Are you a hands-on and strategic Design leader seeking an exciting new opportunity? Our client, a leader in their industry, is seeking a creative Head of Design to shape and deliver the UK brand creative strategy, driving both brand and commercial objectives. This pivotal role demands a blend of team management, operational excellence, strategic foresight, and a passion for delivering impactful creative. This role is a permanent, full-time, hybrid role, on-site in Durham 3x days, remote 2x days.

To be considered for the role, you must have at least 8 years’ experience in a similar role. Salary disclosed on application.

The Company

Our client stands as the UK’s leader in the trade wholesale space, with sites in the US and EMEA. Operating as a PLC, they embody both traditional values and agility. Amidst this period of restructure lies the opportunity to shape and deliver creative that helps drive a joint vision, connecting with the hearts and minds of their target audiences.

The Role

This role involves working closely with the Marketing Director to lead all creative aspects across Business and Marketing initiatives including brand strategy and identity, across physical and digital environments, as well as providing strategic creative and design oversight, guidance, and direction across a variety of channels and campaigns. Sitting in the UK marketing team, and leading the design team of 9, you will assume responsibility for studio operations, workflow management, and strategic planning, and spearhead all visual design aspects across the entire organisation.

• Championing strategic creativity across a portfolio of brands.
• Working closely with internal team, and occasional external creative agency support, to produce and create brand campaigns, including advertising and content, and provide visual merchandising and in-store design direction.
• Overseeing projects from conception to completion, adhering to tight deadlines and ensuring exceptional quality in all deliverables.
• Conducting regular 1:1 reviews with direct reports.
• Bringing alignment and uniformity to brand strategy and identity whilst respecting brand heritage, equity, and geographical cultural differences.
• Helping define, manage, embed and streamline ‘ways of working’ across the business.
• Upholding brand consistency across all channels, maintaining a cohesive visual identity that is aligned to their brand guidelines.
• Providing regular status updates to the Director of Marketing and stakeholders on key project timelines, including any mitigation plans.

About You….

Alongside the creative and design expertise, the right cultural fit for this role is paramount. We are looking for someone who is able to challenge the status quo whilst respecting the tradition and values echoed through this sizeable family-owned business. Both gravitas and self-awareness are invaluable whilst helping establish governance and processes alongside the Marketing Director.

• A strong strategic and operational mindset.
• The ability to work cross-functionally and liaise with numerous stakeholders.
• A proven track of developing highly successful brand strategies and identities, creative campaigns (traditional and digital media), and experiences across both physical and digital environments.
• Exceptional communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills.
• An ability to story tell, developing a simple and compelling brand narrative that galvanises the entire business.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to challenge, coach, mentor and develop your team.
• Subject matter expertise in brand strategy, design, and experience.
• A broad creative experience across all channels, including digital.
• 8+ years of demonstrated success with creative design leadership experience.
• Ideally 6+ years of experience in the retail industry/wholesale/B2B with online presence.
• Bachelor’s degree in design or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• A solid omni portfolio of strategic creative work, exhibiting a seasoned background in brand design across various media, channels, and touchpoints.

This role is based in Durham and therefore commutable from multiple locations across the Northeast: Newcastle, Middlesborough, Stockton on tees, Darlington, Hexham, Spennymoor, Sunderland and South Shields, to name a few.

To be considered for the role, please send your latest CV and folio to us.