Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: Dentsu Creative

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-10

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead design strategy and execution for key Adobe products, ensuring high-quality, on-brand output for both professional (B2B) and consumer (B2C) audiences.

• Drive the integration and innovative use of AI-native design tools within daily workflows to accelerate creative processes and elevate work quality.

• Own the stewardship and application of Adobe brand systems, guidelines, and templates, ensuring consistency and accessibility across all deliverables.

• Develop and maintain meticulous craft standards, art direction, and visual language that resonates with diverse international markets and stakeholder expectations.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional development for designers within the squad, focusing on craft excellence and career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Dentsu Creative, a global agency network focused on unlocking growth through "Transformative Creativity." The primary focus on Adobe products (Acrobat, Express) and the explicit mention of AI tools as core to daily workflows indicate a specialized, forward-thinking design leadership position that blends traditional art direction with cutting-edge technology integration. The dual B2B/B2C requirement is a critical differentiator.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on design leadership and art direction, guiding designers to create, refine, and elevate visual outputs that meet strategic objectives.

• Translate complex creative ideas and strategic briefs into high-quality, scalable design executions suitable for global deployment.

• Conduct rigorous agency-side design reviews, ensuring all deliverables adhere to brand guidelines, accessibility standards, and production readiness.

• Develop and maintain master assets and modular design systems that enable efficient, consistent application across multiple markets and channels.

• Actively collaborate with Adobe's creative counterparts (e.g., Adobe Studio Associate Creative Director) in a deep partnership to align on visual standards, challenge ideas, and elevate the overall craft.

• Oversee the consistent application of brand systems, guidelines, and templates, ensuring a unified and recognizable brand presence.

• Champion AI-native design practices, encouraging experimentation and exploration of AI tools to push creative boundaries and enhance production efficiency.

• Ensure final design readiness and quality control before client reviews, proactively escalating any critical issues.

• Invest in the professional growth and progression of designers within the squad through mentorship, feedback, and development opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Key Partnerships" with Adobe's internal creative leads highlights a collaborative, integrated approach rather than a purely client-vendor relationship. The responsibilities clearly delineate ownership of craft, brand stewardship, and the strategic deployment of design, with a strong expectation for hands-on involvement and team development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in graphic design, art direction, and creative leadership, with a proven track record in agency or in-house creative environments.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated command of design principles across both B2B (professional, credible) and B2C (vibrant, engaging) contexts.

• Exceptional art direction capabilities, including defining visual tone, image selection, composition, and visual language development.

• Proven experience in developing and applying design systems, brand guidelines, and templates.

• Strong understanding of visual hierarchy, typography, and layout for clarity and impact.

• Experience in creating scalable and modular design approaches for multi-market application.

• Proficiency in working hands-on with design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), with a specific emphasis on understanding and leveraging Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Express.

• An AI-native approach to design, with a demonstrated history of integrating AI tools into daily workflows for idea generation, exploration, and production acceleration.

• International design fluency, with experience adapting visual communication for diverse cultural and market nuances.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to lead and mentor a team of designers, fostering their growth and development. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in a global agency network setting.

• Familiarity with accessibility standards in design.

• Experience with project management tools and workflows.

• Understanding of UX/UI principles as they relate to product design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI-native design" requirement is paramount and suggests candidates must showcase a portfolio with significant AI integration, not just casual experimentation. The dual B2B/B2C sensibility is also a core differentiator, requiring a nuanced understanding of how visual communication shifts depending on the audience and objective.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 10 years of design experience, with a significant portion dedicated to leadership and art direction.

• Clear examples of B2B and B2C design work, demonstrating the ability to navigate and excel in both contexts.

• Robust case studies detailing the application and stewardship of design systems, brand guidelines, and templates.

• Demonstrations of modular and scalable design approaches, illustrating how designs are adapted across various formats, markets, and channels.

• Evidence of strong art direction, including the strategic selection of imagery and the development of a consistent visual tone.

• Crucially, a substantial section dedicated to AI-integrated design projects, showcasing innovative use of AI tools in concept development, idea exploration, visual direction, and production. This should highlight the impact and quality uplift achieved through AI.

• Examples of international design projects, illustrating an understanding of cultural adaptation and global market considerations. Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly requested for submission, candidates should be prepared to discuss their processes for:

  • Workflow design and optimization for creative teams, especially those incorporating AI tools.

