DESIGN DIRECTOR

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: Born Social

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative Direction / Design Leadership

Date Posted: 2026-08-19T14:36:15

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and shape the creative vision for design across a social-first creative agency, driving ambitious and industry-leading work.

• Manage and mentor a team of designers, ensuring exceptional craft and platform-tailored excellence in static and motion design.

• Partner with senior clients and agency leadership to foster innovation, drive growth, and build lasting relationships.

• Oversee department operations, including scoping, brief triage, and team casting, to maintain strong margins and efficient resource allocation.

• Integrate and set standards for AI-powered design and generation tools to enhance craft and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Director," the responsibilities and required experience (8+ years with team leadership) suggest a senior leadership role focused on both creative output and operational management within the design department. The emphasis on "social-first" and "platform-tailored excellence" highlights a need for deep understanding of digital and social media creative strategies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Design to establish and maintain the agency's creative vision and standards for design output.

• Directly lead by example through exceptional personal craft in graphic design, motion graphics, and editing, setting a high benchmark for the team.

• Ensure consistent delivery of platform-tailored excellence across diverse media, including social, web, Out-of-Home (OOH), and broadcast campaigns.

• Cultivate and nurture a high-performance, inclusive culture within the design department that reflects company values and supports individual talent development.

• Manage client relationships at a senior level, acting as a trusted advisor and champion for innovative creative solutions that drive client success.

• Spearhead the integration of AI-powered design tools, defining best practices for their use in conjunction with human craft.

• Lead department operations, including accurate project scoping, efficient brief triaging, and strategic team casting to optimize resource utilization and profitability.

• Mentor and coach design talent, fostering their growth and enabling them to achieve their best work and career aspirations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of hands-on creative leadership, team management, client-facing strategic input, and operational oversight. The mention of "scoping, brief triage and team casting" points to operational responsibilities crucial for agency efficiency and profitability.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic foundation in design, fine arts, or a related creative field is implied by the role's emphasis on craft and creative vision.

Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in design leadership roles, ideally within an agency environment, with a proven track record of leading teams and delivering award-winning creative work.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional craft and expertise in graphic design, motion design, and editing.

• Demonstrated ability to lead creative teams and inspire high-quality output.

• Deep understanding of platform-tailored design for social media, web, OOH, and broadcast.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator).

• Fluency in AI design and generation tools, with a strategic vision for their application in creative workflows.

• Strong client management and presentation skills, capable of building trust and influencing senior stakeholders.

• Commercial acumen, including experience with project scoping, resourcing, and margin management.

• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-priority environment while maintaining high standards. Preferred Skills:

• 3D capability (Cinema 4D, Blender, or equivalent) or experience directing 3D work.

• Extensive experience in branding and identity development, including building brand and design systems.

• Experience producing high-volume performance creative outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "8+ years of experience" and "leading teams and creative output at a senior level" positions this role as a senior leadership position, likely requiring a minimum of 10 years of overall experience in the creative industry, with a significant portion in leadership. The required skills are very specific to creative production and leadership, aligning with the agency's "social-first" positioning.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing award-winning or externally recognized work in both static and motion design.

• Demonstrations of platform-tailored excellence across social, web, OOH, and broadcast media.

• Evidence of leading teams and managing creative output at a senior level.

• Case studies highlighting successful client partnerships, innovative creative solutions, and significant growth contributions.

• Examples of how AI design tools have been integrated to elevate craft and efficiency. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the creative process from brief to final delivery, with an emphasis on quality control and efficiency.

• Showcase experience in defining and implementing workflows for AI-assisted creative production.

• Provide examples of how you have managed and optimized creative resources to meet project deadlines and budget constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio that includes "award-winning or externally recognised work" and "platform-tailored excellence" is crucial. For a Design Director role, the portfolio should not only exhibit individual craft but also leadership in guiding team output and strategic creative direction. The mention of "AI design and generation tools" suggests a need for candidates to demonstrate their proficiency and strategic thinking in leveraging these technologies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £64,800 - £76,680 per annum.

