SENIOR DESIGNER, UC PRESS - HYBRID

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Position Base: Oakland
Location: UCOP - Broadway Building

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer Prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world. Learn more about the UC Office of the President

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

University of California Press is one of the most forward-thinking scholarly publishers, committed to influencing public discourse and challenging the status quo. At a time of dramatic change for scholarship and publishing, we collaborate with faculty, librarians, authors, and students to stay ahead of today's knowledge demands and shape the future of publishing.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Designer is responsible for the creative design, production, and management of assigned books for academic and trade markets, both covers/jackets and interiors. Work includes creating original jacket designs and mechanicals; art directing and project managing projects outsourced to freelancers; creating original interior designs; and modifying standard, templated interior designs as needed for special editorial elements. The designer also liaises with vendors (freelance designers, prepress vendors, art evaluators, and occasionally, printers); checks corrections through all proof cycles; and inspects printer's proofs and final books. Projects range in subject matter and complexity from standard academic monographs to trade titles. These may require design attention such as creating original interior designs (writing specs and creating sample pages for a compositor to pick up, or composing entire books themselves), modifying existing design templates, and author liaison, as well as navigating occasional accelerated production schedules. Misc. projects for other departments of UC Press includes working on collaterals such as the annual report, creating cover designs for the Journals department and training of junior colleagues.

Responsibilities

15% Interior Design & Type Specifications

• Interior Design: Produce a series of interior page spreads based upon specific editorial manuscript needs. Produce sample layouts of typographic elements.

• Type Specifications: Generate complete typographic specifications for all typographic elements identified within a manuscript, adapt standard design formats, design and provide specs and suggest changes to the standard design library.

75% Jacket/Cover Design

• Design: Create original jacket and cover designs and submit for feedback. Receive and respond to feedback professionally. Incorporate feedback from key stakeholders into final design.

• Prepare Final Files: Prepare the final electronic mechanical file that is used by the printers in a prepress electronic file. Manage any files generated by other staff designers in order to maintain consistent department workflow and file output. Order type as necessary and make mechanicals for book jackets and paper covers as needed. * Work closely with the Acquisitions department, the Marketing department, and the author when necessary to determine treatments needed for jackets and covers. Provide advice for project editors, production coordinators, acquisitions editors, acquisitions assistants, and authors on a variety of design-related matters.

5% Design Production

• Interior Production/Dummying Pages: Page dummying will be completed using electronic means for designs requiring complex, heavily illustrated page layouts. Must have a thorough working knowledge of electronic page output.

• Illustration Sizing: Determine final reproduction percentage for all interior illustrations (for both digital and reflective art), for placement in dummied pages, within gathered plate sections, or for scattered treatment in the final book.

• Jacket/Cover Mechanicals: Must be produced as the base file to be used by the printer for color separation and final color/image registration. All typography must be composed by and copy fit by the designer from word processed, electronic files.

• Adapt existing interior and cover files for expanded usage, such as print-on-demand and electronic books.

• Art evaluation: review interior art programs and write detailed instructions for their alteration and usage within the interior.

5% Freelance Management

• Determine when to subcontract work to freelancers. Maintain and develop contact with freelancers offering design and other skills and services.

• Manage and alter electronic files, either interior or jacket/cover, or final mechanical submitted by any commissioned freelance source.

• Work closely with vendors responsible for art program evaluation.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in composing book interiors, writing design elements specifications, and adapting existing specs to fit a customized look required.
• Minimum of 2 years or experience building a suite of collaterals befitting an organization's branding system preferred.

Skills and Abilities

Required Qualifications

• Proficiency in Creative Suite applications: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat, as well as basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.

• Knowledge of color proofing and printing methods.

• Experience writing comprehensive type specifications and communicating clearly with composition vendors.

• Must work well in an interdepartmental team environment and be able to resolve complex design problems elegantly, effectively, and collaboratively.

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written skills to communicate effectively with other UC Press staff as well as external contacts. Demonstrated ability to articulate ideas and issues clearly and concisely using proper editorial style and English grammar. Active listening skills to ensure that important points are noted, clearly communicated, and addressed.

• Demonstrated ability to work proactively and follow through on assignments with minimal supervision; ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively as part of a team and independently on multiple projects.

• Proven ability to accept and integrate feedback on designs from key stakeholders and adapt designs as needed.

• Project management and organizational skills to work on and monitor schedules for a large number of projects at various stages of completeness. Ability to work creatively within limited budgets.

• Ability to write clear and concise design briefs.

• Portfolio in book design or a good showing of work in other design fields.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Google Suite.

• Working knowledge of printing and production processes.

• Experience managing freelancers/freelance work.

• Book graphic design experience.

Education

• High School diploma, two years of art training, and three years of experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge and ability essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position required.

Travel Requirements

• No required travel.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person hired will be required to live in California and report to work on-site at UC's Office of the President (UCOP) located in Oakland, CA at least two days per week (currently Wednesday and Thursday).

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title: Artist SR
Job Code: 006102
Salary Grade: Steps TX

Payscale: $38.69 - $45.11/hour (Steps 2.5 - 6, approximately $80,784.72 - $94,189 annual), commensurate with experience

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is October 15, 2026. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

The University of California, Office of the President, strives to make this job board accessible to any and all users. If you have comments regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at: Accessibility or email the Human Resource Department at: epost@ucop.edu.