Lead Brand Designer - UK

Bjak
Full-time£50k-80k/year (GBP)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Brand Designer - UK

Company: Bjak

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: March 1, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site (with potential for hybrid flexibility, to be confirmed)

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead the conceptualization and execution of compelling brand identity and visual systems for a rapidly growing digital insurance platform.

  • Drive brand consistency and strategic storytelling across all marketing channels, product surfaces, and consumer touchpoints.

  • Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, product, and performance teams to deliver cohesive and impactful brand experiences.

  • Maintain and evolve the company's brand guidelines, ensuring high craft and adherence to visual standards.

  • Leverage cutting-edge design tools and emerging AI technologies to optimize design workflows and enhance creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is listed as "On-site," the "TELECOMMUTE" location type suggests potential for remote or hybrid arrangements, especially given the "UK" location requirement. Candidates should clarify the exact work arrangement and expectations for office attendance during the interview process. This role is pivotal for establishing a strong, unified brand presence as Bjak expands internationally.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute high-quality brand materials that consistently represent BJAK's visual identity and mission.

  • Define, maintain, and evolve the company's comprehensive brand system to ensure visual coherence across all platforms and communications.

  • Partner closely with marketing, content, product management, and performance teams to translate strategic objectives into effective visual campaigns and user experiences.

  • Adapt brand messaging and visual tone for diverse audiences, including consumers, business partners, and internal stakeholders.

  • Uphold and refine BJAK's brand guidelines, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and craft in all design outputs.

  • Produce timely and impactful design solutions that support both long-term brand equity and immediate business objectives.

  • Contribute strategic creative input and insights to the overall brand direction under the guidance of the Creative Manager.

  • Explore and integrate AI tools into the design process to enhance efficiency, creativity, and workflow optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic brand stewardship and hands-on design execution, common in lead roles within fast-paced environments. Emphasis on "delivering fast, thoughtful design work" and supporting "immediate business goals" indicates a need for agility and a results-oriented approach, typical in startup or scale-up operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a Lead Brand Designer role. Relevant certifications or a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent knowledge and experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in brand design, graphic design, or a similar creative leadership role, preferably within a technology, startup, or agency environment.

Required Skills:

  • Proven expertise in brand identity development and visual systems design.

  • Strong understanding of brand storytelling principles and their application across various media.

  • Demonstrated ability to create and maintain comprehensive brand guidelines.

  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

  • Expert-level skills in Figma for UI/UX and collaborative design work.

  • Proficiency with motion design tools such as Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro.

  • Experience in designing for diverse audiences and adapting brand voice accordingly.

  • Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience in performance marketing design or fast-paced startup environments.

  • Basic skills in motion graphics, sound editing, or simple VFX.

  • Experience with design template systems, design libraries, and asset management.

  • Familiarity or experience with AI-powered design tools and workflows.

  • Understanding of the insurance or financial technology (FinTech) industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for both Adobe Creative Suite and Figma indicates a need for versatility, covering both traditional print/graphic design and digital/UI design workflows. Proficiency in motion tools suggests an expectation for dynamic brand content creation. The explicit mention of AI tools indicates a forward-thinking company culture and a desire for candidates to be at the forefront of design innovation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A robust and diverse portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of professional brand design work.

  • Clear examples of brand identity development, including logo design, color palettes, typography, and visual language.

  • Case studies demonstrating the ability to build and maintain consistent brand systems across multiple touchpoints (e.g., web, mobile, marketing collateral, social media).

  • Evidence of storytelling through design, illustrating how visuals communicate brand narrative and value propositions.

  • High-quality execution and attention to detail across all presented projects.

Process Documentation:

  • Include case studies that detail the design process, from initial concept and research to final execution and iteration.

  • Demonstrate how you collaborated with stakeholders (marketing, product, etc.) to achieve design goals.

  • Showcase your approach to managing design projects, including timelines, feedback loops, and revisions.

  • Highlight your methods for ensuring brand consistency and adherence to guidelines throughout a project lifecycle.

