Lead Designer-(2 Month FTC)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Designer (2 Month FTC)

Company: MOO

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Fixed Time Contractor (FTC) (UK Only)

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing / Management & Leadership

Date Posted: 2026-05-20

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creative direction and execution of brand and marketing initiatives, ensuring a cohesive and compelling visual narrative.

• Champion and evolve MOO's graphic system and brand guidelines, maintaining visual consistency across all touchpoints.

• Provide strategic creative leadership and mentorship to a team of designers and cross-functional partners, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

• Manage a team of designers, overseeing their development and ensuring high-quality creative output aligned with business objectives.

• Collaborate closely with copywriters, art directors, and production teams to craft integrated campaigns and impactful content.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a 2-month Fixed Term Contract (FTC) specifically for candidates based in the UK, indicating a need for immediate availability and a focus on delivering on specific, time-bound creative projects. The emphasis on "hands-on lead," "own the MOO graphic system," and "line management responsibilities" suggests a senior individual contributor with direct team oversight, rather than a purely strategic or managerial role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization and execution of design projects for brand and marketing campaigns, translating strategic objectives into impactful creative solutions.

• Maintain and evolve MOO's visual identity, ensuring adherence to established brand guidelines while exploring innovative design approaches.

• Mentor and guide junior designers and creatives, fostering their professional growth and ensuring the highest standards of craft and imagination.

• Oversee the end-to-end creative process, from initial concept development through to final delivery, ensuring quality and timeliness.

• Partner with the Head of Art Direction and Creative Director to influence team culture, optimize workflows, and drive creative excellence across the department.

• Present creative concepts and strategies confidently to senior stakeholders, articulating the rationale and impact of design decisions.

• Collaborate with marketing, product, and other cross-functional teams to ensure integrated campaign execution and brand consistency.

• Contribute to the development of new storytelling approaches and creative problem-solving techniques, balancing innovation with practical delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of hands-on design execution, team leadership, and strategic contribution, typical of a Lead Designer role. The focus on "visual language," "graphic system," and "brand guidelines" highlights the importance of maintaining brand integrity while pushing creative boundaries. Collaboration with "copy, art direction, and production" suggests a holistic approach to campaign development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not specified, but a strong portfolio and extensive experience are prioritized over formal education in creative fields.

Experience: Minimum of 10+ years in design or art direction, with a proven track record in both agency and in-house environments.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in leading creative teams and fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.

• Deep understanding of graphic design principles, marketing channels, campaign methodologies, and content creation.

• Strategic thinking ability to connect creative execution with broader business and audience objectives.

• Exceptional craft skills with meticulous attention to detail, form, and narrative storytelling.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, delivering high-quality work under pressure.

• Natural communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate ideas persuasively to diverse audiences.

• Experience in line management, including mentorship and performance development of design professionals.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in video editing using Adobe Premiere Pro.

• Familiarity with AI-assisted post-production tools and their application in creative workflows.

• Skills in motion design and animation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 10+ years of experience, ideally across both agency and in-house settings, indicates a need for a seasoned professional who can immediately contribute at a senior level. The emphasis on "strategic thinker," "exceptional craft skills," and "natural communicator" points to a candidate who is both creatively adept and possesses strong leadership and interpersonal abilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong track record of leading creative direction and execution for brand and marketing projects.

• Demonstrations of how you have translated strategy into powerful ideas and compelling stories through design.

• Examples of owning and evolving graphic systems and documenting them within brand guidelines.

• Case studies highlighting creative leadership, team mentorship, and collaborative project outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase experience in documenting and maintaining intricate graphic systems and brand guidelines.

• Examples of developing and refining creative workflows to enhance efficiency and output quality.

• Demonstrations of how design processes were adapted to meet specific project needs or overcome creative challenges.

• Evidence of a data-informed approach to design, where creative decisions are linked to measurable business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond showcasing aesthetics to demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and an understanding of brand systems. The inclusion of "process documentation" in the portfolio implies a need to show not just the 'what' but the 'how' – how projects were managed, how teams were led, and how standards were maintained.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a 2-Month FTC role for a Lead Designer in London, a competitive pro-rata salary is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for similar senior-level design roles in London, a range of £70,000 - £90,000 per annum (pro-rata) is estimated. This reflects the significant experience required and the senior nature of the role.

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday, rising by one day per year of service (for 5 years).

• Matched pension scheme.

• Paid parental leave.

• Private healthcare.

• Life insurance.

• Season ticket loan.

• Cycle to Work scheme.

• Flexible work schedules.

• Work From Anywhere program.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility given MOO's emphasis on work-life balance and flexible schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary for FTC roles is typically quoted as an annual equivalent but paid on a monthly or weekly basis. The estimated range is based on a blend of seniority, London market rates for creative leadership, and the fixed-term nature of the contract, which often commands a premium. The benefits listed are comprehensive and indicative of a company that values employee well-being and retention, even for contract positions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Design-led, technology, and manufacturing in the global print and branded merchandise market. MOO operates within the premium segment, emphasizing strong ESG credentials.

Company Size: Approximately 400 employees globally, with a significant presence in the USA and headquarters in the UK.

