Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: Equator Design

Location: Salford, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Design Management

Date Posted: 2026-04-16T09:56:52.212

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the creative vision and execution for design projects, ensuring high-quality output and alignment with brand strategy.

• Drive innovation in brand design, packaging, and consumer connections across multiple touchpoints, including print, digital, and e-commerce.

• Act as a brand guardian, maintaining consistency and integrity across all brand communications and touchpoints.

• Manage and mentor a team of designers, fostering a collaborative and inspiring work environment within a fast-paced agency setting.

• Oversee project lifecycles from initial brief to final rollout, ensuring effective client management and deadline adherence.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is on Design Director, given the company's description as a "consumer experience agency" and the emphasis on "brand strategy and creative branding principles," this role likely has significant overlap with Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy execution through design. The expectation for systems thinking and adapting visual brand language across various channels (print, POS, digital, e-commerce) suggests a need for a candidate who understands how design directly impacts consumer engagement and sales conversion, aligning with GTM objectives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day quality and creative integrity of all design deliverables, ensuring they meet strategic objectives and client expectations.

• Lead and manage multiple design projects concurrently, from initial concept development and client briefs through to final adaptation and rollout across various channels.

• Provide inspirational creative direction and mentorship to the design team, fostering knowledge sharing and professional development, particularly for less experienced members.

• Efficiently manage workloads, balancing tight deadlines, shifting priorities, and resource allocation in a reactive agency environment.

• Collaborate closely with the Creative Director on high-level conceptual projects, contributing a strong creative skillset and strategic perspective.

• Develop and translate visual brand language across diverse touchpoints, including packaging, Point of Sale (POS), digital platforms, and e-commerce sites, ensuring a cohesive brand personality.

• Act as a primary brand guardian, ensuring consistent application of brand positioning, guidelines, and visual identity across all projects and extensions.

• Manage client relationships independently, understanding their needs and effectively communicating design rationale and solutions with conviction.

• Possess a deep understanding of print and production processes, capable of advising on technical limitations and optimizing designs for manufacturability.

• Drive creative quality and technical execution excellence across all projects, ensuring a high standard of craft and attention to detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "responsibilities" section implies a need for strong project management and client-facing skills, which are critical in operations-adjacent roles within agencies. The emphasis on "leading multiple projects from brief through adaptation and rollout" and "managing clients and projects independently" points to the need for process-oriented thinking and an ability to manage complex workflows, mirroring responsibilities often found in operations management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic background in Graphic Design, Brand Design, Marketing, or a related creative field is highly recommended.

Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in design, with a significant focus on brand design and packaging within the FMCG sector. Proven experience in a leadership or directorial role within a creative agency is essential.

Required Skills:

• Solid expertise in packaging design, with a nuanced understanding of brand personalities, tiering strategies, and target market positioning.

• Demonstrated systems thinking capabilities, particularly in applying brand strategy and creative branding principles across FMCG portfolios.

• Proven ability to act as a brand guardian, ensuring consistent development and executional integrity across all brand applications.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.

• Strong client management and independent project management skills, capable of handling client relationships and project lifecycles autonomously.

• Good understanding of print and production processes, with the ability to translate technical limitations into actionable design decisions.

• Excellent presentation skills, comfortable articulating creative concepts and strategic rationale with conviction in client-facing situations.

• Exceptional organizational skills, with a proven ability to effectively manage time, prioritize tasks, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience adapting visual brand languages across digital and e-commerce platforms.

• Familiarity with POS (Point of Sale) design and shopper marketing principles.

• A proactive and inspiring team leadership style, with a passion for nurturing creative talent.

• A keen eye for detail combined with the ability to adopt a strategic "helicopter view" when necessary.

• A passion for visual culture, creativity, innovation, and emerging technologies beyond traditional graphic design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "systems thinking," "brand guardianship," and managing projects through "brief through adaptation and rollout" strongly suggests that candidates with a background in operations or project management within a creative context will be highly valued. The requirement for "organizational skills" and managing "multiple projects simultaneously" directly aligns with core operations competencies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a diverse range of industry expertise, with a strong emphasis on FMCG brands.

