Design Director in London

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

We are 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.

The role involves leading creative excellence across projects, inspiring teams, and shaping brand experiences that are both strategic and beautifully crafted. You will partner closely with the Creative Director, guide multidisciplinary teams, and play a pivotal role in delivering impactful design solutions for our clients.

As a Design Director, you will:

• 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.

We believe that ideas get better when they are inherently diverse and shared in highly inclusive ways. 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.