This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Designer to join our gaming team as part of the Brands and Licensing team at Farshore – a division of Harper Collins. The Brands and Licensing team currently work with some of the leading brands in the industry within the children’s market.

The Senior Designer along-side the team will be responsible for developing and delivering a publishing programme focusing on gaming brands for children. The role requires a multi-tasker with a strong understanding of consumer and marketing trends, and a real passion for gaming with an expert level of Minecraft knowledge in particular. Delivering outstanding designs fit for purpose that are both commercial and innovative.  

The Senior Designer will take on multiple titles in different genres, as both a designer and project manager, as well as managing 1-2 more junior members of the team. The role requires an exceptionally organised individual with excellent communication skills that must be able to plan and lead a project from conception to print, managing their own time, freelancers and commissioning artists, whilst working closely with other members of the Brands and Licensing team, as well as other departments, licensors and key stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver commercially focused, innovative designs for books that will inspire and capture the targeted audience

• Be a proactive member of the team, bringing ideas, experience and knowledge to the table

• Be a manager to 1-2 more junior members of the team

• Manage internal and external stakeholder relationships: Publishers, Editors, Sales, Marketing, Production, Licensors, Illustrators, Freelancers

• Project management: ensuring any freelancers, artists or other contributors deliver on time, within budget and to the highest standards

• Play an active role in pitches for new partnerships and brands

• Uphold Farshore’s D&I plan in support of the Company’s policy

• Uphold the Divisions mission

Competencies and Behaviours

• Current/recent experience of working as a Senior Designer (designer level minimum)

• As well as the usual adobe design programmes for print, an interest or some experience in 3D rendering would be an advantage

• Delivering print-ready files set up for translation for co-edition partners.

• Ability to project manage complex projects

• A very keen interest in gaming and in particular Minecraft  

• Relevant consumer, trend and market awareness in order to help develop new commercial concepts

• Experience of commissioning illustrators, freelancers and packagers either directly or via agents and delivering clear commercial briefs and art direction for all areas of the market

• Experience of managing people/small team would be advantageous

• Negotiating contracts with external contributors

• Ensuring final files are delivered on time and on budget –managing others within the team and externally to do the same

• Managing freelance budgets

• Excellent communication and presentation skills – be able to present design concepts, approaches and work in progress to various internal and external stakeholders

Benefits

• Hybrid working model (2+ days in the office)

• 26 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days)

• Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave

• Private healthcare cover and life assurance

• Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal

• Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme

• Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work and Pride at HC

• Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes

• Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers

• Gym membership discount

• Onsite physiotherapy (London only)

• Charitable donation matching and volunteering day

• We're a certified Carbon Neutral company

• Free e-books and audiobooks, newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books

• Subsidised canteen and retail discounts

• Onsite prayer room

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to our Talent Acquisition Manager at stephanie.jemmett@harpercollins.co.uk with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.