At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic graphics team to create stunning visual content for sports and betting.
- Company: Join Spotlight Sports Group, a global leader in media and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health perks, remote work options, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for growth and volunteering.
- Why this job: Make an impact with innovative visual storytelling in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in graphic design and team leadership is essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Spotlight Sports Group is a global media and technology company with a clear purpose, to set the standard for trusted, customer-driven experiences across global racing and sports betting. Guided by our mission to create experiences that fans love, we combine more than 40 years of heritage with bold innovation to deliver award-winning content, data and digital products. With over 400 employees worldwide, our portfolio includes Racing Post, Pickswise, myracing and Free Super Tips, as well as the international marketing agency ICS-digital and ICS-translate. Together, we partner with leading operators, affiliates and media groups to power growth and engagement across the industry.
As Visual Editor, you will lead Spotlight Sports Group’s graphics team. The role will have day-to-day responsibility for leading the editorial graphics operation, while also setting common standards, workflows and priorities across the wider graphics function in partnership with audience, marketing, commercial and B2B. You will oversee the delivery of high-quality visual assets for live editorial needs, planned campaigns, premium storytelling, data-led journalism, print, social, video, B2B and commercial projects. Working closely with senior stakeholders across the business, you will set clear standards, improve commissioning and prioritisation, strengthen quality control and ensure graphics are involved early enough to add real creative and strategic value.
Key accountabilities/responsibilities:
- Lead Spotlight Sports Group’s graphics team and develop the graphics function, delivering high-quality visual output across editorial, audience, marketing, commercial, B2B, video, social and print platforms.
- Assign and assist in the production of daily editorial requirements – including news graphics, premium title images, thumbnails, print assets, infographics, racing and sport packages, and motion graphics – and creative work across marketing, B2B, commercial and brand campaigns.
- Build a positive, collaborative and high-performing team culture, ensuring clear ownership, fair prioritisation, constructive challenge and strong relationships across the business.
- Pioneer more ambitious digital-first visual storytelling, including data visualisation, motion/social formats, premium presentation and creative approaches to complex betting, racing and sports stories.
- Set and maintain shared standards to ensure graphics are accurate, clear, consistent and aligned with Spotlight Sports Group’s brand.
- Work closely with senior editors, audience, product, marketing, commercial and B2B teams to ensure graphics are involved at the point of commission and to brainstorm visual components.
- Support the wider marketing function for campaign activation and branding opportunities.
- Manage our team of award-winning photographers and build and maintain relationships with retained and freelance contributors.
- Manage and liaise on contacts, media rights, and archive material.
- Identify opportunities to automate or streamline low-value repetitive work through templates, improved workflows, self-service options and appropriate use of AI tools, freeing the function to focus on standards, commissioning and creative ambition.
Essential:
- Experience of leading a team to produce graphics, design, visual journalism and creative editorial and hands-on delivery experience.
- Strong understanding of digital-first publishing and how visual presentation can improve journalism, audience engagement, conversion and premium content.
- Excellent editorial judgement, with the ability to turn complex stories, data, racing, betting or sporting subjects into clear and engaging visual formats.
- Proven ability to lead, manage or influence creative teams in a fast-paced publishing, media, agency or commercial content environment.
- Strong knowledge of design standards, visual hierarchy, typography, layout, image treatment, brand consistency and digital asset production.
- Excellent attention to detail, with a strong understanding of proofing, accuracy, data-checking and quality-control processes.
- Ability to balance speed and quality, particularly across reactive daily output and higher-value planned creative projects.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge briefs, shape ideas and build effective relationships across editorial, marketing, commercial, product and B2B teams.
- Highly organised, with excellent prioritisation skills and the ability to manage competing demands across multiple teams and platforms.
- Collaborative leadership style, with the ability to create clear processes, build trust and support a positive team culture.
- Strong working knowledge of relevant design, publishing and content-production tools.
- Willingness to work weekends (approximately one in three) and to work from our London office three days per week.
Desirable:
- Experience working in racing, betting, sport, financial data, news media or another data-rich publishing environment.
- Experience with data visualisation, interactive graphics, motion graphics, video assets or social-first visual formats.
- Experience developing visual style guides, design systems, templates or shared creative standards.
- Experience using AI or automation tools to improve creative workflows, ideation or production efficiency.
- Experience working with commercial, B2B, marketing or brand campaign teams as well as editorial teams.
- Knowledge of Ceros or similar interactive content tools.
We offer a range of well-being initiatives, including private medical insurance, excellent parental leave, a working globally policy, mental health support, assistance programs, and social gatherings. We also provide a pension scheme and various other benefit schemes. Plus, we all get our birthdays off work and enjoy 25 days of holiday per year. We’ve also got you covered with life assurance and exclusive perks like the Star card and our Step Further Awards (our employee recognition program) to recognise your dedication. For those working via the hybrid model (in the office and at home) we’ve made commuting easier with our Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work Scheme. You can also take advantage of complimentary access to our Racing Post Members Club, complete with an Ultimate Membership. We believe in making a positive impact beyond the workplace, and you'll have the chance to volunteer two days per year with our charity partner.
Visual Editor employer: Spotlight Sports Group
Spotlight Sports Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, making it an ideal place for a Visual Editor to thrive. With a commitment to employee well-being, we offer comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance, generous parental leave, and a unique birthday off policy, alongside opportunities for professional growth and creative expression in a dynamic environment. Our London office provides a vibrant setting where you can lead a talented graphics team and contribute to award-winning content that resonates with sports fans globally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Visual Editor
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We think you need these skills to ace Visual Editor
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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 Spotlight Sports Group 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 Spotlight Sports Group.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Spotlight Sports Group. 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 Spotlight Sports Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Spotlight Sports Group
✨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.
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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!
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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 Spotlight Sports Group. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.