Visual Communications Designer

UK Dementia Research Institute; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job description

Our interview process includes two stages:

1. telephone interview on 31 March or 1 April 2025
2. in-person interview on 7 or 8 April 2025

Closing date for applications: Friday 28 March 2025.

Help bring visibility to one of the greatest health challenges facing society today.

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of over 900 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, driving a step change in our understanding of neurodegeneration, and accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of interventions that will help diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent dementia.

About You

We're looking for a talented Visual Communications Designer to be our creative voice, where you'll transform complex scientific concepts into compelling visual stories that communicate our mission to researchers, partners, the public and people affected by neurodegenerative conditions.

Working with the communications team, you'll be able to influence and enthuse the evolution of our visual identity across all platforms, create high-impact print and digital materials, design engaging digital content and campaign assets, and develop clear and impactful scientific graphics and presentations. This role combines creative design expertise with opportunities to grow into broader digital communications areas. You'll also help to communicate our research impact to diverse audiences including researchers, industry professionals, key partners/funders, public policy leaders and people affected by neurodegenerative conditions.

You'll bring and will:

• Have a keen eye for design and a passion for visual storytelling
• Thrive on transforming complex ideas into clear, engaging visuals
• Want to grow beyond pure design into broader digital communications including video
• Be excited about using your creative skills to make a real-world impact

What you'll need:

• Proven visual communications design skills, in particular articulating academic and scientific information to our audience
• Degree in Graphic Design/Visual Communications or equivalent career experience
• High proficiency in IT skills and digital literacy including Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite and other video, animation and web-based design tools
• Strong understanding of typography, layout and visual communication principles
• Experience and evidence of creating print materials and digital media including publications, workshops, exhibitions, and websites
• Sharp eye for detail and brand consistency
• Experience of measuring the successful impact of your work
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with a high degree of tact and diplomacy, able to deal with the public, internal and external contacts, and senior teams, appropriately.
• Creative problem-solving skills and a passion for using design to address complex challenges
• Ability to be forward thinking and offer strategic insight for visual communication design
• A good knowledge of accessible design, and how to produce inclusive materials
• To be adaptable, flexible and knowledgeable - able to keep up to date with the latest visual identity to develop new skills across digital platforms, video production, and for the UK DRI mission
• Comfortable with working collaboratively within a small support team whilst appreciating our wider and larger audience

What we offer

For this role we are offering a salary of c. £40,000 dependent upon experience plus great benefits, including:

Holidays:

27 days holiday + UK Bank Holidays, up to 6 business closure days, plus flexi-leave scheme where you can buy or sell up to five days’ of your holiday entitlement a year

Private medical insurance - we pay the cover, you pay the tax

Life Assurance - four times your basic salary

Income Protection and Critical illness cover to maintain your income if you have a prolonged illness or disability

Pension (matched contributions) – you contribute 3%-6% and we match your contribution at 6-12 % of your salary

Interest-free travel season ticket loan

Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay

Employee assistance programme - free, independent 24/7 help and advice for home or work

Occupational health - annual eye test and contribution towards your glasses and flu vaccination voucher

Discounts through Wider Wallet - shopping, cinema, restaurants, holidays, tickets and gift cards

The UK DRI currently operates hybrid working, with three days in our London office/sites.

About the UK DRI

Today, over 1M people in the UK are living with dementia and related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and motor neuron disease (MND). The impact of these incurable and progressive conditions on individuals and their families is devastating. Societal costs are staggering and growing as the population ages.

Due to major advances in our understanding of the biology of these disorders the field is at an inflection point with the next decade promising to deliver transformative breakthroughs in therapies and a new era of predictive, preventative, and precision medicine. The UK is well placed to play a leading role in this revolution due to its strengths in science required for discovery and delivery, led by the UK DRI working with our world-class university-based centres. To find out more about the UK's leading biomedical research institute dedicated to neurodegenerative diseases, visit UK Dementia Research Institute.

To apply

Please submit a link (or attach it with your application) to a variety of your best work, your CV, and a covering letter describing why you wish to apply and what you hope to achieve if you joined us.

No agencies please.

By applying to this role, you understand and agree that your information will be shared within the UK DRI People & Culture team and/or any team members who will be part of the hiring process.

UK DRI is committed to equal opportunities.

The UK DRI embraces diversity, inclusion and accessibility for all of our people. We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do. This means ensuring our recruitment processes are barrier-free and as inclusive as possible to everyone. We will make adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition.