Digital Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Digital Designer

Company: Additional Lengths

Location: United Kingdom (UK based, with occasional visits to HQ in Stockton-on-Tees and London office)

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Category: Creative & Digital Operations / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-06

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (Estimated 5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the digital design vision and execution across multiple brand touchpoints, including web, social media, CRM, and performance marketing channels, ensuring brand consistency and impact.

• Drive innovation by championing the integration of AI and emerging digital technologies within the creative workflow to enhance efficiency and output quality.

• Oversee the end-to-end digital creative process, from scoping briefs to final asset delivery, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives.

• Champion a customer-centric and performance-led design approach, ensuring all digital assets contribute to positive customer experiences and measurable business growth.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and creative excellence within the digital design function, elevating design standards and team capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Lead Digital Designer," suggesting a significant level of autonomy and responsibility in shaping the digital creative strategy. While the title is "Digital Design Manager" in the raw input, the description clearly outlines "Lead Digital Designer" responsibilities, implying a hands-on leadership role rather than pure people management. The emphasis on digital-first, pace, ownership, and driving forward new technologies points towards a proactive, results-oriented individual crucial for a rapidly growing B Corp.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a cohesive and compelling digital design aesthetic for Additional Lengths and Remi Cachet brands across all digital platforms.

• Create high-quality digital assets for both ongoing business-as-usual (BAU) activities and impactful campaign moments, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and marketing objectives.

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Creative, marketing, e-commerce, and other stakeholders to understand project requirements, scope briefs accurately, and deliver designs that meet strategic goals.

• Manage the digital creative workflow, prioritizing tasks, setting timelines, and ensuring efficient delivery of assets while maintaining exceptional quality.

• Proactively research and propose the integration of AI tools and new digital technologies to enhance design processes, improve efficiency, and unlock new creative possibilities.

• Ensure all digital designs are optimized for user experience (UX) and user interface (UI), with a strong understanding of how design impacts conversion rates and customer engagement.

• Work with CMS and email marketing platforms, such as Klaviyo, to design and implement effective email campaigns and website content updates.

• Present design concepts and rationale clearly and persuasively to stakeholders, gathering feedback and iterating designs based on constructive input.

• Contribute to the evolution of the creative team's ways of working, implementing best practices and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

• Maintain a strong understanding of the hair and beauty industry landscape to inform design decisions and ensure brand relevance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and strategic oversight, typical of a lead role in a growing creative team. The emphasis on AI and new technologies indicates a forward-thinking organization seeking to leverage modern tools. The requirement to work with CMS and email platforms like Klaviyo suggests a need for practical, execution-oriented skills beyond pure conceptual design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, Interaction Design, or a related field is often preferred for roles of this seniority. Equivalent practical experience and a strong portfolio will be highly valued.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in digital design, with a proven track record of delivering high-impact digital creative for brands. Experience in a lead or senior designer capacity is expected.

Required Skills:

• Digital Design Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of digital design principles, best practices, and trends across various platforms (web, social, email, digital advertising).

• Portfolio: A strong, diverse portfolio showcasing exceptional digital design work, including web design, UX/UI, social media graphics, CRM assets, and campaign visuals.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Figma: Expert-level skills in Figma for collaborative design, prototyping, and UI/UX workflows.

• UX/UI Understanding: Solid knowledge of user-centered design principles, user journey mapping, wireframing, and prototyping.

• Performance-Led Design: Ability to design with a clear understanding of conversion optimization, A/B testing principles, and how design impacts marketing campaign performance.

• Brand Consistency: Proven ability to maintain and elevate brand identity across all digital touchpoints.

• Project Management: Excellent organizational skills, ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet tight deadlines.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively partner with internal teams and present design concepts.

• AI & New Technologies: Curiosity and willingness to explore and integrate AI tools and emerging digital technologies into the design process.

Preferred Skills:

• CMS Platforms: Experience working with Content Management Systems (e.g., WordPress, Shopify) for content updates and design implementation.

• Email Marketing Platforms: Familiarity with email marketing platforms, with specific experience in Klaviyo being a significant advantage.

• Hair/Beauty Industry Experience: Previous design experience within the hair, beauty, or a related consumer goods sector.

• Motion Graphics/Animation: Basic knowledge of After Effects or similar tools for creating animated digital assets.

• Web Analytics: Understanding of web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and UX/UI, alongside performance-led design, signals a need for a designer who can create both aesthetically pleasing and functionally effective digital assets. The preference for Klaviyo experience is a specific operational requirement that candidates should highlight if they possess it. The mention of "AI and new digital technologies" suggests an expectation for proactive exploration and adoption of innovative tools.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate Digital Breadth: Showcase a range of projects covering web design, UX/UI mockups, social media campaigns, email marketing assets, and performance marketing creative.

