Design Director - Agency

Design Director | £68–70k + Annual Profit Bonus | Surrey / Hybrid

Independent Creative Studio | 3 Days in Studio | Agency Background Essential

I'm working with an independent, award-winning creative studio looking for an exceptional Design Director to join its senior creative team, working across sport, technology and B2B.

This is an agency role, agency experience is essential. We're specifically looking for an experienced creative who understands agency life, enjoys working across different clients and briefs, and can take ideas from initial concept through to execution.

Around 50% of the role will focus on a major global sports brand, supporting a significant brand evolution and developing brand-first, social-first campaigns.

You'll work across:

• Brand & visual identity
• Campaign concept development
• Social-first creative
• Art direction
• Digital, animation & motion
• Photography & video shoots
• Brand guidelines & visual systems
• Global campaign rollouts
• New business & pitches

This is a hands-on creative leadership role. You'll be expected to think, challenge briefs, develop ideas and shape the creative direction, not simply review work from the sidelines.

What we're looking for

• Strong creative agency background across brand and campaigns
• An impressive portfolio demonstrating creative thinking as well as design craft
• Excellent design and art direction skills
• Strong social-first and digital understanding
• Experience taking concepts from idea through to delivery
• Confidence presenting and defending creative ideas
• Experience directing photographers, filmmakers, animators and freelancers
• Figma experience advantageous

Sport experience, particularly tennis/racket sports, would be a major advantage, although experience with other high-profile brands will be considered.

The Studio

A small, senior team with a reputation built through great work, recommendations and word of mouth.

No layers of unnecessary management. No big-agency politics. No creative egos.

You'll work closely with the Executive Creative Director, have genuine creative autonomy and be trusted to manage your own work and diary.

We're looking for someone who is talented, commercially aware, opinionated and collaborative, someone who will challenge ideas and bring their own perspective.

If you're an agency-trained Design Director looking for more creative influence, autonomy and the opportunity to work with major global brands, I'd love to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV and portfolio.