At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative projects and mentor junior designers in a vibrant studio environment.
- Company: Award-winning design agency known for its collaborative culture and innovative work.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, extra days off, and a supportive workplace.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and creativity.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team creating impactful designs for beloved personal care brands.
- Qualifications: 5-8 years in brand/packaging design with a strong portfolio.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
As a senior brand & packaging designer based out of our lovely Royal Tunbridge Wells studio, you’ll be at the heart of our innovative Design team. We're looking for a passionate and enthusiastic addition to the team, someone who is a bold thinker who will help bring our creative visions to life. You'll be working alongside some wonderfully talented people, on one of the world’s most loved personal care brands, mentoring our junior designers to ensure the next generation of talent are set up for success.
WHO YOU ARE
You’re a calm, confident creative with a strong voice, a steady presence and a deep commitment to quality. You lead by doing, bringing both clarity and flair to your work, and inspiring others to raise their game. You’re trusted to drive design thinking across multiple briefs, balancing big ideas with fine-tuned detail. You hold yourself to high standards and help others do the same: creating work that’s insightful, strategic and beautifully made.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Creative thinking & crafting excellence: You shape creative work from concept to craft, elevating the quality through your own ideas and by raising the standard across the team. You hold space for originality, polish and bravery, and deliver work that is both strategically smart and visually powerful. You apply AI tools with purpose and precision, enhancing storytelling, efficiency and design ambition.
- Strategic & brand alignment: You hold the brief with confidence, translating it into compelling design while questioning and challenging where needed. You connect dots across projects, ensuring brand truth and creative opportunity stay aligned. You design with intent, not just instinct.
- Studio process & project delivery: You manage multiple workstreams with care and clarity. You keep timelines on track, own your output, and create structures that help the team deliver better. You’re a steadying influence who flags risks early and keeps quality moving at pace.
- Team collaboration & contribution: You contribute to a creative culture where people feel seen, supported and inspired. You give feedback that builds clarity and confidence, and you’re present in critiques, rituals and reviews. You lift the work, and the people who make it.
- Leadership & mentoring: You mentor juniors through your feedback, your clarity and your consistency. You know when to support, when to stretch and how to model great leadership behaviours. You create space for others to grow while staying accountable for the outcomes.
- Commercial acumen: You understand how to manage your time and creative ambition within the scope of the project. You protect the integrity of the work by staying aware of budgets, timelines and value. You contribute to resourcing conversations and help manage external contributors with efficiency and care.
EXPERIENCE
You’ll probably have around 5-8 years’ experience in a brand and/or packaging agency environment with a portfolio that shows how you bring strong brand thinking to packaging and brand worlds, with exposure to and a love for beauty and personal care.
LOCATION AND FLEXIBILITY
Ideally this role would be based out of our Royal Tunbridge Wells studio but we could consider applications for our London studio. This is a full-time role (40 hours) and we work to a hybrid model of three days in the studio.
WHY WORK WITH US?
What makes JDO special is how we work together. We value conviction without ego, generosity without fuss and craft that holds up in the detail. You’ll be encouraged to bring your point of view, ask better questions, learn from talented people around you and keep developing your voice. Our promise to you is a career that matters: one where your talent is recognised, your growth is supported and your individuality is celebrated. We want people to do brilliant work, but not by becoming someone they are not.
We’re proud to have been named Creativepool’s Best Agency to Work For in both 2024 and 2025. That recognition matters to us because it reflects the kind of place we are building: high standards, real collaboration and a team that shows up for each other. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer benefits that support rest, wellbeing, creativity and life outside work, including Fri-yays, where our studios close on the last Friday of most months, a day off on your birthday, end-of-year studio closure, an Employee Assistance Programme and a workplace nursery scheme to help with the cost of childcare.
About us
JDO is an award-winning design agency, expertly helping brands deliver on their promises by creating experiences people can see, feel, and believe. With boundless creativity and craftsmanship, we craft identities and brand worlds that drive success. Partnering with visionaries and disruptors alike, we turn brand promises into powerful belief. Our promise to every member of our team is a career that matters. One where your talent is recognised, your growth is supported, and your individuality is celebrated. Be part of a team that brings energy, generosity and craft into every room – and shows up for each other, every single day. Together, we design for distinction, push boundaries and stay curious, always seeking a better way. We believe creativity thrives on diversity – of background, identity, experience and thought. We’re committed to building a workplace where everyone feels safe, seen and supported to grow.
Senior Brand & Packaging Designer employer: JDO Ltd
At JDO, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment in our London studio, where every team member plays a vital role in our creative journey. As an Office & HR Admin Assistant, you'll benefit from a range of perks including 'Fri-yays', a day off for your birthday, and a workplace nursery scheme, all designed to enhance your wellbeing and work-life balance. We are committed to your professional growth, offering opportunities to learn and develop within the creative industry while being part of a collaborative and positive team culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Brand & Packaging Designer
✨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 JDO Ltd.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like JDO Ltd, 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 Brand & Packaging Designer
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 JDO Ltd 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 JDO Ltd.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at JDO Ltd. 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 JDO Ltd.
How to prepare for a job interview at JDO Ltd
✨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 JDO Ltd. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.