  • Development and implementation of design systems and brand guidelines.

  • Quality control, accessibility checks, and production readiness processes.

  • Collaborative processes with cross-functional teams and external partners (like Adobe).

  • Mentorship and team development strategies for designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the primary artifact for demonstrating capabilities. The explicit requirement for "AI integration" means candidates must curate their portfolio to prominently feature projects where AI played a significant role, detailing the specific tools used and the resulting impact. Discussing process will be key during interviews, particularly how AI is managed within a structured creative workflow.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Design Director role with 10+ years of experience in London, the estimated salary range is between £75,000 - £100,000 per annum. This can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Company-funded Private Medical Insurance

• 24/7 Virtual GP service

• Generous Sick-pay Policy

• Wellbeing Days

• Paid Volunteering Time

• Flexible Bank Holiday Swaps

• Retail Discounts

• Gym Access

• Tech Schemes

• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, and Carers Leave

• Extended Sick Leave

• Menopause Support

• Baby-loss Support

• 10 Fertility Treatment Days

• Life Assurance

• Income Protection

• Financial Education Tools

• Flexible Savings Options

Working Hours: Full-time, with an estimated 40 hours per week. The role operates on a hybrid basis from the London office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided benefits package is extensive and highly competitive, indicating a strong focus on employee well-being, family support, and financial security. The salary estimate is based on current market data for senior creative leadership roles in London, considering the specialized nature of the role (AI integration, Adobe focus).

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Advertising & Marketing Communications, Creative Services. Dentsu Creative operates within the broader Dentsu network, which is an integrated growth and transformation partner.

Company Size: Dentsu operates globally with a significant workforce, likely in the tens of thousands, with Dentsu Creative being a substantial part of this. This indicates a large, well-resourced organization with established processes and diverse opportunities.

Founded: Dentsu was founded in 1901 in Tokyo, Japan. Dentsu Creative was launched in June 2022, signifying a modern, integrated approach to creative services within the established Dentsu framework.

Team Structure:

• The role operates within a "squad" model, implying a cross-functional, agile team structure focused on specific clients or projects (in this case, Adobe).

• The Design Director will have a close "craft relationship" with an Adobe Studio Associate Creative Director, suggesting a tightly integrated partnership.

• There is a clear reporting line where the Design Director is accountable for the quality of design work leaving the squad and for the active development of designers within it.

• Collaboration is expected with Creative Directors and Strategy leads within the agency. Methodology:

• Transformative Creativity: The agency's core philosophy, aiming to drive innovation across people, businesses, and society.

• "Building Brands for What's Next": A forward-thinking approach to brand strategy, preparing clients for future challenges and opportunities.

• AI-Native Design Practice: This is a foundational methodology for this specific role, embedding AI tools into everyday workflows for idea generation, exploration, and production.

• Integrated Growth Solutions: Dentsu leverages its Media, CXM, and Creative capabilities to deliver end-to-end solutions.

• Data-Driven Insights: While not explicitly detailed for this role, Dentsu's broader focus on "Innovating to Impact" and "experience transformation" suggests a data-informed approach to creative strategy and execution.

Company Website: https://www.dentsu.com/global/en/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes innovation, transformation, and a forward-looking approach, particularly with the launch of Dentsu Creative and the explicit focus on AI. The partnership model with Adobe suggests a deep, collaborative relationship built on shared goals for design excellence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a senior leadership level ("Director"). It signifies a move beyond individual contribution to leading a team, setting creative vision, and driving strategic design initiatives. The focus is on both hands-on craft excellence and the mentorship/development of other designers.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will likely report to a Creative Director or Head of Design within Dentsu Creative. They will work in close partnership with an Adobe Studio Associate Creative Director and manage a team of designers within their "squad."

Operations Impact: The Design Director's impact is critical to the success of Dentsu Creative's output for Adobe. By ensuring high-quality, innovative, and on-brand design for both professional and consumer segments, they directly influence client satisfaction, brand perception, and ultimately, business growth for Adobe. The strategic integration of AI also positions Dentsu as a leader in adopting new technologies, impacting their competitive standing.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into higher leadership roles such as Executive Design Director, Head of Design, or Creative Director, overseeing larger teams or broader creative portfolios.

• Specialization: Deeper expertise in AI-driven creative processes and product-focused design for major tech clients.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunities to collaborate on integrated campaigns involving Media and CXM services within the Dentsu network.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning and development in emerging AI technologies, design trends, and strategic brand building.