  • Illustrate how you have leveraged design systems or templates to improve efficiency and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role. The emphasis on "brand storytelling," "consistency," and "high-quality execution" means candidates should curate examples that not only look good but also explain the strategic thinking and measurable impact behind the designs. Demonstrating the ability to work within a system and collaborate effectively will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £50,000 – £80,000 base salary per annum.

Benefits:

  • Competitive annual base salary within the stated range.

  • Opportunity to shape the global brand identity of a leading digital insurance platform.

  • Work in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment with a flat organizational structure.

  • Direct impact on company mission and growth through creative excellence.

  • Potential for professional development and learning in AI and emerging design technologies.

  • Collaborative team environment focused on engineering and product excellence.

  • [Specific benefits package details to be confirmed by the hiring organization, but typically include health insurance, paid time off, retirement contributions, professional development stipends, etc.]

Working Hours: The role is listed with an AI-derived figure of 40 working hours per week. While this is standard, the "fast, thoughtful design work" and startup culture may imply a need for flexibility and dedication beyond standard hours during critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a strong indicator of the seniority and expected impact of this Lead Brand Designer role in the London market. Based on industry benchmarks for Lead Brand Designers in London with 5-10 years of experience, this range is competitive. Factors influencing the final offer will include the depth of portfolio, specific tool proficiency, and prior experience in high-growth environments.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: InsurTech (Insurance Technology), Digital Platforms, AI Integration. BJAK operates at the intersection of financial services and technology, leveraging data and AI to disrupt traditional insurance markets.

Company Size: The provided LinkedIn data indicates a company size of 51-200 employees. This suggests a mid-sized, growing company with established processes but still maintaining the agility and collaborative spirit of a startup.

Founded: The company was founded in 2015. This provides a decade of experience in the market, allowing for a solid foundation and a clear trajectory for future growth, particularly with its expansion into new international markets like the UK.

Team Structure:

  • The Brand Design team likely operates within a broader Marketing or Creative department.

  • The Lead Brand Designer reports directly to the Creative Manager, indicating a clear reporting line and a hierarchical structure for creative leadership.

Methodology:

  • BJAK emphasizes "engineering and product excellence" and a "very flat organization," suggesting a culture that values direct contribution, data-driven decision-making, and efficient execution.

  • The mission to "create successful businesses while contributing positively to society by making it more efficient" implies a focus on impact and societal benefit.

  • The integration of AI into their platforms suggests a forward-thinking, innovation-driven approach to problem-solving and operational efficiency.

Company Website: https://bjak.my/en/about-us

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of startup agility and established operational rigor, driven by a mission-oriented approach and a strong focus on technology and AI. For a Lead Brand Designer, this means an environment where creative strategy is valued, but execution must be efficient, data-informed, and aligned with business objectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Lead" position, signifying a senior individual contributor role with significant responsibility for strategic direction and execution within the brand design function. It implies mentorship of junior designers (if any) and ownership of major brand initiatives.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Brand Designer reports directly to the Creative Manager. This provides a clear path for creative direction, feedback, and career development within the design hierarchy. The flat organization structure might mean more direct interaction with senior leadership and other department heads.

Operations Impact: The Lead Brand Designer's work directly impacts customer acquisition, brand perception, market penetration, and overall business growth. By shaping BJAK's visual identity, this role influences how millions of users perceive the company, its products, and its mission. Strong brand design is critical for building trust, differentiating from competitors, and supporting marketing and sales efforts.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Creative Manager or Head of Brand role as the company scales.

  • Strategic Influence: Opportunity to significantly influence the global brand strategy and visual direction for a growing company.

  • Skill Expansion: Deepen expertise in AI-driven design tools, motion graphics, and potentially performance marketing design.

  • Industry Expertise: Gain hands-on experience in the rapidly evolving InsurTech and AI sectors.

  • Cross-functional Mastery: Develop a strong understanding of how brand design integrates with marketing, product development, and business strategy in a tech-driven environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned for an experienced designer ready to take on significant ownership and strategic impact. The growth opportunities are substantial, particularly given the company's expansion plans and technological focus. Candidates should highlight their ability to lead, innovate, and drive tangible business results through design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The "TELECOMMUTE" location type, combined with "On-site" work arrangement, suggests a hybrid model or a primary office location in London with remote work flexibility being a possibility. The description of a "very flat organization" and "densely talented, highly motivated" team implies an environment that is collaborative, dynamic, and performance-oriented.

