Design Director (AI & Tech) in Manchester

This position sits in our Marketing & Technology service based in London. We combine data, technology, creative and paid media to crack brands’ business problems & drive revenue through a variety of digital marketing solutions like social, influencer, TTL ad campaigns, augmented reality, AI and innovation. Our clients include eBay, easyJet, Just Eat Takeaway and Pepsico.

Job Purpose

We are looking for a Design Director for an exciting AI Platform client of ours. The work we produce for them is varied and can range drastically from simple BAU creative responses, to in-person creative sprints and even full productions across multiple global markets. As a Design Director and lead on the client, you’ll be responsible for reviewing and signing off work, upholding brand and business standards, and ensuring creative excellence across all campaigns and projects. You will work with a wider team of creatives, producers etc, providing clear, decisive feedback, guidance and inspiration to support members of the team across these disciplines. As well as building, delegating and empowering the team to confidently take on work, you will be a hands‑on creative with a willingness to ‘get your hands dirty’ to help the team. This role combines design management and creative leadership, balancing people development, asset production, resource management and creative innovation. You’ll act as a trusted partner to wider team leads, bringing both vision and practical executional expertise to every project.

What you’ll do

• Lead, develop, motivate and inspire DEPT’s design teams and encourage collaboration
• Deliver and inspire innovative and high quality work across all deliverables from the team
• Develop strong creative ideas rooted in narrative, pacing, composition, and visual structure
• Initiate and facilitate creative team collaboration and sharing, and team cohesion through social and team building initiatives
• Guide execution across motion and static deliverables to keep work aligned with the original creative intent
• Be the face and voice of design at DEPT, to raise the profile of the team
• Suggest best ways of working, and hustle for the best opportunities
• Work with the ECD to build processes, structures and raise the quality of design
• Nurture and build a team of happy and fulfilled designers
• Build a productive and working relationship with other disciplines across the agency to deliver projects
• Maintain brand consistency throughout all our marketing projects
• Explore and work within a variety of different formats and platforms to create global campaigns
• Generate the creative ideas and campaign look and feel
• Collaborate with other designers and creative planners
• Be aware of and respond to current design trends and culture
• Use your experience and ideas to contribute to the development of our creative process
• Present work internally and externally
• Stay up-to-date with industry development and tools

What you bring

• Experience of growing, inspiring and leading a team of 10+
• Strong experience leading on a client with a consultative approach, ideally a client in the tech or AI space
• Work with management to operationally set the client team up for success
• Strong visual judgement and confidence contributing to concepts and creative direction
• Experience working with resource / operations to ensure projects are set up for success
• A high attention to detail, especially in large scale asset production and sign off
• Experience in creating and reviewing scopes/timing plans
• Curiosity around AI tools and interest in learning how they can support creative work
• A strong portfolio or showreel showing concept, craft, and high quality motion and design work, with examples of tech or AI-led campaigns

We offer

• A flexible, hybrid working policy (2 days from the office, depending on location).
• An excellent salary based on experience and equal pay policies
• Pension, free private healthcare, mental health support, and company sick pay scheme.
• Refreshments are provided in the office all week, as well as drinks at 4 pm on a Thursday.
• Help getting you to work with a season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme.
• Enhanced family friendly policies to support new parents.
• Social and Cultural Events, plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues through organised activities and celebrations.
• Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events.
• Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance.
• Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks’ at DEPT.
• A reputation for doing good. DEPT has been a Certified B Corp since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At DEPT we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives. We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.