At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design strategy for impactful book covers and materials at Transworld.
- Company: Join Penguin Random House UK, the largest publisher in the UK, known for great storytelling.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, competitive salary, and a vibrant office culture.
- Other info: Apply with your CV and cover letter by 25th May to showcase your creativity.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that transforms authors into bestsellers and shapes the literary landscape.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading design teams and creating commercial book covers is essential.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 84000 £ per year.
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Penguin Random House UK provided pay range
This range is provided by Penguin Random House UK. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
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Recruitment Manager (interim) at Penguin Random House UK.
Transworld are looking to appoint a creative and forward-thinking Art Director to lead our Design department. Reporting to the Managing Director, this role will be part of the Transworld leadership team and take full strategic and operational responsibility for our design portfolio.
About our team
At Transworld, we love great storytelling.
We publish the UK’s very best and most-loved fiction and non-fiction. Our authors are master storytellers, commercial giants, and game-changing experts who challenge readers to open their hearts and minds. A Transworld book demands to be discussed, shared, and loved.
We bring our boundless energy, commercial might, and creative teamwork to everything we do. This collective spirit turns authors into brand names, builds debuts into bestsellers, and makes us hugely successful year in, year out. We have been awarded Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards four times and are proud to have published a great many of our authors since the start of their writing careers.
The role
You will oversee and guide the design strategy for all Transworld books, ensuring the delivery of impactful and market-leading book jackets and related materials to the highest standards. You will provide leadership to a high-performing Design department, motivating and mobilising them to do their best work, as well as having oversight of our freelance designers. You will also have the opportunity to bring your creativity and imagination to your own list of titles.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead the design of the division - oversee work of internal and external designers, ensuring a consistently high quality of work for all titles and other design work passing through the department
- Participate fully as a Head of Department in the strategic direction of the company
- Identify and develop concepts and initiate ideas for new approaches and styles
- Take ownership for your own titles, creating industry leading and genre defining designs, within established budgets & guidelines
- Commission and art direct work from illustrators and photographers
- Lead meetings representing the design department (e.g. cover meetings)
- Structure the department & schedule to allow timely quality delivery of books and visual material
- Allocate books to the team members and/or freelance designers according to schedule and skillset
- Continuously improve the efficiency of the schedule
- Ensure accurate & efficient management of budget lines under own control e.g. per title/ freelance budget.
- Plan workloads, supervising overall quality of the team as well as recruiting and training new team members
- Ensure the design team continue to develop professionally & contribute to the best of their ability
What you’ll bring
- Able to bring insight and imagination to how our authors’ works are translated to impactful and commercial book covers
- Experience of setting and executing a strategic vision for a design department
- Experience of leading a high-performing team of designers with the ability to motivate and develop
- Able to manage multiple creative projects and plan effectively to meet deadlines
- Experience of pushing boundaries and being forward thinking in your own design work
- Able to build effective working relationships with internal partners
- Experience of effectively working within the constraints of a budget
Preferred criteria:
- Specific experience of creative design for book covers and related materials
Application instructions
Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on Sunday 25th May.
Please ensure you include a cover letter, as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be no more than one or two pages in length.
Circa £75,000 - £95,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.
What you can expect from us
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 that you will be in the office a minimum of two days per week.
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
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 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.
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Art/Creative and Design
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Industries
Book and Periodical Publishing
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Art Director, Transworld employer: Penguin Random House UK
At Penguin, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and creativity. As a Senior Finance Manager in our Frating office, you'll enjoy competitive compensation, a supportive environment for professional growth, and the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements, all while playing a pivotal role in transformative projects that make a real impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Art Director, Transworld
✨Dive Into the Publishing Community
Get involved with local or online publishing communities. Join forums, attend literary festivals, or participate in panel discussions. This can be a goldmine for meeting industry professionals and hearing about opportunities that aren't advertised yet.
✨Stay Updated with Industry Trends
Follow leading publishing media channels on social media, like Twitter and Instagram. See what tactics and content formats are currently trending. This knowledge can help you tailor your discussions when you're networking or at interviews with companies like Penguin Random House UK.
✨Make Your Passion Visible
If you have a blog or a social media presence focused on books or publishing, use it! Share your thoughts on recent publications, trends in the industry, or interviews with authors. This can showcase your passion and knowledge, making you stand out as a candidate.
✨Hunt for Opportunities on Company Websites
While job boards are useful, don’t forget to go directly to company websites, like Penguin Random House UK. They often post openings there first. Plus, you might find job descriptions that give insight into what skills they really value, which can help you ace that interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Art Director, Transworld
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Writing Style:In the publishing-media world, your writing style is your signature. Make sure your CV highlights relevant writing experiences, whether that's published articles, blog posts, or even social media content. Give us a glimpse of your voice and flair for storytelling right from the start!
Include Relevant Projects:Don’t just list your roles; include specific projects you've worked on that demonstrate your skills in editing, research, or content creation. If you've contributed to a magazine or worked on a publication, make that front and centre! It shows you've got hands-on experience in the industry, which we absolutely love.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Let’s be honest: a generic cover letter is a missed opportunity. Take the time to craft a letter that speaks to why you’re passionate about this role at Penguin Random House UK. Mention what excites you about the publishing-media industry and how your skills align with the job description. We want to see that enthusiasm!
Format Matters!:In the publishing-media sector, presentation is key. Ensure your CV and cover letter are well-organised and visually appealing. Use headings, bullet points, and a clean layout. This isn't just about aesthetics — it shows your attention to detail and professionalism, which we really appreciate at Penguin Random House UK.
How to prepare for a job interview at Penguin Random House UK
✨Know Your Stuff: Be Ready on Industry Trends
Get yourself clued up on the latest trends in the publishing-media world. Think about how digital transformation is impacting the industry, and be ready to chat about relevant examples. This shows you're not just passionate but also informed!
✨Showcase Your Creativity with a Portfolio
Bring along a portfolio that showcases your writing, editing, or design work. Since it’s a full-time role, they’ll want to see how your style fits their brand at Penguin Random House UK. Tailor your presentation to their projects for maximum impact.
✨Brush Up on Editing Techniques
Expect some technical questions about editing styles, proofing techniques, and style guides. They might ask you to solve a practical problem or provide feedback on a piece—know the tools and software commonly used in the industry, and be prepared to discuss them!
✨Express Your Passion for Storytelling
In the publishing-media field, storytelling is key. Be ready to discuss what stories inspire you and why you want to join the team at Penguin Random House UK. Let your enthusiasm shine through; they want to know you're genuinely interested in contributing to their narratives!
