The Spectator

London, England

Design Project Manager

ON-SITE SENIOR

Posted 6 months ago

Quick Summary

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager with a strong design background to lead and coordinate the workflow of The Spectator’s design needs. This role requires someone who can bridge the gap between creative vision and operational execution, ensuring projects are delivered on time while maintaining our publication’s high design standards. You will work with a team of four designers and in close partnership with the Art Director.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee and optimise the design team’s project pipeline from concept to completion.
Coordinate and prioritise assignments across multiple concurrent projects.
Implement and maintain project management systems and workflows.
Review design briefs and ensure creative requirements are clearly defined.
Conduct quality assurance checks on design deliverables.
Track team capacity and manage workload distribution.

Requirements Snapshot

Project management experience, preferably in publishing, media, or a creative agency.
Hands-on design experience or direct work within design teams is required.
Proficiency in Adobe InDesign with the ability to provide technical support.
Strong grasp of design principles including typography, layout, and colour theory.
Excellent organisational, time management, and problem-solving abilities.

Expected Impact

This role is crucial for ensuring the timely delivery of design projects while upholding The Spectator's high design standards. The Project Manager will bridge creative vision with operational execution, optimizing workflow, coordinating assignments, and fostering effective communication within the design team and with stakeholders. This will enhance the efficiency and quality of design output across all platforms.

This summary was generated from the original job posting (AI-assisted, human-reviewed).
For full details, see the description below.

Job Description

Description

Founded in 1828, The Spectator is the world’s oldest surviving weekly magazine and remains at the forefront of political and cultural commentary. Our design team plays a crucial role in bringing The Spectator to life across multiple platforms and formats from the weekly print magazine to marketing campaigns to largescale events.

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager with a strong design background to lead and coordinate the workflow of The Spectator’s design needs. This role requires someone who can bridge the gap between creative vision and operational execution, ensuring projects are delivered on time while maintaining our publication’s high design standards.

You’ll be working with a team of four designers and in close partnership with the Art Director, who provides creative leadership and sets design standards, while you handle operational management, workflow, and team development.

Our design work

Weekly print magazine: Our flagship publication featuring sophisticated layouts, commissioned bespoke illustrations and striking cover designs that have become iconic in British journalism.
Digital: Responsive web design, a suite of email newsletters, and an app that engages our growing online readership. Plus social media assets that bring our journalism to a wider audience.
Events & broadcast: Comprehensive design support for The Spectator's growing portfolio of live events, including stage graphics, presentation materials, event signage, and branded environments. Assets for video content, podcast artwork, and broadcast graphics for our expanding digital media presence.
Marketing and campaigns: Promotional materials, merchandise, subscriber communications, and integrated campaigns across print and digital channels.
Commercial & partnerships: Bespoke design work for commercial clients, sponsored content, advertising features, and partnership initiatives that maintain editorial integrity while meeting commercial objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Workflow management

Oversee and optimise the design team’s project pipeline from concept to completion.
Coordinate and prioritise assignments across multiple concurrent projects.
Implement and maintain project management systems and workflows.
Monitor project timelines and resource allocation.
Facilitate communication between design team, editorial staff, and department stakeholders.

Design coordination

Review design briefs and ensure creative requirements are clearly defined before being sent to design team.
Conduct quality assurance checks on design deliverables.
Provide constructive feedback using appropriate design terminology.
Manage asset libraries and maintain brand consistency across publications.

Team support

Schedule regular team meetings and project check-ins.
Support designers in resolving technical and creative challenges.
Track team capacity and manage workload distribution.
Support designers in resolving operational challenges and removing blockers
Work with Art Director to assess creative performance and development needs.

Requirements

Experience

Project management experience, preferably in publishing, media, or creative agency environment.
Hands-on design experience or working directly within design teams.
Proven track record of managing multiple projects simultaneously in fast-paced environments.

Technical skills

Proficient in Adobe InDesign with ability to provide technical support to team members.
Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
Familiarity with project management tools (Asana, Monday.com, Trello, or similar).
Understanding of print and digital production processes and specifications.

Design knowledge

Strong grasp of design principles: typography, layout, colour theory, composition.
Fluency in design terminology and ability to communicate effectively with creative professionals.
Understanding of print and digital design requirements and best practices.
Knowledge of file formats, resolution requirements, and technical specifications.
Experience with publication design and editorial workflows.
Knowledge of web design principles and digital publishing platforms.

Soft skills

Excellent organisational and time management abilities.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Problem-solving mindset with ability to anticipate and mitigate issues.
Attention to detail while maintaining big-picture perspective.
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Benefits

Salary dependent on experience
5% Employer Contribution Pension Scheme
All staff receive generous discounts at our Company restaurant, as well as free breakfast and fruit
Cycle to work scheme
Interest free season ticket loan
Private Medical Insurance Schemes

View Original Job Post