Founded: 2004. MOO has a history of innovation and growth, recognized with awards like 'The Queen’s Award for Enterprise' and featured in publications like the Financial Times.

Team Structure:

• The in-house creative team is a substantial unit of 22 individuals based in London, encompassing designers, writers, photographers, filmmakers, and artworkers.

• The Artwork team specifically focuses on craft excellence and post-production, responsible for building and maintaining systems that ensure creative finesse.

• The Lead Designer will report to the Head of Art Direction and work closely with the Creative Director, indicating a clear hierarchy within the creative department.

Methodology:

• MOO emphasizes a design-led approach, integrating technology and manufacturing to deliver premium products.

• The company's focus on customer satisfaction and brand consciousness shapes its creative output.

• A commitment to ESG credentials suggests that sustainability and ethical practices are integrated into business operations and creative considerations.

• The creative team's work is geared towards shaping the brand's voice across all channels, from concept to delivery.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: MOO positions itself as a premium, design-focused brand with a strong technological and manufacturing backbone. The company's culture appears to value creativity, customer satisfaction, and innovation, as evidenced by its awards and media features. The substantial in-house creative team suggests a significant investment in brand storytelling and visual execution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Lead Designer role represents a senior-level position within the creative function. It requires significant experience (10+ years) and encompasses both hands-on creative execution and team leadership responsibilities. The individual is expected to set creative standards, mentor others, and contribute to strategic creative decisions.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Designer will report to the Head of Art Direction and work closely with the Creative Director. This indicates a clear path for creative guidance and strategic alignment within the department.

Operations Impact: The Lead Designer's impact is crucial in shaping MOO's visual identity, brand perception, and the effectiveness of its marketing campaigns. By ensuring creative excellence and consistency, they directly contribute to customer engagement, brand loyalty, and ultimately, business growth in the premium print and merchandise market.

Growth Opportunities:

• For a fixed-term contract, direct career progression within MOO may be limited to the contract duration, but the role offers significant opportunities for skill enhancement in leadership and strategic creative direction.

• Exposure to MOO's specific brand guidelines, graphic systems, and unique market positioning can enrich a designer's professional portfolio and expertise.

• Opportunity to influence creative culture and workflow within a well-established, award-winning company.

• Potential for future contract extensions or full-time opportunities based on performance and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a 2-month FTC, the "Lead" title signifies a high level of responsibility and a chance to showcase advanced skills in creative leadership, brand stewardship, and team management. The growth here is primarily in demonstrating capability at a senior level and potentially expanding one's professional network within a respected design-led company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in London, and while MOO offers flexible work schedules and a "Work From Anywhere" program, the "Hybrid" status suggests a requirement for in-office presence. This typically means a blend of remote work and time spent at a physical office location.

Office Location(s): MOO's headquarters are in the UK, with a significant creative team based in London. Specific office address details are not provided but can be assumed to be a professional studio or office environment conducive to creative collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• The London creative team is 22 strong, indicating a dynamic and collaborative environment where peer interaction and knowledge sharing are likely encouraged.

• MOO emphasizes a "comfortable and happy work" environment, suggesting a culture that supports individual well-being and creative expression.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology is implied, given the nature of the creative work and MOO's tech-focused business model.

• The hybrid work model allows for focused individual work remotely and collaborative sessions or team building in the office.

Work Schedule: The role is described as having flexible work schedules, with a standard working week of approximately 40 hours. This allows for a balance between project delivery demands and personal work-life integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role in London suggests a modern work setup. The emphasis on flexibility and employee comfort ("Dye your hair purple. Hit the sofa with your laptop.") points to a progressive and inclusive work environment, which is attractive for creative professionals seeking a supportive atmosphere.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• First Interview: Likely with the Head of Art Direction or Creative Director to discuss your experience, leadership style, creative philosophy, and approach to brand systems. Expect questions about past projects and team management.

• Portfolio Presentation/Creative Challenge: You may be asked to present specific case studies from your portfolio, focusing on your lead role, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities. A small design challenge related to MOO's brand or a specific campaign might be assigned.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader, to assess cultural fit, discuss the FTC specifics, and confirm final details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your creative leadership, brand system management, and campaign execution experience. Tailor this selection to highlight experience relevant to MOO's market and brand.

• Showcase Leadership: Clearly articulate your role in each project, especially your leadership, mentorship, and strategic contribution. Use "I" for your individual contributions and "we" for team efforts where you led.

• Detail Process & Rationale: Explain your design process, the strategic thinking behind your creative decisions, and how you connected them to business or audience goals.

• Highlight Brand Systems: If you have experience developing or maintaining brand guidelines and graphic systems, dedicate specific slides or sections to this.

• Address FTC Context: Be prepared to discuss your availability and how you can make an immediate impact within the 2-month timeframe.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand MOO: Research MOO's brand, products, target audience, and recent marketing campaigns. Familiarize yourself with their existing visual identity and tone of voice.

• Think Strategically: Practice articulating how design decisions support business objectives. Consider how you would approach evolving a brand's visual language for a specific market or campaign.

