Senior Designer

Hard Problems; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Group personal pension

Life assurance 4x salary

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Discretionary annual bonus

Green travel schemes

Job summary

Cambridge University Press & Assessment in Cambridge, UK, is seeking a Senior Designer to join the Books Content Operations team. You will lead on cover and text design for high-profile titles, review artwork for brand consistency, and mentor colleagues across the department.

This fixed-term one-year maternity cover role is hybrid, 35 hours per week, with a salary of £29,700–£38,550 and a benefits package including private medical and pension.

Qualifications

• Strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.
• Experience with brand consistency and print production is desirable.
• Proven ability to manage multiple design projects and meet deadlines.
• Experience in academic, educational or publishing environments is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Check cover images for suitability and commission cover design projects from brief through to delivery.
• Review artwork for quality, brand consistency and technical accuracy.
• Lead design on high-profile titles and publishing programmes.
• Manage relationships with freelance designers and agencies throughout commissioning.
• Contribute to design standards and process improvements across the department.
• Mentor colleagues within the Design team.
• Track project progress using internal systems.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Photoshop

InDesign

Illustrator

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

Graphic design degree

Job description

# Senior DesignerCambridge University Press & Assessment, Cambridge, UKEducationNonprofitOur Pick## Why this work mattersUnlocks the potential of millions of learners worldwide through world-leading academic publishing, educational resources, and internationally recognised qualifications and assessments in over 170 countries.This job was selected as “Our Pick” because the hiring organization is particularly good for the world.View the full listing and apply →Listed 22 Oct 2026 · **Apply by 4 Nov 2026**Applications are handled by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, not by Hard Problems.## About Cambridge University Press & AssessmentCambridge University Press & Assessment is a world-leading academic publisher and assessment organisation and a proud part of the University of Cambridge. It serves students, teachers and researchers globally, spanning academic publishing, English language learning, and educational assessment.### The roleThe Senior Designer sits within the Books Content Operations team and is part of the wider Design team, which defines the Cambridge aesthetic across book cover and text design in the Academic division. The position is a fixed-term contract of one year, covering maternity leave. It balances technical and creative skills in book publishing, and reports into a team that actively encourages continuous improvement and collaborative ways of working.### What you would do* Check cover images for suitability and commission cover design projects from brief through to delivery.* Review artwork for quality, brand consistency and technical accuracy.* Lead design on high-profile titles and key publishing programmes, including higher education textbooks and trade titles.* Manage relationships with freelance designers and agencies throughout the commissioning process.* Contribute to design standards, process improvements and best practice across the department.* Support and mentor colleagues within the Design team.* Keep accurate records on work in progress and use internal systems to track projects.### What they are looking for* Strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.* Evidence of technical and aesthetic design skills, supported by qualifications or relevant experience.* Ability to manage conflicting priorities and deadlines, with good organisational skills.* Clear and effective communication skills, both within the design team and across the wider department.* Experience in academic, educational or trade publishing (desirable).* Experience commissioning and managing freelance designers or agencies (desirable).* Experience of book cover and/or text design (desirable).* Knowledge of print production and digital publishing specifications (desirable).* Awareness of current publishing and design trends (desirable).### Working arrangementsThe role is based in Cambridge, UK, and is classified as hybrid, with the expectation that you spend 40–60% of your time working on-site at the Cambridge office. Other flexible working arrangements will be considered from the first day of employment. Applicants must have an existing right to work in the UK, as sponsorship is not ordinarily available for roles of less than 12 months. The role is full-time at 35 hours per week.### Pay and benefitsThe salary range is £29,700 – £38,550. Additional benefits include 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, private medical and permanent health insurance, a discretionary annual bonus, a group personal pension scheme, life assurance up to 4x annual salary, and green travel schemes.## DetailsLocation: Cambridge, UKOn-site or remote: Hybrid (Cambridge)Salary: £29,700 – £38,550Sector: EducationRole: Graphic designSeniority: SeniorOrganisation: CharityThis job is listed on the Hard Problems job board, but details come from the employer’s own listing and may have changed — always check the original posting.