• This range is benchmarked and determined by the candidate's level within Born Social's progression framework. Benefits:

• Hybrid working model with 3 days in the office per week (Wednesdays and Thursdays are fixed "Fix Days").

• Access to a "Flex" day (Monday, Tuesday, or Friday) to balance office and remote work.

• B-Corp certification, indicating a commitment to social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

• Opportunities for professional development and career growth within a recognized "best place to work."

• Membership in the Croud network, offering broader opportunities and resources as part of a global agency.

• Comprehensive support for employee well-being and development, aligned with company values.

Working Hours: Full-time. The hybrid model implies a structured work week with flexibility on one designated day. The "Fix + Flex" model suggests a 5-day work week, with 3 days in the office and 2 flexible days, totaling 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is clearly stated and tied to an internal progression framework, indicating a structured approach to compensation. The benefits highlight a modern, flexible work environment and a strong company ethos (B-Corp, "best place to work"). The "Fix + Flex" model is detailed, providing clarity on work arrangement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Social-first Creative Agency.

Company Size: Part of the Croud network, which is a global, full-service media, creative, and data agency. This implies a substantial organization with diverse capabilities and a large employee base, though Born Social itself may be a distinct unit within it.

Founded: Born Social operates with a "social-first" approach, implying a modern company culture focused on digital innovation and brand building within the social media landscape. The agency is B-Corp certified, reflecting a strong commitment to ethical business practices and social responsibility.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will work closely with the Head of Design, indicating a clear hierarchy within the design department.

• The role involves leading a team of designers, suggesting a team structure that includes individual contributors reporting to the Director.

• Close collaboration is expected with senior agency leadership and client teams, indicating a matrixed organizational structure where cross-functional teamwork is essential. Methodology:

• "No Grit No Pearl" is the agency's creative mantra, emphasizing commitment, care, and perseverance in achieving high-quality work.

• The agency utilizes a "social-first" strategy, meaning creative development is deeply rooted in understanding social media platforms and audience engagement.

• AI-powered design and generation tools are being integrated, indicating a forward-thinking approach to adopting new technologies to enhance creative processes.

• The agency is part of Croud, a global network, suggesting a methodology that combines specialized agency expertise with broader network capabilities.

Company Website: https://people.bornsocial.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is defined by its "social-first" ethos, B-Corp certification, and the "No Grit No Pearl" mantra. This suggests a culture that values innovation, ethical practices, perseverance, and high-quality creative output. The integration into the Croud network implies a blend of agility and scale.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role, positioned as a Design Director. It sits at a strategic level, responsible for setting creative vision, leading a department, and influencing client strategy. It requires significant experience in both creative execution and team/departmental management.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director works closely with the Head of Design and likely reports to them or another senior creative lead. They will also collaborate closely with account management, strategy, and client leadership teams.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's impact extends to the quality and innovation of all creative output, directly influencing client brand perception, campaign effectiveness, and the agency's reputation. Their operational oversight ensures profitability and efficient resource allocation, contributing to the overall business health.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Head of Design role or a broader Chief Creative Officer position within Born Social or the wider Croud network.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the agency's creative direction, define new service offerings, and lead major client pitches and brand transformations.

• Skill Specialization/Expansion: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven creative, advanced motion graphics, or brand system development, or to expand into broader creative strategy leadership.

• Mentorship and Development: Opportunity to build and nurture a team, contributing significantly to the professional development of emerging design talent.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Design Director" title, coupled with the responsibilities and experience requirements, firmly places this role in senior leadership. The growth opportunities are geared towards further strategic creative leadership, potentially at a group level within Croud.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model with designated "Fix Days" (Wednesdays and Thursdays) and flexible days. This suggests a modern office environment designed to facilitate collaboration and connection on in-office days.

