Job Description

At Vintage, we are dedicated to bold publishing. Our books encourage all sorts of readers all over the world to think differently in big and small ways. We make a book the best of its kind, with publishing expertise and world-class design.

Vintage publishes a broad portfolio of award-winning and bestselling titles across fiction, non-fiction, poetry and graphic novels. Some of the UK’s oldest and most prestigious imprints make up Vintage publishing, including Chatto & Windus and Jonathan Cape, The Bodley Head, Harvill, and Vintage Classics with its distinctive red spine design. Vintage is part of Penguin Random House UK.

Vintage authors include Margaret Atwood, Rory Stewart, Nigella Lawson, Jo Nesbo, Abir Mukherjee, Ocean Vuong and Gabrielle Zevin.

The role

As Senior Designer, you will take responsibility for the full design process of titles across our list, from early concept development and visual research through to artwork delivery and sales materials. You will lead projects independently, commission illustrators and creatives, and work closely with colleagues in Editorial, Production, and Sales to ensure each book meets its creative vision, market positioning and commercial goals.

This role suits someone who thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on environment, is confident presenting ideas, and combines big-picture creative thinking with strong technical expertise and attention to detail.

Key responsibilities:

• Deliver high-quality, creative design across a range of titles, ensuring they meet bespoke creative and commercial briefs.
• Lead design projects from pitch stage through to print, managing your own schedules and budgets.
• Establish and develop visual concepts for each book, considering readership, market trends, format and design positioning.
• Commission illustrators, designers and other creative contributors, nurturing and guiding their work.
• Art-direct photoshoots where required and collaborate with photographers, stylists and other creatives.
• Partner closely with Editorial and Production teams throughout all stages, ensuring strong communication and aligned decision-making.
• Present ideas and contribute proactively to creative meetings, researching and identifying new design trends, concepts and opportunities.
• Ensure the timely delivery of design materials
• Maintain and grow a wide network of illustrators, freelancers, agents, photographers and image libraries.
• Support and offer guidance to junior team members where needed.

What you’ll bring

Essential criteria:

• A proven track record of producing outstanding book design across a broad range of styles.
• Excellent typographic and layout skills, with a strong creative eye and a highly polished portfolio.
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign and Photoshop.
• A deep understanding of print processes, production considerations and how to balance creative ambition with budget and schedule constraints.
• Experience commissioning illustrators, photographers, stylists and external creatives.
• Confident communication skills with the ability to present ideas clearly, collaborate effectively and engage with stakeholders across all levels.
• Strong project-management skills with the ability to prioritise, problem-solve and meet deadlines.
• Commercial awareness and a clear understanding of the publishing market.
• Flexibility, resilience and a proactive, solutions-focused approach to creative challenges.
• An interest in sustainability and a commitment to thoughtful, responsible design choices.

Disability Confident

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 with, for us to support your request.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 4th of September 2026.

Please also upload up to 5 examples of previous cover designs in your portfolio.

Here at Vintage, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team.

We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.

Use of AI tools

Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team.

We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognize AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.

Disability Confident

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 with, for us to support your request.

Salary

£35,000 - £40,000, dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

Hybrid working

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 you will work from our Embassy Gardens office a minimum of two days per week.

Additional Information

Disclosure requirements pertaining to the collection of your personal data:

Responsible for processing the information provided in your application is the company specified in the job advertisement, with its registered office as indicated. The company processes your data for the purpose of establishing an employment relationship on the basis of Art. 6 (1) b GDPR / Section 26 (1) sentence 1 BDSG.

The retention period for your data is determined by the statutory time limits applicable in the respective country, beginning upon completion of the recruitment process. You can find these here

You can contact the company’s Data Protection Officer at the above-mentioned postal address.

Further information on data protection and your rights can be found here

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