Careers Studio Illustrator

Cambridge University Press & Assessment; Stapleford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic publisher in the UK is seeking a talented Illustrator for their GPaO Studio. In this role, you will produce high-quality assessment materials using Adobe Illustrator and maintain COVID-19 compliance. Candidates should possess strong illustration skills and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite. The position is fully on-site, offering competitive benefits including 28 days of annual leave, private medical insurance, and a pension scheme. Join a diverse team and contribute to impactful educational materials.

Benefits

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance

Discretionary annual bonus

Group personal pension scheme

Life assurance up to 4x annual salary

Green travel schemes

Qualifications

• Demonstrable illustration skills, ideally in a commercial environment.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (especially Illustrator) on Mac.
• Strong knowledge of copy prep and proof correction marks.

Responsibilities

• Produce assessment materials using Adobe Illustrator.
• Collaborate with the Illustration Team Leader and colleagues.
• Maintain high standards of service delivery.

Skills

Illustration skills

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite

Organisational and communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Mac

Job description

As an Illustrator in our GPaO Studio, you will:

• Produce assessment materials within defined styles and briefs, ensuring zero‑defect quality, using Adobe Illustrator
• Follow British Standard Mark up and house style guidelines with consistency
• Collaborate closely with the Illustration Team Leader and Studio colleagues to deliver projects on time
• Maintain high standards of service delivery, supporting the reputation of the Cambridge brand
• Identify and implement improvements to processes and workflows
• Ensure compliance with ISO, BS accreditations, and legislative requirements

Flexible working requests will be considered from the first day of employment, including other work arrangements should you require adjustments due to a disability or long‑term health condition. As the work requires close collaboration and access to secure materials, the role is fully on‑site—hybrid working is not available. Your presence at our Whittlesford or Cambridge office will be essential.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Demonstrable illustration skills, ideally with experience in a commercial environment
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (especially Illustrator) on Mac
• Strong knowledge of copy prep and proof correction marks (BS 5261C:2005)
• Excellent organisational, communication, and problem‑solving skills
• A quality assurance mindset and a reliable, responsible approach
• Willingness to learn, adapt, and work collaboratively

If you meet the above minimum requirements, we encourage you to apply. We would also encourage applications from those who have basic illustration skills and experience using Adobe software who are eager to learn and develop their skills. Your application will be even stronger if you can also demonstrate the following desirable criteria:

• Knowledge of commercial illustration practices
• Experience of technical illustration
• Experience working to tight deadlines in a production environment

Are you passionate about creating high‑quality illustrations that make a real impact? Join Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world‑leading academic publisher and assessment organisation, and a proud part of the University of Cambridge. We are looking for a talented Illustrator to join our Print Operations Studio team, where your creativity and attention to detail will help shape the future of assessment materials. Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You’ll belong to a collaborative team that’s exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe – for the benefit of individuals, society and the world. Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment that embraces difference, change and aspiration.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it's safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics (age, disability, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual identity), cultural, or social class/background. We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities, actively seeking to employ people from a wide range of different communities.

We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world‑class, flexible rewards package, featuring family‑friendly and planet‑friendly benefits including:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Group personal pension scheme
• Life assurance up to 4x annual salary
• Green travel schemes