Print Desk Designer (Contract)

The Washington Post is seeking a creative, collaborative and deadline-driven Print Desk Designer to help shape our daily and weekly print editions through Nov. 30.

This contract role is an opportunity to help produce visually compelling print journalism at one of the world’s leading news organizations. Print Desk Designers work across news and features products, including themed sections and standalone special editions, helping bring stories to life through thoughtful layout, strong visual hierarchy and sharp presentation.

We are looking for a designer with excellent news judgment, a sophisticated eye for typography and layout, and the ability to work quickly and collaboratively under deadline pressure. The ideal candidate is adaptable, eager to learn new tools and committed to maintaining the highest visual and editorial standards across all print products.

This contract position can either be based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom or performed remotely from another location in the U.S. Print Desk Designers work 37.5 hours per week; schedules typically include some Eastern Time evening shifts and at least one weekend day.

What Motivates You: 

• You are passionate about the craft of print design and visual storytelling. 

• You thrive in fast-paced production environments and enjoy solving problems under deadline pressure. 

• You care deeply about presentation, clarity and the reader experience. 

• You enjoy collaborating with editors, designers and production teams. 

• You are energized by experimenting with new tools and workflows. 

How You’ll Support the Mission: 

• Use The Post’s content management systems and design tools to adapt edited text, photography and graphics across print products. 

• Design visually compelling pages and story packages for daily and weekly print editions, as well as special sections. 

• Collaborate with print editors and fellow designers to execute strong, cohesive visual storytelling. 

• Maintain high standards for accuracy, tone and brand consistency across all print products. 

• Contribute ideas for improving workflows, presentation and the overall print experience. 

• Work efficiently under tight deadlines while balancing multiple assignments. 

The Skills and Experiences You Bring: 

• A portfolio demonstrating excellence in print news or magazine design. 

• Typography, layout and visual storytelling skills. 

• Strong news judgment and an understanding of how design shapes the reader experience. 

• Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively in a deadline-driven work environment. 

• Comfort learning and adapting to new technologies and production workflows. 

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. 

• Prior experience with Méthode, Roxen and Adobe Creative Suite are big plusses. 

Interested candidates should upload a résumé and portfolio to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

This role pays between $7,200 and $9,500 per month, depending on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements and the duration of the contract assignment.