Global Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Global Design Manager

Company: Haleon

Location: Weybridge, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Brand & Design Management / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-18

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive design excellence and embed design thinking principles within the Oral Health Commercial team to ensure strategic and operational design coherence.

• Lead and manage end-to-end design projects, specifically for the Aquafresh brand, while supporting other Oral Health brands like Sensodyne and Pronamel.

• Act as a collaborative partner to marketing and cross-functional teams, translating business and consumer insights into distinctive, meaningful, and memorable brand experiences.

• Oversee external design partners across various disciplines, ensuring effective collaboration and iterative creative processes to achieve culturally relevant, multi-sensory brand experiences.

• Champion the business value of design, demonstrating ROI through impactful, consumer-centric outcomes that drive brand growth and strengthen brand equity.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Global Design Manager" within a CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) company, specifically in the Oral Health sector. While not a traditional Revenue Operations or Sales Operations role, it significantly intersects with GTM (Go-to-Market) operations by managing the design execution of brands that drive revenue. The focus on translating insights into commercial outcomes, managing budgets, and demonstrating ROI aligns strongly with operational efficiency and business impact principles common in operations roles. The "Grade 7" designation suggests a mid-to-senior level position with significant responsibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Apply design thinking principles to translate business, consumer, expert, and cultural insights into strong creative direction and compelling design solutions for category marketing and branding.

• Lead design initiatives with external brand partners from ideation through commercialization, leveraging a full breadth of design disciplines and cross-functional collaboration to align on creative and business goals.

• Manage multiple design priorities and competing deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, ensuring flawless execution at speed for global brands.

• Deliver category-leading brand experiences that are consistent and cohesive across all consumer and expert interactions, supported by comprehensive brand world guidelines and storytelling principles.

• Demonstrate the value and ROI of design by converting insights and consumer learning into high-impact outcomes that drive brand growth, increase demand, and strengthen brand perception and equity.

• Ensure all brand and product experiences are inclusive, accessible, and sustainable, utilizing human-centric design methodologies.

• Position design as a strategic growth enabler within global, operating unit, and local markets by identifying and driving opportunities to enhance brand and product experiences.

• Manage and monitor design quality, consistency, and trends across multiple markets through regular checks, audits, and competitor reviews.

• Partner with stakeholders, internal functions (Commercial, R&D, QSC, Procurement), and suppliers to deliver technically feasible and commercially viable packaging solutions, including print and line trials.

• Ensure new 'Design Master Templates' are briefed to the Global Artwork Coordinator and Artwork Provider based on validated design intent and applied to approved structural profiles.

• Support the Global Artwork Coordinator with design adaptation and rollout of packaging projects, acting as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Commercial leads and related functions.

• Lead print exploration during design development to ensure creative intent is translated into technically feasible production, attending press runs and ensuring adherence to approved benchmark standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on end-to-end project management, cross-functional collaboration, and delivering tangible business results through design. This involves operational execution such as managing timelines, budgets, supplier relationships, and ensuring technical feasibility, which are critical GTM operational functions. The mention of "Design to Artwork" packaging projects and managing the "Design Master Templates" points to a structured, process-driven approach to product development and launch.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g., Design, Marketing, Brand Management). Experience:

• Strong track record as a creative lead, design manager, or similar role, ideally within premium CPG in an in-house design or brand function.

• Experience managing design budgets and demonstrating design value/ROI to drive increased investment.

• Proven experience in managing global brands, including comprehensive knowledge of design, artwork production, and print processes.

• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Required Skills:

• Deep understanding and expertise in Design Thinking, Brand Strategy, Brand Experience, and Innovation processes applied to product and packaging.

• Strong strategic thinking coupled with commercial acumen.

• Excellent design management and design leadership skills.

• Comprehensive knowledge of design, artwork production, and print processes.

• High degree of organization, planning, and communication skills.

• Ability to adapt to situations and consider solutions to challenges.

• Strong interpersonal skills to build effective internal and external partnerships.

• Ability to drive teamwork and meet scope of brand and project deliverables. Preferred Skills:

• Expertise in connected commerce, communications design, brand identity, portfolio design systems, and digital design.

