Senior Designer
Salary: £35,000-£40,000 pro rata per annum (DOE), plus bonus and benefits
Location: London (hybrid working)
Reports to: Publisher
Contract: Part-time, permanent
About Saqi Books
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