Design Director

Design Director

Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) On-site
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead creative projects, inspire teams, and craft exceptional brand experiences.
  • Company: Join FutureBrand, a dynamic branding agency within McCann Worldgroup.
  • Benefits: Hybrid work model, diverse culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Embrace diversity and innovation in a collaborative team atmosphere.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of brands while working with top talent in a vibrant environment.
  • Qualifications: Strong design skills, leadership experience, and a passion for creativity.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Location: Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3AN Hybrid, minimum 3 days in the office per week.

We’re FutureBrand, the flagship branding agency within the multi award-winning global advertising network, McCann Worldgroup. Our work over the last two decades has changed the brand landscape today. Together, we are a diverse brand, experience and design community who believe that brand is how a company’s people, products and services behave wherever and whenever they show up in the world. Our work focuses on measuring and maximizing brand behaviour by connecting corporate purpose with everyday lived experience. Our shared values - Progressive, Adaptable, Collaborative and Empowering - put difference and diversity at our core.

The role We’re looking for a visionary Design Director to lead creative excellence across projects, inspire teams, and shape brand experiences that are both strategic and beautifully crafted. You’ll partner closely with the Creative Director, guide multidisciplinary teams, and play a pivotal role in delivering impactful design solutions for our clients.

  • Lead the development of creative concepts into exceptional, insight-driven design solutions.
  • Collaborate with the Creative Director to set the creative vision and uphold design standards across projects.
  • Build strong relationships across the business and with clients, acting as a trusted advisor and creative leader.
  • Direct and oversee projects from briefing to final delivery, making confident, strategic design decisions.
  • Champion creativity and collaboration throughout the design process, fostering a culture of innovation.
  • Define project briefs, deliverables, and timelines, ensuring clarity before engaging the design team.
  • Craft and refine design work into compelling, presentation-ready proposals.
  • Ensure all presentation materials are accurate, complete, and visually impactful.
  • Present work to clients with authority, clarity, and enthusiasm.
  • Manage project timelines and resources in partnership with Design Directors, client services, and studio management.
  • Brief and manage external suppliers to ensure quality and consistency.
  • Contribute to brand strategy and the broader creative development process.
  • Monitor project budgets and ensure financial efficiency.
  • Lead and mentor a team, supporting their growth through coaching, feedback, and formal appraisals.
  • Inspire and motivate designers throughout the creative journey, navigating both challenges and successes.

Skills & Competences And Minimum Requirements

  • Clear, confident communicator with strong presentation skills.
  • Proactive, organised, and accountable — with a sharp eye for detail and craft.
  • Strategic thinker with strong conceptual design skills and a refined aesthetic sensibility.
  • Collaborative team leader who thrives in a creative, solution-focused environment.
  • Passionate about design and committed to nurturing creativity in others.
  • Open-minded and adaptable, with a genuine desire to partner with colleagues and clients.
  • Ambitious and driven, with a track record of producing award-winning work.
  • Able to balance creative vision with commercial awareness and operational efficiency.

Equal Opportunities We believe that ideas get better when they are inherently diverse and shared in highly inclusive ways and we want to hear from those who think differently from us. FutureBrand is an equal opportunity employer (EEO). We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. FutureBrand is a disability-confident committed employer and will guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets the minimum criteria for the role.

Design Director employer: FutureBrand

FutureBrand is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, perfect for those looking to make a significant impact in brand design and packaging. With a hybrid working model based in the vibrant Bishopsgate area of London, employees enjoy flexibility while being part of a creative team that prioritises professional growth and development. The company offers unique opportunities to work on high-profile projects within the tobacco sector, ensuring that every team member can contribute to innovative solutions in a supportive environment.

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Contact Details:

FutureBrand Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Director

✨Show Off Your Portfolio

In the world of UX/UI design, your portfolio speaks volumes! Make sure it's packed with your best work and showcases your process, not just the final product. We want to see how you tackle design challenges, so consider adding case studies that reflect your thought process and user-centric approach.

✨Get Involved in Design Communities

Jump into local or online design meetups and workshops! Places like UXPA or local design events can be goldmines for networking and learning. Plus, mingling with fellow designers can introduce you to potential job openings that might not be listed elsewhere.

✨Tailor Your Applications

When you find a role that excites you, like the one at FutureBrand for a Design Director, make your application count! Highlight specific projects and skills that directly relate to the job description. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who fit into their specific team, so show them you’re the one!

✨Leverage Social Media

Don't underestimate the power of social media in finding a UX/UI design job! Follow design leaders on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, share your work, and engage in conversations. It’s a great way to get noticed by recruiters and even catch wind of openings at companies like FutureBrand before they go live!

We think you need these skills to ace Design Director

Creative Leadership
Strategic Thinking
Conceptual Design Skills
Presentation Skills
Project Management
Collaboration
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Design Director at FutureBrand, make sure to include examples that clearly highlight your design process. We want to see not just the final product but also the journey that led you there—wireframes, user personas, and iterations demonstrate your thought process and user-centric approach!

Tailor Your Portfolio:A tailor-made portfolio is crucial for a full-time design role! Curate your best projects that align with the kind of work FutureBrand does. We suggest including 3-5 case studies that showcase a variety of skills such as wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to really make your application pop.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just be a summary of your CV. Use it to express why you’re excited about UX/UI Design and what draws you specifically to FutureBrand. Mention any relevant experience, tools you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and how you can contribute to their projects.

Highlight Collaboration Skills:In the world of UX/UI Design, teamwork is crucial. Make sure to highlight any past experiences where you worked in cross-functional teams. Illustrate how you communicated design decisions and listened to feedback, as this will resonate well with the culture at FutureBrand.

How to prepare for a job interview at FutureBrand

✨Show Off Your Portfolio

When you're gunning for a full-time UX/UI design role, your portfolio is your best friend! Make sure you've got a solid selection of your work, showcasing not just the final designs, but the process behind them—think wireframes, user flows, and any user research you've conducted. During the interview with FutureBrand, be prepared to discuss your design decisions and how they solve specific user problems.

✨Prepare for Design Challenges

Expect to face some practical design tasks during your interview. FutureBrand might ask you to tackle a quick design challenge or critique an existing interface. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and try to articulate your thought process as you work through these scenarios. Showing how you approach a design problem is just as important as the final output!

✨Know the Tools of the Trade

Familiarise yourself with the tools commonly used in the industry—figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch should be second nature to you. Be ready to discuss your preferred tools during the interview and how they've shaped your design process at previous positions. This knowledge could give you an edge at FutureBrand!

✨Show Passion for User Experience

In a full-time UX/UI design role, having a genuine passion for improving user interactions can set you apart. Be prepared to share instances when you went above and beyond to ensure a great user experience in your previous projects. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a designer, but a user advocate, which is exactly what FutureBrand is looking for.