JOB TITLE: Assistant Creative Digital Designer (Apprentice)
DEPARTMENT: Commercial
REPORTING INTO: Graphic Designer
HOURS OF WORK: Full time including weekend fixtures
BASED: On-site at Carrington training ground
START DATE: September 2025
WHO WE ARE: We are Sale Sharks: A team. A community. A family, woven together by the Fabric of the North.
Born in Manchester and proud of our roots, Sale Sharks is the only Premiership Rugby Union team in the North-West, playing top-flight rugby in the Gallagher Premiership and European Champions Cup, with an emerging Women’s team competing in Premiership Women’s Rugby.
With Northern charm in our blood and Shark pride in our hearts, our mission is to be the most impactful rugby club on the planet, on and off the pitch.
Inclusive and caring in everything we do. We’re not afraid to take risks, trying something new in search of better and facing up to the toughest with courage and pride. We use our position as the best team in the North to make a real difference, whether that’s through grassroots sports or community initiatives.
We play with integrity on and off the pitch and we are seeking someone who shares our values of Togetherness, Fearlessness, Passion, Pride and Humility.
THE OPPORTUNITY:
Sale Sharks are looking to add an Assistant Digital Designer to their Creative team. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of the Club and will suit someone who is keen to learn and develop their skills in a supportive environment. The appointable candidate will input into all aspects of the creative journey within the go to market platform. We are partnering with MMU to offer this unique apprenticeship opportunity commencing from September 2025, where the successful candidate will gain a degree in Creative Digital Design alongside the valuable experience of operating and delivering in an elite sporting environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assisting the graphic design lead with all digital and printed channels, including club social media accounts, mailers and website, print-ready creative Club materials spanning Men’s, Women’s, Academy and Club. This will include:
• Updating documents in line with brand guidelines and application across the business to deliver high quality design work within our brand guidelines
• Creating digital and static outputs ensuring all are in-line with Club values
• Creating promotional graphics for brand campaigns, ticketing campaigns and seasonal kit launches
• Involved in the design of fixture and match launch promotions for player announcements; new signings, player milestones, leaving players, international duties
• Input into elements of the creative design of matchday promotional material; fixture updates, ticket promotions, team news & gameday graphics, half time/full time score update templates, big screen slides, team-sheets, travel info graphics, Ticketmaster graphics, Macron retail graphics, Paid Social graphics
• Creating website graphics / GIFs and mailer graphics, along with input into materials for Mission Sharks Programme, 100 Club, Academy, Foundation, Rugby side Infographics/Templates, Sale Sharks Supporters Club, marketing, events, hospitality
• Updating seasonal design templates for Sale Sharks Men’s, Women’s and Academy
• Internal stationary; Word/PPT Templates, Letterheads, Business Cards and Carrington Training Centre signage and branding assets
• Research and reference gathering
• Liaising with external suppliers and print companies
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
The successful candidate will work in partnership with MMU whilst they complete the BA (Hons) Creative Digital Design Professional Degree Apprenticeship programme. Creative Digital Design Degree Apprenticeship | Manchester Metropolitan University
ESSENTIAL:
• A minimum of 104 points at A2 (grades BCC) or an equivalent, e.g. BTEC DMM. We also welcome applicants who have fully completed and passed the Level 3 Junior Content Producer Apprenticeship or the Level 3 Junior Advertising Creative
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (With an emphasis on Powerpoint).
• Experience of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom)
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Capacity to work independently and troubleshoot
• Ability to build strong relationships
DESIRABLE:
• Ability to interpret design briefs
• Adobe After Effects/Premier Pro
• An interest in photography and videography
• Knowledge of social ads is an advantage
BENEFITS:
• Access to on-site gym
• Subsidised meals during season
• Free parking on site
• Free match tickets to all Sale Sharks home fixtures
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please send CV along with a cover letter and supporting portfolio of your creative work to jenny.outhwaite@salesharks.com by Wednesday 5th March. Interviews will take place w/c 16th March
We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to having an inclusive culture that respects diversity and equity. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.
