Digital Creative Developer & Designer (0111-26-R)

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

The External Relations department brings together student recruitment, marketing, communications, content and development into one dynamic, expert function. The team is responsible for telling the University’s story in the UK and internationally – shaping how we are seen, understood and experienced by our audiences.

From creating compelling messaging and content across campaigns, digital channels and events, to building influential partnerships and driving sustainable income, External Relations delivers complex, high‑impact work that is central to the University’s success. Our work supports growth, strengthens trust and reputation, and makes a significant contribution to the University’s long‑term ambitions.

Design

The Design team are responsible for creating print and digital assets and ensuring brand consistency across the University.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Digital Creative Developer & Designer to join our External Relations team.

You will support wider design activity across social, web, print and other campaign channels, working closely with colleagues in Design, Content and Student Recruitment to deliver integrated, user-focused creative.

You will also be a specialist in designing and building high-quality, responsive HTML email templates that perform consistently across all major email clients. You will take the lead on email creative development, producing reusable, modular templates and ensuring all output meets brand, accessibility and best-practice standards.

You will manage an email marketing platform, carry out quality assurance and testing, and use insight and performance data to continually improve engagement.

This is a hands-on role with no direct line management responsibilities, but you will act as a subject expert, providing advice and support to colleagues. Flexibility is required, including occasional evening and weekend working to support key University events such as Open Days, Clearing and Graduation.

The role offers the opportunity to develop specialist expertise in design, email development and digital campaign deliver within a large, collaborative organisation, while helping to shape digital creative standards across the University.

This is a fixed term contract for 12 months.

Anticipated interview date: Thursday 3rd September 2026

About You

You will be an experienced graphic designer and bring with you additional expertise in building responsive HTML email templates from scratch using tables and inline CSS. You will have a deep understanding of email client limitations, including Outlook rendering and mobile optimisation, and experience working with email marketing platforms such as Dotdigital or similar.

You will bring strong visual and digital design skills, with confidence using Adobe Creative Suite (including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign) to deliver high-quality creative across email and wider digital channels. You will have experience creating reusable, modular email components, carrying out quality assurance testing, and managing multiple projects and deadlines effectively.

You will hold a degree in Graphic Design, Web Design or a related discipline (or equivalent experience) and will have proven experience in a similar level role. You will have excellent organisation and communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
Local Government Pension Scheme
Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
Discounted onsite gym
Cycle to Work scheme
A flexible working environment
A commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Alice Oliver, Associate Director - Communications via a.oliver@derby.ac.uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk

Important Information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit our website for more information.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.

Closing Date: 19 Aug 2026

Area: Administrative Support

Salary: £32,260 to £36,251 per annum
(for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £41,689 per annum)

Jobs at the University of Derby | Design