Lead Graphic Designer & Studio Lead (Hybrid)

Forward Role; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

25 days annual leave

Pension (employer contributions)

Staff discount

Wellbeing support

Life assurance

Enhanced parental leave

Job summary

Forward Role is seeking a Lead Graphic Designer to head the in-house graphics studio in Manchester. You will lead three direct reports, sign-off on artwork, and ensure brand consistency across print and digital projects.

The role is primarily leadership and quality control, with regular studio attendance and collaboration with marketing teams. A strong portfolio and 6+ years in consumer-brand design are essential.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of graphic design or artwork experience at Senior/Lead level.
• Experience in print and digital design for consumer brands.
• Proven people management or mentoring capability.
• Strong portfolio across brands and campaigns.
• Excellent typography, layout and visual quality control.
• Commercially aware with strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a small team, allocating workload and priorities.
• Mentor and develop artwork staff and a separate marketing designer.
• Own end-to-end graphics process from brief to final sign-off.
• Guard the brand identity across all print and digital assets.
• Review and improve graphics quality across campaigns and assets.
• Collaborate with Head of Creative, videographers and marketing teams.

Skills

Graphic design

People management

Team leadership

Brand guardianship

Typography

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Acrobat

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Acrobat

Job description

Forward Role is seeking a Lead Graphic Designer to head the in-house graphics studio in Manchester. You will lead three direct reports, sign-off on artwork, and ensure brand consistency across print and digital projects.

The role is primarily leadership and quality control, with regular studio attendance and collaboration with marketing teams. A strong portfolio and 6+ years in consumer-brand design are essential.