Design Director (2.5 days p/w)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director (2.5 days p/w)

Company: OLIVER Agency

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Part-Time

Category: Creative Direction / Design Operations

Date Posted: September 09, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead creative direction and brand guardianship for a key client, ensuring visual consistency and strategic alignment across all touchpoints, including print, digital, social, and events.

• Lead and mentor an in-house creative team, fostering talent development and elevating collective output through clear direction and constructive feedback.

• Act as the primary creative partner to senior client stakeholders, presenting creative strategies and executions confidently at an executive level.

• Oversee the production of high-quality communications tailored for professional services audiences, encompassing thought leadership, pitches, events, and digital content.

• Drive the evolution and maintenance of a contemporary and distinctive brand system within a regulated sector environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly part-time (2.5 days per week), which is a significant factor for candidates seeking flexible work arrangements. The focus on "Design Director" in a "Bespoke In-House Agency" model suggests a strategic, client-facing operations role within the creative domain, requiring strong leadership and process management skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the visual communications strategy for the client, ensuring brand consistency, quality, and strategic alignment across print, digital, social media, and events.

• Set the creative vision and direction for the studio, translating complex client briefs into sophisticated and compelling design solutions.

• Build, mentor, and develop the in-house creative team, providing clear creative direction, constructive feedback, and ongoing coaching to enhance individual craft and collective output.

• Serve as the primary creative partner to senior client stakeholders, including marketing leadership and firm partners, presenting creative strategy and executions with confidence and clarity at an executive level.

• Oversee the production of high-quality communications tailored for professional services audiences, from thought leadership campaigns and pitches to events and digital content.

• Champion and evolve the client's brand system, ensuring it remains contemporary, distinctive, and appropriate for a regulated sector environment.

• Manage multiple concurrent projects across the portfolio, balancing hands-on creative contribution with leadership responsibilities and proactive problem-solving.

• Collaborate with OLIVER's wider creative and account leadership to identify opportunities for growing the studio's offering and deepening the client relationship.

• Oversee studio-level production budgets, including cost estimation, supplier relationships, and spend reporting, ensuring financial performance aligns with client and OLIVER expectations.

• Drive the responsible integration of AI tools across studio workflows, setting quality standards and governance that preserve craft excellence while improving efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic creative leadership, team management, client relationship management, and operational oversight (budgeting, project management, AI integration). This is typical for a senior operations role within a creative services environment, emphasizing process efficiency and quality control.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, or a related field is typically expected for a Director-level role.

Experience: A minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in design, with a significant portion in leadership and strategic creative roles, is indicated by the "10+ Years" experience level.

Required Skills:

• A strong portfolio showcasing sophisticated brand and campaign work, with demonstrable depth in B2B, corporate, or professional services environments.

• Expert-level understanding of brand systems: ability to build, maintain, and evolve them within complex, regulated contexts.

• Proven track record of leading and developing creative teams, employing a coaching approach to maximize individual and collective performance.

• Experience presenting creative work to executive and partner-level audiences, possessing the presence and communication skills to advocate for ideas with conviction.

• Deep craft knowledge across print and digital mediums, including typography, layout, art direction, and visual storytelling.

• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and familiarity with Figma and contemporary design tooling.

• Experience managing studio-level or project-level production budgets, including supplier relationships and cost oversight.

• Experience integrating AI tools strategically across studio projects and operations, with the ability to set quality standards and governance.

• Clear understanding of AI's role in enhancing creative output and the essential nature of human craft and judgment.

• Ability to drive thoughtful AI adoption within the team, maintaining rigorous human oversight and mentoring others in responsible, effective use.

• Agentic approach to complex creative and business challenges: systematic, adaptive, and focused on outcomes. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within a regulated sector environment (e.g., finance, legal, healthcare).

• Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools relevant to creative operations.

• Understanding of marketing ecosystem principles and how creative output integrates within broader GTM strategies.

• Experience with AI-driven creative tools beyond basic integration, potentially in content generation or optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on B2B, corporate, or professional services, along with experience in regulated sectors, points towards a need for strategic thinking and adherence to specific industry standards. The requirement for AI integration experience is a forward-looking aspect, suggesting the company values innovation and efficiency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of sophisticated brand identity development, including brand system evolution and application across various collateral.

• Present case studies of integrated campaigns (print, digital, social) demonstrating strategic thinking, creative execution, and measurable impact.

• Include examples of thought leadership content or high-stakes pitch materials developed for B2B or professional services clients.