• Demonstrations of systems thinking in brand development, illustrating how a core brand idea can be consistently applied across various touchpoints and product lines.

• Case studies that highlight your role as a brand guardian, showing examples of maintaining brand integrity and executional consistency.

• Examples of packaging design projects that reflect an understanding of brand personalities, tiering, and target markets.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies detailing your process for leading projects from brief to execution, including how you manage timelines, resources, and client communication.

• Examples of how you have translated brand positioning documents and guidelines into innovative concepts for new ranges and brand expansions.

• Documentation illustrating your approach to managing the quality of creative output and technical execution excellence.

• Portfolios should ideally demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving and creative concept development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio demonstrating "systems thinking" and "brand guardianship" is a strong indicator of the need for candidates who can articulate and showcase structured, repeatable processes. This aligns with operations principles where process definition, consistency, and scalability are paramount. The emphasis on "adapting visual brand language across other touchpoints" suggests a need to demonstrate how a core brand system is managed and deployed efficiently.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Design Director role with 10+ years of experience in the UK, particularly in the North West England region, and considering the hybrid work model and the agency's global network, the estimated salary range is between £70,000 - £95,000 per annum. This estimate accounts for the seniority, responsibility, and specialized skills required for this position.

Benefits:

• Hybrid working model, offering flexibility between office-based collaboration and remote work.

• Opportunity to work with globally recognized brands and contribute to impactful consumer experiences.

• Collaborative and fun work environment with a diverse, international team.

• Professional development and learning opportunities within a supportive agency culture.

• Potential for career growth within the Propelis Group network.

• Standard benefits likely include pension contributions, holiday allowance, and potential for performance-related bonuses.

Working Hours: The role is advertised with an expectation of 40 hours per week. However, given the fast-paced agency environment and the need to balance tight deadlines and shifting priorities, flexibility may be required. The hybrid arrangement allows for some autonomy in managing work hours around core collaborative periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on UK-wide design director roles with significant experience, adjusted for the North West England region which typically has a lower cost of living and salary scale than London. The benefits are inferred from typical agency offerings and the company's description of its culture. The working hours are explicitly stated as 40 per week but with an implicit understanding of the demands of a senior role in a creative agency.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising (Consumer Experience Agency)

Company Size: Global network of 1,900+ team members across 25+ studios and 20+ countries. The specific studio size in Salford is not detailed but operates within this larger structure.

Founded: Marks is part of the Propelis Group. The founding date of Marks or Propelis is not specified, but it implies a well-established entity with a global presence.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will lead design teams, likely comprising various design specialists (e.g., packaging designers, graphic designers, brand identity specialists).

• The role involves collaboration with other creative leadership, such as the Creative Director, and likely works closely with account management, strategy, and production teams.

Methodology:

• Focus on creating engaging moments and solving complex business challenges through design, strategy, and craft.

• Emphasizes a collaborative approach, bringing together diverse perspectives from a global team.

• Prioritizes nurturing talent and providing a rewarding employee experience in a vibrant environment.

• Utilizes a brand-building and systems-thinking approach to design.

Company Website: equator-design.com (implied domain from domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description positions itself as a "consumer experience agency" with a focus on "brand design and packaging." This suggests a strong emphasis on understanding consumer behavior and translating that into effective design solutions, which is a key component of Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy. The global network and diverse team highlight the potential for exposure to varied market approaches and best practices.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Leadership / Director Level. This role sits at a directorial level within the creative function, responsible for the quality and strategic direction of design output. It involves significant ownership and accountability for project success and team performance.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will likely report to a Creative Director or a senior executive within the agency's leadership structure. They will be responsible for managing and mentoring junior designers and potentially creative teams.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's work directly influences brand perception, consumer engagement, and ultimately, sales performance for clients. By ensuring strong brand strategy execution and creative excellence across all touchpoints (packaging, POS, digital), they play a critical role in the Go-To-Market success of client products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to Creative Director or a more senior executive leadership role within Equator Design or the broader Propelis Group.

