Graphic Design Manager (County Durham)

Job Title: Graphic Design Manager

Location: County Durham

Salary: Up to £36k

Are you a strategic and hands-on creative leader ready to shape the visual direction of multiple lifestyle brands? We\’re working with a fast-growing interiors business that is seeking a talented Graphic Design Manager to lead their in-house studio and deliver impactful, brand-aligned design across all platforms.

About the Company

This is a dynamic, multi-brand group with over three decades of experience in the interiors industry. Their brands have a strong reputation for empowering creativity through design-led products. With continued growth on the horizon, they’re looking for a creative leader to help drive forward their visual identity and customer engagement.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Creative, the Graphic Design Manager will oversee a small but high-performing design team. This role balances creative leadership with hands-on execution, ensuring all design output reflects the group’s evolving brand values and customer aspirations.

You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams across Marketing, eCommerce and Product Design, playing a key role in campaign development, digital content creation, and broader brand storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead concept development and visual storytelling across web, social, print, and campaign.
• Translate brand strategy into compelling creative assets that engage and convert.
• Maintain brand consistency while pushing for innovative design thinking.
• Line-manage and mentor junior designers, supporting their creative and professional growth.
• Prioritise design briefs and manage studio workflow in partnership with senior stakeholders.
• Ensure high-quality delivery across all projects, adhering to brand and business objectives.
• Deliver exceptional visual content across eCRM, POS, packaging, trade materials, and more.
• Contribute to art direction, styling, and creative input on photo shoots where required.
• Work collaboratively with Photography and Marketing teams to produce on-brand visuals.
• Maintain efficient design processes and reporting frameworks.
• Support in planning resources and tracking team output against project goals.

About You

You’re a passionate creative with a sharp eye for detail, a strong grasp of design principles, and the ability to lead and inspire others. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and bring a balance of innovation and precision to your work. With a keen interest in interiors or lifestyle brands, you understand the importance of brand storytelling and customer engagement.

What You’ll Bring

Essential:

• 5+ years’ graphic design experience, including 1–2 years in a leadership role.
• Strong portfolio showcasing digital and print design, branding, and campaign work.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign; After Effects or Premiere Pro a plus).
• Excellent understanding of typography, layout, photography, and colour theory.
• Team management experience and strong communication skills.
• Familiarity with eCommerce UX/UI and multi-channel creative.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple deadlines under pressure.

Desirable:

• Experience in interiors, home décor, fashion or lifestyle sectors.
• Experience using project management tools like Trello or Asana.
• Working knowledge of print production processes.
• HTML/CSS knowledge for email or web assets.

Perks & Benefits

• Early finish at 3pm one Friday each month
• 20% staff discount across product range
• 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Workplace pension scheme

Ready to take the next step in your creative leadership journey? Apply now!