Director, Design in London

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 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), EuroLeague Basketball, DP World Tour, and The R&A, as well as UFC, WWE, and PBR.

Position Overview

We are looking for a highly talented Design Director to help shape IMG’s brand and marketing as well as some of the world’s most iconic sports brands, events, and federations. You'll sit at the intersection of sport, business and culture, translating big ideas into compelling creative across B2B and B2C marketing, brand systems, campaigns, and high‑stakes pitches which showcase IMG’s world‑leading capabilities. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, champions bold, original thinking grounded in strategic insight with a passion for sport.

Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of designers and set standards for quality, consistency, and creative excellence.
• Drive creative direction for major clients from initial concept through final delivery.
• Oversee brand development through campaigns, brand activities, and marketing collateral.
• Own pitch and RFP creative, leading design for new business development, creating standout presentations and visual concepts that win work.
• 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 organization.
• 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.
• Thrive in a fast‑paced environment where no two days look the same – one moment refining a brand system, the next shaping a pitch deck for a major rights holder.
• Maintain and evolve IMG’s brand identity.

Skills & Experience

• 10+ years in design with at least 3 years leading teams in an agency, studio, or in‑house creative environment.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating editorial‑inspired branding, campaign design, and integrated marketing.
• Exceptional typography, layout and visual storytelling skills.
• Knowledge in AI‑driven design tools (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.

About You

• 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 organized, 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.

Unusual Circumstances of the Role

You’ll usually work normal office hours, however, you may work longer hours, including evening and weekend work, when working to a pitch or proposal deadline. You may be required to travel to industry events and work on‑site for the duration of an event, as necessary. There may be a requirement to travel for meetings as part of the role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.