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
* Creative Design: Develop high-impact assets for digital campaigns, social media, email, print, and more.
* Stakeholder Management: Collaborate directly with internal teams and senior stakeholders to understand briefs, manage expectations, and deliver effective solutions.
* Brand Leadership: Maintain and evolve U.P.’s visual identity across all channels.
* Concept Development: Bring fresh thinking and creative ideas to campaign planning and brand initiatives.
* Project Ownership: Manage multiple projects simultaneously—from concept to delivery—ensuring timelines and quality standards are met.
* 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.
Requirements
* 4+ years of experience with a relevant qualification in Graphic Design or 5+ years’ experience without formal qualifications
* A strong portfolio demonstrating creative range, commercial impact, and polished execution
* Proven ability to work independently and manage complex projects from brief to delivery
* Experience dealing with senior stakeholders and translating business needs into strong design output
* Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
* Skilled in colour correction and photo editing (Photoshop/Camera Raw)
* Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality output
* Excellent communication and time management skills
* Bonus: Familiarity with Figma, XD, After Effects, Microsoft Suite, and a passion for motion/animation
Benefits
* Holiday: 25 days, plus bank holidays.
* Pension: salary sacrifice scheme with employer contribution.
* Simply Health Policy: claim money back on essential healthcare expenses like dental and optical care, remedial or sports massages and physiotherapy treatments.
* UP Discounts: Exclusive discounts, including 40% off a wide range of products such as supplements and fitness books, along with offers from selected partners.
* Salary sacrifice schemes: reduce your tax and NI contributions and enjoy non-cash benefits like Cycle to Work and Tech/Home schemes.
* Referral policy: bonus incentive for successful referrals.
* Employee assistance programme: free access to mental health guidance, telephone counselling and financial support 24/7.
* 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!