At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead brand design, create visual identity, and mentor a creative team.
- Company: Join Dr. Martens, a global icon with over 60 years of cultural impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a values-driven culture that celebrates individuality and creativity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a legendary brand while showcasing your design skills.
- Qualifications: Exceptional brand design craft and experience leading creative teams.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Dr. Martens is more than a brand – it’s a global icon with over 60 years of attitude, heritage, and cultural impact. We’re a thriving, values‑driven business powered by diverse thinkers, bold doers, and people who bring their whole selves to work. If you’re ready to make your mark, you’re in the right place.
At DM, our values guide everything we do: Be Yourself, Act Courageously, Show You Care. They’re not just words – they’re how we turn passion into progress.
As our Senior Design Lead – Brand Design, you’ll be part of the Consumer & Brand team working closely with brilliant people across the business and reporting into Head of Brand Design & Identity. You’ll be right at the heart of fast‑moving projects that shape how we show up for our consumers – today and tomorrow.
This is a senior, craft‑driven brand design role for someone who still wants to be deeply in the work, while shaping the future of a global brand. You will be responsible for evolving and scaling the brand’s visual identity across every consumer touchpoint. You’ll sit at the heart of brand strategy, creative direction and commercial execution – translating ambition into world‑class identity systems that drive recognition, relevance and long‑term brand equity.
As a passionate, hands‑on designer you are expected to own key brand moments, define the expression of new propositions, design hero assets, and set the creative benchmark through your own output. You sit at the core of brand expression, operating where strategy, culture and craft meet.
You will define and evolve the brand’s visual identity by:
- Designing core identity elements yourself
- Creating and refining systems that others can scale
- Leading by example in how the brand should look, feel and move
You partner closely with Creative, Digital, Product and Marketing teams to ensure the brand shows up with confidence, consistency and attitude across every touchpoint from global campaigns to the smallest digital interaction.
Core Accountabilities
- Lead hands‑on brand craft, creating hero assets and setting the visual quality benchmark through your own design work
- Evolve the global visual identity across touchpoints, shaping how the brand looks, feels and behaves
- Develop flexible design systems and toolkits that enable consistent yet creative global execution
- Drive creative direction through making – designing alongside the team and leading on high‑impact work
- Act as brand guardian and mentor, ensuring strong governance while building capability, taste and craft across the team
Key Skills & Capabilities
- Exceptional brand design craft with a portfolio to match
- The ability to zoom between detail and direction
- Experience leading senior designers while remaining hands on
- Strong opinions, loosely held – backed by taste, logic and care
- Deep understanding of how brand identity works across digital, physical and cultural contexts
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
- Hybrid working
- Welcome free pair of Docs
- ‘Buy as you Earn’ Share scheme
- 65% off all Docs
- 50% off Accessories
- Pension Scheme through Aviva
- Life Assurance
- 25 Days Annual Leave +
Senior Design Lead - Brand Design in London employer: Dr. Martens plc
At Dr. Martens, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions individuality and fosters a vibrant work culture. As a Market Reward Partner, you'll enjoy hybrid working, competitive benefits including private healthcare and generous annual leave, and the opportunity to collaborate with talented professionals across the UK, Benelux, and Nordics. We are dedicated to your growth and development, ensuring you have the tools and support needed to thrive in your career while making a meaningful impact on our iconic brand.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Design Lead - Brand Design in London
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.
✨Get Involved in Design Meetups
Networking is key in the design world! Check out local design meetups or workshops where you can connect with other creatives and potential employers. This is a goldmine for finding unadvertised job openings at companies like Dr. Martens plc.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Dr. Martens plc, don’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your application highlights specific projects or styles that align with their brand image, showing that you’re a perfect fit for their team.
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in landing your dream design job! Share your work on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, and engage with accounts from your desired companies—this could put you on their radar before they start hiring.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Lead - Brand Design in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your visual CV! Make sure to include a link to your best design projects that showcase your creativity and versatility. Tailor it to include works that relate to the kind of design work Dr. Martens plc does, so they can see you in action.
Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV, highlight your design skills and software proficiencies, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Mention any relevant experience you have with branding, UI/UX design, or typography, as we want to see how you fit in with the creative team at Dr. Martens plc.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Dr. Martens plc. Let us know how you approach your design projects and any specific campaigns or themes that resonate with you, showing we’re not just a good fit but a perfect match!
Highlight Collaboration Skills:As a graphic designer, you often work with various teams and stakeholders. In your application, mention experiences where you've collaborated with others to bring a project to life, whether it's with clients, writers, or developers. This shows you can thrive in a team environment, which is key at Dr. Martens plc.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dr. Martens plc
✨Get Your Portfolio Ready
Your portfolio is your secret weapon in graphic design interviews! Make sure it's showing off your best work, with a variety of styles and projects that highlight different skills — from branding to digital illustration. Be prepared to talk through each piece, focusing on your creative process and the tools you used.
✨Know Your Design Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with software like Adobe Creative Suite is a must! Brush up on your skills with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as interviewers might dive into specific technical questions or ask for your workflow. If you’ve worked with any innovative tools or techniques, don't hesitate to showcase that expertise!
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.
✨Passion Counts
For a full-time position, showing genuine enthusiasm for design is key! Talk about your inspirations, the projects you're excited about, and why you're drawn to Dr. Martens plc. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
