Job Description

Senior Designer, Quadrille
Are you a highly creative design professional with a passion for illustrated publishing and a flair for delivering exceptional visual concepts? Quadrille, a global award-winning food and lifestyle publisher, is looking for a dynamic Senior Designer to join our Design team. This is an exciting opportunity to take creative ownership of some of the most beautiful and inspiring illustrated books in the market, working from concept through to final print.
About the team
Quadrille is known internationally for high-quality, innovative illustrated books spanning food, craft, lifestyle, wellness and gift. We believe in the transformative power of books to ignite creativity, spark conversations and enrich readers' lives. Our creative team is committed to cutting-edge design, outstanding production values and developing talent across photography, illustration and creative direction.
You'll be joining a collaborative, ambitious and supportive team that values originality, sustainability, innovation and commercial insight in equal measure.
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 illustrated 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 at cover meetings, creative reviews and wider divisional forums.
• Contribute proactively to creative meetings, researching and identifying new design trends, concepts and opportunities.
• Ensure the timely delivery of design materials, including covers, layouts, sales presentations, blads, POS and fair 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, including covers and interiors, 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 illustrated 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 11:59pm on Monday 15th December. Please also upload your portfolio to include examples of previous book design work.
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 recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.
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.
Company: Penguin Books Limited | Job ID: 284748

Skills Required