• Demonstrate experience in leading and mentoring creative teams, potentially through project examples where team development was a key outcome.

• Highlight projects where AI tools were strategically integrated, detailing the process, benefits, and any governance applied. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of developing and refining design workflows to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency.

• Examples of processes for managing creative projects from brief to final delivery, including stakeholder communication and feedback loops.

• Documentation or examples of how brand guidelines are maintained and evolved to ensure consistency across all touchpoints.

• Processes for budget estimation, supplier management, and financial reporting within a creative studio context.

• Protocols for the integration and oversight of AI tools within creative production workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily geared towards demonstrating strategic creative leadership, brand system management, and operational efficiency, particularly in regulated B2B environments. The inclusion of AI integration in the portfolio is a key differentiator for this role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the Director level, 10+ years of experience, and the London location, a competitive salary range for a Design Director (even part-time) would typically fall between £60,000 - £90,000 per annum (pro-rata for 2.5 days/week). This estimate considers the high cost of living in London, the specialized nature of the role within a bespoke agency model, and the leadership responsibilities involved. The part-time nature (50%) would mean the actual salary paid would be approximately half of the full-time equivalent range, so likely £30,000 - £45,000 per annum.

Benefits:

• Hybrid work arrangement, offering flexibility and work-life balance.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning, aligned with OLIVER's values.

• Inclusive and anti-racist working environment, fostering a diverse and respectful community.

• Potential for involvement in groundbreaking work and contributing to innovative marketing ecosystems.

• Contribution to ambitious environmental goals around sustainability.

• Access to a strong network within The Brandtech Group.

Working Hours: This is a part-time role, specifically 2.5 days per week (approximately 19 hours). The hybrid nature suggests a portion of these hours will be in the office (London) and the remainder remote, with potential occasional travel to Birmingham.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on industry benchmarks for senior creative leadership roles in London, adjusted for the part-time nature of the position. The benefits listed are derived from the company's stated values and general industry offerings for such roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing and Advertising Services, specifically focused on building bespoke in-house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands. OLIVER is part of The Brandtech Group, which emphasizes leveraging AI technology.

Company Size: OLIVER partners with over 300 clients in 40+ countries, indicating a significant global presence and a large operational footprint. The company size is likely substantial, with a global workforce.

Founded: Established in 2004, OLIVER has a long history in pioneering its unique agency model.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will lead an in-house creative team dedicated to a specific client.

• This team will likely include designers, copywriters, and potentially other creative specialists.

• The Director will collaborate closely with OLIVER's wider creative and account leadership, suggesting a matrixed or federated structure.

• The role involves close partnership with senior client stakeholders, indicating a need for strong cross-functional collaboration between OLIVER's team and the client's marketing, communications, and leadership departments. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: While not explicitly detailed, the emphasis on AI and client partnerships suggests a data-informed approach to creative strategy and execution.

• Bespoke Ecosystems: OLIVER's core model is building tailored solutions, implying a highly customized and adaptable operational methodology for each client.

• AI Integration: The company is actively integrating AI to enhance efficiency, spark creativity, and drive decision-making, indicating a forward-thinking and technology-centric operational approach.

• Brand Guardianship & Consistency: A key operational focus is maintaining brand consistency and strategic alignment across all client touchpoints.

Company Website: https://oliver.agency/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is built around innovation, client partnership, and leveraging technology (especially AI). The "bespoke in-house agency" model means operations are highly client-centric and integrated. The part-time nature of this role within a larger structure suggests a focus on specialized delivery and efficient resource allocation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Director-level position within the creative operations domain. It signifies a senior leadership role responsible for strategic vision, team management, client relationship, and operational oversight of a dedicated creative studio for a key client. The "50%" designation indicates a focused, high-impact role despite being part-time.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will report to OLIVER's creative leadership and will also have direct interaction with senior client stakeholders. The role involves managing an in-house creative team, implying a hierarchical structure within that specific client studio.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's impact is measured through the quality and strategic alignment of the client's visual communications, the effectiveness and morale of the creative team, the strength of the client relationship, and the efficient management of production budgets and studio operations. The integration of AI also points to an impact on operational efficiency and innovation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to take on more responsibility for additional clients or expand the scope of the current client relationship within OLIVER's model.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to influence OLIVER's broader creative strategies and AI integration approaches.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in AI-driven creative tools, advanced design methodologies, and executive stakeholder management.

• Mentorship: Developing leadership skills by coaching and mentoring a team of creative professionals.