• Experience with human-centric design methodologies.

• Familiarity with competitive analysis and trend monitoring within the CPG and Oral Health sectors.

• Ability to translate complex technical specifications into clear design briefs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of creative leadership, strategic thinking, and robust project/process management skills. The need for "commercial acumen" and demonstrating "design value/ROI" points to an operations-minded individual who can connect design output to business outcomes, a crucial trait for GTM-aligned roles. The mention of "Grade 7" suggests that candidates with 5-10 years of relevant experience would be a strong fit.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end management of global brand design projects, demonstrating strategic thinking from insight to execution.

• Include examples of how design thinking principles were applied to solve business challenges and drive consumer connection.

• Present case studies demonstrating the successful commercialization of new product designs or packaging innovations.

• Highlight experience in managing external design partners and cross-functional teams to achieve cohesive brand experiences.

• Demonstrate the ability to translate business objectives into clear design briefs and success criteria. Process Documentation:

• Examples of structured design process methodologies used for global brands, including ideation, development, and commercialization phases.

• Documentation of how brand guidelines, design systems, and print standards were developed and implemented to ensure consistency.

• Case studies illustrating the management of the 'Design to Artwork' process, including coordination with artwork providers and printers.

• Evidence of utilizing a test-and-learn approach within the creative and design process.

• Examples of how design value and ROI were measured and communicated to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a portfolio is critical. It should not just showcase aesthetics but demonstrate the candidate's ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder design projects with a clear focus on business impact and operational execution. The emphasis on "process" and "systems" in the portfolio should reflect how candidates operationalize design strategy.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Global Design Manager (Grade 7) in the UK CPG sector, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between £65,000 - £85,000 per annum. This estimate considers the role's global scope, seniority, and the specialized nature of design management within a large multinational corporation like Haleon. Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs.

• Generous paid time off and holiday allowance.

• Pension scheme with company contributions.

• Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP) or similar equity opportunities.

• Professional development and training opportunities.

• Discounts on Haleon products.

• Potential for flexible working arrangements (though the role is primarily on-site). Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be offered, but the role requires significant on-site presence for collaboration and project oversight.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is an estimate based on UK market data for similar roles in the CPG industry, considering the specified "Grade 7" designation and the global responsibilities. Haleon, as a large, established company, is expected to offer a robust benefits package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consumer Healthcare / Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) - Oral Health sector. Haleon focuses on brands that "lead in resilient and growing categories," emphasizing deep human understanding and trusted science.

Company Size: Large multinational corporation (likely 10,000+ employees, based on typical size for companies with global roles). This implies established processes, global reach, and a structured corporate environment.

Founded: Haleon was formed in 2022 from a demerger from GSK. This means it's a relatively new, independent entity but built on a long heritage of trusted brands. The culture is described as "purpose-driven," "agile," and "performance-focused," aiming to "Win as One."

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Global Design Director for Gum & Family Oral Health, indicating a dedicated design function within the Oral Health business unit.

• Close collaboration is expected with Marketing, Commercial, R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, and external design partners.

• The Global Design Manager will also be part of a broader "design community of practice," fostering knowledge sharing and best practices across the organization. Methodology:

• Emphasis on "design thinking" and "human-centric design" to drive innovation and consumer connection.

• "Win as One strategy" promotes collaboration, agility, and performance focus.

• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging consumer insights and ROI demonstration.

• Iterative creative processes with a "test-and-learn" approach.

Company Website: https://www.haleon.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Haleon's culture emphasizes purpose, agility, and a strong focus on consumer needs. For a design manager, this means being able to connect creative output to tangible business and consumer benefits, operating within established processes while still being innovative. The "new chapter" suggests an evolving environment where design plays a key role in shaping brand perception and market success.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a "Global Design Manager," classified as "Grade 7," indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires significant autonomy in managing global projects, strategic input, and leadership in design execution. It’s a key contributor role with significant responsibility for brand success in the Oral Health category.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Global Design Director (Gum & Family Oral Health). This provides a clear line of mentorship and strategic direction. The role will also have significant dotted-line interactions with brand managers, marketing leads, and cross-functional teams.

