Description
Design Director (AI&Tech)
London / Manchester
This position sits in our Marketing & Technology service based in London. We combine data, technology, creative and paid media to crack brands’ business problems & drive revenue through a variety of digital marketing solutions like social, influencer, TTL ad campaigns, augmented reality, AI and innovation. Our clients include eBay, easyJet, Just Eat Takeaway and Pepsico.
JOB PURPOSE
We are looking for a Design Director for an exciting AI Platform client of ours. The work we produce for them is varied and can range drastically from simple BAU creative responses, to in-person creative sprints and even full productions across multiple global markets.
As a Design Director and lead on the client, you’ll be responsible for reviewing and signing off work, upholding brand and business standards, and ensuring creative excellence across all campaigns and projects. You will work with a wider team of creatives, producers etc , providing clear, decisive feedback, guidance and inspiration to support members of the team across these disciplines. As well as building, delegating and empowering the team to confidently take on work, you will be a hands-on creative with a willingness to ‘get your hands dirty’ to help the team.
This role combines design management and creative leadership, balancing people development, asset production, resource management and creative innovation. You’ll act as a trusted partner to wider team leads, bringing both vision and practical executional expertise to every project.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
- Lead, develop, motivate and inspire DEPT’s design teams and encourage collaboration
- Deliver and inspire innovative and high quality work across all deliverables from the team
- Develop strong creative ideas rooted in narrative, pacing, composition, and visual structure
- Initiate and facilitate creative team collaboration and sharing, and team cohesion through social and team building initiatives
- Guide execution across motion and static deliverables to keep work aligned with the original creative intent
- Lead, develop, motivate and inspire the design team as well as encouraging collaboration
- Be the face and voice of design at Dept®, to raise the profile of the team
- Suggest best ways of working, and hustle for the best opportunities
- Work with the ECD to build processes, structures and raise the quality of design
- Nurture and build a team of happy and fulfilled designers
- Build a productive and working relationship with other disciplines across the agency to deliver projects
- Maintain brand consistency throughout all our marketing projects
- Explore and work within a variety of different formats and platforms to create global campaigns
- Generate the creative ideas and campaign look and feel
- Deliver and inspire innovative and high quality work across all deliverables from the team
- Collaborate with other designers and creative planners
- Be aware of and respond to current design trends and culture
- Use your experience and ideas to contribute to the development of our creative process
- Present work internally and externally
- Stay up-to-date with industry development and tools
WHAT YOU BRING:
- Experience of growing, inspiring and leading a team of 10+
- Strong experience leading on a client with a consultative approach, ideally a client in the tech or AI space
- Work with management to operationally set the client team up for success
- Strong visual judgement and confidence contributing to concepts and creative direction
- Experience working with resource / operations to ensure projects are set up for success
- A high attention to detail, especially in large scale asset production and sign off
- Experience in creating and reviewing scopes/timing plans
- Curiosity around AI tools and interest in learning how they can support creative work
- A strong portfolio or showreel showing concept, craft, and high quality motion and design work, with examples of tech or AI-led campaigns
WE OFFER:
- A flexible, hybrid working policy (2 days from the office, depending on location).
- An excellent salary based on experience and equal pay policies
- Pension, free private healthcare, mental health support, and company sick pay scheme.
- 26 days paid holiday (plus UK Bank Holidays).
- Refreshments are provided in the office all week, as well as drinks at 4 pm on a Thursday.
- Help getting you to work with a season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme.
- Enhanced family friendly policies to support new parents.
- Social and Cultural Events, plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues through organised activities and celebrations.
- Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events.
- Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance.
- Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks’ at DEPT®.
- A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
- Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get
WHY DEPT®?
We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.
We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.
At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.
Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.
We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.
Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.
Similar jobs
Est. 85,000 GBP
Associate Design Director London This position sits in our Marketing & Technology service based in London. We combine data, technology, creative and paid media to crack brands’ business problems & drive revenue t…
Est. 85,000 GBP
Associate Creative Director London, Hybrid This position sits in our Marketing & Technology service based in London. We combine data, technology, creative and paid media to crack brands’ business problems & drive…
Est. 35,000 GBP
Please note, this is a talent pool position, not a live role. If you would like to be considered for any future Design positions at DEPT®, please submit an application and we will be in touch when a suitable opportunity…
Est. 55,000 GBP
This role is an FTC running to the end of 2026 DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specia…
Est. 85,000 GBP
DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention services across…
Please note, this is a talent pool position, not a live role. If you would like to be considered for any future Design positions at DEPT®, please submit an application and we will be in touch when a suitable opportunity…
Please note, this is a talent pool position, not a live role. If you would like to be considered for any future Design positions at DEPT®, please submit an application and we will be in touch when a suitable opportunity…
Est. 45,000 GBP
Please note, this is a talent pool position, not a live role. If you are interested in future Account Management/Client Services opportunities at DEPT®, please submit an application and we will be in touch when a suitabl…
This is a 6 month fixed term employee contract initially, with a likelihood of extension. Toronto, hybrid DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the…
This is a 6 month fixed term employee contract initially, with a likelihood of extension. Toronto, hybrid DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the…
This is a 5-month fixed-term employment contract ending December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension. DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at…
Est. 80,000 EUR
Account Director This role is an FTC running to the end of 2026 Berlin, hybrid This role is part of our Personalised Content team. We create emotive yet conversion-focused ideas, products and campaigns at scale and speed…
This is a 6 month fixed term employee contract initially, with a likelihood of extension. Toronto, hybrid DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the…
Est. 80,000 GBP
AI Consultant Manchester, London, hybrid DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world's most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists…
Est. 55,000 GBP
DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention services across…
WHY DEPT®? We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast…
This is a 6 month fixed term employee contract initially, with a likelihood of extension. Vancouver, remote DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at th…
Est. 55,000 GBP
This is a fixed-term contract initially until 15th January 2027, with the potential for extension. DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the interse…
Please note, this is a talent pool position, not a live role. If you would like to be considered for any future Motion Design positions at DEPT®, please submit an application and we will be in touch when a suitable oppor…
Please note, this is a talent pool position, not a live role. If you would like to be considered for any future Account Management/Client Services positions at DEPT®, please submit an application and we will be in touch…
WHY DEPT®? We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast…
This is a 7 month fixed term employee contract initially, with a likelihood of extension This role is part of our Global Studios team. We create emotive yet conversion-focused ideas, products and campaigns at scale and s…
Est. 65,000 EUR
Digital Project Manager Dublin, hybrid DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists de…
WHY DEPT®? We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast…
Est. 120,000 EUR
Client Director (d/f/m) Berlin, Hamburg hybrid DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specia…
WHY DEPT®? We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast…
Est. 80,000 EUR
Client Partner (d/f/m) DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth inv…
Est. 120,000 EUR
Client Director (d/f/m) Berlin, Hamburg hybrid DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specia…
This is a 12 month fixed term employee contract. This posting reflects an existing vacancy. DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection o…
Est. 80,000 EUR
AI Consultant Amsterdam, Rotterdam, hybrid DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialist…