Senior Designer / Design Lead
Company:Saqi Books
Location:London (hybrid working)
Is the role full time?No, part-time
Is the role permanent?Yes
Salary:£35,000-£40,000 pro rata per annum (DOE), plus bonus and benefits
Contact: jobs@saqibooks.com Closing date:2 February 2026
Job description
Saqi Books is a leading independent publisher with a distinguished history of championing bold, thought-provoking writing on the Middle East and beyond. Based in London, we publish across a wide range of genres—from politics and history to literary fiction and memoir—offering a platform for underrepresented voices and stories that challenge the mainstream. We are a small, dynamic and growing team committed to excellence, originality and cultural exchange.
Role overview
You will lead the visual direction for our publishing house, covering book covers, interiors, branding and marketing collateral. This is a hands-on, strategic role: you will take design briefs from concept to final production, commission and manage external creatives (illustrators, photographers, typographers), and ensure our house style and brand identity remain distinctive and high-quality across all outputs. You’ll work closely with Editorial, Marketing and Sales to ensure the visual execution supports the business goals and the author list.
Key responsibilities
- Develop cover design concepts in collaboration with editors and authors; produce final artwork ready for print and digital.
- Design interior layouts: typesetting, image placement, print specification, ensuring consistency and quality.
- Drive the visual identity for imprints/series; maintain brand systems, templates and ensure cohesion across titles and marketing materials.
- Commission and manage external creatives (illustrators, photographers, designers) including briefs, budget, timelines and quality control.
- Liaise with printers and other suppliers on book and shipping specifications.
- Collaborate with Marketing to supply design assets (catalogues, online banners, social media visuals, event materials).
- Manage the design workflow: scheduling, prioritising titles, tracking status, ensuring deadlines are met.
Required experience & skills
- Significant experience (5-8 years) in book publishing design (covers and/or interiors) or a closely related field.
- Proven portfolio of high‐quality work: covers, series branding, interiors, creative use of typography/image.
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and comfortable handing print and digital production specs.
- Strong organisational, time-management and multitasking skills; ability to drive multiple design projects concurrently.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills (working with editors, authors, production, marketing).
- Comfortable commissioning and managing freelancers/creatives and negotiating within budgets.
Preferred
- Experience in a small/independent press environment (where hands-on, multi-tasking and creative autonomy are valued).
- Experience with marketing design.
What we offer
- A rare senior‐design role in a mission‐driven independent publishing house, where your work will shape our visual identity.
- Creative autonomy: you’ll influence strategy and execution, not just follow a brief.
- Hybrid working flexibility and a supportive environment.
- Opportunity to grow with the business, drive new initiatives (rebrand, imprint visuals, marketing collateral).
- Training / development opportunities and working alongside a close-knit team where every title matters.
How to apply
Please send your CV, a cover letter outlining why you’re excited by this role and a link or PDF portfolio (10–15 pages) showcasing relevant book‐cover, interior and/or branding work to jobs@saqibooks.com. Deadline: 2 February 2026.
Benefits
- Saqi offers the following competitive benefits package:
- Hybrid working
- Flexible working
- 32 days’ Holiday including bank holidays
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Contributory pension scheme
- Birthday Leave / Personal Day
- Paid Volunteer Day
Key Account Manager, Special Sales - FTC
Company:Bloomsbury
Location:London
Is the role full time?Yes
Is the role permanent?No, 12 months FTC starting April 2026
Salary:£35,000 - £38,000 per annum
Contact: workwithus@bloomsbury.com(general enquiries only)
Closing date:23 January 2026
Job description
The opportunity
The Key Account Manager will contribute towards our ambitious growth strategy for the Special Sales channel working across all Bloomsbury publishing divisions to sell our extraordinary list of bestselling authors and brands. Our list encompasses Children’s, Head of Zeus, Adult Trade, Cookery and Lifestyle including the following authors: William Dalrymple, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Johan Hari, Elodie Harper, Dan Jones, SJ Maas, Madeline Miller, Poppy O’Toole, J.K Rowling and Katherine Rundell.
The candidate will have responsibility for sales made to a range of Special Sales accounts with a specific focus on driving backlist strategy in close collaboration with publishing teams.
The role
- Manage a varied portfolio of accounts, creating and ensuring best practise is followed at all times.
- Contribute to strategies to maximise turnover and profit of Special Sales department, selling across the Children’s, Adult Trade, Lifestyle, Head of Zeus and Special Interest divisions whilst working towards group sales strategy and targets.
- Actively identify new business opportunities in the non-trade and non-traditional retail sector.
- Demonstrate commercial awareness and an in depth understanding of P&Ls in order to build bulk print runs working closely with the UK Sales and Export teams to maximise ROI for the business.
- Represent the Special Sales team at relevant internal meetings, providing market insight, contributing to and shaping sales strategy.
