Executive Director, Product Design

About the role

The Atlantic is looking for an Executive Director of Product Design to lead a team of product designers and help shape the future of our reader experience. Reporting to the VP of Product Design, this person will set direction for key product areas, manage and develop designers, and contribute directly to the design of our products.

This is a senior role for someone who is both an experienced people manager and a strong practicing designer. You will work closely with product, engineering, editorial, and growth teams to make decisions, move projects forward, and ensure that the work meets a high standard.

The role includes significant hands-on design work. You will lead the design of important initiatives, from early concepts and prototypes through launch and iteration, while giving your team clear direction and useful feedback.

What you'll do

• Partner with the VP of Product Design to set priorities and direction for the design team.
• Manage, mentor, and support product designers, including performance management, career development, and hiring.
• Lead design for major product initiatives across The Atlantic's website, apps, storytelling products, and publishing tools.
• Develop user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs.
• Give clear, practical feedback that helps designers improve their work and grow in their roles.
• Work with product and engineering leaders to define project goals, scope work, and make tradeoffs.
• Collaborate with editorial, photo, video, audio, and subscriber-growth teams on reader-facing products.
• Raise the quality and consistency of design across the organization, including visual design, interaction design, accessibility, and implementation.
• Help maintain and improve design systems, patterns, and team processes.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and represent design in cross-functional planning and leadership discussions.
• Help recruit, interview, and onboard new designers.
• Use research, analytics, user feedback, and editorial insight to inform product decisions.
• Explore new tools and technologies, including AI, where they can improve the design process or reader experience.

Who you are

• An experienced product design leader who is comfortable managing people and doing hands-on design work.
• A clear, thoughtful communicator who can work effectively with senior stakeholders and cross-functional partners.
• A strong product thinker with excellent visual, UX, and interaction design skills.
• Someone who can bring structure to complex work without slowing teams down.
• A supportive manager who sets high expectations and helps people meet them.
• Interested in journalism, media, and how people read and engage with digital products.
• Curious, practical, and comfortable working in a fast-moving environment.

What you'll bring

• 10+ years of experience designing digital products for web and mobile.
• Experience managing and developing product designers.
• A portfolio that shows strong hands-on product design work and clear outcomes.
• Experience leading complex projects from concept through launch.
• Experience working closely with product managers and engineers.
• Strong skills in UX design, interaction design, visual design, and information architecture.
• Deep experience with Figma, prototyping tools, and design systems.
• Experience designing consumer-facing web or mobile products.
• Experience influencing product strategy and aligning senior stakeholders.
• Experience in media, publishing, or content-rich products is preferred.
• Please submit a resume and portfolio. Your portfolio should show your design process, the quality of your work, and the impact of the products you have helped build. Applicants without a portfolio will not be considered.

• This role is based in New York City.
• Salary minimum: $175,000; salary maximum: $220,000