Digital Design Director, Oprah Daily at Hearst

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Digital Design Director, Oprah Daily

Company: Hearst

Location: New York, NY

Job Type: Full time

Category: Digital Design, Art Direction

Date Posted: June 10, 2025

Experience Level: 5-10 years (Director Level)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

Lead and oversee the creation of compelling visual content tailored for digital platforms, including website, social media channels, and video productions, aligning with the distinct brand identity of Oprah Daily.
Drive the visual strategy and execution for all digital initiatives, ensuring high-quality, engaging, and on-brand design outputs across various mediums.
Manage multiple concurrent design projects from concept to completion, demonstrating strong project management skills within a fast-paced media environment.
Collaborate effectively with diverse creative teams including art, photo, video, social media, and editorial to produce cohesive and impactful digital experiences.
Maintain a high level of design proficiency and creative leadership, guiding the visual direction and ensuring consistency across all digital touchpoints for Oprah Daily.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the "Digital Design Director" title within a major media company like Hearst and the specific brand "Oprah Daily," significant inferences are made regarding the need for a strong understanding of brand identity, multi-platform digital design, and cross-functional collaboration within a publishing context. The role likely requires a blend of hands-on design expertise and leadership in guiding visual strategy.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

Develop and execute the visual design strategy for Oprah Daily's digital platforms, encompassing website layouts, article graphics, social media assets, email newsletters, and video thumbnails/overlays.
Direct the creation of digital visual assets, providing clear creative direction and feedback to internal and external design resources to ensure alignment with brand guidelines and project objectives.
Oversee the end-to-end design process for digital projects, including concept development, wireframing (where applicable), visual design, prototyping, and final asset production.
Collaborate closely with the editorial team to translate content concepts into visually engaging digital narratives that resonate with the Oprah Daily audience.
Partner with the social media team to design platform-specific visuals that optimize engagement and reach across various social channels (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest).
Work in tandem with the video production team to create visual elements, motion graphics, and overall aesthetic direction for digital video content.
Manage project timelines, resources, and budgets effectively, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality design work for multiple concurrent initiatives.
Stay abreast of digital design trends, emerging technologies, and platform best practices to continuously innovate and elevate the visual experience of Oprah Daily.
Maintain and evolve digital design guidelines and standards to ensure brand consistency and quality across all digital properties.
Lead and mentor junior designers or providing guidance on digital design best practices and creative problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Director" level and the context of a digital media brand, the responsibilities are expanded beyond simple asset creation to include strategic direction, team collaboration, project management, and maintaining brand consistency across multiple digital channels, which are typical for a senior design leadership role in publishing.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, Visual Arts, or a related field is typically required. Equivalent professional experience demonstrating a strong portfolio and technical proficiency may be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in digital design, with a significant portion in a leadership or director-level role within a media, publishing, or agency environment. Proven experience in managing multiple digital design projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams is essential. A strong portfolio showcasing successful digital design projects across various platforms is a must.

Required Skills:

Exceptional proficiency in digital design principles, typography, color theory, and layout for web, mobile, and social platforms.
Advanced knowledge of industry-standard design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign; Sketch, Figma, or similar prototyping tools).
Proven experience in art direction and providing clear, actionable feedback on visual design work.
Strong understanding of user experience (UX) principles as they apply to digital content consumption.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse teams.
Solid understanding of digital asset optimization for various platforms and devices.
Experience with content management systems (CMS) and their impact on design implementation.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with motion graphics and video editing software (e.g., Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro).
Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and front-end development concepts relevant to design implementation.
Experience designing for email marketing platforms.
Familiarity with analytics tools to inform design decisions and measure performance.
Experience in the lifestyle, media, or publishing industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original prompt was brief, the requirements for a Digital Design Director role at a major media company necessitate a strong foundation in core digital design skills, leadership experience, and proficiency in relevant software. Preferred skills are inferred based on common requirements for digital design roles focusing on multi-platform content.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Your portfolio should prominently feature examples of your digital design work across various platforms, including websites, mobile interfaces, and social media content.
Include case studies that clearly outline your design process, from initial concept and research through to final execution and results.
Demonstrate your ability to create visually compelling and on-brand designs that align with specific editorial or marketing objectives.
Show examples of your art direction skills, highlighting projects where you guided the visual output of other designers or creative resources.

