Head of Design & Experience
Not Disclosed•Full-TimeOn-site
location_on4, East 64th Street, Lenox Hill, Manhattan Community Board 8, Manhattan, New York County, New York, 10065, United States
Who We Are
Semafor is a global news platform designed for an increasingly complex world where consumers are overwhelmed by too many sources and unsure what to trust. We are building Semafor to enable world-class journalists to deliver reporting and insights with rigor, using journalistic forms that ensure a new level of transparency. Our editors and reporters distill the most important stories from around the globe into formats that uncover the forces shaping the news, explain the interests behind polarizing narratives, and replenish the stock of shared facts.
As a global platform, Semafor recognizes that smart people can disagree. We believe informed readers need to understand alternative points of view from competing centers of power and culture in a multi-polar world. We are looking for creative leaders who share this vision to join us in shaping the future of journalism.
About the Role
Semafor is seeking a Head of Design & Experience to build our first design function and lead the next evolution of our visual identity and experience system. This role will own how Semafor shows up across every major touchpoint: newsletters, digital products, the app, editorial franchises, marketing, campaigns, partnerships, corporate materials, and physical convenings and events, including Semafor World Economy, Silicon Valley & the World, and 50+ other forums and roundtables.
This is a creative leadership role where you will set Semafor's design vision and elevate our ambition while orchestrating execution across a variety of design disciplines. You will bring strong creative judgment, systems thinking, and a proven ability to lead and develop a design function within a complex organization. You will partner closely with peer leaders across Brand, Events, Product, Editorial, and Marketing while leading design strategically.
You must be able to translate Semafor's brand strategy into a cohesive design system that works across screens, stages, spaces, products, and live environments. You will bring the creative judgment to elevate the brand, the technical knowledge to guide execution, and the operational discipline to move ambitious work from concept through production at a high standard and high velocity. The role requires someone who can think systemically and strategically: building design languages that are distinctive, scalable, and ownable, while ensuring every expression of Semafor feels sophisticated, consistent, modern, and unmistakably connected to the brand.
Our Culture & Values
Semafor is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Benefits & Perks
Semafor offers a Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy to our full-time, salaried employees, allowing you to take paid time off as-needed without a prescribed limit or defined balance.
Work location
Work model: On-site
4, East 64th Street, Lenox Hill, Manhattan Community Board 8, Manhattan, New York County, New York, 10065, United States
New York, New York
Key Responsibilities
- check_circleBuild and govern a unified design system across digital products, editorial surfaces, and live experiences
- check_circleSet the creative bar and serve as senior arbiter of creative quality and brand coherence
- check_circleOwn the visual design system for core reader products including newsletters, apps, and websites
- check_circleEstablish design workflows, decision-making processes, and quality standards across embedded and centralized teams
- check_circleManage a vendor bench for motion, illustration, editorial, and experiential production work
- check_circleLead cross-functional partnerships with Product, Editorial, Events, and Marketing to shape business decisions
- check_circleBuild, structure, and develop a design team spanning product, brand, editorial, and experiential disciplines
- check_circleLead the creative system for Semafor events including staging, motion graphics, and wayfinding
Requirements
- verified15+ years of experience in design or creative leadership
- verifiedMinimum of 5+ years of management experience
- verifiedBachelor's degree in graphic design, communication design, product design, architecture, environmental design, industrial design, or related field
- verifiedWillingness to work in person four days per week in New York
- verifiedWillingness to travel domestically and internationally
Nice to Have
Experience overseeing production vendors, fabricators, motion designers, product designers, AV partners, and experiential specialists. Advanced degree in graphic design, communication design, product design, architecture, environmental design, industrial design, or a related field.
Benefits & Perks
check_circleFlexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy with no prescribed limit or defined balance
Similar Job Opportunities
Skills, education and keywords
Skills: Ux, Typography, Information Design, Newsletter Design, App Design, Product Design Systems, Scenic Design, Fabrication, Av, Lighting.
Education: Bachelor's degree, preferably in graphic design or related field.
Frequently asked questions about Head of Design & Experience at SEMAFOR
What does a Head of Design & Experience at SEMAFOR do?expand_more
A Head of Design & Experience at SEMAFOR is responsible for the following: Build and govern a unified design system across digital products, editorial surfaces, and live experiences; Set the creative bar and serve as senior arbiter of creative quality and brand coherence; Own the visual design system for core reader products including newsletters, apps, and websites; and Establish design workflows, decision-making processes, and quality standards across embedded and centralized teams.
What are the requirements for this Head of Design & Experience role?expand_more
To qualify for the Head of Design & Experience at SEMAFOR position, applicants should have: 15+ years of experience in design or creative leadership; Minimum of 5+ years of management experience; Bachelor's degree in graphic design, communication design, product design, architecture, environmental design, industrial design, or related field; Willingness to work in person four days per week in New York; and Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
Where is the Head of Design & Experience role at SEMAFOR located?expand_more
Head of Design & Experience at SEMAFOR is based in 4, East 64th Street, Lenox Hill, Manhattan Community Board 8, Manhattan, New York County, New York, 10065, United States. This is a on-site role.
Is this Head of Design & Experience job remote, hybrid, or on-site?expand_more
SEMAFOR has listed this Head of Design & Experience role as on-site.
How much experience is required for this Head of Design & Experience role?expand_more
Head of Design & Experience at SEMAFOR typically requires 15+ years of relevant experience at the executive level.
What skills do you need for the Head of Design & Experience role at SEMAFOR?expand_more
Key skills for Head of Design & Experience at SEMAFOR include Ux; Typography; Information Design; Newsletter Design; App Design; Product Design Systems; Scenic Design; and Fabrication.
What education is required for Head of Design & Experience at SEMAFOR?expand_more
Educational requirements for this role: Bachelor's degree, preferably in graphic design or related field.
What category does the Head of Design & Experience role belong to?expand_more
Head of Design & Experience at SEMAFOR is part of the pr, advertising & marketing job category on Recrutus.
About SEMAFOR
SEMAFOR operates as a news platform within the Internet News industry, headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia. As the first of its kind, the organization focuses on delivering content that addresses current global events with a specific emphasis on journalistic transparency. The platform distinguishes itself by filtering through the volume of daily information to provide distilled, smart perspectives on complex stories.
The service targets a curious, global audience seeking to understand competing viewpoints that span international borders. By prioritizing clarity and diverse angles, SEMAFOR aims to cut through the typical noise of the news cycle. The company offers email briefings to keep readers informed with concise summaries of developing situations and in-depth analysis.
This approach supports a mission to serve individuals who require reliable, balanced reporting without the clutter often found in traditional media. The platform's structure is designed to facilitate informed understanding of international affairs by presenting multiple sides of an issue. Through its digital presence, SEMAFOR connects a worldwide readership with timely, transparent journalism rooted in its Washington, District of Columbia base.
Browse more roles: All SEMAFOR jobs, pr, advertising & marketing jobs on Recrutus.