Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a creative team on exciting retail projects.
- Company: Whippet, an award-winning creative agency with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, private medical insurance, enhanced leave, and fun team outings.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make your mark on top UK brands.
- Qualifications: Experience in design management and exceptional creative skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re on the lookout for a Design Director to join our growing team! As a Design Director at Whippet, you’ll have bags of creative freedom and the opportunity to lead, inspire and mentor teams throughout the creative process on projects with the top retail clients in the UK – from big campaigns, POS, branding and identity, print, to digital and more! You’ll play a central, strategic role directing creative across various stages of the projects, whilst also being hands-on in the design process. Ideally, we’re looking for someone who has experience managing a small team of designers, has exceptional ideation and creative skills, experience running multiple projects for retail clients, not to mention impressive juggling skills, too.
As a Design Director, you’ll be an ambassador for Whippet – representing the team and our values from client boardrooms to award shows. This includes knowledge sharing with the internal team and being a custodian for our own internal branding. It’s a great opportunity for an experienced Senior Designer to move up or an existing Design Director who wants a new, rewarding challenge.
Whippet is an award-winning creative agency transforming brands. We’ve been around for over 20 years, which means we know how to deliver results that count. We get brands, we get design, we get communications, and between our amazing team of 30 people comprising of Creative, Strategy and Client Services, we deliver powerful marketing designs. We work predominantly in retail, so it’s fast, but we love the variety and the pace! You’ll be working with some pretty amazing brands, alongside some pretty amazing people, so if you’re creative, passionate, motivated, and collaborative, you’ll fit right in.
Day-to-day as a Design Director at Whippet you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Lead a team in translating client briefs into exceptionally creative design concepts
- Produce creative solutions that reflect and instil distinctive brand personality
- Be hands-on in curating design work and the design process
- Present and pitch work to new and existing clients
- Generate concepts and ideas for retail campaigns
- Work closely with the design team to produce creative concepts for new brand identities, seasonal campaigns, print, digital, in-store POS and much more
- Present to some of the biggest retail clients in the UK, including M&S Food, M&S Bank, Holland & Barrett, Bensons for Beds, Frankie & Benny’s, Iceland, Tesco Mobile and many more
- Work closely and collaboratively with our Client Services, Copywriting, and Creative teams throughout projects
- Champion conceptual thinking and creative for our mid-weight and junior designers
- Mentor and lead creatives
- Be an ambassador for all things Whippet and our values
Our team are our biggest asset, without a doubt. From managing the flow of projects through the studio, motivating and celebrating achievements, to producing outstanding creative work - we have developed a truly special culture, which is dedicated, collaborative, friendly and fun! We offer a hybrid working model with 2 days remote and 3 in the Whippet studio. Our studio in London Bridge is a place where we come together as a team and make creative magic.
There’s more too…
- Private medical insurance with Vitality
- Company pension plan with Royal London
- Enhanced annual leave for length of service
- Early Friday finishes for all and flexible start times
- A paid day off and contribution toward doing something that satisfies your curiosity
- Regular team outings, plus a big summer and Christmas party!
- All the up-to-date tech you’ll need
If you’ve got a portfolio full of strong ideas executed to the highest standard, a passion for branding and all things beautiful, and obsessive attention to detail, then get in touch. Apply using LinkedIn, or send us your CV, portfolio and a cover letter including your salary expectations to jobs@whippet.co.uk
Design Director employer: Whippet London
Contact Detail:
Whippet London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the design industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, bring it along and be ready to discuss your creative process. It’s all about showcasing your unique style and skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Whether it’s for an interview or a casual meet-up, being able to clearly articulate your ideas and experiences is key. Keep it engaging and make sure to highlight how you can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from passionate candidates. It shows initiative and gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm for joining Whippet. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio: Your portfolio is your chance to shine! Make sure it showcases your best work, especially projects that highlight your creative process and leadership skills. We want to see how you’ve tackled challenges and brought ideas to life!
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to reflect the skills and experiences that align with the Design Director role. Highlight your experience in managing teams and working on retail projects, as this will catch our eye.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your opportunity to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for Whippet. Share your passion for design, your vision for leading a team, and how you can contribute to our culture. Keep it engaging and personal!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Let’s make it happen!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whippet London
✨Know Your Portfolio Inside Out
Make sure you can talk confidently about every piece in your portfolio. Be ready to explain your thought process, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will show your depth of experience and creative thinking.
✨Research Whippet's Work
Familiarise yourself with Whippet's recent projects and clients. Understanding their style and values will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Prepare for Creative Challenges
Expect to be asked about how you would approach specific design challenges or client briefs. Think through some scenarios beforehand and be ready to showcase your problem-solving skills and creative strategies.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Design Director, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership philosophy, how you mentor junior designers, and examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. This will highlight your suitability for the role.
