Lead Designer

New Chapter Consulting; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A rapidly growing global design firm in the Brighton & Hove Area seeks a Lead Designer to oversee a team while maintaining hands-on design involvement. The role involves driving the creative vision across various categories, managing project workflows, and collaborating with multiple departments. The ideal candidate has senior design experience in consumer goods, excellent Adobe skills, and the ability to mentor a team. This is an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact within a dynamic, creative environment.

Qualifications

• Proven senior design leadership experience in consumer goods.
• Strong portfolio showcasing creative range and design leadership.
• Confidence in managing and developing designers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of designers for high-quality output.
• Oversee the complete design workflow, ensuring timely delivery.
• Contribute personally to product and graphic design as needed.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Leadership

Design Process Management

Product and Packaging Design

Organizational Skills

Job description

Lead Designer

£40,000 - £45,000 base + benefits

Office-Based

Brighton & Hove Area

Are you a creative leader who loves blending hands‑on design with team leadership? Do you thrive in fast‑paced consumer goods environments where ideas move quickly and you can directly shape the look and feel of products seen by millions? We’re partnering with a high‑growth global business in the lifestyle & giftware space to find a Lead Designer to join their expanding Creative Team.

About the Role

This is a pivotal creative leadership role overseeing a team of designers, while still contributing to day‑to‑day design output. You’ll drive the creative vision across multiple categories including product, packaging, graphics, and marketing assets and work closely with NPD, Marketing and Sales to bring trend‑led concepts to life. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, mentoring, and inspiring a team of Designers, fostering a collaborative, high‑performing creative culture.
• Oversee the full design workflow, from artwork scheduling to resource planning, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to a high standard.
• Contribute hands‑on to product, packaging, and graphic design when needed.
• Drive continuous improvement by shaping efficient, gold‑standard design processes.
• Partner closely with NPD, Marketing, and Sales to create trend‑led concepts and commercially strong product ranges.

The Ideal Candidate

• Proven senior design / leadership experience in consumer goods, particularly product or packaging.
• Strong Adobe Creative Suite skills with a portfolio showcasing creative range and leadership.
• Confident managing and developing designers while balancing hands‑on design work.
• Excellent grasp of design processes, critical paths, and delivering at pace.
• Highly organised, commercially minded, ideally with experience in licensed products.

This is a chance to join a global, award‑winning business with huge momentum (they've doubled their turnover in just 3 years!), diverse product offering, and partnerships with major international brands. You’ll get variety, visibility, and the opportunity to make a meaningful creative impact within an established but fast‑moving team. Think it could be a good fit? Apply now!

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