Senior Designer, Templar Books (Interim)

Job Description

Reporting to: Design Manager, Templar Books

Location: 5th Floor, HYLO, 105 Bunhill Row, London, EC1Y 8LZ

Working pattern: Hybrid - minimum of two days per week in the office; up to three days per week working from home

Department: Design

Imprint: Templar Books

Salary: £36,000 - £42,000 per annum, depending on experience

Duration: Twelve-month fixed-term contract

General Summary

Bonnier Books UK is looking for a talented, experienced and highly creative senior designer to join our team on a fixed-term contract from May 2026. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to further their career in children’s book design and to contribute to the development of the Templar list. Reporting to the Design Manager, you will design commercial and market-leading picture books, board books and novelty books, nurturing and inspiring both established and upcoming illustrators and creators to deliver their best work.

Founded in 1978, Templar publishes original, illustrated children’s books designed to inspire curious minds. We lead in novelty and interactive publishing, creating distinctive, high-quality titles for young children and families - from board books and picture books to novelty, non-fiction, gift and series publishing. Specialising in visually-led, concept-driven books that are playful, immersive and internationally appealing, we craft enduring stories that spark curiosity and enrich family reading experiences worldwide.

Key responsibilities

• Find and nurture new illustrator talent across the list, as well as building upon previous successes and author/illustrator partnerships.

• Brief, art direct and create book layouts with strong, distinctive design and fresh, striking typography with market-leading covers.

• To be a key part of the creative team in developing and presenting new ideas across the list.

• Working closely with the Design Manager on the day-to-day running of the design team, supporting with providing feedback and mentoring more junior members of the team as required.

• Negotiating with and commissioning illustrators, either directly or via agents.

• Project-managing and collaborating with production and editorial colleagues to build artwork schedules as agreed with illustrators and freelance designers, with close consideration for the P&L, ensuring projects are delivered within budget and in a timely manner.

• Financial responsibility for the design aspect of own titles, including consulting on P&Ls and raising contracts.

• Making sure all files are created to the technical specification and design quality required during all stages – final files, plotters and advance stages.

• Managing 3rd-party contributors, including packagers and other freelance agents that are needed to create a project.

• Line management of one member of the Templar Design team.

Qualifications and Experience

• Excellent technical skills in key software (Adobe Creative Suite/Cloud).

• Experience managing illustrators, freelance designers and agents. Experience of managing an in-house designer will be advantageous.

• Experience of negotiating, commissioning and contracting illustrators, either directly or via agents.

• In addition to being a fantastic designer, you will have excellent organisational skills, experience with people management, the ability to maintain schedules and meet deadlines and liaise closely with the editorial, sales and production teams to ensure that all projects are delivered on time and to the highest standard.

• At least 5 years’ experience in children’s books, with the ability to demonstrate creative flair in designing market leading covers and interiors.

• A positive team player with a pro-active approach.

• A clear communicator, capable of working effectively with various teams and functions across the business

• A passion for children’s books and expertise in creating innovatively designed and illustrated books in a wide variety of formats.

Please include a portfolio PDF when you apply

Company Benefits

• Private health insurance
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Lively social committee hosting regular events
• Group Life cover - including 24-hour GP service
• Company-funded gym membership for all trade staff
• Comprehensive staff training and mentorship programmes
• Flexible working and flexible hours from day one of employment
• Additional holiday allowance accrued for long service – and a full bonus week of holiday to celebrate your 10th year at BBUK
• Enhanced family leave - with equal six months’ paid leave for all new parents
• Employee assistance programme available to all employees and their families
• Dedicated volunteering hours each year to support charities promoting literacy and reading for pleasure
• Cycle to work scheme with bike storage and changing facilities on-site at our London HQ
• Wellbeing programme and daily benefits such as fresh fruit and porridge in the office

If you are interested in this role, please apply via our website. We look forward to hearing from you.