Media Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Media Product Designer Company: McGraw Hill LLC. Location: United States Job Type: Full-Time (Project Status Worker - PSW) Category: Creative & Media / Education Date Posted: December 16, 2025 Experience Level: 3+ Years (Mid-Level) Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the media design vision, strategy, and workflow implementation for K-12 Social Studies educational products.
• Collaborate with cross-functional product development teams to ideate, design, research, acquire, track, and gain approval for all media assets, including illustrations, photos, videos, sound, animation, and maps.
• Manage external media vendors to ensure timely and on-budget delivery of high-quality media assets that align with product strategy and learning objectives.
• Conduct research and vet primary sources (photographs, maps, documents) for authenticity, age-appropriateness, and content alignment, working closely with the licensing team.
• Develop and implement guidelines for media development for internal teams and external vendors, ensuring consistency and adherence to product strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically a Project Status Worker (PSW) with a defined end date of April 30, 2027, indicating a project-based need for media design expertise within the K-12 Social Studies portfolio. The focus is on the practical execution and management of media asset creation to support educational product development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Media Asset Development: Drive the creation of visually engaging, effective, and user-friendly media from conceptualization to final delivery, ensuring alignment with pedagogical goals and product strategy.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with product managers, instructional designers, content specialists, and other stakeholders to translate educational requirements into compelling media solutions.
• Vendor Management: Oversee and manage external media vendors, including art studios, photographers, and video production houses, ensuring project milestones, quality standards, budget adherence, and timely delivery.
• Asset Research & Acquisition: Conduct thorough research and vetting of primary sources (photographs, maps, historical documents) for authenticity, age-appropriateness, and content relevance, collaborating with the licensing team for acquisition.
• Guideline Creation & Implementation: Assist in creating and implementing comprehensive media development guidelines for internal teams and external partners, ensuring consistency in quality, branding, and strategic alignment.
• Cost-Saving Strategies: Identify and implement innovative and cost-effective methods for fulfilling media asset needs, optimizing resource allocation and vendor selection.
• Problem-Solving & Creativity: Apply a high degree of creativity, visual communication expertise, and problem-solving skills to overcome design challenges and enhance the learning experience.
• Project Tracking & Reporting: Monitor and report on project status, including media asset progress, budget utilization, and potential risks, to key stakeholders.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure all media assets meet defined quality standards, data capture requirements, scalability needs, and alignment with the overall media strategy.
• Student & Educator Advocacy: Champion the needs and perspectives of students and educators throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring media solutions are impactful and user-centric.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on role that balances creative execution with strong project management and vendor relations. The emphasis on "accountable for delivering photo, art, and video assets on time and on budget" underscores the operational rigor required, even within a creative function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), or a formal design degree in a related field such as Art, Film, Audio, Video, Motion Graphics, Photography, Design, or History.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of professional work experience in art buying, media research and acquisition, media development, and project management within an educational or publishing context.
• Experience researching primary sources within archival collections is preferred.
• Familiarity with agile methodologies and their application in product development cycles.

Required Skills:

