Senior Production Specialist

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