At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative design projects for top beauty brands and develop impactful campaigns.
- Company: Join The B-Hive, an innovative in-house agency for Boots and No7 Beauty Company.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, generous discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome all applicants.
- Why this job: Be a creative force shaping the future of beauty marketing with your unique ideas.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Design and proven experience in advertising or marketing.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
The B-Hive is an in‑house creative agency bringing to life the creative needs of some of the most recognisable brands in the beauty industry including No7, Soap & Glory, Liz Earle and Boots own brand. We combine the capability of an external creative and production team, with the speed, flexibility, and in‑depth brand knowledge of an in‑house set‑up. This is underpinned by years of experience dedicated to Boots and No7 Beauty Company. We are looking for an experienced Design Lead to join our creative team. The ideal candidate will have a flair for language, a deep understanding of brand voice, and the ability to create compelling campaign ideas to run across multiple platforms. This position requires someone who is both strategic and imaginative, with the skill to translate marketing objectives into big ideas.
Key responsibilities
- To think in terms of big ideas that can scale and live beyond the execution.
- Develop ideas and design execution for a variety of advertising channels, including digital ads, print media, social media, email campaigns, and more.
- Collaborate with copywriters, graphic designers, and marketing strategists to create cohesive and impactful campaigns.
- Understand client briefs and marketing goals to tailor content that aligns with brand identity and objectives.
- Steer and evaluate the visual direction on multiple projects to ensure consistency in design direction.
- Stay updated on industry trends and competitor activities to create relevant and fresh design styling.
- Present design and art direction concepts and final deliverables to the internal team or clients when necessary and participate in feedback sessions.
What you’ll need to have (our must-haves)
- Bachelor’s degree in Design, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Proven experience as a designer in an advertising or marketing setting (agency or in‑house) with a portfolio of published work.
- Strong research capabilities.
- You can adapt design styles to different audiences and platforms.
- Strong collaborative spirit.
- Creativity and an ability to think in ways that unlock the unexpected.
- To work actively to craft the design direction and strategic foundations in response to briefs managed through B‑Hive.
- Act as a source of inspiration and guidance for B‑Hive teams.
- Take a lead, alongside the Copy Lead, as a creative mouthpiece for B‑Hive – actively participating, presenting, or advocating for the creative work of B‑Hive.
- Support with the strategic planning of creative projects.
It would be great if you also have
- You have experience in the beauty or similar industry.
- You have experience having created strategic pitches for work.
- You have an understanding of AI and how and when it should be used.
- Experience working in an agency juggling multiple briefs and clients.
Rewards designed for you
- Boots Retirement Savings Plan
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Generous employee discounts
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay and gift card for anyone expecting or adopting a child
- Flexible benefits scheme including option to buy additional holiday, discounted gym membership, life assurance, activity passes and much more.
- Access to free, 24/7 counselling and support through TELUS Health, our Employee Assistance Programme.
We are an equal opportunity employer. Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values. Boots is a Ban the Box employer and will consider the suitability of applicants with criminal convictions on a case‑by‑case basis. This role requires the successful candidate to complete a pre‑employment check after receiving an offer. Depending on your location you will be asked to submit either a DBS, PVG or an Access NI Check.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead, The B-Hive in London
✨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 The Boots Company PLC.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like The Boots Company PLC, 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 Design Lead, The B-Hive in London
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 The Boots Company PLC 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 The Boots Company PLC.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at The Boots Company PLC. 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 The Boots Company PLC.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Boots Company PLC
✨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 The Boots Company PLC. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