• Media Design & Development: Proven ability to conceptualize, design, and deliver engaging media assets (illustration, photo, video, animation, etc.).
• Project Management: Demonstrated experience in managing media projects from initiation to completion, including scope, timeline, and budget control.
• Art Buying & Media Research: Expertise in sourcing, vetting, and acquiring visual and multimedia assets, including primary source research.
• Vendor Management: Skill in managing relationships and performance of external creative vendors and suppliers.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Strong working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator for asset manipulation and creation.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for documentation, reporting, and communication.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, with the capacity to articulate design choices and project status clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Creativity & Visual Communication: A strong creative sensibility and the ability to translate complex concepts into clear visual narratives.
• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for identifying and resolving design and production challenges effectively.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy, quality, and adherence to specifications.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Accessibility Standards: Understanding of accessibility guidelines, such as WCAG, to ensure inclusive product design.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Smartsheet, Lucid, Jira, or Asana for project tracking and workflow management.
• Familiarity with K-12 curriculum development and educational product lifecycles.
• Experience in specific media types relevant to Social Studies (e.g., historical photography, cartography, documentary video).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "3+ years of work experience" combined with the specific responsibilities points to a mid-level role. The preference for archival research experience suggests a need for candidates who can delve into historical accuracy for Social Studies content, a niche but critical skill for this portfolio.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Media Asset Showcase: A curated selection of media assets (illustrations, photo edits, video storyboards, animations, maps) that demonstrate creative vision, technical execution, and understanding of educational context.
• Project Management Case Studies: Examples of media projects managed from concept to delivery, highlighting challenges overcome, vendor collaboration, timeline management, and budget adherence.
• Process Workflow Examples: Visual representations or descriptions of workflows developed for media acquisition, approval, or vendor management.
• Demonstration of Research & Vetting: Portfolio pieces that showcase research into primary sources and the rationale behind asset selection for specific educational purposes.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to articulate and document processes for media asset development, including research, acquisition, vendor briefing, internal reviews, and final delivery.
• Experience in creating or adhering to style guides and brand standards for media assets.
• Familiarity with creating and managing project plans or workflows for media production.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a requirement, a portfolio is implicitly essential for a "Media Product Designer." The types of projects and the emphasis on process and vendor management suggest that candidates should be prepared to showcase not just creative output but also their ability to manage the end-to-end media production lifecycle efficiently.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $54,100 - $62,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Medical Benefits
• Other Benefits (details to be provided by the company)

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility given the remote nature of the role. Given the project-based nature and tight deadlines, some flexibility may be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to the role and location within the US. As a Project Status Worker (PSW), benefits might differ from permanent roles; candidates should verify the specifics of medical and "other benefits." The role's project-based nature (ending April 30, 2027) is a key factor in understanding the overall compensation and benefits package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Educational Technology & Publishing (K-12 and Higher Education) Company Size: Large (McGraw Hill is a well-established global company with a significant employee base, likely in the thousands). Founded: 1902 (McGraw Hill has a long history, indicating stability and a deep understanding of the education market.)

Team Structure:

• The Media Product Designer will likely be part of a larger product development team within the K-12 division, specifically focused on the Social Studies portfolio.
• This team will include roles such as Product Managers, Instructional Designers, Content Specialists, Editors, and other designers.
• Collaboration with external media vendors and the internal licensing team is a key aspect of the team's operational workflow.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: The role mentions familiarity with agile methodologies, suggesting that product development follows iterative cycles, requiring adaptability and continuous feedback.
• Data-Informed Design: While not explicitly stated, educational product development often involves using data to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• User-Centric Approach: The company emphasizes advocating for students and educators, indicating a strong focus on user needs and learning outcomes in product design.

Company Website: https://careers.mheducation.com

📝 Enhancement Note: McGraw Hill's long history and large size suggest a structured, professional environment with established processes. The company's mission to "accelerate student success" and focus on "next-generation learning platforms" indicates a commitment to innovation within the education sector. The "Project Status Worker" classification suggests this role is integral to a specific, time-bound project within the broader organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level (3+ years of experience). This role focuses on the execution and management of media asset production within defined project parameters.

Reporting Structure:

• The Media Product Designer will likely report to a Product Manager or a Lead Designer responsible for the Social Studies portfolio.
• They will work closely with a cross-functional product development team, requiring strong collaboration and communication skills.

Operations Impact:

• The Media Product Designer's work directly impacts the quality, engagement, and effectiveness of educational products.
• High-quality, relevant media assets are crucial for student engagement, comprehension, and overall learning outcomes, contributing to the company's mission and market position.
• Efficient management of media vendors and budgets contributes to the profitability and successful delivery of educational products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in media design for specific educational subjects (e.g., Social Studies, History) or media types (e.g., interactive video, motion graphics).
• Project Leadership: Potentially take on more complex media projects or lead smaller media initiatives within broader product developments.
• Process Improvement: Contribute to refining media development workflows, vendor management strategies, and asset acquisition processes.
• Cross-Functional Experience: Gain broader experience in educational product development by working across different teams and projects.
• Potential for Extended Roles: While this is a PSW role with an end date, successful performance could lead to opportunities on other projects or potentially full-time roles within McGraw Hill, depending on business needs and candidate performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a Project Status Worker (PSW) role with a defined end date, formal career progression within this specific position is limited. However, the experience gained in managing media assets, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and working within an educational product development cycle can be highly valuable for future roles in media production, project management, or educational content development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This role is designated as remote, allowing candidates to work from anywhere within the United States.