• Highlight Process & Strategy: For key projects, articulate the problem statement, your design process, the tools used (e.g., Figma, Adobe Suite), and the strategic thinking behind your design decisions.

• Showcase Brand Application: Include examples of how you've applied and evolved brand guidelines across different digital mediums, demonstrating consistency and creative adaptation.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, present metrics or outcomes related to your designs, such as improvements in conversion rates, engagement, or customer experience. Focus on demonstrating ROI.

• UX/UI Case Studies: Include detailed case studies for UX/UI projects, illustrating user research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing phases.

• Campaign Examples: Feature end-to-end campaign examples, showing how digital assets were integrated across channels to achieve a unified message and objective.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Mapping: Be prepared to discuss how you map out and manage digital design workflows, from brief to final delivery, including collaboration points.

• Design System Development: If applicable, showcase experience in developing or contributing to design systems, ensuring scalability and consistency.

• Tool Integration: Discuss how you leverage tools like Figma for collaborative design and prototyping, and how you integrate them with other systems or platforms.

• Performance Analysis Integration: Explain how you use data and analytics to inform design iterations and demonstrate the effectiveness of your creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a lead digital design role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing pretty pictures; it must demonstrate strategic thinking, process understanding, and measurable impact. Candidates should be ready to walk through their portfolio, explaining their rationale and the "why" behind their design choices, especially concerning UX/UI and performance.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the provided information of "circa £43,000 to £50,000" and the role's seniority and location in the UK, this is a competitive range. For a Lead Digital Designer role in the UK, particularly with hybrid working and responsibilities involving creative leadership and technology integration, this salary band is appropriate.

Benefits:

• Work-Life Balance: 25 days of annual leave plus public bank holidays, offering ample time for rest and personal pursuits.

• Health & Wellbeing:

  • Private health insurance through Vitality, covering medical needs.
  • A healthcare cash plan to assist with everyday medical expenses.
  • Access to an Employee Assistance Programme for confidential mental health and wellbeing support.

• Financial Planning:

  • Enhanced pension scheme with salary sacrifice options for tax efficiency.
  • Death in service cover (four times salary) for financial security for dependents.

• Professional Development:

  • Exciting career development opportunities within a growing, award-winning business.
  • A collaborative and innovative culture that encourages professional growth.

• Perks & Discounts:

  • Significant staff discount of 40% on Additional Lengths products and 20% on third-party brands.
  • Paid volunteering days to support personal causes.

• Performance Recognition: A company-wide bonus scheme to share in the success of the business.

• Family & Support: Enhanced family leave and occupational sick pay, demonstrating commitment to employee welfare.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement allowing for a balance between office-based collaboration and remote work flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is comprehensive and reflects Additional Lengths' status as a certified B Corp and a Sunday Times Best Place to Work. The salary range aligns with mid-to-senior level digital design roles in the UK, particularly those with leadership or lead responsibilities. The hybrid nature of the work arrangement is a significant draw for many professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within the premium hair extension and beauty sector, serving both professional stylists and direct consumers globally. As a certified B Corp, Additional Lengths demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical sourcing, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. This B Corp status is a key differentiator and indicates a company culture that values purpose alongside profit.

Company Size: The company has experienced significant growth, with its team more than doubling in recent years and achieving over £25+ million in revenue last year. This suggests a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a mid-sized team (likely 50-250 employees, based on growth trajectory), offering opportunities for impact and visibility.

Founded: Founded over 22 years ago by Victoria Lynch, Additional Lengths has a long-standing reputation for expertise and quality in the hair extension market. This history provides a foundation of industry knowledge and established customer trust.

Team Structure:

• Creative Team: The role is part of a "small (but mighty) creative team," implying a close-knit unit where collaboration is key. The Lead Digital Designer reports into the Head of Creative.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role requires close partnership with teams across the business, including marketing, e-commerce, and potentially product development, to ensure design initiatives align with broader business goals.

• Reporting Structure: The Lead Digital Designer will report directly to the Head of Creative, indicating a clear line of management and strategic direction.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role emphasizes "performance-led design" and a "strong focus on customer experience," suggesting that data analytics and user feedback are integral to the design process.

• Agile & Iterative: The fast-growing nature of the business and the need to work at "pace" imply an agile approach to creative development, with an emphasis on rapid iteration and continuous improvement.

• Innovation Focus: The explicit goal to "drive forward the use of AI and new digital technologies" highlights a commitment to staying at the forefront of digital innovation.

