Skip to main content

Head of Design (12m FTC), HQ

HQ publishes books across a wide variety of subjects, story and personal growth will always be at the heart of what we do. Sharing women’s stories that have hitherto never been told or helping readers navigate 21st century dilemmas is our mission. Our primary audience is women; specifically, smart, dynamic and curious women. And our primary objective is to be inclusive. Creating a truly diverse commercially successful list.

The Head of Design for HQ will be responsible for designing covers, advertising campaigns and managing freelancers. They will manage the design team and their workload making sure all artwork meets deadlines. They will also have responsibility over implementing and managing the creative strategy for all the imprints and act as Brand Guardian for all creative assets produced, managing the sign off process where required.

This is a 9 - 12 month fixed term contract to cover a period of maternity leave.

Key Responsibilities

  • Management and leadership responsibility for the design team

  • Manage and feedback to external support; freelancers, photographers, studios

  • Act as studio manager for the design team, making sure all briefs are worked on and that the work flow of the design team is running smoothly.

  • Oversee cover processes with the support of the team, from concept to production ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget

  • Create new, innovative and market-leading design concepts for a range of titles across all genres

  • Ensure all creative assets produced meet the requirements of the brief, ensuring brand equity is maintained & manage the sign off process

  • Manage budgets and organise and direct photography as required

  • Run weekly Cover Art meetings

  • Work to build the brand/credibility of HQ and Mills & Boon

  • Control and protect brand guidelines

  • Manage and negotiate licensing contracts

Person Specification

  • Senior Designer experience, experience managing more junior team members

  • Ability to manage a busy, small team and able to offer advice / help to more junior designers.

  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, across varying genres

  • Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Design Degree or equivalent

  • After Effects experience, desirable but not necessary

  • Experience in publishing and book cover design desirable but not necessary

  • Passion and innovative approach for design, able to present ideas with confidence & conviction

  • Able to work to firm deadlines, under pressure at times

The company

Our mission at HarperCollins is to harness the power of great publishing and to amplify it through world class marketing, global strength, and relentless innovation. We are all working towards the same goal, and we do it guided by what matters most to us. The culture at HarperCollins is defined by our six values, which inform our everyday actions and the way we behave. From Finance to Editorial, our values shape the way we work.

Our values tell a STORY…

Stories - We believe in the power of great publishing. From fiction, children’s and non-fiction to education and reference, our authors and content are at the heart of everything we do

Team - We help each other, work collaboratively, behave with integrity and always strive to communicate in a timely, open, honest and fair manner.

Out as well as in - We aim to lead the industry by looking out as well as in. Through observation of the marketplace, the consumer and the competitive environment we gain a better understanding of our business.

Resourcefulness - We support smart risk-takers and innovators, learning from experience without blame and being both curious and willing to change

You - We embrace difference, champion diversity of thought and being. We treat each other with respect and enjoy what we do.

Role closes - 6:00pm, 23rd Aug 2020 BST (Europe/London)

 

Head of Design (12m FTC), HQ

HarperCollins, London
Contract, Full-time
Publisher
Management, Design

Share this job now