Office Location(s): 20 Curtain Rd, London, EC2A 3NF. This is a central London location, likely in a vibrant creative hub.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model fosters a balance between collaborative in-office work and focused, flexible remote work.

• "Fix Days" are designed to maximize team interaction, brainstorming, and strategic alignment.

• The office environment is expected to be conducive to creative work, likely equipped with necessary technology and collaborative spaces.

• The agency is part of the Croud network, implying access to a broader ecosystem of resources and talent.

Work Schedule: The "Fix + Flex" model implies a standard 5-day work week, with 3 mandated days in the office and 2 flexible days. This structure allows for focused work, team collaboration, and personal flexibility, crucial for creative roles that often require deep concentration and variable energy levels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Fix + Flex" hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, indicating a deliberate approach to balancing in-person collaboration with individual flexibility. The London office location suggests a dynamic, urban workspace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of CV and portfolio by HR or a senior creative lead to assess experience, craft, and cultural fit.

• Creative/Leadership Interview: In-depth discussion focusing on design philosophy, leadership style, team management experience, and strategic thinking. This will heavily involve a review and discussion of the candidate's portfolio.

• Client-Facing Simulation/Discussion: Potentially a scenario or discussion about how they would handle senior client interactions, present creative work, and drive growth.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: Meeting with potential team members or other agency leaders to assess alignment with Born Social's values and collaborative style.

• Final Round: Discussion with senior leadership (e.g., Head of Design, CCO, CEO) to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate leadership, strategic thinking, platform-tailored excellence (social, web, OOH, broadcast), and exceptional craft in both static and motion.

• Highlight Leadership: For each project, clearly articulate your role, how you led the team, your strategic input, and the impact of the work.

• Showcase AI Integration: Include examples of how you've effectively used AI design tools to enhance creative output, not just as a standalone tool.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics on campaign performance, client growth, or awards won.

• Tell a Story: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio, explaining the context, challenges, your approach, and the outcomes for each piece.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss hypothetical scenarios related to managing difficult clients, resolving creative disagreements within a team, or pitching innovative new ideas.

• Prepare to articulate your vision for the future of design in a social-first agency, especially concerning AI integration.

• Consider how you would approach scoping a complex project and casting the right team for it, demonstrating commercial awareness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on portfolio review. Candidates should prepare to discuss specific projects in detail, focusing on their leadership, strategic contribution, and the impact of their work, particularly in the context of social-first creative and AI integration.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Mastery is a given, specifically mentioning After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Illustrator. This is the core toolkit for graphic design and motion work.

• AI Design & Generation Tools: Fluency and a clear vision for their application are required. This could include tools like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, Adobe Firefly, or similar generative AI platforms.

• 3D Software (Preferred): Cinema 4D, Blender, or equivalent for 3D capabilities or directing 3D work.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly listed as required tools, the role's emphasis on "performance creative" and driving "growth targets" implies a need for familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics dashboards) to measure the effectiveness of design output.

CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to the core design function but understanding how creative outputs integrate with marketing automation and CRM for performance tracking would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on creative production tools, with a strong emphasis on Adobe Suite and a forward-looking requirement for AI design tools. The mention of 3D capabilities as "nice to have" indicates a growing demand for more sophisticated visual content.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• See Challenge as Opportunity: A proactive and resilient attitude towards tackling complex creative and operational challenges.

• Say It Simply: Clear, honest, and confident communication, crucial for articulating creative vision and managing client expectations.

• Do What You Say: Reliability, accountability, and integrity in delivering on commitments to clients and colleagues.

• Make Each Other Better: A culture of collaboration, mutual development, and shared learning within the design team and across the agency.

• Consciously Contribute: A commitment to ethical practices, social responsibility (aligned with B-Corp status), and contributing positively to the company and broader community.

Collaboration Style:

• The hybrid "Fix + Flex" model supports both focused individual work and collaborative team sessions.

