Design Director

Design Directors - Get the career you want with Creative Spark

Safety and security come first for everyone right now, but that doesn't mean you can’t expect more from your work life, too. If you’re looking to push the boundaries of your creativity and join a thriving and supportive team - read on.

We’re looking for a world-class Design Director. Not just anyone - someone who wants to be part of an unstoppable team.

About the role

As Design Director, you’ll work collaboratively with our Creative Director to maintain an exceptional level of design and a seamless creative experience for our impressive range of clients.

You’ll lead on art direction for both still and motion content, from briefing to storyboarding and post-production management.

You’ll lead our team of designers, guiding them throughout a range of projects, from brand and digital to packaging and beyond. You’ll oversee work by other members of the design team, ensuring the direction, energy and momentum are maintained from brief through to delivery.

You’ll work closely with Client Services and Ops, as well as clients, to cultivate and maintain strong and rewarding relationships. You’ll be part of a strong and effective team, including agency partners, the broader design team, strategists, creatives, copywriters, account managers, web developers and our performance marketing team.

You will be part of the Senior Management team, helping to shape and drive the business as we continue to grow and expand.

You will be expected to work directly with client teams and support the development of positive client relationships.

What are we looking for? 

You must have a proven ability to create exceptional work and confidently take the lead on projects through to delivery alongside a supportive and collaborative team.

You’ll be very proactive, acting as the beating heart of the projects you work on and keeping an eye on every moving part alongside the Account Directors.

You’ll be comfortably involved in several projects at once, demonstrating excellent time management and leadership skills.

You should be able to demonstrate strong conceptual and strategic thinking, choosing the appropriate media and style to meet your client's objectives

You can rationalise ideas in a clear and engaging way, representing the design team through compelling storytelling and creative presentations.

Like us, you’ll be committed to maintaining an outstanding level of design craft with high standards of attention to detail.

Main duties and responsibilities of the post

• Accountability for quality control
• Be a mentor – working closely with the studio to develop skill gaps and ensuring they are used correctly and effectively
• Represent creative team in pitches / new business / client meetings / events
• Find suitable new talent (whether permanent, supplier or work experience)
• Work closely with other senior managers to improve efficiencies and quality of work
• Actively encouraging creative innovation within the company and keeping ahead of trends
• Estimating the time required to complete projects and providing quotes for clients
• Working with other senior members on award submissions
• Responsible for the processes and housekeeping of all design-related work, including the server
• Promote the Spark culture and lead by example
• Be proactive in presenting or ‘pitching’ ideas and designs to prospective clients and client services team
• Specialise in brand strategy, branding and design but also be able to work in digital, motion, print and advertising campaigns

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Yearly bonus based on agency profits
• Flexible working between home and office
• Pension contribution
• Training days
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Birthday off (paid)
• 2 wellness days per year
• Monthly team socials
• Quarterly guest talks from experts in the creative industry

Why Spark?

We get to work with incredible clients all over the world on high-impact projects and long-term retained work. From start-ups to global organisations, you will have the opportunity to work across them all.

Everything we do is to make us, our partners and our amazing clients Become Unstoppable. We love to push boundaries and create great work – and it’s our Sparks that make this happen.

We are a fun, positive and supportive team. We believe in doing the right thing. We’re always fair and honest, no matter what. We work with integrity and mutual respect, to do what feels right.

We believe work should be enjoyable, so we work hard to make sure it is. We’re humble and modest. We never hesitate to be our genuine, authentic selves.

To apply for the role of Design Director, simply send your CV and portfolio to workwithus@creativespark.co.uk