Job Posting Title:
Senior Production Specialist (National Geographic)
Req ID:
10156281
Job Description:
Lead print production support for NGM and other complex feature-driven editorial publications. This role would manage high-volume, high-visibility pages that often require close coordination across Design, Editorial, Photo, and external vendors.
Responsibilities:
- Own production workflow for assigned NGM stories and departments from late-stage design through release.
- Prepare files for proofing, prepress, and final delivery to Quad.
- Review layouts for technical accuracy, including overset text, image quality, folios, layers, style consistency, and preflight issues.
- Manage color correction and retouching workflows in partnership with photo and design teams.
- Track corrections across proofs, EIC rounds, and final release stages.
- Coordinate with editors, designers, and photo editors to ensure all assets are complete and correctly placed.
- Support complex pagination, late-breaking changes, and issue close with accuracy and speed.
- Help maintain production standards for files, naming, packaging, and release readiness.
Basic Qualifications:
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in an editorial production environment
- Advanced InDesign production knowledge
- Strong print prepress and proofing expertise
- Excellent quality control and troubleshooting ability
- Ability to manage multiple moving parts under deadline
- Strong cross-functional communication
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting the production of high-profile, feature-driven magazines or other complex print publications with demanding quality and deadline requirements.
- Advanced knowledge of print manufacturing, color management, prepress processes, and vendor coordination.
- Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and adapt quickly to late-stage editorial and design changes.
- Experience working in highly collaborative environments with editorial, design, photo, and production teams.
- Strong attention to detail and demonstrated success maintaining quality standards in fast-paced publishing environments.
- Familiarity with digital asset management systems, workflow automation tools, and evolving print production technologies.
- Experience mentoring junior production staff or serving as a subject matter expert on production best practices.
- Advanced knowledge of print manufacturing, color management, color correction, image reproduction, and prepress processes.
Required Education:
- Specialized training or certification in print production, color management, prepress, or publishing technologies
Preferred Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, Publishing, Journalism, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant print production experience.
The hiring range for this position in Washington, D.C. is $105,100 to $140,900 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
Job Posting Segment:
National Geographic
Job Posting Primary Business:
National Geographic (DET)
Primary Job Posting Category:
Editorial - Graphic Development
Employment Type:
Full time
Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Washington, DC, USA
Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Date Posted:
2026-07-21