Introduction to the role:

Harper Collins Children’s books have an exciting opportunity for a Fiction Designer within the creative and dynamic design team.

We are looking for a talented, enthusiastic and dynamic designer, with a flair for design, typography and illustration, and most importantly a passion for design and creativity. 

The candidate will be given the opportunity to work across our hugely successful HCCB fiction list. We publish bestselling authors such as Michael Morpurgo, David Walliams, Lauren Child and Hannah Gold but are also heavily invested in developing new authors and illustrators. This will be a diverse and exciting role.

Key tasks and accountabilities:

• The candidate will need to have at least 12-18 months of cover design experience, working within the children’s publishing industry.

• Good working knowledge of Adobe CC - InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop and a passion for great design. Strong art working skills to provide print ready files are essential.

• Working closely with the design and editorial team, the candidate will have responsibility for developing appropriately targeted and commercial fiction book covers, for readers of a variety of ages.

• Assisting the Art Director and Senior designer in managing the expanding award-winning fiction list.

• Ability to work effectively to tight deadlines and key dates.

• Be aware of new trends, illustrator talent and have a passion for children’s book illustration.

• Have relevant consumer, trend and market awareness.

• Be able to manage design admin tasks (e.g. invoicing/file management).

• A good team player with strong communication skills and the confidence to communicate ideas within the creative team.

• Ambition to make our books a commercial success.

Skills required:

•  Excellent level of skills using CC creative suite

• Strong organisational and time management skills

• Strong sense of design with an eye for detail

• Be able to work successfully in a team

• Good communicator

  Benefits

  • Hybrid working model (3 days in the office)

  • 28 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 

  • Summer Hours  

  • 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 

  • Relocation Rent Support Loan  

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

  • 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 2 volunteering days 

  • We're a certified Carbon Neutral company

  • Green Electric/Hybrid Car Benefit Scheme (salary sacrifice)

  • With Trees for Life we plant a tree in the Highlands of Scotland for every permanent hire

  • Free e-books and audiobooks, digital 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 Recruitment 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.