• Industry Insight: Gaining deep expertise in the professional services sector and its unique communication challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed within the context of a specialized, client-facing operations leadership role. The part-time nature might influence the pace of advancement compared to full-time roles, but the strategic importance of the client and the leadership scope offer significant career development potential.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is hybrid, meaning it involves a combination of working from the OLIVER London office and remotely. The office environment is likely collaborative, designed to foster creativity and team interaction.

Office Location(s): Primarily London, with occasional travel to Birmingham. This suggests a need for flexibility and willingness to travel as required by the client and project needs.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The London office will serve as a hub for team meetings, client presentations, and collaborative creative sessions.

• Technology-Enabled: Access to industry-standard design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma) and potentially advanced AI platforms.

• Client-Centric: The workspace is designed to support the delivery of tailored creative solutions for a specific client, fostering a close working relationship.

• Hybrid Flexibility: The remote component allows for focused individual work and greater work-life integration.

Work Schedule: The role is part-time, requiring 2.5 days per week. The specific days and hours may be flexible, but will need to align with team collaboration needs, client availability, and project deadlines. Occasional travel to Birmingham will also need to be accommodated within this schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and part-time commitment are key aspects of the work environment, offering a balance between in-person collaboration and remote flexibility. The occasional travel requirement is important for candidates to consider.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess relevant experience, creative output, and leadership capabilities.

• Creative Assessment: Likely a portfolio review session where candidates present their work, discuss their strategic approach, and demonstrate their understanding of brand systems and B2B/professional services contexts. This may include a discussion on how they've integrated AI into their work.

• Leadership & Stakeholder Simulation: Interviews focused on leadership style, team management, executive presentation skills, and client relationship building. Candidates may be asked to walk through hypothetical scenarios.

• Team & Culture Fit: Meetings with OLIVER's creative leadership and potentially team members to assess cultural alignment with OLIVER's values and the Brandtech Group's ethos.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic vision and overall fit for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your expertise in brand strategy, B2B/professional services, team leadership, and AI integration.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your strategic approach, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the outcomes achieved. Quantify results where possible.

• Highlight Leadership: Showcase examples of how you've mentored teams, guided creative direction, and managed client relationships.

• Demonstrate AI Integration: Clearly explain how you've used AI tools, the purpose, the impact on efficiency or creativity, and any governance or quality control measures you implemented.

• Focus on Brand Systems: Provide in-depth examples of how you've built, maintained, or evolved brand systems, especially in complex or regulated environments.

• Prepare for Executive Presentation: Be ready to present your work concisely and persuasively, anticipating questions from senior stakeholders.

Challenge Preparation:

• AI Integration Scenario: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach integrating AI into a specific design workflow or addressing potential challenges related to AI use in a creative team.

• Brand System Evolution: You might be asked to critique an existing brand system or propose ideas for its evolution within a regulated context.

• Team Leadership Scenarios: Prepare for questions about managing team dynamics, providing constructive feedback, and coaching junior designers.

• Client Pitch Strategy: Consider how you would develop a compelling creative pitch for a professional services client.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes not only creative and technical skills but also leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage client relationships and operational aspects like budget and AI integration. A strong, relevant portfolio is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential for high-quality visual output.

• Figma: Familiarity with Figma is required, indicating a move towards collaborative, cloud-based design workflows.

• AI Tools: Experience integrating and governing AI tools within creative workflows is a key requirement. This could include AI-powered design assistants, content generators, or workflow automation tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, a Design Director would likely need to understand how to interpret performance data for creative assets (e.g., engagement metrics for digital campaigns, effectiveness of brand collateral). Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) or social media analytics platforms might be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms or CRM systems for client delivery could be advantageous. Familiarity with project management and workflow automation tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) is highly probable given the responsibility for managing projects and studio operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirements are centered around industry-standard design software. The significant emphasis on AI tools suggests a need for candidates who are not only proficient users but also strategic thinkers about their application and governance within a creative operations context.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ambitious: Drive for success and a desire to achieve significant client outcomes.

• Imaginative: Push creative boundaries and explore innovative solutions, including leveraging new technologies like AI.

• Inspirational: Inspire the team and clients with groundbreaking work and a positive, forward-thinking attitude.

• Always Learning and Listening: Commitment to continuous skill development, staying updated on industry trends (especially AI), and understanding client needs.

• Results-Focused: Emphasis on delivering measurable outcomes and exceeding client expectations through effective design and operations.

