Lead Designer

mustard; Essex; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

mustard is seeking a Lead Designer to guide a small design team and stay hands‑on across live events and retail projects. The role blends strong technical design with leadership to deliver high‑quality, manufacturable solutions.

You will lead from the front, mentoring designers, coordinating with Project Management and Workshop teams, and ensuring projects are delivered on time and to a high standard with practical, production‑friendly designs.

Qualifications

• Experience in events, exhibition, interiors, construction or a similar design environment.
• Strong technical design and CAD/CAM skills.
• Experience producing detailed technical drawings.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience supporting, mentoring or supervising other designers.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication skills and confidence working with colleagues, clients and suppliers.
• A practical mindset and a good understanding of how designs translate into manufacture and installation.
• Leads from the front and guides a team while hands‑on with design work.

Responsibilities

• Leading, supporting and developing the Design team, helping manage workloads, priorities and deadlines.
• Taking projects from initial brief through to final production information.
• Creating and reviewing accurate technical drawings, visuals and manufacturing information.
• Providing guidance on materials, construction, manufacture and installation.
• Working closely with Project Management, Workshop and Production teams to deliver projects on time and to a high standard.
• Helping improve design processes, systems and standards.

Skills

Technical design

CAD/CAM

Detailed drawings

Project management

Team leadership

Communication

Job description

You will join a team working behind the scenes to bring live events and retail spaces to life. From striking scenic builds and technical set-ups to seamless installations, the team turns ambitious ideas into practical, impressive realities. The business are looking for a Lead Designer to play a key role in delivering creative, high-quality and technically achievable design solutions across a range of projects. The role combines strong technical design skills with a collaborative approach to leadership. The successful candidate will support and develop a small Design team while remaining hands‑on with projects.

What You’ll Do:

• Leading, supporting and developing the Design team, helping manage workloads, priorities and deadlines.
• Taking projects from initial brief through to final production information.
• Creating and reviewing accurate technical drawings, visuals and manufacturing information.
• Providing guidance on materials, construction, manufacture and installation.
• Working closely with Project Management, Workshop and Production teams to deliver projects on time and to a high standard.
• Helping improve design processes, systems and standards.

What They Are Looking For:

• Experience in events, exhibition, interiors, construction or a similar design environment.
• Strong technical design and CAD/CAM skills.
• Experience producing detailed technical drawings.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience supporting, mentoring or supervising other designers.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication skills and confidence working with colleagues, clients and suppliers.
• A practical mindset and a good understanding of how designs translate into manufacture and installation.
• Most importantly, they’re looking for someone who leads from the front — someone who enjoys supporting and guiding a team but isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get stuck into the design work.