Office Location(s): The primary location is London, England. Specific office address details would be provided upon further engagement. London offers a vibrant ecosystem for design and technology roles.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration means the workspace is likely designed to foster interaction between design, marketing, product, and other teams. Expect a dynamic atmosphere where ideas are shared freely.

  • Technology Stack: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma) and potentially advanced hardware to support motion graphics and AI tools.

  • Operational Focus: The company's mission to "make it more efficient" suggests an operational environment that values streamlined processes, clear communication, and effective use of resources.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 per week) are expected, but the culture of "delivering fast, thoughtful design work" and supporting "immediate business goals" may require flexibility. This could translate to occasional longer hours during critical campaign launches or product releases.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should probe the exact nature of the hybrid/on-site policy and the expected days in the office. Understanding the dynamic and collaborative nature of the workspace will be crucial for assessing cultural fit.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and fit.

  • Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: A more in-depth session, likely with the Creative Manager and potentially other senior designers or marketing leads. This will involve discussing your portfolio, design process, and problem-solving approach. Expect questions about your experience with brand systems, storytelling, and tool proficiency.

  • Cross-functional Interview: An interview with representatives from marketing, product, or performance teams to assess collaboration skills and understanding of how design supports broader business objectives.

  • Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level manager or executive to discuss strategic vision, cultural fit, and long-term impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your brand design expertise, storytelling ability, and experience with brand systems. Prioritize projects that align with BJAK's industry (InsurTech, digital platforms, AI).

  • Showcase Process: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your approach, the tools used, your role, the challenges faced, and the outcome (if quantifiable, even better). Use visuals to illustrate your journey.

  • Highlight Consistency: Feature examples where you've maintained brand consistency across different media and platforms.

  • Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio implicitly or explicitly shows your command of Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and motion tools. If you have AI tool experience, highlight it.

  • Tell a Story: Frame your portfolio as a narrative of your design journey and your ability to solve problems and drive impact through design.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Be prepared for a design challenge, which might involve creating a concept for a new campaign, refining an existing brand asset, or solving a specific brand communication problem.

  • Focus on demonstrating your strategic thinking, understanding of the BJAK brand (research it thoroughly!), and ability to execute quickly and thoughtfully.

  • Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, explaining the rationale behind your choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "fast, thoughtful design work" and "delivering under tight timelines" suggests that any design challenge or portfolio review will assess not just the final output but also the efficiency and strategic rationale behind your process. Candidates should be ready to articulate their decision-making process and how they would integrate with BJAK's operational ethos.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design, illustration, photo editing, and layout (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

  • Figma: Critical for UI/UX design, prototyping, collaborative design, and maintaining design systems.

  • Motion Tools: Adobe After Effects for creating dynamic animations and motion graphics, and Premiere Pro for video editing.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly a design tool, understanding how design impacts metrics is key. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel) might be beneficial to understand user engagement with designed assets.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the Lead Brand Designer role, but an understanding of how marketing campaigns are managed and automated could provide context for design integration.

Emerging Technologies:

  • AI Tools: Explicitly mentioned as a plus. This could include AI-powered image generators, design assistants, automation tools within Adobe/Figma, or specialized AI design platforms.

  • Design Systems/Libraries: Experience with building or working within established design systems and asset management tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The explicit mention of AI tools suggests that candidates who can demonstrate how they've used or are eager to use AI to enhance their design process will have a significant advantage. This indicates a company that values innovation and efficiency in its creative operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Engineering & Product Excellence: A core value that likely extends to design, emphasizing robust, well-crafted, and functional creative output.

  • Efficiency & Speed: The company mission and role description highlight the importance of delivering fast, thoughtful work, suggesting a culture that values productivity and streamlined processes.

  • Innovation & AI Integration: A strong focus on leveraging AI and new technologies implies a culture that encourages experimentation and forward-thinking solutions.

  • Impact & Societal Contribution: The mission to contribute positively to society suggests a desire for work that has meaningful outcomes beyond just aesthetics.

