Head of Product Design

Head of Product Design Location: DC-Washington-TWP Headquarters Join the future of news We’re on a mission to deliver riveting storytelling for all of America. At The Washington Post, you’ll help reinvent news. Our work is driven by a deep investigative spirit and enhanced by innovation to bring audiences closer to the stories that matter most. About Our Team The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning Newsroom and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales. Why This Role Matters The Washington Post is looking for a design leader with exceptional taste, product intuition, and a point of view about the future of interfaces. This isn’t only a role for someone who wants to manage a design team; it’s for someone who wants to shape how journalism is experienced globally. You will define how millions of people engage with news in a world being reshaped by AI, platform disruption, and declining trust in high-quality information and expertise. You will help transform The Post into a portfolio of products more adaptive, more human, and more essential to daily life than ever before. Few roles offer this level of influence over such an important product category that does so much for the public good at such a critical time for the industry and the world. What Motivates You The Washington Post is in the middle of a fundamental reinvention. Design is a primary driver of how we grow, how we differentiate, and how we serve the public. This is an opportunity to: You like to redefine one of the most important product categories of our time. You like to shape experiences that inform, empower, and build trust at scale. You like to build something enduring at the intersection of technology, media, and democracy. If you care deeply about craft, believe interfaces are changing, and want to work on something that actually matters, this is that role. How You'll support the Mission Define the experience of The Washington Post. Not just how it looks, but how it feels, behaves, and earns attention every day. Set a new bar for product quality and craft. Raise the standard across interaction, visual design, motion, and storytelling. Operate as a player–coach. Lead a world-class team, but stay close to the work—personally shaping critical experiences and setting the bar. Co-own product direction. Work alongside Product, Engineering, and Editorial leadership, with design as a primary driver of what we build—not just how it looks. Invent new ways to experience journalism. Go beyond articles and feeds by exploring AI-native interfaces, personalization, immersive storytelling, and new interaction models. Unify the system. Create a cohesive experience across web, mobile, audio, video, newsletters, and emerging platforms, so The Post feels unmistakable everywhere. Build for trust.Translate editorial rigor into experiences that are clear, intuitive, and worthy of users’ time and belief. Skills and Experience You Bring A portfolio of work that has set standards or redefined categories, not just followed them. Exceptional taste and a strong point of view on product, interaction, and form. A track record of building products people love, not just use. Experience leading and scaling high-performing design teams, without losing proximity to craft. Deep understanding of systems, but equal strength in moments., the details that make products feel alive. Comfort operating in ambiguity and shaping direction, not waiting for it. A perspective on how AI will change interfaces, not just features. Sensitivity to storytelling, pacing, typography, and the emotional arc of experiences. Collaboration makes us stronger. That’s why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week. Compensation and Benefits Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey: Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage Company-paid pension and 401(k) match Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave Nine paid holidays and two personal days 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent Robust mental health resources Backup care and caregiver concierge services Gender affirming services Pet insurance Free Post digital subscription Leadership and career development programs Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status. The salary range for this position is: $159,100 - $265,100 Annual The actual salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements. This position may be eligible for a bonus or incentive program, and a member of the Talent Acquisition team will discuss bonus payment terms and conditions during the interview process. Your story awaits. Apply today! Learn more about The Post at careers.washingtonpost.com.