Illustration jobs in United Kingdom

Job Title: Studio Illustrator

Salary: £29,700 - £38,550

Location: Whittlesford, or Cambridge, UK

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full Time – 35 hours per week

Join Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher and assessment organisation, and a proud part of the University of Cambridge. We are looking for a talented Illustrator to join our Print Operations Studio team, where your creativity and attention to detail will help shape the future of assessment materials.

We are looking for an illustrator who can work within a defined visual style set by Cambridge. While creativity is essential, this role requires adaptability rather than developing or applying a personal style. You will be working to bring our established brand vision to life across a range of projects.

• Produce assessment materials within defined styles and briefs, ensuring zero-defect quality, using Adobe Illustrator
• Follow British Standard Mark up and house style guidelines with consistency
• Collaborate closely with the Illustration Team Leader and Studio colleagues to deliver projects on time
• Maintain high standards of service delivery, supporting the reputation of the Cambridge brand
• Identify and implement improvements to processes and workflows
• Ensure compliance with ISO, BS accreditations, and legislative requirements

Flexible working requests will be considered from the first day of employment, including other work arrangements should you require adjustments due to a disability or long-term health condition. As the work requires close collaboration and access to secure materials, the role is fully on-site—hybrid working is not available. Your presence at our Whittlesford or Cambridge office will be essential.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Demonstrable illustration skills, ideally with experience in a commercial environment
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (especially Illustrator) on Mac
• Strong knowledge of copy prep and proof correction marks (BS 5261C:2005)
• Excellent organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• A quality assurance mindset and a reliable, responsible approach
• Willingness to learn, adapt, and work collaboratively

If you meet the above minimum requirements, we encourage you to apply. We would also encourage applications from those who have basic illustration skills and experience using Adobe software who are eager to learn and develop their skills. Your application will be even stronger if you can also demonstrate the following desirable criteria:

• Knowledge of commercial illustration practices
• Experience of technical illustration
• Experience working to tight deadlines in a production environment

We are a Disability Confident (DC) employer that is committed to equality and inclusion ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. The DC scheme's Offer of an Interview commitment applies to applicants who opt in, and disclose a disability or a long-term health condition, and best meet the minimum criteria for the role. In instances where interviewing all qualifying candidates is not practicable, we prioritise those who best meet the minimum criteria, as we would for applicants who do not have a disability or long-term health condition.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is an approved UK employer for the sponsorship of eligible roles and applicants under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please refer to the gov.uk website for guidance to understand your own eligibility based on the role you are applying for.

We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world-class, flexible rewards package, featuring family-friendly and planet-friendly benefits including:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Group personal pension scheme
• Life assurance up to 4 × annual salary
• Green travel schemes

Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now.

We aim to support candidates by making our interview process clear and transparent. The closing date for all applications will be 6th January 2026. We will review applications on an ongoing basis, and shortlisted candidates can expect interviews to take place week commencing 12th January 2026.

If you are shortlisted and progressed through the stages, you can expect:

• A pre-screening call and task prior to a formal interview.
• Formal interview will take place at our office in Whittlesford.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process due to a disability or a long-term health condition, there will be an opportunity for you to inform us via the online application form. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry.

We are committed to an equitable recruitment process. As such, applications must be submitted via our official online application procedure. Please refrain from sending your CV directly to our recruiters. If you experience technical difficulties or require additional support with submitting your online application, contact the Recruiter.

Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You'll belong to a collaborative team that's exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe – for the benefit of individuals, society and the world. Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment which embraces difference, change and aspiration.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it's safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics (age, disability, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual identity), cultural, or social class/background.

We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities, actively seeking to employ people from a wide range of different communities.