  • Ownership & Continuous Improvement: Employees are expected to take ownership and actively seek ways to improve processes and outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with marketing, content, product, and performance teams. This requires strong communication, the ability to translate technical/business needs into design solutions, and a team player mentality.

  • Flat Organization Dynamics: In a flat structure, communication is often more direct, and there's an expectation for all team members to contribute actively and respectfully, regardless of title.

  • Feedback Exchange: A culture that values continuous improvement likely embraces constructive feedback as a tool for growth and refinement of creative work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values point towards a demanding yet rewarding environment. Designers must be comfortable with rapid iteration, data-informed decision-making, and close collaboration. Those who thrive in dynamic, mission-driven settings and are passionate about leveraging technology will likely find BJAK a good fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Rapid Growth & Scaling: As BJAK expands internationally, maintaining brand consistency across new markets and evolving the brand system to accommodate new products and services will be a continuous challenge.

  • Balancing Speed and Quality: The need to deliver fast design work while ensuring high craft and strategic alignment requires excellent time management and prioritization skills.

  • Integrating AI Effectively: Staying ahead of the curve with AI tools and integrating them seamlessly into existing workflows without compromising quality or originality.

  • Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring all departments understand and adhere to brand guidelines and collaborating effectively to achieve cohesive brand experiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • AI Design Specialization: Opportunity to become an expert in using AI tools for brand design, potentially leading to specialized knowledge in this emerging field.

  • Global Brand Strategy: Gaining experience in developing and implementing brand strategies for international markets.

  • InsurTech Industry Insight: Deepening understanding of a complex and growing industry, and how design supports its unique challenges and opportunities.

  • Leadership Mentorship: Learning from the Creative Manager and other senior leaders within a flat, fast-paced organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are characteristic of a high-growth company. The opportunities for learning are significant, particularly in the AI and international expansion aspects. Candidates should identify how their skills can address these challenges and how they plan to leverage the growth opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to develop a brand identity from scratch or significantly evolve an existing one. What was your process, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on strategic thinking, process, and measurable impact).

  • "How do you ensure brand consistency across diverse marketing channels and product surfaces, especially in a fast-paced environment?" (Highlight your methods for brand guideline implementation and stakeholder management).

  • "Walk us through a project where you collaborated closely with marketing, product, or performance teams. What were the challenges, and how did you ensure successful integration of design?" (Demonstrate cross-functional collaboration skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What excites you most about BJAK's mission and its expansion into the UK market?" (Research BJAK's mission, values, and recent developments).

  • "How do you see your role contributing to BJAK's goal of making society more efficient through its application platforms?" (Connect your design impact to the company's core mission).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each project, start with the business problem or objective, explain your design strategy and process, showcase the visual execution, and conclude with the results or impact.

  • Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out how your work demonstrates expertise in brand systems, storytelling, tool proficiency (Figma, Adobe, Motion), and AI integration.

  • Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, technical execution, and how you handled feedback or revisions.

  • Show Adaptability: If presenting diverse projects, emphasize your ability to adapt your style and approach to different needs and audiences.

  • Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within any time limits.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on understanding BJAK's business (InsurTech, AI, efficiency) and its brand identity. Candidates need to articulate not just their design skills but also their strategic thinking, collaborative abilities, and how they can drive business impact through design in a fast-paced, tech-forward environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

  • Submit your application through the provided application link on Ashby.

  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., a live website link) and highlights projects demonstrating brand identity, visual systems, storytelling, and cross-functional collaboration. Tailor your selection to showcase relevant experience for an InsurTech company.

  • Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize achievements related to brand development, visual system implementation, successful cross-functional projects, and experience with key design tools (Adobe, Figma, Motion, AI). Quantify achievements where possible.

  • Company Research: Thoroughly research BJAK's current brand presence, mission, values, and recent news, particularly regarding their expansion into the UK. Understand their target audience and competitive landscape.

  • Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design philosophy, your approach to brand building, and how your skills align with BJAK's specific needs and culture during interviews. Practice presenting your portfolio and answering common interview questions.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates must possess 5 or more years of experience in brand design or a similar role, supported by a strong portfolio demonstrating brand storytelling and high-quality execution. Essential technical proficiency includes Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and motion tools, along with an interest in leveraging AI for design workflows.