Associate Design Director

London 

This position sits in our Marketing & Technology service based in London. We combine data, technology, creative and paid media to crack brands’ business problems & drive revenue through a variety of digital marketing solutions like social, influencer, TTL ad campaigns, augmented reality, AI and innovation. Our clients include eBay, easyJet, Just Eat Takeaway and Pepsico.

JOB PURPOSE

We are looking for an Associate Design Director for an exciting AI Platform client of ours. The work we produce for them is varied and can range drastically from simple BAU creative responses, to in-person creative sprints and even full productions across multiple global markets.

As an Associate Design Director and lead on the client, you’ll be responsible for reviewing and signing off work, upholding brand and business standards, and ensuring creative excellence across all campaigns and projects. You will support the Design Director and work with a wider team of creatives, producers etc , providing clear, decisive feedback, guidance and inspiration to support members of the team across these disciplines. As well as building, delegating and empowering the team to confidently take on work, you will be a hands-on creative with a willingness to ‘get your hands dirty’ to help the team.

This role combines design management and creative leadership, balancing people development, asset production, resource management and creative innovation. You’ll act as a trusted partner to wider team leads, bringing both vision and practical executional expertise to every project.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Work with the Design Director to develop processes, structures and raise the quality of design
• Lead, develop, motivate and inspire DEPT’s design teams and encourage collaboration
• Deliver and inspire innovative and high quality work across all deliverables from the team
• Develop strong creative ideas rooted in narrative, pacing, composition, and visual structure
• Initiate and facilitate creative team collaboration and sharing, and team cohesion through social and team building initiatives
• Guide execution across motion and static deliverables to keep work aligned with the original creative intent
• Lead, develop, motivate and inspire the design team as well as encouraging collaboration
• Be the face and voice of design at Dept®, to raise the profile of the team
• Suggest best ways of working,  and hustle for the best opportunities 
• Work with the ECD to build processes, structures and raise the quality of design
• Nurture and build a team of happy and fulfilled designers
• Build a productive and working relationship with other disciplines across the agency to deliver projects
• Maintain brand consistency throughout all our marketing projects
• Explore and work within a variety of different formats and platforms to create global campaigns
• Generate the creative ideas and campaign look and feel
• Deliver and inspire innovative and high quality work across all deliverables from the team
• Collaborate with other designers and creative planners
• Be aware of and respond to current design trends and culture
• Use your experience and ideas to contribute to the development of our creative process 
• Present work internally and externally
• Stay up-to-date with industry development and tools 

WHAT YOU BRING:

• Strong experience leading on a client with a consultative approach
• Work with management to operationally set the client team up for sucess
• Experience leading and guiding designers / creatives in a client team or department
• Strong visual judgement and confidence contributing to concepts and creative direction
• Art direction experience showing how you’ve helped crafted the visual story of your work
• Solid motion design skills with a good sense of timing, composition, framing, and storytelling
• Experience creating styleframes, visual systems, and narrative driven motion
• Curiosity around AI tools and interest in learning how they can support creative work
• A strong portfolio or showreel showing concept, craft, and high quality motion and design work, with examples of tech or AI-led campaigns 

WE OFFER:

• A flexible, hybrid working policy (2 days from the office, depending on location).
• An excellent salary based on experience and equal pay policies
• Pension, free private healthcare, mental health support, and company sick pay scheme.
• 26 days paid holiday (plus UK Bank Holidays).
• Refreshments are provided in the office all week, as well as drinks at 4 pm on a Thursday.
• Help getting you to work with a season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme.
• Enhanced family friendly policies to support new parents.
• Social and Cultural Events, plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues through organised activities and celebrations.
• Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events.
• Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance.
• Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks’ at DEPT®.
• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get 

WHY DEPT®?

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION 

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.