Layout and Production Designer

Job Description:

• Develop the visual concept, editorial layout, and final production files for an approximately 80–120-page photography-driven coffee table book
• Develop a cohesive visual and editorial design system, including representative layouts
• Design the complete publication, including covers, front and back matter, chapter openings, longform stories, profiles, photo-led spreads, and impact pages
• Integrate NESsT-supplied photography, captions, credits, impact data, and brand assets
• Create a limited number of simple publication-ready charts, maps, timelines, statistics, and callouts using approved NESsT data
• Flow and copyfit the approved English manuscript and incorporate revisions through formal review checkpoints
• Prepare final print-ready and digital files
• Deliver an approved visual and editorial design system and representative layouts
• Deliver by December 1 a release-ready digital package containing the introduction, ten longform stories, associated impact pages, and supporting front matter
• Deliver by December 11 the complete publication layout, one print-ready PDF, one optimized digital PDF, and organized editable source files
• Collaborate with NESsT and a distributed international team through kickoff, design review, proof review, and final delivery milestones

Requirements:

• At least five years of professional publication or editorial design experience
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe InDesign and relevant Adobe Creative Cloud applications
• Strong experience with complete, long-form, multi-section print publications
• Demonstrated ability to use typography, photography, pacing, and page composition to create a cohesive editorial narrative
• Experience with photography-intensive publications, information design, commercial printing, color management, prepress, and production-file preparation
• Strong attention to detail, file management, quality control, deadline management, and ability to work with a distributed international team
• Substantial experience designing complete, long-form print publications; experience limited to brochures, one-pagers, websites, presentation decks, social media assets, or short reports is insufficient on its own
• Applicants must submit a brief statement of interest and approach
• Three to five completed editorial publications, including at least two exceeding 60 pages and at least one photography-driven publication for a premium audience
• Portfolio details for each example
• Team composition, if applying as a studio
• Fixed-fee budget with assumptions, exclusions, taxes, reimbursable costs, and third-party expenses
• Confirmation of availability to meet the December 1 and December 11 deadlines
• Applicants must be available between November 2 and December 11, 2026
• Preferred: experience with nonprofit, foundation, social entrepreneurship, international development, ESG, or impact-investing organizations
• Preferred: experience designing donor-facing impact communications and stewardship materials
• Preferred: experience with coffee table books, museum publications, foundation reports, premium annual reports, or comparable publications
• Preferred: ability to translate complex social, environmental, and economic impact narratives into compelling visual experiences

Benefits:

• Equal-opportunity organization committed to a fair and inclusive selection process
• Applicants of all genders and diverse backgrounds are welcome
• Remote work arrangement