At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a creative team to design impactful visuals for digital and print projects.
- Company: Join Saga, a trusted brand dedicated to serving the over 50s in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension scheme, and discounts on travel and insurance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your career in a supportive, inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in design and project management with strong communication skills.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for collaboration and socialising.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 38000 £ per year.
Design Lead
Salary £35,000 to £38,000 depending on experience
Permanent
Hybrid – Folkestone (3 days a week in the office)
As a Design Lead at Saga, you will play a pivotal role in our fast-paced, production-led Creative Studio, delivering high-quality, on-brand design assets across multiple marketing channels. You’ll be a hands‑on designer who thrives on variety, working across both print and digital, with experience in print production being particularly important.
This is a multi-channel role where your creativity and adaptability will be key. You’ll translate marketing briefs into engaging visuals that inspire and delight our customers, bringing our award-winning holidays, worldwide tours and luxury cruise experiences to life.
This role would be ideal for someone with a B2C background, ideally from a consumer-focused sector, with a passion for travel and holidays. If you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and are looking for an opportunity to partner with a highly experienced team while learning from their expertise to create exceptional, customer-focused design, this role is made for you.
This role requires you to be working from our Folkestone office a minimum of 3 times a week. We have designated office space for colleagues in our Travel business, allowing us to collaborate and share success as a function.
Package Description
At Saga we recognise that our people make us special. We believe our colleagues deserve rewards for the excellence they demonstrate every single day, that\’s why we have put together an amazing benefits package for all colleagues.
BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO ALL COLLEAGUES:
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Option to purchase additional leave – 5 extra days
- Pension scheme matched up to 10%
- Company performance related annual bonus – Up to 5%
- Life assurance policy on joining us, 4 x salary
- Wellbeing programme
- Colleague discounts including family discounts on cruises, holidays and insurance
- Range of reductions and offers from leading retailers, travel groups and entertainment companies
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Grandparents leave
- Income protection
- Access to Saga Academy, our bespoke learning platform
Main Responsibilities
- Create and lead the production of high-quality design assets across all channels, including print, digital, CRM and social.
- Support the Head Creative and act as a deputy when required, ensuring continuity of creative delivery.
- Manage the end-to-end creation of branded visuals in a variety of formats, working to briefs supplied by Marketing, Digital, CRM and Social teams.
- Develop fresh, customer-focused design concepts, graphics and layouts that align with brand guidelines and challenge existing creative.
- Bring the boutique cruise experience to life through innovative, on-brand visual storytelling.
- Collaborate with marketing, creative, copy, insight and digital teams to deliver effective creative across all stages of the customer journey.
- Ensure all creative assets are presented in the best possible way across every channel.
- Work collaboratively with external agencies or freelance resources when required.
The Ideal Candidate
This role would be ideal for a creative, customer-focused designer who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
- Strong experience in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, InCopy), with exposure to After Effects and Premiere Pro a bonus.
- Customer-focused mindset, always thinking about the audience and how design can enhance their experience.
- Collaborative team player with enthusiasm, energy, and a willingness to learn from and contribute to an experienced team.
- Self-starter with initiative, able to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Exceptional creativity, innovation, and attention to detail, delivering work to high standards.
- Excellent communication, organisational, and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively.
- Passion for travel or holidays, with a B2C background preferred; travel sector experience is a bonus but not required.
- Understanding of current design trends and their application in a commercial environment.
- Experience in image selection and basic video editing is desirable.
- Commercially aware, with a proactive approach to supporting business objectives.
Saga Values: Make it Happen, Do the Right Thing, Customer First, Excellence Every Day, Our People Make Us Special
About The Company
Over the past 70 years we have become the UK\’s specialist provider of products and services to people aged over 50 in the UK. We’re one of the most recognised and trusted brands amongst UK consumers in this demographic, recognised for its high-quality products and exceptional standards of service. Our product portfolio includes cruises, holidays, insurance, personal finance products and our Saga Magazine.
We aim to be the most-trusted brand for older people in the UK. Our focus on delivering exceptional products and service empowers our colleagues to create moments that are personal and special for our customers and for each other. Our values underpin our approach and help guide us to deliver our purpose.
We’re committed to making sure that colleagues can be their best, be themselves and make a difference – more than anywhere else. We do this by creating a truly inclusive culture, where all colleagues can bring their full and authentic selves to work and be treated with dignity and respect in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.
Thanks to our people, Saga has been ranked 6th in the UK’s Best Employers 2025 by the Financial Times and Statista. This recognition, based on the voices of 20,000 employees across the UK, is a testament to the great culture we’ve built together. This award belongs to all our colleagues who collectively make Saga a fantastic place to work.
We are champions of age inclusivity and signatories of the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge, we are proud of our multigenerational teams we have in place. We’re also a committed Disability Confident employer and ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible.
Your application will have fair consideration, and you’ll receive personal communication throughout your applicant journey when you apply to join Saga.
For more information on our DEI policies, colleague stories and other opportunities across the business, please visit Jobs and careers with Saga
Saga does not accept agency CVs unless specifically engaged on the role by the Talent Acquisition Team. Please do not forward CVs to our recruiters, employees or any other company location. Saga will not be responsible for any fees related to CVs received in this unsolicited manner.
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Design Lead employer: Saga
Contact Detail:
Saga Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the design world and let them know you're on the hunt for a Design Lead role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! When you get that interview, make sure to bring your A-game by showcasing your best work. Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that align with Saga's values and the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Research common design lead interview questions and practice your responses. Think about how your experience aligns with leading a creative team and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to keep yourself top of mind and show your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Design: When you're writing your application, let your love for design shine through! Share specific examples of projects you've worked on that showcase your creativity and how you’ve made an impact. We want to see your personality and passion!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Design Lead role. Highlight relevant experience in both print and digital design, and don’t forget to mention any leadership roles you've had. We’re looking for someone who can lead a team and bring fresh ideas to the table!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your skills and experience at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our amazing benefits package there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Saga
✨Know Your Design Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest design trends and software before your interview. Be ready to discuss your previous projects, especially those that align with the role of Design Lead. Show them how your experience can bring fresh ideas to their brand!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Design Lead, you'll be managing a team, so highlight your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led projects or collaborated with teams in the past. They want to see that you can inspire and motivate others!
✨Understand Their Brand
Dive deep into Saga's values and mission. Understand what makes their brand unique, especially for the over 50s demographic. During the interview, reference how your design philosophy aligns with their goals and how you can enhance their customer experience.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, project expectations, and how they measure success. This shows you're genuinely interested in the role and eager to contribute to their creative vision.