Penguin Random House UK
Designer Michael Joseph (6 - month-FTC)
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Michael Joseph
Michael Joseph publishes some of the world’s most popular authors. We specialise in women’s fiction, crime, thriller, cookery, memoir and lifestyle books. Many of our authors are household names, here in the UK and around the world. We seek out the very best authors in their field and bring their books to the widest possible audience. We take an author’s vision and turn it into a beautiful package people can’t help but talk about. In a crowded market, our books must shine.
The role
As a Designer you will work closely with the Art Director, studio manager and Senior Designers.
Key responsibilities:
- Creating effective, high-quality designs for a range of titles to meet bespoke creative and commercial briefs.
- Leading on projects from pitch to print and working with the Art Director to monitor and review the direction of projects to keep on track.
- Commissioning illustrators/designers and developing their ideas.
- Keeping on top of budgets and being responsible for ensuring spend is within budget.
- Read and analyse book text.
- Planning and management of schedules.
- Proactively researching innovative design and book ideas, identifying concepts and initiating ideas.
- Collaborating with key colleagues across the business, including Editorial, Production, Sales and Rights.
- Effective communication including negotiation skills.
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What you’ll bring:
We are looking for a designer with exceptional typographic and layout skills, an amazing design eye and creative flair, plus the ability to turn their ideas into innovative and commercial packages.
Essential criteria:
- A proven track record of developing high quality concepts and designs for book covers across a range of genres and styles, including for high-profile brands and authors.
- Fluency in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
- A clear communicator with experience of collaborating with illustrators and other freelancers.
- Engaged with and motivated by big ideas and the latest trends.
- Exceptional organisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, all with different lead times.
- An ability to ensure that all work is delivered to the highest standard and on schedule – and that all administration and file management is up-to-date and accurate.
- Understand how to create design work for print.
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Application instructions
Please apply with your CV and portfolio outlining your work and why you are the right candidate for the role by 4th of September 2026.
Salary
Circa £34,000 annually dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits. This will be pro-rated to the duration of the contract.
Hybrid working
While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect you to work at least two days in the office.
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