Senior Production Designer

We are seeking an experienced Senior Production Designer to join our Adult & YA cover design team. This is a hands-on senior individual contributor role. You will turn approved front cover designs into accurate, high-quality full-cover layouts and prepare final files for print and digital release.

This role requires advanced production expertise and demands a high level of attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative, growth mindset-focused attitude. You will lead complex, high-volume production projects, partner closely with creative, editorial, marketing, and manufacturing teams, and help ensure consistency across authors, series, imprints, and formats. You will also serve as a senior technical resource for the team by mentoring other production designers and helping improve how we work.

You would be a strong fit for this role if you enjoy solving production problems, care about craft and accuracy, and bring sound design judgement to collaborative work!

**Applications must include a portfolio demonstrating relevant book cover production, print production, or comparable technical design experience.**

The location for this position can be hybrid or remote in New York or Naperville, Illinois or remote based in any of the following states: Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.

This is an exempt salary position with a salary range of $58,000 - $68,000. We determine starting pay based on a thorough evaluation of job-related factors, including geographic location, market conditions, relevant experience, training, and education. This process ensures a fair and competitive salary that aligns with both the company and the candidate’s qualifications.
 
**What You’ll Do:**

* Lead complex book cover production projects from approved design through final print- and digital ready files.
* Build full-cover layouts, mechanicals, Advance Reading Copy (ARC) files, reissues, and related production materials.
* Prepare and review files for manufacturing. Verify color management, image quality, resolution, typography, and preflight requirements.
* Partner with designers and art directors to implement feedback and preserve creative intent. Coordinate with editorial and marketing on approvals and production needs.
* Work with manufacturing and vendors to interpret specifications, evaluate production options, and solve technical problems.
* Manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining organized files, accurate version control, and consistent quality.
* Mentor and train junior production designers and serve as a senior technical resource for the team.
* Identify opportunities to improve workflows, templates, documentation, file optimization, and cost-effective production solutions.

 
**What You Bring:**

* 8+ years of experience in book production design, print production, prepress, or a comparable production-focused design role. Book cover production experience is strongly preferred.
* Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat.
* Advanced knowledge of print production and prepress. This includes color management, resolution standards, PDF workflows, mechanicals, printer specifications, and specialty print production.
* A portfolio demonstrating relevant book cover production, print production, or comparable technical design work.
* Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and quality control.
* Proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize deadlines, and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
* Experience mentoring or training other production professionals.
* Strong communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and process-improvement skills.

**Why Sourcebooks?**
Sourcebooks is a thriving entrepreneurial publisher driven by our mission to change lives through books. The fifth-largest publisher in the U.S. by print units sold, we bring extraordinary authors to readers in dynamic, data-driven ways, leading to hundreds of national and international bestsellers. Our insight-driven approach has earned us recognition from Fast Company as a Most Innovative Company, a Best Workplace for
Innovators, a Most Loved Workplace by Newsweek, a Best Workplace by Inc., and Publishers Weekly’s nod as “the most successful self-made publisher operating in the 21st century.”. Story by story, book by book, we have changed more than 300 million lives. Join us as we change 300 million more!
  
**Ready to Apply:**
Please submit your resume, salary requirements, and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in this role. **Applications must include a portfolio demonstrating relevant book cover production, print production, or comparable technical design experience.**

Applications without a cover letter or portfolio will not be considered. Show us your passion and creativity — we’re looking for someone who’s as enthusiastic about this opportunity as we are!

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care, Dependent Care, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, & generous paid time off.