Operations Impact: The Global Design Manager's work directly impacts revenue by shaping brand perception, driving consumer engagement, and ensuring product market readiness through effective packaging and brand experiences. Demonstrating ROI for design initiatives is a key performance indicator, directly linking design activities to commercial outcomes and business growth. The role ensures that the "Win as One" strategy is visually and experientially translated for consumers.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific design disciplines (e.g., packaging, connected commerce, motion design) within the Oral Health sector.

• Leadership: Potential to advance to Senior Global Design Director roles, managing larger teams or broader portfolios within Haleon.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Develop strong relationships and understanding of commercial, marketing, and R&D functions, opening doors to broader brand management or GTM strategy roles.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in design trends, innovation processes, and digital integration through internal communities of practice and external training.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a large CPG organization, focusing on deepening design leadership and strategic brand management expertise. The "Grade 7" designation signifies a level of responsibility that prepares individuals for higher-level leadership roles in brand strategy and GTM execution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office environment within Haleon's Weybridge location. The focus on collaboration suggests an open-plan or team-oriented workspace designed to facilitate interaction.

Office Location(s): Weybridge, Surrey, England. This location is likely a significant hub for Haleon's operations in the UK, offering good transport links and amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace where interaction with marketing, brand teams, and other designers is frequent and encouraged.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office productivity software, design collaboration platforms, and potentially specialized design/project management tools. The role involves working with external partners, so digital communication and file-sharing tools will be essential.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, project reviews, and cross-functional workshops are expected. The "design community of practice" offers opportunities for broader networking within the organization.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected. While the role is on-site, a degree of flexibility in daily hours might be available, but project deadlines and collaborative needs will often dictate work patterns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement points to a preference for in-person collaboration, crucial for hands-on design work and team synergy. The Weybridge location is a key operational site for Haleon in the UK.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter will assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into experience, skills, and understanding of design leadership and CPG brand management.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates present their work, focusing on strategy, process, execution, and business impact. Expect to discuss specific case studies.

• Cross-Functional/Team Interview: Meeting with key stakeholders (e.g., Marketing, Commercial) to assess collaboration style and ability to integrate design into broader GTM strategies.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio to tell a story for each project: the challenge, your strategic approach, the design solution, your role, and the measurable outcomes (ROI, brand impact, consumer engagement).

• Process Focus: Clearly articulate your design process, especially how you applied design thinking, managed stakeholders, and navigated challenges in a global CPG context.

• Impact Metrics: Quantify results wherever possible. Use data to demonstrate how your design work contributed to business objectives (e.g., sales uplift, market share growth, improved brand perception).

• Brand Alignment: Showcase your understanding of brand strategy and how you ensured design consistency and relevance across different touchpoints and markets.

• Technical Proficiency: Briefly touch upon your understanding of artwork production and print processes, demonstrating your ability to bridge creative intent with technical feasibility.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific design challenge for Aquafresh or another Oral Health brand, considering its market position and competitive landscape.

• Practice articulating your design vision and how it aligns with business goals.

• Prepare examples of how you have managed difficult stakeholder conversations or navigated conflicting priorities in past projects.

• Understand Haleon's purpose, brands, and recent business developments to tailor your responses.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates must demonstrate not just creative talent but also strategic thinking, project management rigor, and a clear understanding of how design drives business results in the CPG sector. Preparing specific case studies that highlight these aspects will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is standard. Figma or Sketch might be used for digital or system design.

• Project Management: Tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or Jira for tracking project timelines, tasks, and dependencies.

• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack for daily communication and team interaction.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM): Likely used for storing and managing brand assets and guidelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct analytics role, understanding how to interpret consumer insights data, market research reports, and ROI metrics is crucial.

• Familiarity with tools that generate reports on brand performance and campaign effectiveness. CRM & Automation:

• Less direct CRM interaction, but understanding how marketing automation and CRM data inform brand strategy and consumer engagement is beneficial.

• Awareness of connected commerce platforms and their design implications.