• Global Exposure: Potential to work on international projects and gain experience across diverse markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant step for a senior designer or art director looking to move into leadership. The emphasis on AI and a major tech client (Adobe) offers a unique growth path in a rapidly evolving field. The ability to mentor and develop others is a key component of this leadership position.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Dentsu operates from modern office spaces. The London office at 10 Triton Street is likely a hub for collaboration, creativity, and client meetings. The hybrid working model suggests a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): London, United Kingdom (10 Triton Street).

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The "squad" model and close partnership with Adobe creatives emphasize a highly collaborative and integrated working environment. Expect frequent team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional interaction.

• Technology-Rich: Given the focus on AI and Adobe products, the workspace will be equipped with industry-standard creative software and hardware. Access to cutting-edge AI tools and platforms is expected.

• Dynamic & Fast-Paced: Working within a global creative agency for a major client like Adobe will involve demanding timelines and a need for rapid iteration and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The hybrid model allows for flexibility, but the demands of agency work and client-facing roles often require adaptability to meet deadlines, which may occasionally extend beyond standard hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role allows for flexibility while maintaining the benefits of in-office collaboration critical for creative direction and team synergy. The fast-paced environment is typical of top-tier creative agencies.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

2. Portfolio Review & Interview: A more in-depth interview with hiring managers (e.g., Creative Director, Head of Design) and potentially key stakeholders (e.g., Adobe creative lead). This will heavily focus on the candidate's portfolio, design philosophy, leadership approach, and understanding of AI in design.

3. Creative Challenge/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present a case study from their portfolio or tackle a hypothetical design challenge relevant to Adobe's B2B/B2C products, demonstrating their strategic thinking, craft, and AI integration approach.

4. Final Interviews: Interviews with senior leadership to assess strategic alignment, cultural fit, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in art direction, B2B/B2C design, and especially, AI-integrated design.

• Tell the Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the strategic thinking, the design process (highlighting AI integration), the challenges overcome, and the measurable results or impact.

• Showcase AI Integration: Dedicate a clear section or specific projects to demonstrating how you've used AI tools. Explain why you used them, how you integrated them into your workflow, and the specific benefits (e.g., speed, new creative avenues, enhanced quality).

• Address Dual Sensibility: Ensure your portfolio clearly shows your ability to create distinct visual languages for professional (e.g., business reports, software interfaces) and consumer (e.g., marketing campaigns, app visuals) audiences.

• Highlight Leadership: Include examples where you've led design initiatives, mentored junior designers, or influenced creative strategy.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to talk in detail about your design process, your rationale behind creative decisions, your experience with Adobe products, and your vision for AI in design.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Dentsu Creative's recent work and its philosophy on "Transformative Creativity."

• Understand Adobe's product suite (Acrobat, Express) and their respective B2B and B2C user bases and communication needs.

• Prepare to discuss your approach to designing for both professional credibility and consumer appeal.

• Be ready to articulate your vision for how AI can genuinely enhance design quality and efficiency, not just automate tasks.

• Practice presenting your portfolio concisely and engagingly, focusing on strategic impact and your unique contributions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio, particularly their demonstrated expertise in AI-driven design and their ability to navigate the nuances of B2B versus B2C communication. A strong narrative around each project, emphasizing strategic thinking and impact, will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign. Specific emphasis on Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Express.

• AI Design Tools: Deep familiarity and practical experience with a range of AI-powered design tools for ideation, asset generation, image editing, and workflow acceleration. Candidates are expected to have already integrated these into their core practice.

• Design Systems Management Tools: Experience with tools or platforms for managing and deploying design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this design role, an understanding of how design impacts user behavior and business metrics (e.g., engagement, conversion) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms for tracking campaign performance may be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities, but an awareness of how design integrates with marketing automation and CRM platforms could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Express, coupled with the "AI-native design" requirement, signifies a need for deep technical proficiency in these specific areas. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with various emerging AI design tools and how they integrate them into a professional workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Craft: A commitment to producing visually stunning, technically sound, and strategically effective design.

• Innovation & Future-Forward Thinking: Embracing new technologies like AI and pushing creative boundaries.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively within a squad and in close partnership with client teams (Adobe).

• Client-Centricity: Delivering design solutions that meet client business objectives and audience needs.