Company Website: https://www.additionallengths.co.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: The combination of a B Corp certification, being a Sunday Times Best Place to Work, and rapid growth creates a unique company culture. It suggests a place that values employee wellbeing, ethical practices, and high performance. The "small but mighty" creative team implies a need for a self-starter who can contribute significantly and collaborate effectively.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a "Lead" position, indicating a mid-to-senior level within the digital design function. It requires not only strong design craft but also the ability to manage workflow, influence stakeholders, and drive technological adoption. It's a step up from a pure individual contributor role, with expectations of leadership in design execution and strategic input.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Digital Designer reports to the Head of Creative. This structure provides mentorship and strategic guidance while allowing significant autonomy in executing digital design initiatives. Collaboration with other department heads (e.g., Head of Marketing, Head of E-commerce) will be crucial.

Operations Impact: The Lead Digital Designer will have a direct impact on the company's revenue and growth by:

• Enhancing brand perception and customer engagement through compelling digital visuals.

• Improving conversion rates on e-commerce platforms and marketing campaigns through optimized UX/UI and performance-driven design.

• Driving efficiency and innovation within the creative team by implementing new technologies and streamlining workflows.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to grow into a Creative Manager or Head of Digital Design role as the company continues its expansion.

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like UX/UI, AI-driven design processes, or advanced performance marketing creative.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining broader business acumen by working closely with marketing, e-commerce, and product teams, potentially leading to roles in broader marketing or GTM strategy.

• Industry Influence: Contributing to the reputation of Additional Lengths as an innovative leader in the beauty/hair sector through exceptional digital design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title suggests a pathway to management, but the emphasis on hands-on craft and driving technology implies that growth might also come from becoming a subject matter expert and an internal evangelist for design innovation. The B Corp status and growth trajectory offer a unique environment for career development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a hybrid work model, combining remote work flexibility with occasional office visits. This suggests a modern work environment that values autonomy and work-life balance. The company has HQ in Stockton-on-Tees and a co-working space in London, providing options for in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s):

• HQ: Stockton-on-Tees, UK.

• Co-working Space: London, UK.

These locations offer accessibility for team meetings, client interactions (if applicable), and collaborative sessions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The "small but mighty" creative team and the need for cross-functional collaboration suggest an environment where teamwork and open communication are encouraged.

• Technology Enabled: As a digital-first role, expect access to modern design software and potentially new AI tools. The company's growth and B Corp status indicate investment in relevant technologies to support its operations.

• Dynamic Pace: The fast-growing nature of the business means the work environment is likely energetic and fast-paced, requiring adaptability and a proactive approach.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are likely around 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time permanent role. The hybrid arrangement provides flexibility in where work is done, but the expectation is for consistent output and responsiveness, especially given the "pace" of the business.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, balancing the benefits of remote work with the advantages of in-person collaboration for a creative role. Candidates should be prepared for occasional travel to the Stockton-on-Tees HQ and London office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess alignment with the required skills and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where you'll present your portfolio, discuss key projects, highlight your design process, and explain your rationale. Expect questions on UX/UI, performance-driven design, and your experience with specific tools.

• Stakeholder Interview: Meeting with the Head of Creative and potentially other department leads (e.g., Marketing, E-commerce) to assess your collaboration style, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.

• Technical/Creative Challenge: Potentially a short, practical design exercise or a discussion around a hypothetical design problem to evaluate problem-solving skills and approach.

• Final Interview: Likely with senior leadership to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and confirm offer details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your digital design breadth (web, UX/UI, social, CRM, performance marketing).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the brief, your role, the challenges, your process, the solutions, and the outcomes (quantify results if possible).

• Highlight Process & Tools: Emphasize your use of Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and any UX/UI methodologies. Discuss how you integrated AI or new technologies.

• Demonstrate Brand Thinking: Show how you approach brand consistency and how your designs elevate brand perception.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, how you handle feedback, and how you adapt to fast-paced environments.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research Additional Lengths, Remi Cachet, their market position, and their B Corp values.

• Review their current digital presence: Analyze their website, social media, and email campaigns from a design perspective. Identify strengths and potential areas for improvement.

• Practice articulating your process: Be ready to explain your design philosophy and how you approach problem-solving in a clear, concise manner.

• Prepare questions: Have thoughtful questions ready for the interviewers about the team, the company culture, strategic priorities, and challenges for the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the portfolio. Candidates must be able to articulate their design process, decision-making, and the impact of their work. Understanding the company's B Corp status and its implications for design will be a key differentiator.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign (essential for asset creation and manipulation).

• Figma: Critical for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows. Expertise is a must.

• Prototyping Tools: Likely integrated within Figma or potentially standalone tools for more complex interactive prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.

• Performance Marketing Platforms: Understanding of how design assets are used in platforms like Google Ads, Meta Ads, etc., and how to optimize them for performance.

• CRM/Email Platforms: Experience with tools like Klaviyo, enabling the design and implementation of effective email marketing campaigns and CRM-driven communications.

CRM & Automation:

• CMS Platforms: Experience working with Content Management Systems (e.g., Shopify, WordPress) for website updates and content deployment.

• Project Management Tools: While not explicitly mentioned, tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira are common for managing creative workflows.

