At a Glance
- Tasks: Retouch stunning visuals for top brands in lifestyle, beauty, and sports.
- Company: Join ZERO, a bold production company reshaping industry standards.
- Benefits: Flexible working, healthcare, and personalised development programmes.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence the future of production.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team pushing creative boundaries in production.
- Qualifications: Experience in retouching with a strong portfolio showcasing premium work.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Founded in 2023 and incubated by The Midnight Club, ZERO was created with a bold vision to reshape the standards of production. Beyond being a traditional production company, we lead industry innovation by setting new benchmarks in how we make through diversity, circularity, and outstanding on‑set experiences. At ZERO, our work is influenced by cultural trends and movements, which impact how we approach and execute production. We prioritise cultivating talent and champion being different. We seek culturally attuned production methods and are always looking for betterment. If you’re excited about influencing the future of the industry and joining a team that thrives on pushing boundaries, ZERO is the place for you.
ZERO is fully integrated within The Midnight Club, serving as their trusted production partner. This close integration gives us a unique opportunity to collaborate directly with the creatives developing the concepts we bring to life. By working hand in hand, we break down the traditional boundaries that often exist between agencies and production companies, fostering a more fluid and collaborative production process.
THE ROLE
You’ll be part of ZERO’s in‑house post team, retouching lifestyle, beauty, sport, product and brand campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands. The work spans quick‑turn social sets and large multi‑deliverable shoots with hundreds of assets, so you need instinct, speed and a sharp eye for what feels premium. The role is based in our Leeds office on a hybrid pattern, with at least three days a week on site.
- Retouch stills to a high commercial standard across lifestyle, beauty, sports, product and brand work
- Build clean, consistent looks through skin work, texture, colour, tonal balance, product detailing, compositing and light shaping
- Apply colour grading across stills in a way that feels intentional, cohesive and aligned with brand direction
- Handle full image sets: selects, clean‑ups, batch treatments and multi‑ratio outputs
- Translate client notes and markups into clear, polished results, offering creative solutions when challenges arise
- Work efficiently on both small sets and high‑volume campaigns while maintaining accuracy
- Maintain tidy file structures, versioning, naming and QC
- Contribute to look development for new partners, pitches and internal creative R&D
ABOUT YOU
- Demonstrable experience across lifestyle, beauty, sport, product or wider advertising campaigns
- Strong, natural skin work with an elevated finish
- Confident in clean‑ups, compositing, plate blends, colour work and stills colour grading
- Creative problem‑solving and a calm, methodical approach to tricky assets and tight deadlines
- Comfortable adapting style per brand and per brief
- Fast, organised and steady under pressure
- Expert with Photoshop and standard retouching workflows
- A portfolio that shows premium taste, consistency and attention to detail
NICE TO HAVE
- Experience integrating CGI or 3D elements
- Ability to build actions, presets or workflow tools for speed and consistency
- Interest in exploring and shaping new AI‑assisted tools
ADDITIONAL COMPANY BENEFITS
- Xmas office closure in addition to your Holiday entitlement
- Company healthcare for yourself with HealthShield
- Assistance programme with 24/7 confidential access as part of your Health Shield plan
- Flexible working scheme – 3 days a week in the office and 2 days from home, of your choosing
- Personalised development programmes
WHY ZERO?
At ZERO, we’re not just making things – we’re changing the way things are made. We believe in a more inclusive, sustainable, and innovative future for production, and we’re looking for people who share that vision. Joining ZERO means being part of a bold new venture, where you’ll have the chance to shape not only our company but the industry itself. ZERO is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. All applicants shall be considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, neurodivergence, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by local laws.
Retoucher in Leeds employer: ZERO
ZERO is an exceptional employer that champions creativity and innovation in the heart of London. With a strong focus on inclusivity and sustainability, employees are encouraged to thrive in a collaborative work culture that prioritises personal and professional growth. Joining ZERO means being part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to shaping the future of post production while enjoying unique opportunities to influence industry standards.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retoucher in Leeds
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.
✨Get Involved in Design Meetups
Networking is key in the design world! Check out local design meetups or workshops where you can connect with other creatives and potential employers. This is a goldmine for finding unadvertised job openings at companies like ZERO.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like ZERO, don’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your application highlights specific projects or styles that align with their brand image, showing that you’re a perfect fit for their team.
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in landing your dream design job! Share your work on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, and engage with accounts from your desired companies—this could put you on their radar before they start hiring.
We think you need these skills to ace Retoucher in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
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 ZERO 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 ZERO.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at ZERO. 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 ZERO.
How to prepare for a job interview at ZERO
✨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.
✨Know Your Design Tools Inside Out
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!
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.
✨Passion Counts
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 ZERO. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
