Graphic Designer

About the role: We are now seeking to recruit a Graphic Designer, joining us as soon as possible. At Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) we are moving forward with a digital first approach; part of our Vision 2025 statement. LAT’s in-house Marketing department is continuously developing new ways of interacting and communicating with its stakeholders, incorporating skills throughout the team including graphic design, animation, promotional video & photography; all of which are optimised to suit the way our customers look for us, which is increasingly moving online. 

This is an excellent opportunity to join a passionate team during an exciting time as we expand our services across 31 academies as well as our internal businesses. If you are a highly-motivated and enthusiastic Graphic Designer with previous experience, then we really want to hear from you.

You will be a core part of the department, working closely with our web team, and providing guidance to your team members in all aspects of work, across various day-to-day tasks and projects. These will include producing accessible graphics for web and social media, academy and recruitment packs, and increasingly incorporating illustration into your work to produce visually appealing material.

An essential part of this role will be to produce logos and branding for academies and departments within LAT as required, ensuring aesthetically-speaking that each brand under LAT’s umbrella continues to uphold its reputation as an organisation that strives for excellence in everything they do.

The successful candidate will have the ability:

• To apply strong core design skills to a diverse range of online and offline projects
• Produce beautiful, well-crafted graphic designs and illustrations using your creative design flair 
• To possess strong layout skills, embracing all aspects of design including typography, imagery and illustration
• Be able to take direction and support more senior staff in the delivery of big projects
• To design with the end platform in mind, including designing graphics for web and social media
• To consider how a design may be optimised, or produced in an alternative format to meet accessibility requirements
• To have an understanding of how to produce designs for print projects including signage, livery banners and leaflet production
• To stay abreast of design trends
• To mentor Junior Graphic Designers with their own projects, providing feedback and guidance

Joining the Marketing Department: ​​​​​LATs central Marketing Department is made up of three key areas; these are Design, Media and Web. All three of these teams work collaboratively with customers - the central trust and its academies. The objective is to deliver an effective and consistent message to internal and external stakeholders, including prospective pupils and their families, across a range of mediums. Marketing is the core function of the department and any successful candidate will be encouraged to seek new and innovative ways to engage audiences across the breadth of LAT. ​​​​​​

This is a full time, permanent role offering £22,586 per annum + 25 days annual leave.

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2021, our Trust comprises 31 geographically organised academies (15 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating 20,000 students, and employing over 2,500 talented staff. The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North West Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider. Click here to view our future plans in our Vision 2025 document.  

As part of Leigh Academies Trust you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust. This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.

Click here to view the range of benefits available to all LAT staff.  

Our commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units.  All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.  

Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a Trust we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds.​​​​​​​

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.