Senior Designer, Children's

The role

Owns the design of children's fiction titles in the Puffin 6+ team, from first concept to print-ready files, across colour books for developing readers up to YA and crossover. The role involves commissioning and art-directing illustrators and balancing creative ambition against budgets and schedules.

What you'll do

• Run the full design process for each title, from visual research to print-ready files
• Lead projects from pitch to print
• Commission and art-direct illustrators and freelance designers
• Build relationships with illustrators and authors, and spot new talent
• Negotiate fees and manage spend
• Plan schedules and workflow
• Work with Editorial, Sales, Production, Rights, Marketing and Publicity

About you

• A strong portfolio with children's publishing experience, including illustrated fiction and YA
• Good knowledge of the children's market, its illustrators and visual trends
• A record of taking titles from concept to launch
• Experience sourcing and commissioning illustrators and freelancers
• Advanced Adobe Creative Suite and print production knowledge
• Strong project management across multiple titles

The details

• Salary: £37,650 – £40,000, depending on skills and experience, plus bonus and benefits
• Contract: permanent
• Location: London; hybrid, minimum three days a week in the office
• Closing date: 11.59pm on 18 October 2026
• Level: senior, reporting to the Deputy Art Director

How to apply

Apply through the Penguin Random House careers site with a CV, a one-page cover letter and a PDF of selected work. Applications without the PDF are not considered.