• Prepare for Team Dynamics: Be ready to discuss how you foster collaboration, provide constructive feedback, and manage creative teams effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an FTC role, interviewers will be keen to assess your ability to hit the ground running. Your portfolio should clearly demonstrate immediate value and a strong understanding of brand strategy and execution. The interview process will likely be streamlined to accommodate the short-term nature of the contract.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in core design software, including:

  • Photoshop: For image editing and manipulation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logo design, and layout.
  • InDesign: For layout and publishing of brand guidelines, marketing collateral, and campaign materials.

• Premiere Pro: (Preferred) For video editing, crucial for campaign content creation.

• Motion Design Software (e.g., After Effects): (Preferred) For animation and motion graphics.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for a designer, understanding how design impacts performance metrics (e.g., engagement, conversion rates) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics) to interpret campaign performance data is a plus.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the designer role, but understanding how marketing automation platforms are used for campaign deployment can provide context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "craft excellence and post-production" and the "nice-to-haves" strongly point towards Adobe Creative Suite as the core toolset. Premiere Pro and motion design skills are highly valued, indicating a need for a versatile designer capable of creating rich media content.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creative Excellence: A commitment to producing high-quality, imaginative, and impactful design work that elevates the brand.

• Craftsmanship & Finesse: Valuing attention to detail, precision, and a high standard of execution in all creative output.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an open, supportive, and communicative environment where designers and cross-functional partners work together effectively.

• Curiosity & Innovation: Encouraging exploration of new design approaches, storytelling techniques, and creative problem-solving.

• Customer Focus: Ensuring that all creative efforts are aligned with understanding and serving the needs of MOO's brand-conscious customers.

• Purposeful Evolution: Evolving the brand's visual language with intention, balancing brand integrity with forward-thinking design.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional integration is key, working closely with copy, art direction, and production teams to ensure cohesive campaigns.

• Open and persuasive communication is expected when presenting creative work and discussing strategies with senior stakeholders.

• A culture of mentorship and development, where senior designers guide and empower junior team members.

• MOO promotes a culture where individuals can "be themselves," suggesting an environment that values authenticity and diversity.

📝 Enhancement Note: MOO's culture seems to blend a high standard for creative output with a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. The values reflect a deep appreciation for design craft, strategic thinking, and collaborative innovation, all aimed at strengthening the brand and delivering exceptional customer experiences.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Brand Consistency: Evolving MOO's visual language while strictly adhering to brand guidelines and ensuring consistency across all touchpoints.

• High-Paced Environment: Delivering high-quality creative work within a 2-month contract timeline, requiring efficient workflow management and strong prioritization skills.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively collaborating with diverse teams (marketing, copy, production) to ensure integrated and impactful campaign delivery.

• Creative Leadership Under Pressure: Providing clear direction, mentorship, and maintaining creative standards in a fast-paced, short-term engagement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Creative Leadership: Gaining hands-on experience in leading a creative team and influencing strategic creative direction within an established brand.

• Brand System Mastery: Deepening expertise in managing and evolving complex graphic systems and brand guidelines for a global company.

• Industry Exposure: Working with an award-winning company and contributing to campaigns that shape a recognized brand in the print and merchandise market.

• Networking: Building professional relationships within MOO's creative department and potentially with other teams, which can be valuable for future opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge for this role is the short, 2-month tenure, demanding immediate impact and efficient execution. Growth opportunities are significant in terms of demonstrating senior-level leadership and strategic creative capabilities in a condensed timeframe.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Walk me through a campaign you led from concept to execution. What was your strategic approach, and what were the key creative decisions you made?" (Focus on your leadership, strategic thinking, and how you translated objectives into design.)

• "How do you approach maintaining brand consistency while pushing creative boundaries? Can you provide an example of evolving a brand's visual language?" (Highlight your understanding of brand systems and innovation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about MOO's brand and our mission?" (Research MOO's values, products, and market position.)

• "How do you see your creative style aligning with MOO's design aesthetic?" (Connect your portfolio examples to MOO's existing visual identity.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your presentation logically, starting with your strongest, most relevant projects. For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the strategy, your creative solution, and the outcome.

• Quantify Results: Where possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the impact of your design work (e.g., increased engagement, improved brand perception, successful campaign metrics).

• Tell a Story: Present your work as a narrative. Explain the problem, your thought process, the challenges you overcame, and the solution.

• Be Concise and Confident: Practice your delivery to ensure you can articulate your points clearly and within the allotted time. Be prepared for follow-up questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an FTC role, interviewers will be looking for individuals who can quickly understand the business context and deliver results. Your ability to articulate your strategic thinking, leadership experience, and understanding of brand systems will be critical. Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to lead and execute effectively within tight deadlines.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on jobs.lever.co.

• Tailor your CV: Highlight your 10+ years of design or art direction experience, emphasizing leadership, team management, and campaign execution. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate your Portfolio: Select your most impactful projects that demonstrate creative direction, brand system management, and strategic thinking. Be ready to present these clearly and concisely.

• Prepare for an FTC: Be ready to discuss your immediate availability and how you can contribute effectively within the 2-month contract period.

• Research MOO: Understand their brand, products, target audience, and recent creative output to tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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.