Studio Manager

• Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time.
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 10.00-18.00.
• Line Manager: Head of Cataloguing

Benefits

21 days' annual leave plus bank holiday, holiday purchase scheme, staff parties, employee assistance programme, 7% employer pension contribution via a salary exchange scheme (subject to the employee making their contribution of 3%), season loan ticket, Cyclescheme, enhanced sick pay, enhanced maternity pay, enhanced paternity leave and pay, virtual GP access, seasonal flu jab voucher.

About us

Peter Harrington has, for over half a century, specialized in fine and rare books, from seventeenth-century Shakespeare folios to highly sought-after contemporary classics. We regularly exhibit at leading international book and antique fairs and look to continue our growth as one of the leaders in our field.

As our business continues to expand both in the UK and internationally, we are seeking a motivated and creative Studio Manager to lead our print and digital design output.

Today, we are a team of more than 70 staff across four locations, including our newly opened New York gallery. Our expertise spans all areas of antiquarian bookselling, supported by an in-house gallery and bindery. We also work closely with William Reese Company, which was acquired through a partnership between Peter Harrington and James Cummins Bookseller in 2022, and is located just a few blocks from our New York gallery.

Role overview

We are on the lookout for a Studio Manager with strong project management capabilities to join our in-house team, in a dynamic, collaborative environment. If you have a passion for traditional print design paired with a modern digital mindset, and the ability to manage projects from concept to delivery, we want to hear from you.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage a small design team, ensuring tasks are clearly assigned and deadlines are met.
• Oversee the company’s design process from start to finish, assigning tasks, managing team workflows, and ensuring all deadlines are met.
• Manage relationships with printers and fulfilment services to meet the needs of a wide range of printed outputs.
• Create visually compelling catalogue designs that follow brand guidelines and meet client specifications.
• Collaborate with the cataloguing team to proof designs and prepare files for print, ensuring they are print-ready and meet all necessary requirements before being sent to printers.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to produce promotional materials across both print and digital channels.
• Use project management tools (including Monday.com) to monitor project timelines, prioritise workloads, and anticipate potential issues.
• Liaise with internal teams, external suppliers, and clients to ensure clear communication and smooth project execution.

Essential skills & qualifications

• Degree in Graphic Design (or equivalent) supported by a strong portfolio demonstrating excellent design, layout, and typographic skills.
• 5+ years of professional experience as a graphic designer across both print and digital formats.
• Previous experience managing or mentoring at least one team member (1–2 years preferred).
• Excellent understanding of typography, layout, image handling, and visual hierarchy in print and digital formats.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, with a good working knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Strong background in traditional print design, with advanced knowledge of pre-press and print production processes, including both digital and lithographic printing.
• Proactive and solution-focused, with the ability to work independently, use initiative, and confidently resolve unexpected challenges.
• Comfortable managing a varied workload across multiple print and digital outputs while coordinating with different teams and stakeholders.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with a highly organised and methodical approach to work.

Desirable, but not essential

• Experience working in the luxury or heritage sectors.
• An interest in books, arts, or the rare/collectibles market.
• Experience of XML-to-InDesign workflow, complex document structures and automation in publishing.