Office Location(s): Not applicable due to remote status.

Workspace Context:

• Flexibility: The remote setup offers significant flexibility in terms of work location and daily schedule, provided project deadlines and collaboration needs are met.
• Technology-Dependent: Success in this role relies heavily on effective use of digital collaboration tools, project management software, and design applications.
• Collaborative Culture: Despite being remote, the role requires active participation in virtual team meetings, clear communication via digital channels, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Fast-Paced Environment: The description notes tight deadlines and shifting priorities, requiring adaptability and strong time management skills within the remote setup.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (likely 40 hours/week) are expected.
• While remote, adherence to project timelines and availability for team syncs are crucial. Some flexibility may be possible, but responsiveness is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote work arrangement is a significant benefit, opening the role to a wider talent pool. However, candidates must be self-disciplined, highly organized, and proficient in remote collaboration tools to thrive in this environment, especially given the project-based nature and tight deadlines.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, likely focusing on resume and portfolio submission.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion of experience, skills, and fit for the role's responsibilities, potentially including a review of portfolio highlights.
• Cross-Functional Team Interview: Interviews with key team members (e.g., Product Manager, Instructional Designer) to assess collaboration and communication skills, and understanding of educational product development.
• Portfolio Review Session: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, showcasing relevant projects, design process, and problem-solving approaches. This is a critical stage for demonstrating practical skills and strategic thinking.
• Final Interview/Offer: Potential final interview with a senior leader, followed by an offer if successful.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best align with the job description, emphasizing K-12 educational media, Social Studies content, and project management aspects.
• Highlight Process & Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, design, vendor management, approvals), the tools used, and the outcome or impact on learning. Use visuals effectively.
• Demonstrate Vendor Management: If possible, include examples where you managed external vendors, showcasing your ability to brief, guide, and review their work to meet project requirements.
• Showcase Research Skills: For Social Studies, highlight projects where you conducted deep research into primary sources or ensured historical accuracy and age-appropriateness.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle feedback, manage tight deadlines, resolve conflicts, and ensure accessibility in your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• The role may involve a design challenge or a case study related to creating media assets for a specific Social Studies topic.
• Problem Decomposition: Be ready to break down a design problem into smaller, manageable parts.
• Solution Articulation: Clearly explain your proposed solution, its rationale, and how it meets the project's objectives.
• Time Management: Practice working under timed conditions if a challenge is presented.
• Presentation Skills: Prepare to present your solution concisely and persuasively, as if to a product team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is likely the most critical part of the application process for this role. Candidates should invest significant time in preparing a compelling and relevant portfolio that directly addresses the responsibilities outlined, particularly the blend of creative design, project management, and vendor oversight.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Strong working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator is explicitly required for asset creation and manipulation.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Essential for documentation, reporting, and communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Smartsheet, Jira, or Asana is listed as a plus and is highly recommended for managing project timelines, tasks, and vendor communications. These tools are crucial for tracking media development progress and reporting status.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly mentioned, but understanding of digital asset management (DAM) systems or content management systems (CMS) could be beneficial, though not a primary requirement.
• Familiarity with workflow automation concepts within project management tools would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator is non-negotiable. While other tools are listed as "a plus," demonstrating experience with project management software like Smartsheet, Jira, or Asana will significantly strengthen an application, as these are vital for the operational aspects of managing media production and vendor timelines.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A strong focus on making a tangible impact on student success through high-quality educational products.
• Collaboration: Emphasis on working effectively with diverse, cross-functional teams.
• Efficiency & Quality: Balancing speed and creativity with the need for high-quality, on-budget, and on-time delivery of media assets.
• Student & Educator Advocacy: Prioritizing the needs and learning experiences of end-users in all product development decisions.
• Adaptability: Thriving in a fast-paced culture with tight deadlines and shifting priorities.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively participating in product development teams, contributing media expertise to achieve shared goals.
• Clear Communication: Maintaining open and transparent communication with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
• Feedback Incorporation: Open to receiving and acting upon feedback from team members, editors, and instructional designers to refine media assets.
