Junior Marketing Designer, Random House Children’s Books (Open to Remote)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Marketing Designer

Company: Random House Children’s Books (a division of Penguin Random House)

Location: New York, New York (NY), United States (Open to Remote within the US, must work on Eastern Time)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: October 1, 2026

Experience Level: 1-3 years (Junior Level)

Remote Status: Remote OK (within the United States)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design visually compelling marketing campaigns for a leading children's book publisher, focusing on print and digital materials.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, publicity, editorial, and book design teams to bring book campaigns to life.

• Develop and execute creative concepts that maintain brand consistency across various marketing touchpoints, including web, social media, and email.

• Manage project workflows, including delegating tasks to freelance talent, tracking progress, and archiving final assets.

• Ensure all design outputs meet production specifications for both print and digital distribution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Junior Marketing Designer, indicating a focus on execution and learning within a structured team environment. While not a traditional "Revenue Operations" or "Sales Operations" role, it sits within the broader GTM (Go-To-Market) function, specifically within marketing operations and creative operations, requiring strong organizational, project management, and design execution skills critical for supporting sales and marketing initiatives. The remote flexibility within the US, with an Eastern Time zone requirement, is a key aspect for candidates to note.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design high-visibility marketing campaigns for Middle Grade, Picture Books, and Board Books, encompassing both print and digital assets.

• Develop innovative design concepts for advertising, web banners, social media graphics, email marketing templates, printed promotional collateral, point-of-purchase (POP) displays, and signage.

• Ensure visual consistency and brand integrity across all campaign elements and marketing channels.

• Assist the Art Director and senior design staff in managing campaign design workflows, including briefing and delegating work to external freelance designers.

• Maintain clear and effective communication with internal stakeholders (marketing, publicity, editorial, book design, production) and external partners (artists, agents, freelancers).

• Prepare final design files for print and digital production, ensuring adherence to technical specifications and quality standards.

• Meticulously manage project tracking, asset organization, and daily file archiving to maintain an efficient digital asset management system.

• Stay current with illustration, design, technology, and publishing industry trends to inform creative output and identify new opportunities.

• Collaborate with Book Design staff to source up-to-date book assets and with Production staff to ensure projects are on specification and on time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and operational management within the marketing function. The emphasis on "high-visibility campaigns," "visual consistency," and "file preparation" points to a need for meticulous attention to detail and a structured approach, akin to operational roles that ensure smooth campaign execution and brand integrity.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Marketing, or a related field is typically expected for roles requiring this level of design proficiency and experience.

Experience: Minimum of 1-3 years of professional design experience, with a demonstrated passion for designing for highly illustrated properties and products within the publishing or children's media industry.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.

• A robust portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of typography, layout design, and the creation of effective visual communications.

• Experience in preparing files for both print and digital output, including knowledge of color correction, retouching, and pre-press requirements.

• Ability to develop creative concepts and translate them into compelling visual designs.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with internal teams, external stakeholders, and freelance talent.

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

• Self-motivated and able to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a collaborative team. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with Adobe After Effects for motion graphics and animation.

• Illustration skills are a plus, adding significant value to the creative capabilities.

• Basic understanding of UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) principles, beneficial for digital marketing assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, along with typography and layout skills, directly aligns with the operational needs of producing marketing collateral efficiently and effectively. The preference for Adobe After Effects and UI/UX knowledge suggests an evolving marketing landscape where dynamic digital content is increasingly important.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio demonstrating 1-3 years of professional design work, with a specific focus on marketing materials for illustrated properties.

• Showcase strong typography skills and the ability to create effective, engaging layouts for various media.

• Include examples of both print and digital marketing collateral (e.g., social media graphics, email templates, ad banners, brochures, signage).

• Highlight projects where you developed fresh concepts and maintained visual consistency across multiple campaign touchpoints.

• Demonstrate understanding of file preparation for print and digital release. Process Documentation:

• While not a formal "process documentation" role, candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal workflow for managing design projects from brief to final delivery.

• Be ready to explain how you organize your files, manage revisions, and collaborate with team members and external vendors.

• Showcase an understanding of project tracking and asset archiving processes, essential for efficient campaign management.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Junior Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary evidence of their design capabilities and their understanding of process, even if not formally documented. The ability to articulate their design workflow and project management approach is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits program for full-time employees.

