Condé Nast International said Tuesday that Schimel will take charge of the Beijing-based Condé Nast office in October.
The office is responsible for brands including Vogue and Self, which are published under copyright cooperation agreements with various Chinese publishers, a form of collaboration commonly used in China.
Schimel previously held executive positions at Nokia and the cable television company Comcast, and is fluent in Mandarin, having studied in Beijing.
“Condé Nast’s commitment to excellence and its thriving presence in China offer a unique platform for growth. It is an irresistible opportunity,” she said.
Jonathan Newhouse, chairman and chief executive officer of Condé Nast International, said, “Liz Schimel’s track record of success, experience in publishing, including digital, and family ties to China make her the ideal person to lead the enterprise.”
The business unit includes Architectural Digest and Condé Nast Traveler, which are both published by a Chinese publisher through a copyright cooperation agreement. There are also Web sites branded Vogue, Self and GQ.