Visionary Design Leader

Creative Leadership Role

This is a key leadership position at DesignStudio, crucial to team dynamics, client relationships, design outcomes, external reputation, new business opportunities, financial success and studio culture.

You are a natural leader with a strong vision for design and its potential impact on the world. You possess relentless optimism and can find creative solutions to most challenges.

As Creative Director, you will lead mixed-creative teams of designers, strategists, animators and writers, helping them create exceptional work. With clients, you will develop long-lasting, positive creative relationships.

• Relentlessly optimistic
• Dedicated and passionate
• Constructive
• Organized and flexible
• Great people skills
• Proactive
• Collaborative team player
• Friendly and welcoming
• Experimental
• Constantly learning
• Design enthusiast
• Highly organized
• Up-to-date with cultural trends
• Extremely professional
• Full of energy
• Visionary & inspiring

Responsibilities:

Champion Studio Values

Develop, grow and deliver the studio's offer, working closely with the leadership team to set high design standards.

Lead Client Relationships

Set project vision, ambition and expectations, empowering the team to create exceptional work.

Provide Innovative Solutions

Offer inspiration and creative solutions as needed.

Address Emerging Issues

Identify and address issues promptly, thinking critically and making informed decisions.

Ensure Strategic Alignment

Integrate strategy and design to realise projects' full potential and achieve client ambitions.

Build Strong Relationships

Establish trust with senior clients as a key contact, partner and advisor.

Nurture Studio Culture

Contribute to creating a rewarding environment that fosters creativity, experimentation and productivity.

Evolve Collaborative Processes

Develop effective ways of working with teams and managers across the studio.

Inspire Team Members

Encourage everyone to perform at their best and coach them to improve.

Represent DesignStudio

Share thought leadership and participate in public speaking to raise the studio's profile globally.

Stay Current with Cultural Trends

Understand and share design and consumer trends, keeping the studio culturally connected.

Lead Design Directors

Coach, mentor and regularly feedback to guide the team towards career progression.

Contribute to Business Success

Accountable for project financial success, participating in key management and financial meetings.

Drive New Business Opportunities

Search for new opportunities to win work, drive revenue growth and nurture existing relationships.

Deliver Compelling Pitch Responses

Lead pitch teams by playing a pivotal role in client meetings and pitch presentations, effectively communicating our offer and process.

Key Skills and Qualifications:

Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary teams to deliver transformative brand projects for large international clients. Typically, 12+ years of industry experience.

World-class portfolio featuring category-defining brand and digital projects, demonstrating versatility, experimentation, system thinking and energy. Awards are welcome but not essential.

Experienced leader with natural collaboration and leadership skills, comfortable working with multidisciplinary teams and driving creative processes.

Outstanding facilitator able to run workshops, interviews and interactions with senior C-suite clients, facilitating creative breakthroughs and resolving complex issues.

Transformation expertise to guide clients through complex stakeholder engagement and cultural change, ensuring seamless transitions.

Mastery of storytelling, including presentation, writing and communication skills to construct compelling arguments with logic and imagination.

Commercial confidence to design and build client visions, growing and nurturing long-term relationships.

Efficiency in managing multiple tasks, prioritizing work-streams and delegating effectively.

Flexibility to work across industries, with any person, anywhere in the world.

Master toolset, with a hunger to explore new tools and develop personal expertise.

Time allocation: 60% project responsibilities, 40% culture, team & studio growth

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