Studio Illustrator

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS & ASSESSMENT; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned publishing organization in Cambridge seeks an Illustrator to produce high-quality assessment materials while adhering to established styles. The role emphasizes collaboration with a team and meeting project deadlines. Applicants should have strong illustration skills, proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, and a demonstrated ability to adapt and learn. This position is fully on-site with a supportive rewards package including medical insurance and generous annual leave.

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 4 x annual salary

Green travel schemes

Qualifications

• Demonstrable illustration skills in a commercial environment.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator on Mac.
• Strong knowledge of copy prep and proof correction marks (BS 5261C:2005).
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to learn and adapt.

Responsibilities

• Produce assessment materials within defined styles and briefs.
• Collaborate closely with the Illustration Team Leader and colleagues.
• Maintain high standards of service delivery supporting the Cambridge brand.
• Identify and implement improvements to processes.
• Ensure compliance with ISO and legislative requirements.

Skills

Illustration skills

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

About the role

We are looking for an illustrator who can work within a defined visual style set by Cambridge. While creativity is essential, this role requires adaptability rather than developing or applying a personal style. You will be working to bring our established brand vision to life across a range of projects.

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.

About You

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

For a detailed job description, please refer to the link at the bottom of the advert on our careers site.

We are a Disability Confident (DC) employer that is committed to equality and inclusion ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. The DC scheme's Offer of an Interview commitment applies to applicants who opt in, disclose a disability or a long‑term health condition, and best meet the minimum criteria for the role. In instances where interviewing all qualifying candidates is not practicable, we prioritise those who best meet the minimum criteria, as we would for applicants who do not have a disability or long‑term health condition.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is an approved UK employer for the sponsorship of eligible roles and applicants under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please refer to the gov.uk website for guidance to understand your own eligibility based on the role you are applying for.

Rewards and benefits

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 4 x annual salary
• Green travel schemes

Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now.

We aim to support candidates by making our interview process clear and transparent. The closing date for all applications will be 6 January 2026. We will review applications on an ongoing basis, and shortlisted candidates can expect interviews to take place week commencing 12th January 2026.

If you are shortlisted and progressed through the stages, you can expect:

• A pre‑screening call and task prior to a formal interview.
• Formal interview will take place at our office in Whittlesford.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process due to a disability or a long‑term health condition, there will be an opportunity for you to inform us via the online application form. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry.

We are committed to an equitable recruitment process. As such, applications must be submitted via our official online application procedure. Please refrain from sending your CV directly to our recruiters. If you experience technical difficulties or require additional support with submitting your online application, contact the Recruiter.

Why join us

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 which 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.