Design Director in York

Design Director in York

York Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Marks

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead creative projects, ensuring brand consistency and quality across various platforms.
  • Company: Join a fun, collaborative consumer experience agency with a global presence.
  • Benefits: Hybrid working model, supportive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on creativity and innovation.
  • Why this job: Shape iconic brands and work with diverse teams on exciting projects.
  • Qualifications: Solid packaging design experience and strong communication skills required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Marks, part of the Propelis Group, is a consumer experience agency creating engaging moments across the entire brand spectrum—from brand design and packaging to content and consumer connections. We are a collaborative global network of 1,900+ team members across 25+ studios and 20+ countries, partnering with some of the world’s most recognised brands to solve complex business challenges through design, strategy, and craft.

Marks is a genuinely friendly, fun and engaging place to work. Whilst we are serious about the work we do, we are emphatic that our employees should have the most rewarding experience at work we can possibly give them in a business environment, as well as a great place for all to nurture their talents. We’re bringing together a diverse team of creative people with perspectives from all over the world to create a vibrant environment full of ideas, opinions and experience.

We are looking for an experienced Design Director who is comfortable with a high degree of ownership and accountability. This is a great opportunity for an inspiring team leader with a can-do attitude who excels working in a fast-paced and reactive environment. This is a hybrid working role that will be based out of our York based studio.

Our ideal candidate is a natural brand builder and systems thinker who understands brand strategy and creative branding principles. You have a background working on FMCG brands and have a deep understanding of how they operate and are developed across printed packaging, POS and other shopper facing communications. You are grounded in brand pack design, both creatively and in its expansion and translation across wide reaching portfolios. You’ll be able to work with and understand brand positioning documents and guidelines to help create exciting new concepts for new ranges and brand expansions. Critical to this role is the ability to flex beyond pack, seamlessly adapting a visual brand language across other touchpoints including POS, Digital and e-commerce, maintaining the brand personality throughout.

What you’ll do:

  • Be responsible for the day-to-day quality of output
  • Lead multiple projects from brief through adaptation and rollout
  • Provide inspirational direction and be prepared to share knowledge with less technical members of the team
  • Work efficiently, balancing tight deadlines and frequently shifting priorities
  • Work alongside the Creative Director on conceptual projects where a more creative skillset is required

What you’ll need:

  • Solid experience in packaging design with an ability to understand brands' individual personalities, tiering and target markets
  • A portfolio that represents a diverse range of industry expertise, showing systems thinking in the world of FMCG
  • The ability to be the brand guardian, ensuring its development and executional consistency
  • The ability to change perspectives: a keen eye for detail but being able to shift to ‘helicopter view’ when needed
  • You’ll need to be an excellent written and verbal communicator
  • Ability to manage clients and projects independently
  • Good understanding of print and production processes and ability to explain print limitations to those without technical knowledge
  • Excellent presentation skills, articulating ideas with conviction in client facing situations
  • Organisational skills. You can effectively manage your time, prioritise your work and handle multiple projects simultaneously
  • Drive creative quality and technical execution excellence
  • A passion for visual culture, creativity, innovation and tech, beyond the world of graphic design
  • An expert working knowledge of the Adobe Creative suite and Keynote

Design Director in York employer: Marks

Marks is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture in the heart of London. With a focus on employee growth, they provide ample opportunities for professional development alongside a comprehensive benefits package, including 25 days of annual leave. Joining Marks means being part of a vibrant team that thrives on creativity and innovation while working with a diverse global client roster.

Marks

Contact Details:

Marks Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Director in York

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend design events, and connect with fellow creatives on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.

Tip Number 2

Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work, especially projects that align with the FMCG sector. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss your thought process behind each piece.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their values and needs. Remember, they want to see your passion for design and how you can contribute to their team!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly. Let’s make this happen together!

We think you need these skills to ace Design Director in York

Brand Strategy
Creative Branding Principles
Packaging Design
FMCG Brand Understanding
Visual Brand Language Adaptation
Project Management
Client Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Portfolio:Make sure to include a diverse range of your work in your portfolio. We want to see how you’ve tackled different projects, especially in FMCG packaging design. Highlight your best pieces that showcase your systems thinking and brand-building skills!

Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send the same application everywhere! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Design Director role at Marks. Show us how your experience aligns with our needs and culture.

Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your written application. We’re looking for someone who fits into our friendly and engaging culture, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are and what makes you passionate about design!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Marks

Know Your Portfolio Inside Out

Make sure you can talk confidently about every piece in your portfolio. Highlight your experience with FMCG brands and how you've applied systems thinking in your designs. Be ready to discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Understand the Brand's Personality

Before the interview, research Marks and their approach to brand design. Familiarise yourself with their past projects and think about how your design philosophy aligns with their brand values. This will help you demonstrate that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your ability to manage multiple projects and tight deadlines. Think of examples from your past where you've successfully led a project under pressure. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.

Showcase Your Communication Skills

As a Design Director, you'll need to articulate your ideas effectively. Practice explaining your design concepts in simple terms, especially for those who may not have a technical background. This will show your ability to be a brand guardian and mentor to less experienced team members.