Process Documentation:

For key projects, provide documentation of your research and discovery phase, including audience insights, competitor analysis, and initial concept sketches or mood boards.
Illustrate your ideation and iteration methods, showcasing how you explored different design solutions and refined your concepts based on feedback or technical constraints.
Detail your validation and testing approaches, explaining how you gathered feedback and measured the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., A/B testing, user feedback).

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Director role, merely showing final designs is insufficient. The portfolio must demonstrate strategic thinking, process, and leadership. Specific requirements for case studies and process documentation are standard expectations for senior design positions to evaluate problem-solving skills and methodology.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry data for a Digital Design Director role in New York City within a major media company, the estimated salary range is typically between $120,000 and $180,000 annually. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the overall compensation structure of the company. Research sources include Glassdoor, Payscale, and industry salary reports for similar roles in the NYC area, adjusted for the seniority level.

Benefits:

Comprehensive health insurance plans (medical, dental, vision) with options for individuals and families.
Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k) with company match.
Paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and company holidays, offering flexibility for creative downtime and personal needs.
Professional development opportunities, such as access to training programs, workshops, or conference attendance to stay current with design trends and technologies.
Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.
Employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives.
Access to company-wide resources and potential discounts on products or services.

Working Hours: Full-time position, typically requiring standard business hours. The nature of digital media may occasionally require flexibility for deadlines or urgent projects, but the role generally supports a structured work schedule to facilitate collaboration across teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary information was not provided in the original data. The estimated range is based on publicly available salary data for similar roles (Digital Design Director) in the specified location (New York, NY) and industry (Media/Publishing) for a company of Hearst's size and reputation. Benefits listed are standard for a large corporation in the US, tailored with design-relevant aspects like professional development.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Media Production. Hearst is a diversified media, information, and services company with significant holdings in television, digital media, magazines, and more. This context means the design team operates within a dynamic, content-driven environment focused on delivering engaging experiences to large audiences.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees. Working within a large organization like Hearst means the design team is part of a broader corporate structure with established processes, resources, and opportunities for cross-brand collaboration. It implies a degree of specialization within teams but also potential for large-scale impact.

Founded: Hearst was founded in 1887. Its long history indicates a well-established company with a strong legacy in media, which likely influences its corporate culture and approach to digital innovation while respecting traditional publishing values.

Team Structure:

The Digital Design Director reports to the Creative Director, suggesting a clear leadership hierarchy within the creative department.
Collaboration is key, working closely with art, photo, video, social, and editorial teams, indicating a highly integrated and cross-functional creative workflow.
The role likely involves managing or mentoring a team of digital designers or working closely with design resources allocated to Oprah Daily.

Methodology:

Given the media context, the design process likely involves rapid iteration and responsiveness to editorial calendars and trending topics.
Emphasis is likely placed on creating visually appealing and accessible content optimized for quick consumption across various digital platforms.
Collaboration tools and streamlined workflows are probably utilized to facilitate efficient design production and handoff to editorial and development teams.

Company Website: https://www.hearst.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Company information and team structure are inferred from the provided data about Hearst and the nature of a Digital Design Director role within a media brand. The methodology reflects typical workflows and priorities in digital publishing, emphasizing speed, collaboration, and multi-platform optimization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This is a Director-level position, indicating a senior role with significant responsibility for leading the digital visual output for a specific brand (Oprah Daily). It sits above mid-level designer roles and involves strategic input and team leadership.

Reporting Structure: Reporting to the Creative Director positions this role within the core creative leadership of Oprah Daily. It suggests involvement in shaping the overall creative vision and ensuring digital design aligns with broader artistic direction.

Design Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on how the Oprah Daily brand is perceived digitally. The visual content created and overseen by this position is central to engaging the online audience, driving traffic, and maintaining brand identity across web, social, and video.

