At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creative vision and global rebrand for IRIS Software Group.
- Company: Join one of the UK's largest software companies, trusted by over 100,000 businesses.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work, continuous learning, and a culture that celebrates diversity.
- Other info: Be part of a fast-growing team with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape a distinctive brand identity and influence millions globally.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in creative leadership with a standout portfolio.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
About IRIS
IRIS Software Group is one of the UK's largest privately held software companies, trusted by 100,000+ businesses, schools and accountancy firms to keep their operations running. Our software pays 1 in 6 UK employees, supports over 12,000 schools, and is relied on by 91 of the top 100 UK accountancy firms. We're a Great Place to Work® certified employer, recognised for our commitment to well-being, inclusion and development - and we're growing fast.
Location: Remote – UK or US
Reports to: Director of Global Communications & Brand
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to shape how IRIS shows up in the world. We’re looking for an experienced Head of Creative & Design to define and elevate our global creative identity across every brand touchpoint – from major campaigns and digital experiences to social, sales and events. You’ll join IRIS at a pivotal time, taking a leading role in an ambitious global rebrand and turning our evolving vision into a distinctive and compelling brand experience.
What you’ll be doing:
- Own the creative vision and design direction across IRIS globally.
- Lead the upcoming global rebrand, from concept and identity development through to rollout.
- Lead, mentor and develop our in-house creative team, alongside agency and freelance partners.
- Act as a brand guardian, ensuring quality and consistency across regions and channels.
- Partner with Product Marketing, Demand, PR and Social to create standout integrated campaigns.
- Own and evolve our visual identity and design system, including typography, imagery, motion, templates and guidelines.
- Shape creative across web, digital, video, motion, events and executive communications.
- Build effective creative processes covering briefing, reviews, resourcing and quality standards.
- Use AI within the creative workflow to increase speed and scale while maintaining originality and quality.
What we’re looking for:
- 8+ years’ experience in senior design or creative leadership, ideally within B2B technology, SaaS or professional services.
- A standout creative portfolio, particularly across brand identity and design.
- Experience leading or playing a major role in a rebrand or large-scale brand refresh.
- Strong experience across brand, campaigns, digital, web and motion.
- Experience leading and developing creative teams and managing agencies/freelancers.
- Comfortable being both strategic and hands-on.
- Ability to turn complex or technical ideas into simple, compelling creative.
- Strong stakeholder management skills and confidence providing creative direction.
- Experience using AI tools within creative workflows.
- Strong knowledge of Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Experience within a PE-backed, high-growth or fast-moving B2B environment would be advantageous.
What success looks like:
You’ll help deliver a successful global rebrand, raise the overall creative quality across IRIS and establish a consistent, distinctive identity across our markets. You’ll also create the systems, guidelines and design tools that allow teams to move faster while staying on-brand – ultimately building a creative function that teams across IRIS trust and want to work with.
If you’re a creative leader who loves building brands, developing brilliant teams and turning big ideas into work that makes an impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Why You’ll Love Working Here:
- Impact: Your work will influence millions globally.
- Growth: Continuous learning and career development opportunities.
- Belonging: A culture that celebrates diversity and empowers every individual.
Ready to Apply?
Click Apply - we’re excited to learn about your unique perspective and experience. If you need adjustments during the process, let us know. We’re committed to making this opportunity accessible to everyone.
What to expect from our hiring process:
Our process is designed to be fair, transparent and straightforward. Stages vary depending on the role — more senior positions may involve additional steps, and some areas include role-specific assessments such as a technical test or case study — but typically you can expect:
- Application review — we assess your experience and potential
- Initial call — a short conversation to learn about you and share more about the role
- Skills assessment — tailored to the position, e.g. case study, coding challenge or portfolio review
- Final interview — meet the team and explore how you'll make an IMPACT at IRIS
We'll always walk you through the specific stages at the start of the process so you can prepare with confidence. If you need any adjustments or accommodations during the process, let us know, we’re committed to making this experience accessible for everyone.
Head of Creative & Design employer: IRIS
IRIS Software Group is an exceptional employer, recognised as a Great Place to Work® for our dedication to employee well-being, inclusion, and professional development. As a Migration Consultant, you'll be part of a dynamic team driving significant cloud transformation in the education sector, with ample opportunities for career growth and the chance to make a meaningful impact on customer success. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and celebrates diversity, making it an ideal environment for those passionate about education payroll and technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Creative & Design
✨Show Off Your Creative Juice
As a freelancer in marketing communications, your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure you’ve got a killer online presence showcasing projects you've worked on, including any campaigns or content pieces. Don't just toss it together; highlight the impact you've made with metrics whenever possible!
✨Join the Marketing Circuit
Get yourself into the local or online marketing communities, like the AMA (American Marketing Association) or industry-specific groups on LinkedIn. Attending events, workshops, or webinars can help you connect with potential clients or collaborators who might need your skills.
✨Leverage Social Media Authentically
Use platforms like Instagram and Twitter to share your insights on marketing trends or showcase your past work. Creating engaging posts or even threads with tips can boost your visibility and position you as a go-to expert in your niche.
✨Tap into Your Network
Don’t shy away from reaching out to old colleagues, friends, or acquaintances in the marketing space. A simple message asking if they know anyone in need of freelance support can open unexpected doors. Remember, personal connections can lead to opportunities that job boards can’t!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Creative & Design
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Portfolio that Pops:As a freelance marketer, your portfolio is your best friend! Make sure to showcase your best marketing campaigns, social media content, and any communications strategies you've developed. Don't just list your experience; highlight the results you achieved for your clients to demonstrate your talent.
Show Off Your Creativity:Marketing and communications thrive on creativity, so don’t hesitate to let your unique style shine! Whether it’s your CV layout, your cover letter’s voice, or even your email subject line, a bit of flair goes a long way in making you stand out to IRIS.
Define Your Services and Rates:Freelancing means you're running your own show! In your application, be clear about the services you can offer IRIS and include your rates if appropriate. This helps potential clients understand what they can expect from you and makes it easier for them to consider working together.
Don’t Forget About Availability:Clients want to know when they can start working with you, so be upfront about your availability in your application. Whether you can take on a project immediately or have a schedule lined up, being clear about timelines will make you a more attractive candidate for Head of Creative & Design at IRIS.
How to prepare for a job interview at IRIS
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
When interviewing for a freelance gig in marketing communications, having a strong portfolio is crucial. Make sure you have examples of your best work, whether that's social media campaigns, press releases, or content pieces, ready to share with the team at IRIS.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Marketing Tools
Since this role involves communication, be prepared to discuss the specific tools that you use for managing campaigns and analytics, like HubSpot or Hootsuite. Being able to demonstrate your technical comfort with these platforms can really set us apart from other candidates.
✨Pitch Your Unique Value
Freelance roles are all about standing out, so don’t just talk about what you can do—pitch why you’re the perfect fit for IRIS. Focus on your unique style, previous client success stories, and how you can tailor your approach to their needs.
✨Prepare to Discuss Your Availability
Since this is a freelance position, expect to chat about your availability and workload management. Have a clear plan on how you can fit this role into your schedule while ensuring quality output, as this will establish reliability and professionalism with the hiring team at IRIS.