• Actively Pro-Inclusive and Anti-Racist: A core value promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the team and in all creations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role demands close collaboration with OLIVER's creative and account leadership, as well as direct partnership with senior client stakeholders across marketing and communications.

• Mentorship and Development: A coaching-driven approach to team leadership, fostering an environment where talent can grow.

• Strategic Partnership: Working as a key creative advisor to clients, building trust and influencing strategic decisions.

• Process-Oriented: Likely involves collaborative reviews of design processes, workflows, and the integration of new tools like AI, with an emphasis on feedback exchange.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are strongly aligned with innovation, continuous improvement, and inclusivity. The collaborative style emphasizes strong communication and partnership, both internally and with the client, which are critical for operational success in this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Client Demands: Ensuring high-quality, innovative creative output while meeting specific client briefs and stakeholder expectations, especially within a regulated sector.

• Managing a Part-Time Role at Director Level: Effectively leading a team and delivering strategic impact within a 2.5-day work week requires exceptional organization, prioritization, and delegation skills.

• AI Integration Governance: Establishing and maintaining quality standards and responsible usage of AI tools within a creative team, balancing efficiency gains with the preservation of human craft.

• Evolving Brand Systems: Keeping a brand contemporary and relevant within a regulated sector requires a nuanced understanding of compliance and market dynamics.

• Cross-Functional Stakeholder Management: Navigating relationships with senior executives on both the client and OLIVER sides, ensuring alignment and buy-in.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced AI in Creative: Deepen expertise in emerging AI tools and their application in design and marketing.

• Strategic Brand Management: Further develop skills in managing complex brand ecosystems, particularly in niche or regulated industries.

• Leadership Coaching: Enhance leadership and team development capabilities through mentorship and feedback.

• Executive Communication: Refine skills in presenting to and influencing senior leadership.

• Operational Excellence: Gain insights into managing creative studio operations, including budgeting and process optimization within a unique agency model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly related to the unique aspects of the role: part-time leadership, AI integration, and working within a specialized client environment. The growth opportunities are designed to address these challenges and foster long-term career development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a creative vision for a professional services client with strict regulatory constraints?" (Focus on strategic thinking, understanding of regulated sectors, and process for alignment.)

• "Describe a time you led a creative team through a significant change, such as the adoption of new technology like AI. What were the challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Assess leadership, change management, and AI integration experience.)

• "Walk us through your process for managing a studio production budget and ensuring profitability while maintaining creative quality." (Evaluate operational and financial management skills.)

• "How do you balance hands-on creative contribution with your leadership responsibilities, especially in a part-time capacity?" (Gauge prioritization, delegation, and time management.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about OLIVER's model of building bespoke in-house agencies?" (Demonstrate understanding of the company's unique value proposition.)

• "How do you see AI impacting the role of a Design Director and the creative process in the next 3-5 years?" (Assess forward-thinking and understanding of industry trends.)

• "Based on our values (Ambitious, Imaginative, Inspirational, etc.), how would you embody them in your daily work as a Design Director?" (Show alignment with company culture.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an executive summary of your career and key strengths. Then, for each selected project, use a clear narrative: Problem/Brief -> Strategy/Solution -> Execution -> Results/Impact.

• Highlight AI: Explicitly call out projects where AI was used, detailing the specific tools, the purpose (e.g., efficiency, ideation, specific asset generation), and the measurable benefits or outcomes.

• Brand System Depth: Dedicate time to showcase your expertise in brand systems, emphasizing how you maintain consistency and evolve them within complex environments.

• Leadership Examples: Integrate examples of team leadership, mentorship, and client management directly into project case studies or have separate slides dedicated to them.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of the time allocated for your presentation. Practice to ensure you cover key points effectively without rushing.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational efficiency, leadership acumen, and a forward-looking perspective on AI integration. The portfolio presentation is a critical component where candidates must showcase their practical experience and strategic approach.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Greenhouse.

• Tailor your CV: Highlight leadership experience, B2B/professional services design expertise, brand system management, and any experience with AI integration in creative workflows. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate your Portfolio: Ensure it prominently features sophisticated brand work, integrated campaigns, and specific case studies demonstrating your strategic approach, team leadership, and AI utilization. Prepare to present this work clearly and concisely.

• Research OLIVER and The Brandtech Group: Understand their unique agency model, their focus on AI, and their company values. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate cultural fit.

• Prepare for a Hybrid/Part-Time Leadership Role: Be ready to discuss how you manage your time effectively, delegate tasks, and lead a team in a part-time capacity, while still driving strategic initiatives and client relationships.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.