Growth Opportunities:

Potential for advancement to higher-level creative leadership roles within Hearst, overseeing design for multiple brands or broader digital initiatives.
Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas like video design, social media strategy, or interactive digital experiences.
Mentorship opportunities, guiding junior designers and building a strong digital design team.
Exposure to diverse projects across a large media organization, broadening experience and skill sets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career analysis is based on the "Director" title and the company's size and structure. Growth paths are common trajectory options for senior design leaders within large media corporations, focusing on expanding scope, specialization, or team leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: On-site in New York City. This implies a collaborative office environment where the design team works together in person. Given the industry, the office space likely includes areas conducive to creative collaboration, potentially with access to resources like photo/video studios or meeting rooms equipped for visual presentations.

Office Location(s): New York, NY. Hearst is headquartered in New York City, suggesting the position is based at one of their primary office locations in the city, likely in a central or accessible area for commuting.

Design Workspace Context:

The on-site nature facilitates real-time collaboration with the art, photo, video, social, and editorial teams, crucial for a fast-paced media environment.
Access to shared resources, high-performance workstations, and potentially physical mood boards or brainstorming spaces.
Opportunities for spontaneous creative discussions and feedback sessions with colleagues.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time work schedule, adhering to typical business hours in New York City. While flexibility for deadlines exists, the on-site nature implies a consistent presence during core working hours for team coordination and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Details about the work environment are inferred from the "On-site" status and the company's location and industry. A media company's office space typically supports creative workflows and cross-team interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

Initial screening call with HR to discuss basic qualifications and experience.
Interview with the Creative Director and potentially other key stakeholders (e.g., Head of Editorial, Head of Social) to discuss your experience, design philosophy, and how your skills align with Oprah Daily's brand and needs. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and collaborative approach.
Portfolio review and presentation where you walk through selected case studies, explaining your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Focus on projects relevant to digital media and brand-specific visual storytelling.
Potentially a design exercise or take-home challenge to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to execute within brand parameters and technical constraints.
Final interviews with senior leadership or other team members to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate your portfolio to specifically highlight digital design projects for media, publishing, or lifestyle brands.
For each case study, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your role, your design process, the tools you used, and the outcome or impact of your work.
Emphasize your ability to design for multiple platforms (web, mobile, social) and different content formats (articles, video, social posts).
Showcase your understanding of brand identity and how you translated brand guidelines into compelling visual experiences.

Challenge Preparation:

If given a design challenge, carefully read and understand the brief, paying close attention to the target audience, platform, and brand requirements.
Allocate your time wisely, focusing on demonstrating your design process and rationale in addition to the final output.
Be prepared to explain your design decisions, justify your choices based on user needs and business goals, and present your work clearly.

ATS Keywords: Digital Design, Art Direction, Visual Design, Creative Direction, Project Management, Team Leadership, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, Prototyping, UI Design, UX Design, Web Design, Mobile Design, Social Media Design, Video Design, Content Design, Brand Identity, Typography, Layout, Color Theory, Photo Editing, Video Production, Editorial Design, Publishing, Media, Lifestyle, Collaboration, Cross-functional Teams, Design Strategy, Visual Storytelling, Portfolio, Case Studies, Digital Media, Oprah Daily, Hearst, New York.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and interview process is a standard structure for a Director-level design role in a large company. Specific tips for portfolio review, challenge preparation, and keyword lists are tailored to the digital design and media context to provide actionable advice for applicants.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign): Essential tools for image manipulation, vector graphics, and potentially layout design for digital assets. Proficiency is expected at an advanced level.
Sketch/Figma: Industry-standard tools for UI design, wireframing, and prototyping. Experience with one or both is highly likely for digital product design workflows.
Prototyping Tools (e.g., InVision, Figma): Used to create interactive prototypes for testing and demonstrating user flows.

Collaboration & Handoff:

Collaboration Platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams): Used for daily communication and coordination with cross-functional teams.
Project Management Tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira): Likely used to manage project timelines, tasks, and workflows.
Handoff Tools (e.g., Zeplin, Figma): Used to provide detailed design specifications and assets to developers for implementation.