• A strong emphasis on "making each other better" suggests an open feedback culture and a commitment to mentorship.

• Close collaboration is expected with the Head of Design, senior agency leadership, account teams, and strategy departments.

• The agency's "social-first" approach likely means cross-functional collaboration is key to translating brand strategy into effective social creative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are clearly articulated and provide a strong framework for understanding the desired cultural attributes. The emphasis on "making each other better" and "say it simply" points to a supportive yet direct and communicative team environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Craft and Commerciality: Ensuring that high creative standards are met while also managing project scoping, resourcing, and profitability in a fast-paced agency environment.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Leading the adoption and integration of AI design tools in a way that genuinely enhances craft and efficiency, without compromising creative integrity or team roles.

• Driving Innovation: Constantly pushing creative boundaries in the ever-evolving social media landscape to deliver industry-leading work that stands out.

• Mentoring Diverse Talent: Effectively leading and developing a team with potentially varied skill sets and experience levels, including those who may be apprehensive or excited about AI tools.

• Senior Client Management: Maintaining strong, trusted relationships with senior clients, defending creative vision, and identifying opportunities for growth amidst demanding client expectations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to refine leadership, strategic planning, and operational management skills at a senior agency level.

• Industry Trend Adoption: Staying at the forefront of design trends, particularly in social media, motion graphics, and AI-driven creative.

• Strategic Creative Contribution: Playing a key role in shaping the agency's creative output and business strategy, potentially influencing the direction of the wider Croud network.

• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to the agency's talent development initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic nature of agency work, the evolving technological landscape (AI), and the leadership demands of a senior creative role. The growth opportunities are aligned with advancing in creative leadership and strategic impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your vision for leading a design team in a social-first agency, particularly regarding the integration of AI tools. How would you ensure craft remains paramount?"

• "Walk us through a project from your portfolio where you led a team to deliver award-winning or highly impactful creative work. What was your specific role, the challenges, and the outcomes?"

• "How do you approach balancing creative ambition with commercial realities like project scoping, resourcing, and client budgets in an agency setting?"

• "How would you handle a situation where a senior client is resistant to a creative direction you believe is essential for campaign success on social media?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Born Social's 'social-first' approach and our 'No Grit No Pearl' mantra?"

• "How do you embody our value of 'Make Each Other Better' in your leadership style?"

• "Given our B-Corp certification, how do you see design contributing to a company's conscious contribution and broader social impact?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative is Key: Structure your portfolio presentation around compelling stories. For each project, clearly define the client's challenge, your strategic approach, your leadership in guiding the creative execution (especially team collaboration and AI integration), and the measurable results.

• Focus on Leadership Impact: Emphasize your role in directing creative vision, managing teams, and influencing client strategy, rather than solely showcasing individual design skills.

• Demonstrate AI Fluency: Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've leveraged AI tools to enhance design processes or outcomes, and articulate your strategic philosophy on their use.

• Highlight Platform Expertise: Clearly showcase your understanding of tailoring creative for different platforms (social, web, OOH, broadcast), demonstrating an appreciation for audience and context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating a strategic vision for creative leadership, demonstrating practical experience in team management and client relations, and showcasing a nuanced understanding of AI's role in creative work. The portfolio presentation needs to be a strategic narrative of leadership and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Born Social careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating leadership in social-first creative, motion design, AI integration, and client-facing success. Ensure it showcases your ability to set creative vision and manage a team.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of design leadership experience, specific responsibilities in team management, project scoping, and client relations, using keywords from the job description (e.g., "creative direction," "motion design," "AI design tools," "client management").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your leadership philosophy, creative vision, and strategic approach to AI integration. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio to answer potential interview questions related to challenges, collaboration, and impact.

• Company Research: Deeply understand Born Social's "social-first" approach, their "No Grit No Pearl" mantra, their B-Corp status, and their values. Consider how your leadership style and creative philosophy align with these aspects.

⚠️ 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.

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