Lead Graphic Designer

TN United Kingdom; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced and confident Lead Graphic Designer to take full ownership of all design output at Ultimate Performance. This is a standalone role, you’ll be our only in-house designer, working closely with stakeholders across the business and delivering high-quality creative solutions without the need for day-to-day guidance or support.

You’ll be the go-to expert for visual design, managing your own workload, working directly with senior decision-makers, and ensuring everything from social graphics to printed materials hits the mark and stays on-brand. For the right person, there’s the potential to build and lead a small team in the future, so experience managing others, or a desire to move into leadership, is a strong advantage.

This is a great opportunity for a confident, creative, and self-sufficient designer who’s ready to step up and take ownership of a brand with a global footprint in the fitness industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Creative Design: Develop high-impact assets for digital campaigns, social media, email, print, and more.
• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate directly with internal teams and senior stakeholders to understand briefs, manage expectations, and deliver effective solutions.
• Brand Leadership: Maintain and evolve U.P.’s visual identity across all channels.
• Concept Development: Bring fresh thinking and creative ideas to campaign planning and brand initiatives.
• Project Ownership: Manage multiple projects simultaneously—from concept to delivery—ensuring timelines and quality standards are met.
• Future Growth: Help shape the future of design at U.P., with the potential to build out your own design team as the business grows.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience with a relevant qualification in Graphic Design or 5+ years’ experience without formal qualifications.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating creative range, commercial impact, and polished execution.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage complex projects from brief to delivery.
• Experience dealing with senior stakeholders and translating business needs into strong design output.
• Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Skilled in colour correction and photo editing (Photoshop/Camera Raw).
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality output.
• Excellent communication and time management skills.
• Bonus: Familiarity with Figma, XD, After Effects, Microsoft Suite, and a passion for motion/animation.

Benefits

• Pension: salary sacrifice scheme with employer contribution.
• Simply Health Policy: claim money back on essential healthcare expenses like dental and optical care, remedial or sports massages and physiotherapy treatments.
• UP Discounts: Exclusive discounts, including 40% off a wide range of products such as supplements and fitness books, along with offers from selected partners.
• Salary sacrifice schemes: reduce your tax and NI contributions and enjoy non-cash benefits like Cycle to Work and Tech/Home schemes.
• Referral policy: bonus incentive for successful referrals.
• Employee assistance programme: free access to mental health guidance, telephone counselling and financial support 24/7.
• Fitness classes: Weekly group training sessions at our U.P. Manchester gym based in Spinningfields.

If you're interested in being our Lead Graphic Designer, please apply now!