Research & Testing:

User Testing Platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze): Potentially used for gathering feedback on design prototypes or live features.
Analytics Tools (e.g., Google Analytics): May be used to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools and technology stack are inferred based on standard practices for digital design teams within media organizations. Proficiency in the Adobe Suite and modern UI/prototyping tools is crucial, as are collaboration and handoff tools for working with diverse teams.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

Visual Excellence: A strong emphasis on creating high-quality, aesthetically pleasing digital visuals that reflect the premium branding of Oprah Daily.
Brand Consistency: Maintaining a cohesive visual identity across all digital platforms, ensuring that every touchpoint feels authentically "Oprah Daily."
Audience Engagement: Designing visuals that are not only beautiful but also effective in capturing attention, driving interaction, and resonating with the target audience.
Collaboration: A highly collaborative environment where design works closely with editorial, photo, video, and social teams to achieve shared goals and produce integrated content.

Collaboration Style:

Regular cross-functional meetings and brainstorming sessions to align on content plans and visual strategies.
Iterative feedback loops between design and content teams to refine visuals and ensure they support the narrative effectively.
A fast-paced, responsive collaboration style driven by editorial deadlines and the dynamic nature of digital media.

📝 Enhancement Note: Design values and collaboration style are inferred based on the company's industry (media), the specific brand (Oprah Daily, which has a strong, recognizable identity), and the explicit mention of collaboration with multiple creative teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

Maintaining a consistent and elevated visual identity across a wide range of digital formats and platforms (web, social, video, email) while adapting to each platform's unique requirements.
Balancing creative vision with the need for rapid production cycles inherent in digital publishing.
Staying ahead of evolving digital design trends and platform changes to keep Oprah Daily's digital presence fresh and engaging.
Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while ensuring high-quality output from yourself and any design resources you oversee.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Opportunities to attend industry conferences and workshops focused on digital design, media trends, and creative leadership.
Learning from and collaborating with experienced creative professionals across Hearst's diverse portfolio of brands.
Developing leadership and team management skills within a large corporate structure.
Expanding your expertise in specific digital media formats like short-form video design or interactive content.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the nature of a Digital Design Director role in a fast-paced, multi-platform media environment. Growth opportunities are typical for senior roles in large organizations, focusing on expanding skills, leadership, and industry exposure.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

Be prepared to discuss your approach to developing a visual strategy for a digital brand, including how you conduct research, define target audiences, and translate brand values into visual elements. Use examples from your portfolio.
Describe your experience collaborating with editorial, social, and video teams. How do you ensure design aligns with content goals and platform requirements?
Share a challenging digital design project you led. What was the problem, your process for solving it, and the outcome?

Company Culture Questions:

Research Oprah Daily and Hearst's overall brand and values. Be ready to discuss what resonates with you about the brand and how you see your design approach fitting into their culture.
Discuss your leadership style and how you mentor or guide design teams. How do you provide constructive feedback?
Ask thoughtful questions about the design team structure, collaboration workflows, and the biggest visual opportunities for Oprah Daily's digital platforms.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Select 3-5 key digital design projects that best showcase your skills in visual design, art direction, and multi-platform execution.
For each project, tell a clear story: the challenge, your role, your process (research, ideation, iteration), key design decisions, and the results or impact.
Be prepared to discuss the tools you used and how you collaborated with other teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored to the Director level and the specific context of a digital media brand. Questions focus on strategic thinking, collaboration, leadership, and portfolio presentation relevant to the role's requirements.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

Submit your application through this link, providing all requested information and documents.
Carefully review and refine your digital design portfolio, ensuring it highlights projects relevant to media, publishing, or lifestyle brands and clearly articulates your process and impact through detailed case studies.
Update your resume to specifically target this Digital Design Director role, using relevant ATS keywords and emphasizing your leadership experience, digital design skills, and experience collaborating with cross-functional creative teams.
Prepare for the interview process by practicing articulating your design process, leadership approach, and portfolio case studies. Research Oprah Daily and Hearst extensively to understand their brand, audience, and digital strategy.
Be ready to discuss your experience with specific design tools mentioned in the job description and how you stay current with digital design trends and technologies.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and design industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Digital Design Director, Oprah Daily