Lead Designer

Havas Lynx; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Working

28 days annual leave

Early Friday finishes

Enhanced family leave

Extensive learning and development support

Life insurance

Company pension scheme

Wellbeing programme

Job summary

A leading global advertising agency in Manchester is seeking a Head of Talent Acquisition to lead design excellence and mentor a multidisciplinary team. This role involves shaping strategic visual direction for healthcare campaigns through innovative design solutions. Ideal candidates will possess strong visual communication skills, project management experience, and a collaborative spirit. Benefits include hybrid working, generous holiday allowance, and extensive learning opportunities.

Qualifications

• Strong eye for aesthetics and detail.
• Ability to inspire and empower team members.
• Decisive and open-minded in approach.

Responsibilities

• Own visual storytelling on healthcare projects.
• Shape conceptual design for major campaigns.
• Mentor a multidisciplinary design team.
• Ensure high craft and quality standards.
• Collaborate with external creative partners.

Skills

Visual communication expertise

Project management skills

Knowledge of design applications

Team mentorship

Collaborative mindset

Experience with Generative AI tools

Education

AI certifications from recognized platforms

Tools

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Job description

Head of Talent Acquisition at Havas Health Network (UK) & Havas Lynx | I'm hiring!

Are you passionate about creating advertising that not only informs but also transforms lives within the healthcare sector?

At Havas Lynx, a global advertising agency at the forefront of healthcare communications, we combine unmatched creativity, extensive expertise, and a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical and healthcare field. Our communications resonate deeply with audiences and adhere to the highest standards of healthcare advertising.

Committed to driving meaningful change—a change built on a foundation of rich experience, inspired by innovation, and confirmed through our proven track record—we work in close partnership with healthcare professionals, patients, carers, and leading pharmaceutical brands to navigate the complex challenges of today’s healthcare landscape. Our approach blends strategic insights and deep scientific acumen with cutting‑edge creativity and digital innovation, crafting campaigns and solutions that significantly improve people’s lives.

We’re a team of over 400+ people in Manchester and London, with a history spanning over 35 years and an ever‑evolving future. You can get a feel for the #LYNXLife through our YouTube #LYNXLife playlist, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Everything this company achieves—every life it saves, every penny it makes, every policy it changes, every award it wins— is down to everyone who works here.

Please note that this role is based in Manchester, and our current hybrid working arrangement requires office attendance on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Summary of our role

We’re looking for a Lead Designer to join our creative team. This is a senior position where you’ll take ownership of design excellence across projects, ensuring every piece of work meets and exceeds client expectations. You’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, manage a team, and play a key role in shaping the visual direction of campaigns.

What you can expect to be doing:

Lead High‑Impact Information & Data Design

Own the visual storytelling across complex, insight‑driven healthcare projects—transforming data, research and scientific narratives into beautifully crafted, intuitive design systems. You’ll set the benchmark for information design excellence across the agency.

Creative Autonomy & Strategic Influence

Shape the conceptual design direction of major campaigns with the freedom to push creative boundaries. As a senior figure in the studio, you’ll influence key decisions, guide client thinking, and help define how design elevates brand and communication strategies.

Lead, Mentor & Grow a Multidisciplinary Design Team

Bring your experience to a team hungry to learn. You’ll mentor designers, inspire best practice, and confidently lead projects from concept to final execution—ensuring the studio delivers consistently exceptional work.

Drive Craft, Quality & Innovation Across Digital & Print

From UI/UX collaboration to high‑fidelity print and visual identity systems, you’ll champion refined craft, clarity, and attention to detail. You’ll also lead external creative partners (photographers, illustrators, animators), ensuring every output is visually outstanding.

Leverage AI to accelerate the creation of design systems while maintaining uniqueness and brand ownership.

This role could be a great fit for you if:

• You’re an industry leader in visual communication with a strong eye for aesthetics and detail.
• You have expert knowledge of design applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and digital best practices.
• You thrive in a collaborative environment and can inspire and empower others.
• You’re decisive, open‑minded, and passionate about continuous improvement.
• You have excellent project management, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• You’re proactive in building client relationships and confident in guiding creative direction.
• You’re committed to personal development and fostering talent within your team.
• You have experience working with Generative AI tools and data, along with AI certifications from platforms such as Coursera, Section AI, or LinkedIn Learning.

What you can expect from us

A supportive and challenging environment in which you will have the opportunity to learn, grow, and make an impact that matters. We put a huge investment into #LYNXLife and our #LXAcademy internal programmes. It’s a unique initiative that aims to reward hard work, reduce pressures, and ensure that we can all enjoy our time at Lynx. Our strategy is to build capabilities internally and inspire the best talent, so we can continue to deliver on our mission.

You can also expect a whole host of benefits, including:

• Hybrid Working – 3 days in the office (flexible working options are available for in‑office days)
• Starting holiday allowance of 28 days annual leave + Bank Holidays, with increasing allowance connected to length of service
• Option to buy, carry or sell holidays
• Early Friday finish throughout the year
• Seasonal working hours
• Enhanced family leave, pay and return to work benefit scheme
• Extensive L&D support
• Sabbatical opportunities
• Season ticket interest‑free loans for travel
• Cycle to work scheme
• Life insurance (4x salary)
• Company pension scheme
• Fully compensated company events
• Wellbeing programme including sports clubs, discounted gym memberships, free onsite flu vaccinations, extended lunch breaks on Wellness Wednesdays and much more
• 24/7 access to a free, confidential and independent Employee Assistance Programme

Get in touch to find out how we can make an impact that matters together.