Designer

Wild Planet Trust; Paignton; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days paid holiday pro-rata

Top-tier training

Free zoo entry for family

Staff parking

Discounts on food and retail

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Wild Planet Trust is seeking a talented Designer for Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo. The role covers 37.5 hours per week on a permanent contract, focused on imaginative graphic design that enhances visitor experiences and supports conservation messaging.

You will handle signage, interpretive graphics, campaigns, publications and digital content, collaborating with colleagues and external printers to deliver projects on time and in brand.

Qualifications

• Qualified in Graphic Design or Visual Communication.
• Strong portfolio in print and digital design.
• Experience delivering branding, signage and campaigns.
• Ability to manage multiple projects to deadlines and budgets.
• Experience liaising with printers and fabrication suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a comprehensive design and production service across Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo.
• Produce signage, interpretation panels, exhibit graphics, campaigns and event materials.
• Create digital content and multimedia assets from concept to final production.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external printers, fabricators and suppliers.
• Maintain brand consistency and high creative standards across projects.
• Keep up to date with design trends and emerging tools.

Skills

Graphic design portfolio

Branding and brand consistency

Typography

Layout and print/digital design

Project management

Presentation materials

Education

Graphic Design or Visual Communication degree

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

3D visualization software

Job description

Location

Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 7EU

Salary

£27,183 per annum

Application Deadline

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Job Summary

We are seeking a talented and imaginative Designer to deliver a comprehensive design and production service across Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo working 37.5 hours a week on a permanent contract. This is a creative, hands-on role where outstanding visual design, storytelling and brand communication are at the heart of everything you do. You will be responsible for producing high-quality graphic design across a wide range of projects, creating engaging visual content that enhances visitor experiences, supports new exhibits, promotes conservation messages and drives marketing activity. Projects will include signage, interpretation panels, exhibit graphics, campaigns, publications, event materials, digital content and multimedia assets. Working from concept through to final production, you'll develop creative solutions that are visually impactful, accessible and aligned with our brand. You'll collaborate closely with colleagues across the organisation, as well as external printers, fabricators and suppliers, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to the highest creative standards. An interest in environmental, spatial or exhibition design would be advantageous, helping to bring visitor spaces, exhibits and wayfinding projects to life through engaging and immersive design solutions. You'll also keep up to date with emerging design trends, tools and technologies, bringing fresh ideas and creative thinking to support the wider Marketing & Sales team.

About You

You'll be a highly creative and experienced designer with:

• A relevant qualification in Graphic Design or Visual Communication
• Evidence of continued professional development, including training or self-directed learning in design software, creative techniques or emerging technologies.
• Significant experience delivering high-quality graphic design across both print and digital channels.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating creative thinking, visual storytelling and excellent design execution.
• Experience creating branding, marketing materials, publications, campaigns, signage, interpretation or visitor-facing graphics.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects from concept to completion, meeting agreed deadlines and budgets.
• Experience liaising with printers, media suppliers, sign manufacturers and fabrication contractors.
• Advanced practical experience using Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Ability to produce high-quality artwork, illustrations, concept visuals, mock-ups and presentation materials.
• Strong conceptual, typographic, layout and visual communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and a thorough understanding of brand consistency and design standards.
• Proven ability to interpret briefs and translate them into innovative, practical and on-brand creative solutions.

Desirable

• Experience of exhibit, environmental, spatial or exhibition design.
• Knowledge of visitor experience design, wayfinding or interpretive design.
• Experience creating graphics for large-format, three-dimensional or immersive environments.
• Familiarity with 3D visualisation, spatial planning or design software would be advantageous.

At Paignton Zoo, we believe taking care of our team is just as important as caring for our animals. That's why we offer a benefits package that's packed with perks: enjoy 33 days of paid holiday pro-rata (yes, even Bank Holidays!) and access to top-tier training-from First Aid to driving a tractor. Your family can join the adventure too, with free zoo entry for loved ones, plus sweet discounts on food and retail while you're on site. We'll make parking a breeze with free staff spaces and support your wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme. Fancy joining the Firearms team? Opportunities await-pending a few conditions, of course.

We proudly champion equality of opportunity for all our team members. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, including but not limited to age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage or civil partnerships. Inclusion isn't just a policy-it's part of our culture. Everyone deserves the chance to thrive here.