• Growth & Development: A culture that encourages continuous learning and professional advancement for its team members.

• Diversity & Inclusion: Dentsu actively promotes an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Squad Model: High degree of teamwork and shared ownership within the immediate project team.

• Close Partnership: Deep, proactive collaboration with the Adobe creative team, involving regular dialogue and mutual challenge.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Working alongside strategy, account management, and potentially media/CXM teams within Dentsu.

• Feedback-Oriented: An environment where constructive feedback is given and received to elevate the work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on partnership and integration suggests a collaborative style that goes beyond traditional client-agency dynamics. The value placed on AI-native practices points to a culture that is forward-thinking and embraces technological evolution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing B2B & B2C Design: Effectively creating distinct yet cohesive visual strategies for audiences with very different expectations and needs.

• AI Integration Mastery: Ensuring AI tools are used strategically to enhance, not just automate, design, while maintaining rigorous quality standards and ethical considerations.

• Maintaining Craft Excellence at Scale: Ensuring high-quality design across numerous deliverables, markets, and channels, especially with rapid AI-assisted production.

• Navigating Stakeholder Expectations: Managing the diverse requirements and feedback from both Dentsu leadership and the Adobe client team.

• Pace of Technological Change: Staying ahead of the curve with rapidly evolving AI capabilities and their application in design.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Emerging Tech: Deep dive into the latest advancements in AI for creative applications.

• Strategic Design Leadership: Developing skills in leading larger teams, managing complex client relationships, and contributing to broader business strategy.

• Global Brand Stewardship: Gaining deeper experience in international brand localization and market-specific design adaptation.

• Product Design Acumen: Enhancing understanding of user-centric design principles within software product contexts.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to Dentsu's resources for professional development, workshops, and industry events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the dual-audience requirement and the sophisticated integration of AI. Growth opportunities are strongly tied to leadership, technological expertise in AI, and global brand strategy within a major agency network.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a design system that caters to both professional (B2B) and consumer (B2C) audiences for a major tech product like Adobe Acrobat."

• "How do you approach art directing a team, and how would you ensure consistent craft standards when leveraging AI tools for execution?"

• "Walk us through a project where you proactively embedded AI into your design workflow. What tools did you use, what was the strategic rationale, and what was the impact on the final output?"

• "How do you balance the need for creative innovation with the strict brand guidelines and accessibility requirements of a client like Adobe?"

• "Imagine we need to design a new feature announcement campaign for Adobe Express. How would you approach the creative strategy and visual execution to appeal to both individual creators and business users?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Dentsu Creative's philosophy of 'Transformative Creativity' and 'Building Brands for What's Next'?"

• "How do you see AI evolving the role of a Design Director in an agency setting?"

• "Describe your ideal collaboration with a client-side creative partner like the Adobe Studio Associate Creative Director."

• "How do you foster a culture of continuous learning and development within your design team?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Begin with a high-level overview of your career and design philosophy, then dive into 2-3 detailed case studies.

• Highlight AI Prominently: For each relevant project, clearly articulate the AI tools used, the problem they solved, and the tangible benefits achieved (e.g., time saved, novel creative options, improved quality). Use specific examples.

• Demonstrate Dual Sensibility: For projects where applicable, explicitly explain how you adapted your visual approach for B2B versus B2C contexts.

• Showcase Leadership: When discussing projects, highlight instances where you led the team, mentored juniors, or drove strategic creative decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your design work (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates, positive client feedback).

• Engage and Discuss: Be prepared for interactive discussion. Ask clarifying questions and be ready to elaborate on your process and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will heavily lean on practical application of AI in design, strategic thinking for dual audiences, and leadership capabilities. Candidates must be prepared to articulate their vision and process with concrete examples, particularly from their portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Navigate to the provided Workday job portal link and submit your application.

• Curate your portfolio: Ensure it prominently features your strongest work in B2B/B2C design, art direction, and critically, AI-integrated projects. Highlight the specific AI tools used and their impact.

• Tailor your resume: Emphasize keywords related to AI-native design, Adobe products, art direction, B2B/B2C strategy, and leadership experience. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare your presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on strategy, process (especially AI integration), and results. Be ready to articulate your vision for design innovation.

• Research Dentsu Creative: Understand their mission, recent work, and their approach to "Transformative Creativity" and AI in design.

⚠️ 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.