• Specialization in specific industry sectors or design disciplines (e.g., digital brand experience, global brand strategy).

• Opportunities to lead larger, more strategic client accounts or new business pitches.

• Mentorship and development programs designed to foster leadership and strategic thinking within the agency.

• Potential to contribute to the agency's thought leadership and innovation initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section highlights how this design role directly contributes to GTM strategy by influencing consumer perception and sales. The mention of "brand strategy execution" and "Go-To-Market success" reinforces the strategic importance of design within the broader business objectives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model, indicating a combination of office-based work and remote flexibility. The specific studio in Salford will be a professional creative agency environment.

Office Location(s): Based out of the York-based studio, with hybrid working. The mention of "Salford" in the location data suggests there might be a studio or operational hub there, or it pertains to broader company operations. Clarification needed on primary studio location vs. broader company presence.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative studio environment designed to foster creativity, idea sharing, and team interaction.

• Access to industry-standard design tools and technology (Adobe Creative Suite, Keynote).

• Opportunities for cross-functional collaboration with strategy, account management, and production teams.

• A dynamic and often fast-paced atmosphere common in creative agencies, requiring adaptability and efficiency.

Work Schedule: Primarily a 40-hour work week, but with the expectation of flexibility to meet project deadlines and client demands common in the agency world. The hybrid arrangement offers some control over when and where work is performed, balancing personal needs with collaborative requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is key. For operations professionals, this implies a need for strong self-management, clear communication protocols, and the ability to maintain team cohesion and project momentum across different work locations. The focus on "collaboration" and "idea sharing" in the workspace context is important for understanding how teams function effectively in a hybrid setup.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio for relevant experience, especially in FMCG packaging design and leadership.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, detailing specific case studies that demonstrate their systems thinking, brand guardianship, and project leadership. Expect to discuss their process, challenges, and outcomes.

• Team/Leadership Interview: Discussions focused on leadership style, team management, mentoring capabilities, and how they foster a positive creative environment.

• Client Scenario/Case Study: A potential exercise or discussion involving a hypothetical client brief or a real-world problem to assess strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and client communication skills.

• Cultural Fit Interview: Assessment of alignment with Equator Design's culture of collaboration, creativity, and employee development.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your strengths in FMCG packaging, brand strategy, systems thinking, and leadership. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Tell the Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the strategic thinking behind your creative decisions, the challenges faced, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Explicitly show how your designs maintain brand consistency and can be adapted across multiple touchpoints. Use visual aids to illustrate brand systems.

• Highlight Leadership: Include examples where you led teams, mentored designers, or managed complex projects from start to finish, detailing your approach and results.

• Technical Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your technical skills in Adobe Creative Suite and Keynote and how you leverage them for effective execution.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with current trends in FMCG branding, packaging innovation, and consumer experience design.

• Prepare to discuss your approach to brand guardianship and ensuring executional consistency across diverse media.

• Think about how you would translate a given brand positioning document into creative concepts.

• Practice articulating your design rationale and strategic thinking concisely and persuasively, as if in a client-facing presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio presentation and case studies is crucial. For operations professionals, this means framing achievements in terms of process improvement, efficiency gains, and measurable impact, even within a creative context. Demonstrating how they manage workflows, ensure quality control, and achieve strategic objectives through structured approaches will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert working knowledge required, including:

  • Adobe Photoshop: For image manipulation and mockups.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and packaging artwork.
  • Adobe InDesign: For layout, typography, and print-ready artwork.

• Keynote: Essential for creating compelling client presentations and articulating design strategies.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but understanding how design assets are managed within client or agency project management systems would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite and Keynote is critical. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency and how they use these tools to achieve specific design and presentation outcomes. For operations roles, understanding the technology stack is about efficiency, workflow integration, and data management. Here, it's about creative execution and communication.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A core value driving the agency's approach to solving client challenges through design and strategy.