• Medical/Prescription drug insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k) retirement savings plan

• Short-Term Disability Insurance

• Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Life/AD&D Insurance

• Commuter Benefits

• Student Loan Repayment Program

• Educational Assistance

• Generous paid time off

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, likely 40 hours per week. Given the remote option and Eastern Time zone requirement, flexibility within standard business hours is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified salary of $60,000 is a solid entry-level to junior-level compensation for a designer in the publishing industry, particularly in a high-cost-of-living area like New York, even if remote. The comprehensive benefits package is competitive and standard for a large organization like Penguin Random House. The requirement to work on Eastern Time is critical for remote candidates to manage collaboration effectively.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Publishing (specifically Children's Books)

Company Size: Penguin Random House is a global leader in publishing, employing thousands worldwide. The immediate team is likely a part of a larger marketing and design department within Random House Children's Books.

Founded: Penguin Random House was formed in 2013 through the merger of Penguin Group and Random House. Random House Children's Books has a long and rich history within the industry.

Team Structure:

• The Junior Designer will report to the Art Director within the Marketing Design Team.

• This team collaborates closely with various departments, including Marketing, Publicity, Cover Art, Editorial, and Production.

• The structure emphasizes cross-functional teamwork to support successful book launches and ongoing marketing efforts. Methodology:

• Emphasis on creating standout campaigns for best-selling books, series, and brands.

• Data-driven insights are likely used to inform marketing strategies, though the Junior Designer's role is more focused on creative execution based on campaign briefs.

• Workflow management and efficient file handling are crucial for meeting publishing deadlines.

• A collaborative approach is central to developing and executing integrated marketing campaigns.

Company Website: http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Penguin Random House is a highly respected name in publishing, known for its quality and innovation. The culture likely values creativity, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the book market. For a junior role, the emphasis will be on learning, execution, and contributing to a high-performing team under strong creative direction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Junior Designer. This role is an entry to mid-level position focused on executing design tasks under guidance. It's a stepping stone for designers looking to specialize in marketing design within the publishing industry.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Art Director, with potential for mentorship and guidance from senior designers.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the success of book marketing campaigns by creating visually appealing and effective promotional materials. Strong design execution can influence book sales, brand recognition, and reader engagement across various platforms.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to hone graphic design skills, particularly in typography, layout, and digital design for marketing. Potential to learn and gain experience with motion graphics (After Effects) and UI/UX principles.

• Industry Specialization: Deepen expertise in children's book marketing and design, understanding the nuances of different age groups and genres.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to a Marketing Designer, Senior Marketing Designer, or Art Director roles within Penguin Random House or the broader publishing/media industry.

• Portfolio Expansion: Build a strong portfolio with high-profile campaigns for well-known book titles and brands.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized area of design. The "operations" aspect here is in the consistent, efficient, and high-quality delivery of design assets that support the company's go-to-market strategy for its book products.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company headquarters is in New York City, but this position is open to remote candidates within the United States. This implies a hybrid or fully remote work environment for the successful candidate.

Office Location(s): While the HQ is in New York, remote candidates will work from their own home office.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Flexibility: Candidates must be US-based and able to work effectively from a home office, adhering to Eastern Time zone business hours.

• Collaborative Tools: Expect to use digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, email, project management software) for communication and workflow management.

• Design Software: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) is essential, likely provided or supported by the company.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings and communication with the Art Director and design team are expected to maintain alignment and foster collaboration.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours/week), with an expectation to be available during Eastern Time business hours for effective collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the role requires strong self-discipline and effective virtual communication skills. The Eastern Time zone requirement is critical for synchronizing with the core team and ensuring timely project delivery.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume, cover letter, and a link to your portfolio.

• Portfolio Review: Initial screening will heavily rely on your portfolio to assess design skills, creativity, and relevant experience.

• Initial Interview: Typically with an HR representative or hiring manager to discuss your background, interest in the role, and general qualifications.

• Design Challenge/Test: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or present a case study from your portfolio demonstrating your approach to a specific marketing design problem.

• Art Director/Team Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the Art Director and potentially other team members to evaluate creative thinking, technical skills, collaboration style, and cultural fit.

• Final Round (if applicable): May involve a presentation of your design work or a final discussion with senior leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your strongest, most relevant work (1-3 years of experience). Focus on marketing campaigns for illustrated properties or similar projects.

• Highlight Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges you faced, and the final outcome.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples of both print and digital designs, showing proficiency across different media.

