Director, Design, Marketing in London

Director, Design, Marketing in London

London Full-Time 72000 - 88000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
TKO

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead creative for major pitches and oversee brand development across various media.
  • Company: Join IMG, a global leader in sports marketing and entertainment.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities to work on high-profile projects.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of sports marketing and inspire audiences worldwide.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in design with leadership experience and a strong portfolio.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.

Who We Are

IMG is a leading global sports marketing agency, specializing in media rights management and sales, multi-channel content production and distribution, brand partnerships, strategic consulting, digital services, and event management.

It powers growth of revenues, fanbases and IP for more than 250 federations, associations, events, and teams, including the National Football League, English Premier League, International Olympic Committee, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, ATP and WTA Tours, the AELTC (Wimbledon), Euroleague Basketball, CONMEBOL, World Rugby, DP World Tour, and The R&A, as well as UFC, WWE, and PBR.

IMG is a subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company.

 TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company.

TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world’s premier bull riding organization.

Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans.

TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality.



We power the passion for sport -

IMG is an industry-leading global sports marketing agency, specializing in media rights management and sales, multi-channel content production and distribution, brand partnerships, digital services, and events management.

It powers growth of revenues, fanbases and IP for more than 200 federations, associations, events, and teams, including the National Football League, English Premier League, International Olympic Committee, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, ATP and WTA Tours, the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (Wimbledon), Euro League Basketball, DP World Tour, and The R&A, as well as UFC, WWE, and PBR.

IMG is a subsidiary of TKO, a premium sports and entertainment company.

We're looking for an exceptional creative leader who thrives where strategy, storytelling and design meet.

Someone equally comfortable shaping the creative vision for a global marketing campaign, leading a business-winning pitch, or inspiring a team to produce their best work.

This is a rare opportunity to influence one of the world's biggest names in sport and entertainment while helping define how IMG shows up to clients, partners and fans around the world.

This role oversees and influences creative across graphic design, presentation design, campaign creative, brand identity, digital, social, motion and experiential activation.

Bringing together strategy, storytelling, design and innovation to create work that wins clients, builds brands and inspires audiences.

Perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, champions bold, original thinking grounded in strategic insight with a passion for sport.

You’ll collaborate closely with senior leaders, business development teams and marketers to ensure visually striking, strategically effective designs are delivered to the highest standards.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

  • Lead creative for IMG's most strategically important pitches and RFPs from initial brief through to presentation.
  • Raise the creative ambition of every pitch by bringing unexpected ideas, strong conceptual thinking and world-class execution.
  • Build pitch frameworks, templates and presentation systems that enable faster, higher-quality responses.
  • Drive creative direction for major clients from initial concept through final delivery.
  • Oversee brand development through campaigns, brand activities, and marketing collateral.
  • Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of designers and set standards for quality, consistency, and creative excellence.
  • Collaborate directly with senior stakeholders, industry-leading strategists and marketers to interpret briefs and shape visual direction.
  • Build and maintain template systems and asset libraries to streamline workflow and raise quality across the organisation.
  • Evolve design capabilities and identify opportunities to push our creative through new tools, processes, or formats.
  • Balance hands-on design leadership with strategic oversight.
  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver under tight deadlines in a high-pressure environment without compromising quality.
  • Maintain and evolve IMG’s brand identity.
  • Knowledge and Experience
  • 10+ years in design with at least 3 years leading teams in an agency, studio, or in-house creative environment.

• A strong portfolio - we'd love to see examples of

  • Winning pitch presentations
  • Integrated marketing campaigns
  • Brand systems
  • Large-scale activations
  • Exceptional typography, layout and visual storytelling skills.
  • Knowledge in AI-driven design tools (E. g. Flora, Runway, Nano Banana, generative design) to improve creative, storytelling and time efficiencies.
  • Experience presenting and selling creative concepts to senior leadership.
  • Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and comfort with motion and digital design.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities without sacrificing quality.
  • Experience in sports, entertainment, or culturally driven brands preferred.

Skills and Abilities

  • A creative leader who raises the bar for everyone around you.
  • A natural storyteller who knows how to turn ideas, strategy and raw content into beautifully crafted narratives.
  • You give direct, constructive feedback and create space for your team to do their best work.
  • You believe great design can change how people feel about a brand, an event, or a moment and you want to prove it at the highest level.
  • Highly organised, thrive in high-pressure environments, staying calm, focused and sharp when deadlines are tight.
  • Detail-obsessed but never lose sight of the bigger picture, work with speed and precision, balancing creativity with efficiency.
  • Enjoy collaborating and confidently present and discuss your design decisions.
  • You’re proactive and solutions-focused, if something isn’t quite right, you instinctively find a better way.
  • You're curious, energized by sport and culturally aware.
  • Working Conditions
  • This is a permanent position
  • This role will be based at Chiswick Park, with some flexibility on remote working as appropriate
  • Working hours are 9:00 – 17:00, Monday to Friday
  • May be required to attend (and travel to) locations, including other IMG buildings and meetings and industry events.
  • Unsocial hours may be required, as dictated by the demands of the business schedule, including when working to a pitch or proposal deadline.
  • Adapting to use of new systems and technology where appropriate
  • 



TKO EEO Statement

TKO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding non-discrimination in employment.

TKO makes employment decisions based on merit and qualifications, without considering an employee’s or applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under federal, state or local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities.

TKO also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state or local laws.

For information about Privacy and Information Security for TKO employment candidates, please review our .

For information regarding Terms of Use for this and other TKO websites, please review our

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Director, Design, Marketing in London employer: TKO

At TKO, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our team members enjoy competitive benefits, ample opportunities for professional growth, and the unique experience of contributing to the prestigious LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games. Join us in a vibrant location where your sales expertise can thrive and make a meaningful impact.

TKO

Contact Details:

TKO Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Director, Design, Marketing in London

Show Your Creative Side

In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for TKO and show them what you can bring to the table.

Engage in Marketing Communities

Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like TKO are looking for.

Leverage Social Media

Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with TKO on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.

Attend Industry Events

Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at TKO. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!

We think you need these skills to ace Director, Design, Marketing in London

Creative Leadership
Strategic Thinking
Storytelling
Graphic Design
Presentation Design
Brand Development
Digital Design

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit TKO. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.

Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.

Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!

Demonstrate Your Understanding of TKO:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about TKO’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at TKO

Showcase Your Creative Campaigns

Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at TKO will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.

Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out

If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.

Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions

At TKO, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.

Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing

As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.