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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative projects for diverse book titles from concept to final artwork.
- Company: Join Headline, a vibrant division of Hachette, passionate about storytelling.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28+ days annual leave, generous pension, and discounts on books.
- Other info: Flexible working with a blend of office and homeworking options.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that shapes the future of publishing.
- Qualifications: Proven design experience with strong Adobe Creative Suite skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Who we are and what we do
We were created over three decades ago to deliver the brightest and best entertainment. Story – real and imagined – lies at the heart of everything for us. We delight in seeking out storytellers and story lovers everywhere. We're serious about keeping people entertained and believe our books should be devoured, not left on the shelf. Headline is a division of Hachette, one of the largest publishing groups in the UK, with 10 publishing divisions and over 60 imprints. Everyone here is proud to be in the business of opening doors and minds.
What you'll be doing
We have an opportunity for a confident and capable Art Director, with a number of years experience in book publishing, to join our Creative team for a 12 month contract. You’ll be a key member of our team of highly creative and well regarded designers working on a diverse range of book titles, handling the creative process from initial brief to final artwork. You’ll work closely with the rest of the in-house design team, many outside illustrators, photographers and other designers. You will also be developing great working relationships with our editorial teams where strong skills in conveying ideas and effectively interpreting feedback will be key, and working closely with our skilled production team to ensure our books look and feel as good as possible.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for a highly creative and skilled designer with proven experience, and a portfolio of work that demonstrates all your design talents. You should have a keen interest in working on all areas of commercial publishing, from women’s fiction and literary fiction, to leading sports biographies and popular culture and should have a love for problem solving, possess great communication skills and have excellent abilities to creatively respond to feedback. Strong Adobe Creative Suite skills and an established knowledge of print and digital reproduction know-how is also essential.
In your application, please submit your CV, Cover Letter and Portfolio of recent work (which is in the cover letter section).
What we offer
- 28 annual leave days per year, increases to 29 days after 2 years’ service and goes up to 30 days after 5 years’ (+ bank holidays)
- Generous pension schemes
- Rent deposit loans
- 2 community days per year
- Summer hours (finishing at 1pm on Fridays during the summer months)
- Retail discounts through Hachette rewards
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Eye care vouchers
- Wide-ranging training library
- Development programmes (including mentoring)
- Up to 70% off book purchases
- A charity bookshelf
- An active range of staff-led employee networks that are voluntary, including AgeWise, Gender Balance, Thrive, Pride, All Together, Wellbeing, Women in Tech and religious networks
- Season ticket loans
- And much more!
The role will be based at our London or Sheffield office, with a blend of in-office (3 days) and homeworking (2 days) per week.
Our commitment
Hachette employs people on the basis of their abilities. We aim to attract and develop talent from a base as broad as the world of readers we want to reach, with a wide and representative range of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional and cultural backgrounds. We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, you can let us know at the ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ section of your application. We’ll make sure you’re supported throughout the process.
The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews and undertaking junior roles. For more information visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org
Art Director (12 month FTC) in London employer: Hachette UK
Contact Detail:
Hachette UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Art Director (12 month FTC) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the publishing industry, especially those who work at Headline or similar companies. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work relevant to book publishing. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, bring it along or have it easily accessible online. Visuals speak volumes, especially in creative roles like Art Director.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to their storytelling mission. Tailor your responses to show that you understand their brand and are genuinely excited about the opportunity to work with them.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little nudge can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Art Director (12 month FTC) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio: Your portfolio is your chance to shine! Make sure it showcases a variety of your best work, especially pieces that align with the types of books we publish. We want to see your creativity and how you tackle different design challenges.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for the Art Director role. Share your passion for storytelling and how your experience in book publishing makes you a great match for our team. Keep it engaging and personal!
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to highlight your relevant experience in book publishing and your skills with Adobe Creative Suite. We want to see how your background aligns with what we do at Headline.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hachette UK
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to bring a well-organised portfolio that highlights your best work. Tailor it to include projects that align with the types of books they publish, showcasing your versatility and creativity in design.
✨Understand Their Story
Research the company’s history and their approach to storytelling. Be prepared to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with their mission to keep readers entertained and how you can contribute to their creative vision.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your design choices and how you interpret feedback. They value strong communication skills, so be ready to demonstrate how you collaborate with editorial teams and respond to constructive criticism.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Tools
Brush up on your Adobe Creative Suite skills and be ready to discuss your knowledge of print and digital reproduction. They’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so showing confidence in these areas will set you apart.