• Collaboration: Emphasizes bringing together diverse perspectives from a global team to foster a vibrant environment.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A commitment to high-quality output and technical execution excellence in all design work.

• Client Focus: Dedicated to creating engaging moments and solving complex business challenges for clients.

• Talent Nurturing: A commitment to providing employees with rewarding experiences and opportunities to nurture their talents.

Collaboration Style:

• Global & Diverse: Encourages cross-cultural exchange and leverages diverse viewpoints.

• Cross-Functional: Works closely with strategy, account management, and production teams to deliver integrated solutions.

• Mentorship-Driven: Fosters knowledge sharing and development, particularly from senior to junior team members.

• Fast-Paced & Reactive: Adaptable to shifting priorities and tight deadlines, requiring efficient teamwork.

📝 Enhancement Note: The cultural values highlight a strong emphasis on creative output and client satisfaction. For candidates coming from operations backgrounds, understanding how these creative values translate into day-to-day work and decision-making is key. For example, how "quality and craftsmanship" are maintained within tight deadlines, or how "collaboration" is facilitated across different disciplines and geographies.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Client Demands: Effectively translating client objectives and brand guidelines into innovative yet commercially viable design solutions.

• Managing Shifting Priorities: Adapting quickly to evolving client needs and project scopes in a fast-paced agency environment.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse Channels: Ensuring a cohesive brand experience from packaging to digital and POS.

• Leading and Inspiring a Creative Team: Mentoring diverse talent and driving high performance while fostering a positive work environment.

• Keeping Pace with Industry Trends: Staying ahead of innovations in design, technology, and consumer behavior within the FMCG sector.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Deepening expertise in specialized areas of brand design, packaging, or digital integration.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone leadership, strategic, and client management skills through direct experience and agency programs.

• Industry Exposure: Working on a wide array of brands and projects provides continuous learning about different markets and consumer insights.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Gaining exposure to strategy, account management, and production processes within the agency.

• Global Network Exposure: Learning from and collaborating with international teams, gaining insights into global market nuances.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges listed are common in creative leadership roles. For operations professionals, framing these challenges in terms of process optimization, risk management, and stakeholder alignment can be beneficial. For example, "managing shifting priorities" can be approached through robust project management methodologies, and "maintaining brand consistency" through clear brand governance frameworks.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex FMCG brand challenge you've tackled, detailing your strategic approach to the design solution and its impact." (Focus on problem-solving, strategic thinking, and outcome articulation.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency and guardianship across multiple touchpoints and different teams?" (Assess understanding of brand systems and process control.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Equator Design's approach to consumer experience and brand building?" (Demonstrate research and alignment with company values.)

• "How do you foster collaboration and mentor junior designers within a team?" (Assess leadership style and team development approach.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your strategic input, the creative solution, your specific role (especially leadership aspects), and the results achieved.

• Visual Storytelling: Use compelling visuals to showcase your work, but ensure they are supported by strong verbal explanations of strategy and process.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, provide data or metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., sales lift, engagement rates, market share changes).

• Highlight Systems Thinking: Explicitly demonstrate how your designs create cohesive brand systems that are adaptable and scalable.

• Showcase Leadership: Emphasize your role in leading teams, managing projects, and driving quality, not just your individual design contributions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on translating design leadership experience into operational terms. Candidates should be ready to discuss their processes for managing workflows, ensuring quality, and achieving strategic goals, using design projects as case studies for these operational capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on recruiting2.ultipro.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest FMCG packaging design and brand strategy projects, emphasizing systems thinking and leadership examples. Ensure it's easily accessible and professionally presented.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 10+ years of experience, leadership roles, client management capabilities, and expertise in packaging design and brand guardianship, using keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio and articulating your creative process, strategic thinking, and leadership approach. Prepare specific examples of how you've managed projects, mentored teams, and ensured quality and consistency.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Equator Design, the Propelis Group, and current trends in consumer experience and FMCG branding to demonstrate your understanding of their business and industry.

⚠️ 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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