• AI Design Tools: Expected to be curious and willing to explore and integrate AI-powered design tools for tasks like image generation, content creation, or workflow automation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with Klaviyo and CMS platforms is highly desirable, indicating a need for practical, execution-focused skills relevant to e-commerce and digital marketing operations. The company's forward-thinking approach suggests an openness to adopting new AI tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A core value, evident in the search for new technologies and the desire for "standout campaign moments." Operations professionals are expected to contribute fresh ideas and push creative boundaries.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: The "small but mighty" team structure and the need to partner across departments emphasize the importance of open communication and a supportive team dynamic.

• Customer Focus: A strong emphasis on customer experience as a driver of design decisions and business success. Designs should be user-centric and aimed at enhancing the customer journey.

• Performance & Impact: A results-oriented culture where design is seen as a tool to achieve measurable business outcomes, such as increased conversions and revenue growth.

• Ethical & Sustainable (B Corp Values): A commitment to social and environmental responsibility, influencing decision-making and brand representation. Operations professionals are expected to align with these values.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with marketing, e-commerce, and other departments, requiring clear communication and a shared understanding of objectives.

• Feedback-Driven: The role involves presenting ideas and gathering feedback, indicating a culture that values constructive criticism and iterative design improvements.

• Proactive & Autonomous: While collaborative, there's also an expectation of self-starters who can take initiative, manage their own workload, and proactively identify opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The B Corp status and "Sunday Times Best Places to Work" accolades suggest a culture that balances high performance with genuine care for its employees and the wider world. This is a key differentiator for candidates seeking both professional challenge and a values-driven workplace.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace and Volume: Working in a fast-growing business means managing a high volume of creative requests under pressure, requiring efficient workflow management and prioritization skills.

• Balancing Brand and Performance: Effectively designing assets that are both aesthetically on-brand and optimized for conversion and performance marketing goals.

• Integrating New Technologies: Successfully adopting and integrating AI and new digital tools into existing workflows, requiring a learning mindset and adaptability.

• Maintaining Consistency Across Brands: Managing the distinct visual identities of both Additional Lengths (direct-to-consumer) and Remi Cachet (professional) across various digital platforms.

• Evolving Digital Landscape: Staying abreast of rapid changes in digital design trends, platforms, and technologies to ensure the company remains competitive.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in UX/UI design, motion graphics, or advanced digital asset creation.

• Technology Adoption: Hands-on experience with emerging AI tools and digital technologies, positioning the candidate as an innovator.

• Strategic Design Input: Contributing to the overall digital strategy and brand direction of a rapidly growing, ethical business.

• Leadership Experience: Developing leadership skills by mentoring junior designers (if applicable) and influencing creative processes.

• Industry Exposure: Working within the dynamic beauty/hair sector and for a certified B Corp provides unique industry insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a lead role in a rapidly scaling company. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to shape the digital future of an established, ethical brand.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you significantly improved a brand's digital presence through your design work. What was the challenge, your process, and the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating process, impact, and strategic thinking).

• "How do you balance creative vision with performance marketing objectives in your design approach?" (Prepare examples of designing for conversion).

• "How would you approach integrating a new AI design tool into our existing creative workflow? What are the potential benefits and challenges?" (Showcase forward-thinking and practical implementation ideas).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Additional Lengths, particularly our B Corp status and commitment to ethical sourcing?" (Research and articulate alignment with company values).

• "How do you see your role contributing to our mission of being a force for good?" (Connect your design work to the company's purpose).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your career and design philosophy. Then, present 3-5 carefully selected projects. For each project: state the objective, your role, the challenge, your solution (show visuals!), your process (tools, methods), and the results.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly call out your experience with Figma, Adobe Suite, UX/UI, and any performance-driven design elements.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics (e.g., % increase in CTR, % improvement in conversion, time saved through process improvement) wherever possible. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss the intended impact and how you'd measure it.

• Engage & Discuss: Treat it as a conversation. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your choices and be open to feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will be a strong test of both creative craft and operational understanding. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not just what they design, but why and how it drives business results, all while aligning with the company's ethical foundation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Digital Designer position:

• Submit your Application: Follow the application link provided to submit your CV and a cover letter (if requested) through the hibob platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and tailored to showcase projects relevant to digital design, UX/UI, social media, CRM, and performance marketing. Highlight your proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description, such as "Digital Design," "UX/UI," "Figma," "Adobe Creative Suite," "Performance Marketing," "CRM," and "AI Technologies." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Pitch: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating your design process, strategic thinking, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience with hybrid work and your interest in Additional Lengths' B Corp values.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Additional Lengths, Remi Cachet, their brand positioning, their B Corp commitment, and their recent successes (e.g., Sunday Times Best Places to Work). Understand their market and competitors.

⚠️ 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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