Lead Graphic Designer

Ultimate Performance; Manchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced and confident Lead Graphic Designer to take full ownership of all design output at Ultimate Performance. This is a standalone role, you’ll be our only in-house designer, working closely with stakeholders across the business and delivering high-quality creative solutions without the need for day-to-day guidance or support.

You’ll be the go-to expert for visual design, managing your own workload, working directly with senior decision-makers, and ensuring everything from social graphics to printed materials hits the mark and stays on-brand. For the right person, there’s the potential to build and lead a small team in the future, so experience managing others, or a desire to move into leadership, is a strong advantage.

This is a great opportunity for a confident, creative, and self-sufficient designer who’s ready to step up and take ownership of a brand with a global footprint in the fitness industry.

Key Responsibilities

1. Creative Design: Develop high-impact assets for digital campaigns, social media, email, print, and more.
2. Stakeholder Management: Collaborate directly with internal teams and senior stakeholders to understand briefs, manage expectations, and deliver effective solutions.
3. Brand Leadership: Maintain and evolve U.P.’s visual identity across all channels.
4. Concept Development: Bring fresh thinking and creative ideas to campaign planning and brand initiatives.
5. Project Ownership: Manage multiple projects simultaneously—from concept to delivery—ensuring timelines and quality standards are met.
6. Future Growth: Help shape the future of design at U.P., with the potential to build out your own design team as the business grows.

Minimum Requirements

1. 4+ years of experience with a relevant qualification in Graphic Design or 5+ years’ experience without formal qualifications
2. A strong portfolio demonstrating creative range, commercial impact, and polished execution
3. Proven ability to work independently and manage complex projects from brief to delivery
4. Experience dealing with senior stakeholders and translating business needs into strong design output
5. Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
6. Skilled in colour correction and photo editing (Photoshop/Camera Raw)
7. Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality output
8. Excellent communication and time management skills
9. Bonus: Familiarity with Figma, XD, After Effects, Microsoft Suite, and a passion for motion/animation

Benefits

1. Holiday: 25 days, plus bank holidays.
2. Pension: salary sacrifice scheme with employer contribution.
3. Simply Health Policy: claim money back on essential healthcare expenses like dental and optical care, remedial or sports massages and physiotherapy treatments.
4. UP Discounts:Exclusive discounts, including 40% off a wide range of products such as supplements and fitness books, along with offers from selected partners.
5. Salary sacrifice schemes: reduce your tax and NI contributions and enjoy non-cash benefits like Cycle to Work and Tech/Home schemes.
6. Referral policy: bonus incentive for successful referrals.
7. Employee assistance programme: free access to mental health guidance, telephone counselling and financial support 24/7.
8. Fitness classes: Weekly group training sessions at our U.P. Manchester gym based in Spinningfields.

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 DOE

If you're interested in being our Lead Graphic Designer, please apply now!