Head of Publications Design

Key Accountabilities:
Role Purpose: Lead the design team in the development of QM publications to ensure the highest standards of excellence, bringing innovative visual and graphic design skills along with advanced knowledge of print production, and strong problem-solving and leadership capabilities.

Duties & Responsibilities:

- Establish creative design strategies, budgets and schedules for publishing projects in collaboration with the Publishing Director
- Manage the various content elements and sources per publication.
- Prepare design briefs capturing the essence of the project requirements and scope.
- Develop publication design concepts, including typography, layout, format, paper stocks, finishes, binding etc and oversee implementation
- Prepare print specification for book production and liaise with the printer/publisher as required
- Prepare design layout, proofs for review, book mock-ups, and final mechanical files for production.
- Manage the design of publications in multiple languages, primarily English and Arabic
- Liaise with editors to ensure content structure and hierarchy in design, and work collaboratively through the design process to check accuracy of text and images.
- Work collaboratively with editors and project coordinators to ensure smooth delivery of text and images and review of layout and proofs.
- Work in collaboration with colleagues across different departments / museums and liaise with external stakeholders (freelancers, publishers, authors, printers...) throughout the design process
- Present design concepts and solutions to stakeholders and creatively engage with feedback
- Stay up to date with the latest techniques and procedures used in design and print
- Manage files ensuring version control, and proper documentation and archiving of projects in a professional and systematic way
- Mange a team of multiple designers
- Delegate projects and tasks to team members, supervising quality throughout the design process, while encouraging independent problem solving and creativity
- Manage multiple ongoing projects to ensure timelines, budgets and quality are maintained at all stages of production
- Proactively mentor junior designers through frequent check-ins, helpful advice and assistance as needed.
- Provide ideas to enhance productivity and improved processes in the Publishing Department overall
- Assist in the training and initiation of new team members and interns.
- Check and validate quality of received images for publishing.
- Carry out colour-proofing and press-checks, as required.
- Adjust and colour correct images as needed.
- Review all design files for production.
- Take responsibility for the progress and quality of the publication from conception to production.
- Check all inhouse work before it is sent out to clients, check all outsourced work to ensure that it adheres to the guidelines given and meets the briefs.
- Develop and maintain excellent working relationship with key internal and external stakeholders.
- Good presentation and negotiation skills and the ability to communicate design concepts and solutions.
- Brief internal and external designers on their scope of work and provide feedback as required.
- Qualifications/Requirements:

- Adept at computer-based design on a Macintosh platform with Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and other related software programs.
- Strong knowledge of book production and a variety of printing techniques, finishes and materials
- Knowledge in image correction and colour proofing.
- Excellent creative and innovative skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Good presentation skills
- Advanced project management and organisational and problem solving skills
- Ability to handle multiple projects and prioritise different tasks
- Strong interpersonal skills and effective relationship building capacity with clients, partners and internal teams at different levels in the organization
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Ability to use strong analytical and artistic approaches to solve complex design issues
- Ability to mentor junior team members and foster teamwork
- Ability to identify and implement process improvement

Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Graphic Design.
- More than eight years’ experience in designing museum/art publications
- Experience working in a senior design position and leading a team
- Experience preparing project budgets and schedules for multiple projects
- Experience in preparing print specifications, requesting print quotations, colour-proofing, preparing print ready files, supervising printing and press-checks, and technical information related to book printing
- Proof of creativity and experience through a portfolio that showcases innovative use of typography, photography, illustration, and graphics as well as a strong sense of composition and a variety of projects that show versatility in design, format and scope.
- Experience in working with Arabic design is a plus