Head of Data Visualization and Graphics

Head of Data Visualization and Graphics

Location: Office-based, New York

Salary range: $120,000-$130,000, DOE.

Role Overview

We are seeking an outstanding Head of Data Visualization & Graphics to lead our reshaped graphics provision across both our free-to-air digital platforms and our premium subscription service, Mail+.

This role sits at the heart of our editorial growth strategy. You will ensure that graphics and visual storytelling:

• Drive reach, engagement and shareability across free platforms

• Enhance depth, authority and perceived value within Mail+

• Support conversion and retention through distinctive premium visual experiences, particularly by expanding the Mail’s award-winning ‘Deep Dive’ immersive storytelling to revolutionize how we showcase our brand's world-beating journalism.

This is a senior newsroom leadership role responsible for building leading-edge, high impact graphics that deliver compelling, accurate, innovative visual storytelling - from breaking news explainers to investigative interactives and data-driven features.

You will manage an initially small US team helping to define how visual journalism differentiates our premium offering while also working closely with the UK graphics team.

Strategic Responsibilities

Dual-Platform Visual Strategy

You will lead the graphics delivery that meets our scale audience objectives, with fast, clear, highly shareable visual explainers and locator graphics for breaking news.

At the same time, you will develop a Mail+ strategy that elevates visual storytelling standards to meet our subscription standards, collaborating with senior editors to ensure graphics enhance depth, authority and exclusivity.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial Leadership

• Set the editorial vision for graphics and ‘Deep Dives’ across all platforms.

• Ensure graphics are embedded early in commissioning, particularly for premium investigations and exclusives.

• Identify innovation opportunities, AI-assisted workflows and new storytelling formats.

• Analyze and visualize data for breaking news, daily reporting, investigations, and enterprise projects.

• Create clear, accurate, and engaging data-driven charts, maps and interactive graphics.

• Partner with Audience and Product teams to: Analyze performance of visual formats across free vs premium.

• Identify which graphic formats drive subscription conversion.

• Improve engagement metrics within Mail+.

Editorial & Production

• Use the latest technological standards, oversee the production of: Data visualizations

• Interactive explainers

• Maps

• ‘Deep Dives’ and long-form visual investigations

• Visual components for breaking news

• Ensure visual output is accurate, ethical, accessible, and aligned with editorial values.

• Maintain high standards in data verification and sourcing.

Cross-Newsroom Collaboration

• Partner with Investigations, News, Politics, Money, Health, Science Opinion, Features, Video, Audience, Video, Sports and other teams.

• Work closely with product teams to improve graphics templates,

• Contribute to audience engagement strategies through visual storytelling.

• Work closely with the Daily Mail’s Photo team in New York and the Graphics team based in London

Person Specification

Editorial & Leadership

• Proven ability to deliver both high-volume daily output and ambitious longform projects.

• Experience working in a major digital newsroom.

Software & Technical Skills

Essential

• Expert proficiency in: Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop

• Adobe After Effects (for digital animation and motion)

• HTML/CSS fundamentals

• JavaScript visualization libraries

• Experience with: Datawrapper

• Mapcreator Flourish

• Infogram (or similar)

• Familiarity with AI-assisted research or design workflows

• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets for data handling

Performance Indicators

• Growth in engagement and dwell time on visual stories.

• Contribution of graphics-led projects leading to Mail+ subscription conversion.

• Delivery of premium-exclusive interactive experiences.

• Efficiency and scalability of graphics production.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating a mix of data visualization, information graphics, and interactive storytelling.

Personal Attributes

• Strategically minded

• Able to balance scale and depth across two editorial models.

• Calm under deadline pressure.

• Collaborative and influential at senior editorial level.

• Passionate about visual journalism as a driver of growth.

Our Commitment

We are committed to increasing diversity and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.