- Feed into internal reporting across all publishing divisions, including, but not restricted to business reviews, acquisition discussions and weekly sales updates.
- Work closely with the publishing, production and operations teams and senior stakeholders.
- Support sales team colleagues when necessary.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate with stakeholders of different levels.
- Excellent time-management and organisational skills, experienced at multi-tasking and prioritising work-load.
- Demonstrate excellent client relationship building and development skills.
- Self-starter, able to use initiative with excellent problem solving skills.
- Strong negotiation skills with a clear understanding of the commercials.
- Creative, flexible and agile approach to sales.
- Good attention to detail.
- Knowledge of Biblio, Vista, Nielsen and Cognos would be advantageous.
- Skilled at Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Additional information
The role is a full-time, 12 month fixed term contract position. Due to begin in April 2026.
Salary Range: £35,000 - £38,000 per annum
The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP. On a hybrid-working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred). Allocated office days for this role are: Mondays & Tuesdays
Please apply with a CV and covering letter addressed to Human Resources (Word or PDF format only) via our URL detailing how you meet the requirements outlined above for this role by 23:59 on Friday 23rd of January 2026.
For best results, please use a desktop to apply as some mobile browsers may not fully support the application portal.
Bloomsbury reserve the right to close the role early if we exceed the required number of applications
Bloomsbury Benefits
As well as a fantastic opportunity to join a global award-winning organisation, Bloomsbury offers the following competitive benefits package:
Working Pattern
- Hybrid working pattern of: 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred)
Holidays
- 25 days holiday
- 3.5 days Christmas company holiday
Other Benefits
- Two paid Personal Wellness Days
- Flexible Fridays – take Friday afternoon off by working an additional 3 hours and 30 minutes earlier in the week
- Work Anywhere Fortnight - For two weeks of any calendar year. The minimum period for Working Anywhere is one week, the maximum period is two weeks.
- Season Ticket Loan
- Learning & Development - Free access to LinkedIn Learning, BookMachine Campus, InRehearsal & IPG Skills Hub
- Share Save Scheme
- AXA Healthcare Plan (Private Medical Insurance)
- Ride to Work Scheme
- Peppy Health App
- In-house Doctor
- Eye Care Voucher Scheme
- EAP Advice and Counselling
Company culture – Employee Voice Meetings, Staff Networks (Bloom, Accessibility, Mental Health, Pride, and Parents, Guardians and Carers, Multi-Faith) and Mental Health First Aiders trained across the UK offices, Publishing Events and access to free Publishing Resources
Bloomsbury is a place where anyone of any background, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, age, ability, or socio-economic status can thrive, feel comfortable, and be heard and accepted. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please flag to the recruitment team if required
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.
Data & Digital Services Manager
Company:Gardners
Location:Eastbourne, or within a commutable distance
Is the role full time?Yes
Is the role permanent?Yes
Salary:£35-£45k
Contact: Apply via this link here Closing date:30 January 2026
Job description
We are currently recruiting for a Data & Digital Services Manager.
Based in Eastbourne, an exciting opportunity exists to play a senior role in our dynamic and expanding company leading both our Data Services and Digital Services Teams.
As a commercially minded and technical experienced individual with a background in the book industry in either the data supply chain, or the digital product technology and operations, then this could be your next challenge. Our Data Services team is responsible for all incoming data from publishers, distributors, and other aggregators, onward ultimately supplying all of that data to our customers, and everything in between. The Digital Services team looks after and supports the eBook and audiobook products that we aggregate from thousands of publishers around the world, providing technical solutions for access to that content.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
- Some of the day-to-day tasks are outlined below, but other ad-hoc duties may be required:
- Manage the Data Services Team in providing a first class data function for all incoming and outgoing data to the company, from other industry partners, suppliers, and customers.
- Manage the Digital Services Team in providing a comprehensive range of technical solutions for an ever-evolving industry sector.
- Provide technical guidance to both teams
- Assessing and specifying the immediate and long-term business needs for both product data and digital content services, for the business and the group.
- Internal liaison, both commercial and technical, to assess, advise and deliver our various department functions at the highest level.
- Represent the company at industry events, and on occasion provide presentations on various related subjects.
- Keep up to date with industry initiatives and developments.
Essential Skills
- Minimum of 5 years in the book industry.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- Excellent analytical skills.
- Experience with XML, CSV, and other data file types.
- Experience with ONIX and other industry data standards, an advantage, but not essential.
