Senior Designer, Vintage ( 12-month-FTC)

Senior Designer, Vintage ( 12-month-FTC)

Full-Time 35000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead creative design projects for bestselling books from concept to print.
  • Company: Join Vintage, a bold publishing house under Penguin Random House UK.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on creativity and sustainability.
  • Why this job: Make your mark in the literary world with award-winning authors and innovative designs.
  • Qualifications: Proven book design experience and strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.

  • Senior Designer, Vintage ( 12-month-FTC)
  • Full-time
  • Legal
  • Entity: The Random House Group Limited
  • Compensation: GBP 35000 - GBP 40000 - yearly

At Vintage, we are dedicated to bold publishing.

Our books encourage all sorts of readers all over the world to think differently in big and small ways.

We make a book the best of its kind, with publishing expertise and world-class design.

Vintagepublishes a broad portfolio of award-winning and bestselling titles across fiction, non-fiction, poetry and graphic novels.

Some of the UK’s oldest and most prestigious imprints make up Vintagepublishing, including Chatto & Windus and Jonathan Cape, The Bodley Head, Harvill, and Vintage Classics with its distinctive red spine design.

Vintageis part of Penguin Random House UK.

Vintage authors include Margaret Atwood, Rory Stewart, Nigella Lawson, Jo Nesbo, Abir Mukherjee, Ocean Vuong and Gabrielle Zevin.

The role

As Senior Designer, you will take responsibility for the full design process of titles across our list, from early concept development and visual research through to artwork delivery and sales materials.

You will lead projects independently, commission illustrators and creatives, and work closely with colleagues in Editorial, Production, and Sales to ensure each book meets its creative vision, market positioning and commercial goals.

This role suits someone who thrives in a fast-paced, hands‑on environment, is confident presenting ideas, and combines big-picture creative thinking with strong technical expertise and attention to detail.

Key responsibilities

  • Deliver high-quality, creative design across a range of titles, ensuring they meet bespoke creative and commercial briefs.
  • Lead design projects from pitch stage through to print, managing your own schedules and budgets.
  • Establish and develop visual concepts for each book, considering readership, market trends, format and design positioning.
  • Commission illustrators, designers and other creative contributors, nurturing and guiding their work.
  • Art‑direct photoshoots where required and collaborate with photographers, stylists and other creatives.
  • Partner closely with Editorial and Production teams throughout all stages, ensuring strong communication and aligned decision‑making.
  • Present ideas and contribute proactively to creative meetings, researching and identifying new design trends, concepts and opportunities.
  • Ensure the timely delivery of design materials
  • Maintain and grow a wide network of illustrators, freelancers, agents, photographers and image libraries.
  • Support and offer guidance to junior team members where needed.
  • What you’ll bring
  • A proven track record of producing outstanding book design across a broad range of styles.
  • Excellent typographic and layout skills, with a strong creative eye and a highly polished portfolio.
  • Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly In Design and Photoshop.
  • A deep understanding of print processes, production considerations and how to balance creative ambition with budget and schedule constraints.
  • Experience commissioning illustrators, photographers, stylists and external creatives.
  • Confident communication skills with the ability to present ideas clearly, collaborate effectively and engage with stakeholders across all levels.
  • Strong project‑management skills with the ability to prioritise, problem‑solve and meet deadlines.
  • Commercial awareness and a clear understanding of the publishing market.
  • Flexibility, resilience and a proactive, solutions‑focused approach to creative challenges.
  • An interest in sustainability and a commitment to thoughtful, responsible design choices.
  • Disability Confident

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’ll 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 [emailprotected].

Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable with, for us to support your request.

£35,000 - £40,000, dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

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 you will work from our Embassy Gardens office a minimum of two days per week.

Disclosure requirements pertaining to the collection of your personal data:

Responsible for processing the information provided in your application is the company specified in the job advertisement, with its registered office as indicated.

The company processes your data for the purpose of establishing an employment relationship on the basis of Art. 6 (1) b GDPR / Section 26 (1) sentence 1 BDSG.

The retention period for your data is determined by the statutory time limits applicable in the respective country, beginning upon completion of the recruitment process.

You can find these here .

You can contact the company’s Data Protection Officer at the above-mentioned postal address.

Further information on data protection and your rights can be found here .

  • Job Location
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr

Senior Designer, Vintage ( 12-month-FTC) employer: Bertelsmann-Jobs

At our Frating, Essex location, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers employees to thrive. As a Scrum Master, you'll not only drive AGILE practices but also benefit from flexible working hours, competitive compensation, and a commitment to employee growth through continuous improvement initiatives. Join us in creating meaningful change while enjoying the support of a Disability Confident Committed organisation that values diversity and inclusion.

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Contact Details:

Bertelsmann-Jobs Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Designer, Vintage ( 12-month-FTC)

Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio

As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.

Get Involved in Design Meetups

Networking is key in the design world! Check out local design meetups or workshops where you can connect with other creatives and potential employers. This is a goldmine for finding unadvertised job openings at companies like Bertelsmann-Jobs.

Tailor Your Applications

When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Bertelsmann-Jobs, don’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your application highlights specific projects or styles that align with their brand image, showing that you’re a perfect fit for their team.

Leverage Social Media

Don't underestimate the power of social media in landing your dream design job! Share your work on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, and engage with accounts from your desired companies—this could put you on their radar before they start hiring.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Designer, Vintage ( 12-month-FTC)

Book Design
Creative Concept Development
Visual Research
Adobe Creative Suite
InDesign
Photoshop
Typographic Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your visual CV! Make sure to include a link to your best design projects that showcase your creativity and versatility. Tailor it to include works that relate to the kind of design work Bertelsmann-Jobs does, so they can see you in action.

Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV, highlight your design skills and software proficiencies, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Mention any relevant experience you have with branding, UI/UX design, or typography, as we want to see how you fit in with the creative team at Bertelsmann-Jobs.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Bertelsmann-Jobs. Let us know how you approach your design projects and any specific campaigns or themes that resonate with you, showing we’re not just a good fit but a perfect match!

Highlight Collaboration Skills:As a graphic designer, you often work with various teams and stakeholders. In your application, mention experiences where you've collaborated with others to bring a project to life, whether it's with clients, writers, or developers. This shows you can thrive in a team environment, which is key at Bertelsmann-Jobs.

How to prepare for a job interview at Bertelsmann-Jobs

Get Your Portfolio Ready

Your portfolio is your secret weapon in graphic design interviews! Make sure it's showing off your best work, with a variety of styles and projects that highlight different skills — from branding to digital illustration. Be prepared to talk through each piece, focusing on your creative process and the tools you used.

Know Your Design Tools Inside Out

Familiarity with software like Adobe Creative Suite is a must! Brush up on your skills with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as interviewers might dive into specific technical questions or ask for your workflow. If you’ve worked with any innovative tools or techniques, don't hesitate to showcase that expertise!

Prepare for Design Challenges

Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.

Passion Counts

For a full-time position, showing genuine enthusiasm for design is key! Talk about your inspirations, the projects you're excited about, and why you're drawn to Bertelsmann-Jobs. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.