At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative design for a fast-growing consumer brand, focusing on packaging and graphic design.
- Company: Dynamic UK consumer goods brand with a passion for creativity.
- Benefits: Remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a culture that values quality, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in design while mentoring the next generation of creatives.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Senior Lead Designer or Design Director with a strong portfolio.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We're looking for a Design Director to help lead the creative function at a fast-growing UK consumer brand. This isn't a purely strategic role, and it's not purely executional either. It's both. You'll own a meaningful schedule of hands-on design work - primarily packaging and graphic design across print and digital - while also leading, mentoring and line managing your direct reports.
You'll co-lead the design function alongside a peer Design Director, with both of you reporting into the Chief Creative Officer. You'll be the daily decision-maker for your projects: keeping work moving, maintaining exceptionally high design standards, and representing the design team in cross-functional conversations with marketing, product development and manufacturing. The CCO sets the creative vision - you make it happen, day in, day out.
It's a role for someone who genuinely loves the craft, takes real pride in their output, and equally loves bringing other designers on in their career. Culture, quality, and momentum matter to us - and we'd want them to matter to you too.
What you'll be doing
- Translating commercial and marketing briefs into high-impact design direction and finished work
- Owning and executing your own design schedule - packaging, graphic, print and digital
- Acting as the daily decision-maker for your projects, keeping things moving efficiently
- Line managing, mentoring and supporting the career development of your direct reports
- Reviewing and elevating the work of Designers and Senior Designers across the team
- Partnering with your co-Design Director to maintain a unified creative vision
- Attending cross-functional meetings to keep design aligned with the wider business
- Contributing to campaign strategy and new product introductions
What we're looking for
Essential
- Proven track record at Senior Lead Designer or Design Director level
- A strong portfolio demonstrating mastery in graphic and packaging design
- Experience line managing and coaching junior-to-mid-weight designers with an empathetic, growth-oriented style
- Highly organised and autonomous — able to manage your own workload and deadlines in a fully remote environment
- Exceptional ability to communicate creative concepts clearly to non-creative stakeholders
Desirable
- Experience in FMCG, consumer goods, or packaging-heavy industries
- Comfortable working in Google Workspace and project management tools
Design Director in Guildford employer: Vertical Advantage
Join a dynamic and innovative consumer goods brand that values creativity and collaboration, offering a unique opportunity for a Design Director to thrive in a fully remote environment. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you'll have the chance to mentor and develop your team while working on impactful design projects that shape the brand's identity. Our culture prioritises quality, momentum, and a shared passion for design, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Director in Guildford
✨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 Vertical Advantage.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Vertical Advantage, 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 Director in Guildford
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 Vertical Advantage 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 Vertical Advantage.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Vertical Advantage. 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 Vertical Advantage.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vertical Advantage
✨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 Vertical Advantage. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