• Typography & Layout: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates strong typographic choices and well-executed layouts.

• File Prep Knowledge: Be ready to discuss your file preparation process for print and digital.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design rationale for specific projects in your portfolio.

• Understand the target audience for children's books and how design choices cater to them.

• Research current trends in children's book marketing and design.

• Practice articulating your design process and problem-solving approach concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the cornerstone of this application. Candidates must present work that directly addresses the responsibilities and qualifications outlined, demonstrating not just creative talent but also the operational ability to deliver effective marketing assets.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe InDesign: Essential for layout design of print and digital collateral.

• Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for image editing, retouching, and digital asset creation.

• Adobe Illustrator: Necessary for vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Overall proficiency across these core applications is expected.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly responsible for analytics, understanding how designs perform on digital platforms (web, social, email) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic UI/UX principles can help in creating more effective digital assets.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this design role, but an understanding of how marketing campaigns are deployed via email or social media platforms might be helpful context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, is non-negotiable. Proficiency in these tools is the operational foundation for this role, enabling the efficient creation and delivery of marketing assets.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Driving fresh concepts for book campaigns.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams to achieve shared goals.

• Quality & Excellence: Maintaining high standards in design execution and production.

• Efficiency: Meeting deadlines and managing projects effectively, especially in a fast-paced publishing environment.

• Customer Focus: Designing to appeal to the target audience (children, parents, educators).

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with marketing, publicity, editorial, and production teams.

• Feedback Exchange: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback on designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Learning from senior designers and contributing to a positive team dynamic.

• Remote Communication: Proactive and clear communication through digital channels to ensure seamless collaboration despite physical distance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes a blend of creative passion for books and a pragmatic approach to marketing execution. The ability to collaborate effectively, especially in a remote setting, is key to integrating design into the broader GTM strategy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Environment: Meeting tight deadlines common in the publishing industry, especially around book launches.

• Balancing Creativity and Brand Consistency: Developing innovative designs while adhering to established brand guidelines and campaign objectives.

• Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling various design tasks for different books and campaign types simultaneously.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively communicating and collaborating with a distributed team.

• Staying Current: Keeping up with evolving design trends and digital marketing technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Guidance from an Art Director and senior designers on creative and technical skills.

• Industry Exposure: Working on campaigns for well-known authors, series, and brands provides valuable industry experience.

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to learn new software (e.g., After Effects) and design techniques.

• Portfolio Building: Creating a strong body of work that can lead to future career advancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a great opportunity for a junior designer to gain significant experience in a dynamic industry. The challenges are typical for creative roles in fast-moving environments, and the growth opportunities are substantial for those who are proactive and eager to learn.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you had to balance creative vision with strict brand guidelines. How did you approach it?" (Focus on your process and problem-solving).

• "Describe your process for designing a marketing campaign from brief to final asset. What steps do you take?" (Highlight your organizational and execution skills).

• "How do you ensure visual consistency across different marketing channels (print, social, web)?" (Showcase your understanding of integrated campaigns).

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?" (Demonstrate your ability to learn and adapt). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Random House Children's Books specifically?" (Show your passion for children's literature and publishing).

• "How do you stay current with design trends in publishing and digital marketing?" (Indicate your proactive learning approach).

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to it." (Highlight your collaborative spirit).

• "How would you approach designing for different age groups within children's books (e.g., board books vs. middle grade novels)?" (Show your audience awareness). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a brief story: the challenge, your solution, and the impact.

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize projects that best match the job description (marketing collateral, illustrated properties).

• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss the tools and techniques you used.

• Process Clarity: Clearly articulate your design workflow and decision-making process.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio within a given timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a combination of creative talent, technical proficiency, strong communication skills, and a good cultural fit. Demonstrating an understanding of the publishing industry and children's literature will be a significant advantage.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Junior Marketing Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Resume & Cover Letter: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant design experience, software proficiency, and any publishing industry exposure. Your cover letter should express your enthusiasm for Random House Children’s Books and explain why you're a great fit for this specific role.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest marketing design work, especially for illustrated properties, and clearly demonstrates your skills in typography, layout, and file preparation for both print and digital. Include a variety of campaign assets.

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your portfolio projects, your design process, and your understanding of marketing for children's books. Prepare to answer questions about collaboration, time management, and staying current with design trends.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Penguin Random House's brands, current book releases, and any recent marketing initiatives to show genuine interest and understanding of their market presence.

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