Design Lead (12-month FTC)

Are you a talented and visionary designer looking to make a significant impact?

We are seeking a Design Lead to join our dynamic Brand division on an initial 12-month FTC, to play a crucial role in delivering the Penguin 90th programme of work.

 This is an incredible opportunity to be a part of a historic milestone for one of the most beloved and enduring brands in the literary world. As our Design Lead, you will play a crucial role in the delivery of a wide range of deliverables and events throughout the year, including our 90th Birthday celebrations.

The role

In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop innovative concepts and designs across various Penguin touchpoints, including our website, social channels, print and digital platforms. You'll be at the forefront of creating stand-alone designs as well as leading brand or book-led campaigns that span a diverse range of internal and external touchpoints. 

As our Design Lead, you'll be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the design process, from ideation to delivery. Your expertise will be crucial in leading projects, managing key stakeholders, and collaborating with external creative partners. In addition to your design responsibilities, you will also inspire and mentor junior members of the creative team, while actively contributing to the brand and marketing department. Your enthusiasm and understanding of the broader impact of design on the Penguin brand will be instrumental in shaping our audience's experience both internally and externally. 

As our Design Lead, you will not only be responsible for creating exceptional work but also be the go-to person for design-related decisions and guidance within the wider team. Your insights and suggestions will be invaluable in ensuring that all communications align with our brand, while also identifying opportunities for collaboration. 

Key responsibilities:

• Developing creative concepts to meet a wide range of briefs across the Penguin business.

• Leading in design strategy and approach across all design briefs.

• Utilising our brand strategy to generate effective and innovative creative solutions.

• Interpreting and scrutinising briefs, considering how Penguin's communications work together.

• Leading and managing the design team and workflow, including freelancers.

• Collaborating with creative partners such as photographers, illustrators, copywriters, and retouchers.

• Creating compelling presentations that showcase creative solutions and their alignment with our briefs and brand strategy.

What you will bring:

Essential criteria:

• Expertise in executing high-standard design and typography.

• Strong line management skills with a track record of effective team leadership

• Extensive campaign experience, driving impactful and innovative projects.

• Proven experience collaborating within design, content and brand teams and with top-tier design agencies, freelancers, and partners.

• Skilled in photoshoot art direction, bringing concepts to life with precision.

• In-depth understanding of UX and UI principles to enhance user experiences.

• Exceptional team player and communicator, adept at building strong relationships across all departments within Penguin Random House.

• Proactive problem solver who takes initiative to address and resolve design challenges.

• Natural leader with the confidence to host and steer productive meetings.

Preferred criteria:

• Illustration and animation skills are a plus, adding creative versatility.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV and portfolio by 11:59pm on Sunday 9th February.

• Please ensure you include that you submit your portfolio or website which best represents the scope of your design work as this will form a critical part of our assessment process.

• Please note we are looking for someone to join the team as soon as possible, but we are also happy to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate.

• We anticipate a two-stage interview process which will include a virtual first-stage interview and in-person second stage interview. We are happy to discuss this further with you throughout the recruitment process.

Salary

Circa £50,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus benefits.

What you can expect from us

Our people are the heart of our business, and we work hard to support a culture of responsibility and recognition.

Our benefits include:

• Financial – income protection, life assurance, childcare allowance

• Wellbeing – healthcare cash plan, critical illness cover, health checks

• Lifestyle – enhanced parental leave, tech scheme, free and discounted books

For our full benefits list please visit: https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/what-we-offer/

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 up to two days p/week in our offices in London. We are happy to discuss this hybrid working arrangement with you throughout your recruitment process.

About Penguin

We’re the UK’s largest publisher; made up of some 2,000 people and publishing over 1,500 books each year. Our doors are open to all kinds of talent. In a constantly evolving industry, we work hard to stretch the definition of the word publisher. Here, you’ll work with a breadth of talent who all play their part to make each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone because a book can change anyone.

The recruitment process

You can read about our recruitment process at https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/how-we-hire/

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt-in on their application form. The essential criteria for this role are listed as part of the ‘What you will bring’ section. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview.

We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable to for us to support your request.

Please note, we are not able to accept agency CVs for this role. Any CVs sent speculatively will not be eligible for a fee.

Company: Penguin Books Limited 

Country: United Kingdom 

State/Region: London 

City: London 

Postal Code: SW11 7BW 

Job ID: 277160