Designer (Commercial Operations)

At DC Thomson we are a business with a purpose – to make a positive impact on the communities we serve.

We are home to some of the world’s best loved media brands, organised around local news and radio, companionship, kids, advocacy, energy, puzzles and hobbies.

The Courier, The Press & Journal, The Sunday Post, Beano, Stylist, Puzzler, The People’s Friend, My Weekly, Pure Radio, bunkered, Energy Voice, Findmypast and Brightsolid are just some of the brands you might know us for.

Deeply rooted in our communities, we are investing in data, technology and talent to unlock a new level of understanding about what really matters to our customers. This is how we are shaping the future of media.

We’re changing the way we work to create a flexible, collaborative, learning-led culture that draws on expertise from across the organisation to create award-winning content and cultural moments that make audiences want to be part of our communities.

Our HQ is in Dundee and we have bases around the UK employing over 1,200 extraordinarily creative colleagues working in a mix of office/home/hybrid. They’re passionate about being part of the story of so many well-loved brands and they’re crucial to our ambitions for the company.

We’re looking for the best people to join us at DC Thomson, to share their energy, ideas and skills and be part of our story.

Why join us now?

DC Thomson is on an exciting transformation journey to growth. Our brands matter to people and we are passionate about sustaining meaningful relationships with the communities these brands serve.

Focused on creating brilliant content and experiences that inspire our audiences and communities.

The opportunity

DC Thomson’s Commercial Operations team is undergoing a period of transformation, adopting new ways of working across a new department-wide structure and creating new functions to support the success of our Commercial team. The advertising design studio will support revenue growth across the advertising department.

Reporting into the Commercial Production Manager the Designer will create ads for customers, work with the sales and operations managers on creative concepts and on new revenue ideas in the digital space. This team will take the lead on larger scale campaigns so we can deliver with confidence. They will outsource any heavy lifting to the team at BORN but will act as a first line support for the sales team to ensure quality and ensure no loss in revenue as a result of offshoring.

What will you be doing as Designer

Responsible for commercial advertising across print and digital platforms, supporting sales teams with design and artwork production. Promote and encourage conceptual and innovative artwork that generates response for our customers.

Accountabilities and responsibilities:

• A passion for advertising – identifying best practice when designing work that will generate response (across multi-media campaigns) both for published artwork and visual presentations.
• Work within the technical specifications of our products to produce advertising that is creative and compliant (taking into account ASA guidelines and copyright law), and exceeds customer expectations.
• Work with creative, production and planning colleagues (including offshore production resource) as part of an integrated and collaborative team monitoring Gemstone, Workflow and Teams channels.
• Provide design lead to assist sales teams on advertising direction putting forward practical and compelling advertising solutions.
• Monitor working procedures and operational environment ensuring that the Company Health and Safety procedures and priorities are adhered to (primarily anything that involves the large format printer and associated tasks related to the production of presentation materials).
• Build advertising knowledge following trends across all commercial industries to develop a key understanding of response mechanisms.
• Actively participate in any training which may be available to ensure personal development and undertake bespoke software or systems training when required.
• Build and maintain a strong network across the DC Thomson organisation

What we are looking for

• Formal design qualification in creative industries to degree or HND level.
• Computer literate, including understanding of network servers and associated integrated publishing systems including Atex Prestige (magazines and newspapers).
• Knowledge of Agfa Arkitex Production systems is desirable.
• Highly proficient in the full range of Adobe Creative Suite of products – and where possible develop – best practice such as InDesign library templates to drive efficiency and maintain brand continuity.
• In-depth commercial print experience, including pre-flight experience and technical knowledge when liaising with external printers.
• Experience of related products including Google Ad Manager, Bannerflow, WordPress, etc.
• Ability to prioritise and problem solve when working under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written (ability to present).
• Ability to interpret instructions and liaise with colleagues at all levels within the business.
• Highly organised and self-motivated to meet challenges with solutions-based attitude.
• Meet and exceed our customer service level agreements across internal and external customer accounts.

To apply for this role, please follow our online application process and submit a CV and cover letter, including a link to your portfolio.

This is a full-time, permanent position, working 35 hours per week from any one of our local offices. This is a hybrid flexible role offering a blend of home and office working. We are flexible about your home location providing you are willing to travel to one of our local offices in Aberdeen, Dundee or Glasgow. We offer a generous package including 34 days holiday, Health Cash Plan, Onsite Staff Gym (Dundee), excellent Pension, a competitive salary, and many more staff discounts and benefits.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from everyone and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or any other protected characteristics.

What to expect from the recruitment experience

As we move through the recruitment process, we want to get to know you, as well as help you understand the team, where we are going and how you can play a part in our future a little better.

Following an initial screening process, if you are selected to move to interview, we will introduce you to the hiring panel over email and make sure you’re clear on the outcomes of your time with them, as well as timelines for hearing any next steps.

We will also share any helpful feedback we can with you, so whether it’s the right role or not this time around, we can help each other grow.

To make sure you are supported to be at your best through the process, please let us know if there is anything we can do to support your application or make adjustments along the way.

Any questions?

Contact us on recruitment@dcthomson.co.uk for more information. We’d be happy to help.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early once we have received suitable applications. Therefore, please ensure you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.