Introduction to the role

This is a junior position within the Design team for the imprint HQM&B. We are looking for someone with knowledge of design systems who is keen to take on a position in which they can learn and grow. The Junior Designer will be responsible for creating marketing assets including animations, proof design across all imprints and helping design covers for Mills & Boon. We are open to those with some design experience or those looking for their first role in this field of publishing.

Key tasks and accountabilities

• Designing marketing assets, including animations, for the team to use in sales and marketing

• Creating new, innovative and market-leading design concepts for Mills & Boon.

• Liaise with Head of Design regarding deadlines and finishes to ensure cover proofs go to press on time.

• Adhere to brand guidelines.

• Ensuring all picture permissions are cleared on time and within budget.

• Adopting a ‘big picture’ view of the workflow and knowing when to step in and restart a project.

Skills required

• Photoshop, After Effects, InDesign, Illustrator, Design Degree/course/ some experience

•    After Effects experience is essential

• Experience in cover design or packaging desirable but not necessary

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

• Strong communication skills

• Ability to carry out picture research and clearing of images

• A love of design and books

• Ability to multitask, work on own initiative and keep to deadlines.

• Excellent attention to detail

• Team player

  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

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

  • Subsidised canteen and retail discounts

  • Onsite prayer room

  At HarperCollins, we value authenticity and integrity in our recruitment process. To ensure a fair and accurate evaluation of all applications, we ask that all responses to assessment questions reflect your own thoughts, experiences, and capabilities.  This allows us to fairly assess your knowledge, skills, and experience to determine how they align with the role. We value diverse perspectives and genuine contributions, even if answers are not perfect. The use of AI tools or external assistance to generate responses is discouraged unless explicitly permitted for specific tasks.

  If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to 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.

  Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.