Asset Management

Implement efficient workflows file architectures store and label clearly in our DAM (digital asset management) system for images layouts and motion assets.

Maintain rights and clearances documentation for imagery artwork fonts and music; coordinate with legal/standards when needed.

7) Talent Leadership & Culture

Foster an inclusive experimentation friendly culture that prioritises craft originality and regional representation.

Run portfolio reviews and contribute to talent scouting across the region.

8) Innovation & Benchmarking

Track global design trends print/digital craft emerging tools (e.g. Figma components generative/assistive AI color pipelines) and apply learnings judiciously.

Pursue visual benchmarks awards showcases exhibitions that raise T MENA s profile and influence.

Qualifications

8 10 years in editorial/brand art direction with a portfolio of landmark covers/features and cross platform systems (print web social motion).

Mastery of typography and grid systems; fluency in photographic direction image editing and art production.

Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign Photoshop Illustrator Lightroom) Capture One; working knowledge of After Effects/Premiere or equivalent motion tools; Figma or similar for digital systems.

Strong prepress knowledge (color management retouch supervision proofing press checks) and digital accessibility best practices.

Experience commissioning and directing photographers/illustrators; robust network in MENA and internationally.

Familiarity with Arabic typography and RTL layout a strong plus; bilingual English/Arabic advantageous.

Exceptional collaboration presentation and stakeholder management skills; calm under pressure detail obsessed deadline reliable.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs )

Visual quality and consistency across all platforms; achievement of recognized design benchmarks/awards.

Exceptional visual packaging across site and social; growth of visual franchises.

Strength and diversity of contributor network; talent development within the art team.

Client/stakeholder satisfaction on branded and white label projects delivered with editorial integrity.

Engagement of social and video content including dwell times shares