Design Director (fixed term contract)

Coley Porter Bell; England; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global branding agency in London is seeking a Design Director to lead creative projects focused on FMCG packaging. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in design leadership, a strong portfolio, and expert skills in Adobe Creative Suite. This role offers a hybrid work model and the chance to work with a highly collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading design projects as a Design Director or similar role.
• Impressive portfolio showcasing successful FMCG packaging projects.
• Ability to teach design tools to others.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative team to develop new design solutions.
• Guide team in exploring various design ideas.
• Develop impactful ideas based on design plans and client briefs.

Skills

Leadership in design projects

Expert skills in Adobe Creative Suite

Excellent communication skills

Knowledge of current design trends

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

We’re Coley Porter Bell, a global branding agency based in London and New York, and we’ve been helping world famous brands discover their Unordinary Idea for almost 50 years. Whether its multi‑national businesses or local heroes, we harness the power of Unordinary Ideas to accelerate growth for ambitious brands.

We’re a friendly, down‑to‑earth team, backed by a global network.

A big agency engine with a smaller agency experience: We offer strategic rigour, global talent and cutting‑edge technology. You’ll access a senior yet nimble team for a highly personalised, collaborative experience.

Fiercely collaborative yet joyously independent thinkers: We deliver creative strategy and strategic creative. We recruit free thinkers and individual experts to foster a culture where your Unordinary Idea can grow.

A blend of human craft and tech‑fuelled creativity: We combine brilliant craftspeople with a real understanding of today’s technology. We’ll deliver your brand in an immersive and engaging way.

What we’re looking for

A Design Director leads our creative team, guiding the design process from start to finish. You will be responsible for coming up with fresh ideas, creating strong and appealing designs, offering expert advice, and inspiring your team.

This key role focuses on a global leading FMCG client. We need someone with deep experience in creating brands and FMCG, from the first idea to the final packaging on the shelf. You should know how to manage product messages, organise information on packs, and help customers easily find what they're looking for in a range of products.

Today's market needs packaging that does more than just hold a product. We’re looking for a creative leader who knows how to design packaging that stands out, clearly communicates the brand and product benefits, and looks great on the shelf.

What you’ll do

• Lead our creative team to develop new and exciting design solutions that meet client goals.
• Guide the team in exploring many different design ideas to make sure we find the best ones.
• Develop and push for big, impactful ideas based on design plans and client briefs for packaging.
• Lead the creation of strong and unique design plans, especially for FMCG packaging.
• Work closely with our internal teams and clients, presenting your design ideas clearly and with enthusiasm for branding and packaging.
• Guide and motivate other designers, helping them grow and do their best work.

What you’ll need

• Lots of experience leading design projects as a Design Director or similar senior role in a design agency, with a strong focus on FMCG packaging.
• Expert skills in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop and Illustrator, and able to teach others.
• An impressive portfolio showing recent work where you’ve led successful and smart FMCG packaging projects from start to finish.
• Excellent knowledge of current design trends and what’s coming next, applying this to effective packaging design.
• Great communication and presentation skills, able to explain design ideas clearly to clients and build strong relationships.

We believe the best work happens when we’re together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That’s why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

Coley Porter Bell, a WPP company, is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics, committed to a culture of respect where everyone belongs and can progress in their careers.

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Coley Porter Bell by 2x.

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Contract

Job function: Design, Art/Creative, and Strategy/Planning

Industries: Design Services, Advertising Services, and Marketing Services