Senior Designer Children’s Books (Full-Time) in Leicester

Sweet Cherry is an award-winning children’s book publisher and we are looking for an organised, highly motivated and enthusiastic person to join our Design Team. Working closely with the Senior Management Team, this person will lead the visual development and execution of high-quality children’s publishing projects. The role combines creative leadership, hands-on design expertise, and collaboration with editorial, production, marketing and external partners, such as licensors, to create visually compelling and commercially effective publications.

A great opportunity for someone who enjoys fast-paced, hands-on management of day-to-day performance, to start their career in children’s publishing and gain commercial experience in the UK and export bookselling.

• Create innovative, visually engaging and brand-consistent publishing designs that meet editorial and commercial objectives.
• Drive concept creation and visual direction for our publishing list, marketing materials and digital publishing assets.
• Ensure all design output aligns with house style, accessibility standards, typography guidelines and publishing best practices.
• Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines, budgets and production requirements are met efficiently.
• Provide guidance, feedback and creative leadership to junior designers and freelancers to maintain high standards.
• Work closely with editors, writers, production teams and marketing departments to achieve integrated publishing outcomes.
• Work on specific licensed projects, carefully following style guides, managing tight deadlines and using approval portals, such as Mediabox, to lead projects from conception to print.
• Work directly on our Every Cherry accessible books range.
• Prepare print-ready files and digital assets with strong attention to detail, technical accuracy and print specifications.
• Work within a clear annual budget to commission illustrators, reporting back to the Senior Management Team on spend throughout the year.

• Lead design projects from concept to final production.
• Design layouts for print production.
• Develop covers, internal book designs and visual assets.
• Maintain consistency across multiple titles, publishing imprints and licenses.
• Maintain the Every Cherry Symbol Dictionary, creating new symbols as and when required, following editorial and SEND-specialist guidance.
• Liaise with external agencies, licensors, illustrators, freelance designers and agents.
• Review and create proofs and ensure quality control standards are achieved, including that of accessible reading and licensed guidelines.
• Manage design capacity across the team and project schedules.
• Mentor junior team members and support creative development.
• Stay informed about publishing trends, latest software and industry innovations.
• Liaise with the sales and marketing departments, and ensure that their Advance Information sheets and other promotional materials are always up to date.
• Ensure all files adhere to the necessary printing guidelines.
• Collaborate with your editorial partners to shape content, create flatplans and develop visual styling.
• Produce final design solutions. This could include POS, sales material or presentation visuals on top of everyday work.
• Take on special design tasks (e.g. color correction, resending artwork, artworking etc.)

• Extensive experience in publishing or editorial design.
• Advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, especially: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator.
• Strong typography and layout skills.
• Experience managing print production processes.
• Excellent communication, teamwork and project management skills.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating editorial and publishing work.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage workflow efficiently, while maintaining high standards of work.

• Experience with using project management software, such as Stison.
• Have a passion for accessible reading and inclusive reading practices.
• Knowledge of accessible formats, typography and designs within publishing.
• Team leadership or mentoring experience.
• Experience within the Special Educational Needs and Disability community.
• Licensing design.

• Highly creative with strong visual judgment.
• Detail-oriented and organised.
• Collaborative and adaptable.
• Commercially aware and audience-focussed.
• Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

• Training and development.
• Free onsite parking.
• Workplace pension.

• 40 hours per week Monday to Friday; Core office hours: 9.am – 5pm.
• 30 or 60 minute unpaid lunch.

Sweet Cherry Publishing, Units 4U18, The Book Brothers Business Park, Tolwell Road, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, LE4 1BR, United Kingdom.

Permanent, subject to a 6-month probationary period.

20 days plus bank holidays.

Negotiable depending on experience.

Please send your CV and cover letter to recruitment@sweetcherrypublishing.com.

Sweet Cherry is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We welcome job applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experience.