• Artwork Production Systems: Familiarity with systems and processes managed by Global Artwork Coordinators and Artwork Providers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with industry-standard design software is a given. The emphasis for this role will be on how these tools are integrated into a robust project management and collaboration framework to deliver global brand consistency and commercial impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Purpose-Driven: Delivering better everyday health with humanity. Design should reflect this purpose and resonate with consumer needs.

• Agile & Performance-Focused: Embracing change, working efficiently, and striving for measurable results. Design processes should be streamlined and outcomes impactful.

• Consumer-Centric: Deep understanding of consumers' needs and experiences, translating this into relevant and engaging design.

• Integrity & Trust: Upholding high standards in all brand communications and product representation.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across functions and with external partners to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively partnering with marketing, commercial, R&D, and supply chain to ensure design solutions are strategically aligned, technically feasible, and commercially viable.

• Process Review Culture: Openness to feedback and iterative improvement of design processes and outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to and learning from the broader design community of practice within Haleon, sharing best practices and insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: Haleon's values are deeply embedded in its "Win as One" strategy. For a Global Design Manager, this means demonstrating how design contributes to the company's purpose and drives performance, all while fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global Consistency with Local Relevance: Ensuring brand cohesion across diverse markets while adapting to local consumer preferences and regulations.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Navigating the needs and expectations of various internal teams (Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain) and external partners (agencies, suppliers).

• Demonstrating Design ROI: Quantifying the impact of design initiatives on business metrics in a complex CPG environment.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Trends: Adapting design strategies to new technologies (e.g., connected commerce, AI in design) and consumer behaviors.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Training: Access to workshops and courses on advanced design techniques, digital design, or specific CPG design trends.

• Leadership Development: Programs focused on strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and leading global teams.

• Industry Exposure: Opportunities to attend design conferences or CPG industry events to stay abreast of innovations and network.

• Mentorship: Guidance from the Global Design Director and participation in the broader design community of practice to foster continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for global brand roles in large organizations. Haleon's structure and focus on development suggest ample opportunities for growth, both in design expertise and leadership capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a new design system for a brand like Aquafresh, considering its history and future market positioning?" (Focus on process, stakeholder alignment, and strategic rationale.)

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders to adopt a design recommendation that was initially met with resistance. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Behavioral question assessing influence, communication, and strategic selling of design.)

• "How do you measure the ROI of design initiatives in the CPG space, and what metrics do you prioritize?" (Tests commercial acumen and understanding of business impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How does your design philosophy align with Haleon's purpose of 'delivering better everyday health with humanity'?" (Assess cultural fit and purpose-driven thinking.)

• "Describe your experience working in a large, matrixed organization. How do you ensure effective collaboration across different functions and geographies?" (Evaluates adaptability and teamwork in a corporate setting.)

• "How would you ensure brand consistency across all consumer touchpoints for a global brand like Aquafresh, while also allowing for local market nuances?" (Tests understanding of global brand management and operational execution.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as narratives—problem, solution, impact. Focus on the why behind your design decisions.

• Process Visualization: Use diagrams or flowcharts to illustrate your design process and how you managed project timelines and stakeholders.

• Quantifiable Results: Be ready to present data that supports the success of your projects (e.g., sales lift, market share improvement, consumer engagement metrics).

• Conciseness: Tailor your presentation to the time allotted, focusing on the most relevant projects for a Global Design Manager role in CPG.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and how you would apply your experience to Haleon's brands.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative vision, strategic thinking, project management rigor, and a clear understanding of how design drives commercial success within the CPG industry. Highlighting experience with global brands and cross-functional collaboration will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Global Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Haleon careers portal.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 3-5 key projects that best showcase your experience in global brand design, CPG, project management, and demonstrable business impact. Ensure these highlight your strategic thinking and process.

• Tailor your resume: Emphasize keywords related to design thinking, brand strategy, CPG, packaging design, project management, and stakeholder management. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare your presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, process, and measurable outcomes. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with Haleon's purpose and brands.

• Research Haleon: Understand their brands, mission, and recent company news. Be prepared to articulate how your design philosophy contributes to their "Win as One" strategy and commitment to better everyday health.

⚠️ 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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