At a Glance
- Tasks: Create stunning book covers and interiors for children's fiction, collaborating with a creative team.
- Company: Join Simon & Schuster, a leading name in children's publishing.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £31,000, plus opportunities for growth and creativity.
- Other info: Dynamic, inclusive workplace with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's literature while honing your design skills.
- Qualifications: 3-4 years of design experience and a passion for storytelling.
The predicted salary is between 31000 - 31000 £ per year.
This is a creative position focusing on creating highest quality, industry‑leading Fiction covers and interiors on time and to the agreed brief. Including design innovation, pre‑press, and administrative aspects of bookmaking, while working closely with the fiction Art Director and Editors and other Designers to create bestselling books in various formats for Simon and Schuster Children’s Books.
This role is responsible for creating designs from brief to print while working within budget and schedule, commissioning illustrators and negotiating contributor contracts, ensuring delivery to time and budget, while regularly updating on project progress.
The successful candidate will liaise with Production, Sales & Marketing, Rights, freelance designers, and external suppliers, and will support the wider design team with departmental requirements. They will apply in‑house and brand style guides across all design projects, create and support the supply of marketing assets across print and digital formats, maintain bibliographic information, organized artwork, and archives, prepare print‑ready digital files to printer specifications and keep up to date with illustrators, agents, market trends, and competitor activity.
The ideal candidate will have a strong knowledge of illustration, design, agents, and creative trends, strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise across departments and external contributors. They will have excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines and proactive and collaborative approach to supporting the wider design team along with strong creative problem‑solving ability. They will also be adaptable, reliable, and able to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
Applicants will ideally have a minimum of 3–4 years’ experience commissioning artwork and managing creative contributors, experience preparing and converting digital file formats for print production and experience managing or supporting the management of schedules and project workflows. It is highly desired that the applicant has a formal design qualification or equivalent experience within a design environment.
Starting from £31,000
Please apply by attaching your CV, examples of work and cover letter. Unfortunately, Simon & Schuster UK cannot accept applications from candidates without a legal right to work in the UK or who require visa sponsorship. Right to work checks are carried out on candidates who make it to offer stage.
Simon & Schuster UK is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity and gender expression. At Simon & Schuster UK, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all.
Candidates hired for this or any other posted Simon & Schuster UK role will be employees of Simon & Schuster UK Ltd subject to all policies, including the Workplace Privacy Notice, and eligible solely for the benefits plans thereof.
Designer, Children's Publishing Division in London employer: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
At Simon & Schuster UK, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that encourages creativity and collaboration. As a Designer in our Children's Publishing Division, you will have the opportunity to work on innovative projects that shape the future of children's literature, all while benefiting from professional growth opportunities and a supportive team environment. Our commitment to equal opportunity ensures that every employee can thrive and contribute meaningfully to our mission of creating bestselling books.
Contact Details:
Simon & Schuster, Inc. Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Designer, Children's Publishing Division in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow designers, illustrators, and anyone in the publishing world. Attend industry events or join online forums to connect with people who can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work, especially projects related to children's publishing. A strong portfolio can speak volumes about your skills and creativity.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Simon & Schuster and their recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your design style aligns with their vision and how you can contribute to creating bestselling books.
✨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.
We think you need these skills to ace Designer, Children's Publishing Division in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creativity:When you're applying for a design role, let your creativity shine through! Include a portfolio that showcases your best work, especially projects that align with children's publishing. We want to see how you can bring stories to life visually!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure your CV and cover letter are tailored to the job description. Highlight your experience in commissioning artwork and managing creative contributors, as well as your knowledge of design trends. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their skills to our needs!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can manage multiple projects, so show us you can communicate effectively right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!
How to prepare for a job interview at Simon & Schuster, Inc.
✨Know Your Design Trends
Before the interview, brush up on the latest trends in children's book design. Familiarise yourself with popular styles, colours, and themes that resonate with young readers. This will show your passion for the role and your ability to create relevant designs.
✨Prepare Your Portfolio
Make sure your portfolio is tailored to the job you're applying for. Include examples of your work that showcase your skills in creating covers and interiors for children's books. Highlight any projects where you commissioned illustrators or worked within a team, as collaboration is key in this role.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves liaising with various departments and external contributors, practice articulating your ideas clearly. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully communicated with others in past projects, and be ready to demonstrate your interpersonal skills during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Experience
Be prepared to talk about how you've managed multiple projects and deadlines in the past. Share specific examples of how you kept projects on track, dealt with challenges, and ensured timely delivery. This will highlight your organisational skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
