Employee:                  Multiple Incumbents

Job Title:                    Art Director

Department(s):         North American Marketing and Digital  

Reports to:                 Sr. Art Director

Status:                       Regular Full Time
Location:                    22 Adelaide Street West, Toronto

To direct, create and be responsible for the development of packaging for Harper Collins Canada, Harlequin trade Program and Series Core Publishing initiatives from conceptualization of the visual strategies for assigned brands, the design to final proofs utilizing the skills of designers, illustrators, photographers, freelancers and production, to produce the most saleable packaging for assigned products. In addition, is responsible for the visual strategy, creative guidelines and to support execution of all Harlequin’s visual communications.

Please be sure to include your portfolio.

• Conceptualizes, presents and communicates cover image and graphic design for HCC, HTP, series, and backlist publications in accordance with line positioning and subject to agreement with Marketing and Editorial departments. Recommends which cover concept/image is most appropriate and creates the most impact.
• Contracts, directs and supervises the right illustrators, photographers, designers and lettering artists to produce art and design work to suit the specifications of Vision Team. Schedules and organizes the right illustrators, photographers, designers and lettering artists in order to meet production dates.  Develops successful images and designs through critiquing and direction.
• Maintains costs within prescribed imprint packaging model budget through approval of invoices and through reviewing/tracking of monthly cost summaries. Provides input into forecasting annual budget.  Determines the appropriate commission rate for the artist, balancing quality and value of work required.
• Attends HTP Vision Team, Series and Carina Press (if applicable) Publishing team meetings providing direction to Marketing and Editorial on appropriate images that support the brand/author franchise and shares current trends relevant to the design cover. Articulates advantages and disadvantages of image or design under discussion, presents full front cover designs for series brands
• Directs completion of packaging and aligns final approval from Editorial and Marketing Functions. Interacts with production controller and production assembly to achieve results for both print and digital.
• Makes hiring decisions; external contractors.
• Accountable for budget responsibility and achievement
• This position exchanges information, discusses, advises and informs employees within the functional area. Participation on the Vision Team involves interpreting, informing, discussing, presenting and agreeing with people outside the function.  Contact with Heads of functions is needed to make presentations or recommendations.  Furthermore, a significant amount of interaction occurs with external artists and agents in contracting and guiding art designs.

• 5+ years design experience
• Degree or equivalent in Graphic Design/Fine Arts
• Proficiency in a MAC environment
• Strong Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign skills
• Some illustration/fine art experience is preferred, but not required
• Ability to present innovative and creative design solutions
• Attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• An excellent attitude
• Portfolio demonstrating conceptual thinking and creativity preferred
• Project planning experience
• Requires concentration in order to conceptualize designs. Visual accuracy is a necessity with color selections and computer design approval. 
• Strong communication, planning, organizational, visualization, and negotiating skills
• Display interpersonal and organizational savvy, to think outside the box and to be a divergent thinker within a convergent structure.

About HarperCollins Canada and Harlequin

Harlequin is a leading publisher of commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction. We publish more than 100 titles a month that reach audiences globally. Encompassing highly recognizable imprints that span a broad number of genres, we are home to many award-winning New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling authors. Harlequin is a division of HarperCollins Publishers, the second-largest consumer book publisher

in the world. Through HarperCollins’s global publishing program, Harlequin titles are published in 17 countries and 16 languages.

Known worldwide for the quality of its list, HarperCollins Canada is the proud home of many bestselling and award-winning authors, including Esi Edugyan, Heather O’Neill, and Lawrence Hill. It is our vision to publish the best books of our generation and to work with authors over the length and breadth of their careers. Our authors are at the centre of everything we do. In addition to the Canadian publishing program, HarperCollins Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing, and publicity of HarperCollins titles from around the globe

HarperCollins Canada and Harlequin are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to equal employment opportunities. Employment decisions are based on job requirements and the skills, knowledge, and experience of the candidate, regardless of any other factors unrelated to job performance.

We are also committed to ensuring that the accessibility needs of candidates and employees are considered and accommodated during the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.