• Problem-Solving Orientation: Working collaboratively to identify and solve challenges related to media production, content alignment, or vendor performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values a blend of creativity and operational rigor. Candidates who can demonstrate a proactive, collaborative, and results-oriented approach, while also being sensitive to the educational mission and user needs, will likely align well with McGraw Hill's values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Project Constraints: Effectively translating creative ideas into media assets that meet strict deadlines, budget limitations, and pedagogical requirements.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Navigating feedback and requirements from various internal teams (product, editorial, design) and external vendors.
• Ensuring Media Asset Scalability and Accessibility: Designing media that is not only engaging but also technically sound, scalable for digital platforms, and compliant with accessibility standards.
• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to shifting priorities and tight deadlines common in educational publishing and product development.
• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong communication and collaboration with teams and vendors in a fully remote setting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Educational Media Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in designing media for K-12 Social Studies and understanding curriculum integration.
• Enhance Project Management Skills: Develop robust skills in managing complex media production workflows, vendor negotiations, and budget control.
• Master Accessibility Standards: Become an expert in applying WCAG and other accessibility guidelines to multimedia content.
• Explore New Media Technologies: Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies in digital media creation and educational content delivery.
• Contribute to Process Improvement: Opportunities to refine and optimize media development processes within the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Project Status Worker" designation implies a focus on executing specific project deliverables. Growth opportunities will primarily come from mastering the skills required for this project and potentially applying them to future projects, rather than traditional linear career advancement within this specific role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Philosophy for Education: "How do you approach designing media for educational products, specifically for K-12 Social Studies?" (Focus on user-centricity, pedagogical goals, and engagement.)
• Project Management Approach: "Describe your process for managing media projects from concept to delivery, including vendor selection, briefing, and quality control." (Highlight your organizational skills, communication, and problem-solving.)
• Problem-Solving Scenario: "Imagine we need a specific historical photograph for a 5th-grade Social Studies book, but the ideal image is unavailable or too expensive. How would you approach finding a suitable alternative?" (Demonstrate research, creativity, and resourcefulness.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation for Educational Media: "Why are you interested in designing media for educational products at McGraw Hill, and specifically for the K-12 Social Studies portfolio?" (Show genuine interest in education and the subject matter.)
• Collaboration Experience: "Describe a time you had to work with a difficult vendor or navigate conflicting feedback from different stakeholders. How did you resolve it?" (Highlight your communication, negotiation, and teamwork skills.)
• Handling Tight Deadlines: "This role involves tight deadlines and shifting priorities. How do you manage your workload and ensure quality under pressure?" (Emphasize your organizational strategies and adaptability.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each portfolio piece, tell a compelling story: the challenge, your role, your creative and strategic process, the tools you used, and the outcome.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the success of your work (e.g., "improved user engagement by X%", "delivered Y assets within Z budget").
• Focus on Relevance: Clearly explain how each project demonstrates the skills and experience required for this specific Media Product Designer role at McGraw Hill.
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is visually appealing, clean, and easy to follow. Use high-quality images and concise text.
• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss the technical aspects of your designs and the software you used.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss specific examples from your portfolio that showcase your ability to manage projects, work with vendors, conduct research, and create engaging educational media. The interview will likely assess both your creative talent and your operational capability to deliver on project requirements.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Media Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the McGraw Hill Careers portal at https://careers.mheducation.com.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to K-12 educational media, Social Studies content, and your project management/vendor relations experience.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3+ years of experience in art buying, media research, media development, and project management, using keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio and preparing answers to common interview questions, focusing on your process, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative approach.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with McGraw Hill's mission, products, and commitment to education, particularly within the K-12 Social Studies domain. Understand their approach to digital learning platforms.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions based on the provided input. All details, especially regarding compensation, benefits, and the exact nature of the "Project Status Worker" role, should be verified directly with McGraw Hill's hiring team. The end date of April 30, 2027, is a critical factor in understanding the scope and nature of this position.

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