- Experience with SQL
Scheduling and project management experience. Manage the Data Services Team in providing a first class data function for all incoming and outgoing data to the company, from other industry partners, suppliers, and customers
IT Helpdesk Consultant – Rights Software
Company:Bradbury Phillips
Location:Remote/Hybrid/Office-based
Is the role full time?Yes
Is the role permanent?Yes
Salary:£26,000
Contact: John@bradburyphillips.co.uk Closing date:31 January 2026
Job description
Are you IT literate and looking for a career in software, or perhaps you have just graduated from a Publishing or IT related course at Uni? If so, Bradbury Phillips may have the ideal opportunity to give you a step up on the career ladder and enter the world of IT or Publishing. Bradbury Phillips, is part of the knk Group and provides specialist Rights Management software to Publishers and Literary Agencies. The software is an industry benchmark and has been used by rights professionals in the UK, USA, Canada, and Europe for more than 3 decades.
We are looking to hire a customer services consultant to join our small team. The role involves analysing and responding to user support requests and working directly with our customers to help them get the best from the software. As a result of delivering this support you will expand your experience and understanding of the processes and practices used in publishing and more specifically in rights sales. We use a JIRA web-based ticket system to manage the logging of Support Requests, and you don’t need any previous experience – full training will be provided. You can either work from home, or from our Potters Bar (North London) office.
Responsibilities
- Providing excellent first-line systems support
- Day-to-Day responsibility for the JIRA ticket system
- Handling and prioritising support tickets from receipt through to resolution
- Responding to customers queries and communication via the online portal, email, or telephone
- Liaison with technical support and development staff at partner organisations
- Learning the software solutions to familiarise yourself with the business world of Publishing and Rights
- Systems Testing and Menu Configuration (subject to training)
- Report Development (subject to training)
- Various other administration or marketing tasks / filler jobs
- Potential involvement in the wider parent company operations
Knowledge, skills, and experience
- Customer-focused; with a professional, patient, and friendly manner
- A positive, friendly can-do attitude and a willingness to learn and react quickly
- Good communications skills
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Strong systems aptitude
- Conversant with basic IT concepts
- Computer literate and familiar with Microsoft Office applications
- Self-motivated and disciplined to work alone
- Preference given to candidates with some familiarity of Publishing or previous ticket management exposure
Benefits/what we offer
- Full Training given
- 24 days per annum plus bank holidays
- Workplace Pension
- Working Hours: 09:00 to 17:30 (or 08:00 to 16:30) Monday – Friday, 7.5 hours a day (1-hour lunch break)
- Opportunity to attend London and Frankfurt annual Book Fairs and other industry events
Please send your CV and cover letter to john@bradburyphillips.co.uk
Assistant Editor/Editor (parental leave cover, fixed term contract)
Company:Pushkin Press
Location:Somerset House/ Hybrid (Tuesday-Thursday in office, or fully office-based if preferred)
Is the role full time?3-4 days a week, open to considering full-time for the right candidate
Is the role permanent?No, fixed term contact of 9-12 months for a period of parental leave
Salary:£30,000+ depending on experience
Contact: books@pushkinpress.com Closing date:5 February 2026
Job description
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with at least three years’ experience within an editorial team to work on the growing Pushkin Press Classics list, as well as contributing to the other adult imprints.
Responsibilities include:
- Editorial project management including editing, copy-writing, cover briefing, proof checking and clearing permissions
- Author and translator care
- Collaborating with the editorial and production teams, as well as liaising with the sales, design, marketing and publicity teams
- Crafting AIs and updating the BiblioLive database, as well as other metadata, ensuring schedules and deadlines are met, preparing sales materials
- Reading and reporting on manuscripts, and contributing to acquisitions discussions
You will have a minimum of three years’ experience of working in an editorial team, with standout copywriting, editing and project management skills. You’ll be an insightful reader and report writer, with demonstrable interest in Pushkin Press’s publishing, and a particular passion for Classics. You’ll be ready to take on responsibility for a range of titles as part of our friendly and independent team. You’ll have an energetic and flexible approach to work, be self-motivated with excellent organisational, time management and planning abilities, as well as strong communication skills. You’ll be full of ideas and combine a passionate and creative approach to the books you work on with meticulous attention to detail.
Benefits include a competitive salary, 32 days holiday (20 days annual leave, plus Bank holidays and 4 days gifted over Christmas), pro rata for part-time, optional remote working throughout the month of August, pension, discounts at Somerset House, 60% discount on company books and onsite prayer room.
Pushkin strives to be an equal opportunities employer. Please let us know of any reasonable adjustments you may require when attending an interview.
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK – Pushkin Press does not sponsor visa applications
Please apply with a CV and detailed cover letter explaining why you’d like to work at Pushkin Press to books@pushkinpress.com
Pushkin Press publishes the world’s best writing – everything from timeless classics to the urgent and contemporary. Founded in 1997, our list encompasses novels, non-fiction, crime, children’s books, classics and more.
Our authors range from rediscovered talents like Alba de Cespedes and Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, to innovative, award-winning contemporary writers such as Benjamín Labatut, Agustina Bazterrica, Giuliano da Empoli and Dorthe Nors. We’ve won Independent Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards, and our authors have won the International Booker Prize, the Nobel Prize, and been shortlisted for the Booker Prize.