Senior Designer – Illustrated Books & Gifts

About the role

Octopus, a division of Hachette, is seeking an experienced and versatile designer to create and manage the visual identity of a diverse range of illustrated books, games and gift products. This role offers the chance to advance your career in book design while working with a collaborative team dedicated to producing beautifully designed titles.

Key responsibilities

• Design covers, interior layouts and templates that deliver strong visual impact.
• Produce print‑ready files and oversee the full production workflow.
• Serve as the sole cover and layout designer for approximately 20 titles per year.
• Manage external freelancers for an additional 20‑25 titles.
• Collaborate closely with the Publisher, Senior Editor, Assistant Editor and Production team.

Required profile

• Several years of experience designing both interior pages and covers for books.
• Proven ability to work on integrated colour projects as well as text‑only publications.
• Exceptional accuracy, attention to detail and ability to meet tight production deadlines.
• Strong communication skills for presenting designs internally and externally.
• Comfortable working on multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment.

Required skills

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe InDesign.

What we offer

• 28 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus bank holidays.
• Private medical and dental insurance.
• Generous pension scheme and rent‑deposit loans.
• Two community days per year and summer hours (Fridays finish at 1 pm).
• Retail discounts, Cycle‑to‑Work scheme, eye‑care vouchers and up to 70% off book purchases.
• Extensive training library, mentoring programmes and development opportunities.