Fast Facts

Sourcebooks is seeking a Design Manager with a creative and operational mindset to oversee the cover production process and lead a talented design team, enhancing collaboration across departments and ensuring high standards in book design.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include leading the design team, managing cover production processes, collaborating with various departments, overseeing art licensing, maintaining workflows, and ensuring quality control.

Skills: Candidates should have 8+ years in book/graphic design, expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, and strong project management skills, with an emphasis on creativity and operational efficiency.

Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include proven leadership experience, a strong understanding of print production processes, and an ability to stay current with design trends.

Location: This position can be hybrid in Naperville, IL, or New York City, and is also available fully remote in select states including AZ, CT, IL, LA, MA, MD, MN, NJ, NY, NV, OR, PA, TN, TX, WA, and WI.

Compensation: $75000 - $90000 / Annually

Who We Are

Sourcebooks is a fast-growing, entrepreneurial publishing company on a mission to change lives through books. As an industry leader in author-driven, data-informed publishing, we are passionate about putting authors and readers first. Our collaborative, fast-paced team thrives on innovation, agility, and bringing high-quality books to market. If you’re excited about the future of publishing and love working in a dynamic, creative environment, Sourcebooks is the place for you!

This position can be hybrid in Naperville, IL or New York City, or fully remote in the following states ONLY: AZ, CT, IL, LA, MA, MD, MN, NJ, NY, NV, OR, PA, TN, TX, WA, and WI.

The salary range provided is for the position is $75,000 - $90,000 for the Chicagoland area. 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

As Design Manager, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the full cover production process, ensuring flawless execution, efficiency, and high design standards. You’ll lead and mentor a talented team including designers and art buyers, optimizing workflows and collaborating across departments to bring market-competitive, visually compelling covers to life.

This role requires a growth mindset and deep collaboration and is perfect for someone who loves balancing creativity with operational efficiency and cost management.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and mentor an internal design team, fostering growth, innovation, and creative excellence.
Take ownership of the cover production process, ensuring files are delivered error-free, on time, and optimized for manufacturing.
Be deeply collaborative, working across departments—including Art Directors, Creative Directors, Editorial, Marketing, Manufacturing and Production—to ensure design consistency and efficiency.
Manage art licensing and contract management, overseeing freelance resources and art vendors as needed, providing clear direction and feedback.
Maintain structured workflows, ensuring agility in shifting priorities and schedules.
Check the/for data, tracking efficiency, error rates, and cost-effectiveness to drive workflow improvements.
Optimize cover production processes to balance creativity, brand consistency, and cost-effectiveness.
Ensure that all author and agent feedback is incorporated while maintaining production efficiency.
Oversee quality control measures, conducting final reviews and approving proofs before printing.
Stay curious and engaged, keeping up with design trends, typography innovations, and new printing technologies.

What You Bring

8+ years of experience in book and/or graphic design, with proven leadership skills. Management experience preferred but not required.
Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and strong understanding of file setup for print production processes including advanced printing specs.
Exceptional project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Strong understanding of brand consistency, consumer engagement, and market trends.
Ability to be deeply collaborative, working across departments to execute seamless design-to-production workflows.
A growth mindset, always learning and staying ahead of design and technology innovations.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, salary requirements and portfolio along with a cover letter detailing your experience and interest in this role. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.

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.

Sourcebooks values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

Publishing Innovation EdTech Jobs

Design Manager