Design Director

Pathdesignrecruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

An impact-first communications agency in Greater London is seeking a Design Director to lead creative projects that drive social impact. The role emphasizes mentoring designers, guiding visual storytelling, and managing multiple projects. Candidates should possess strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite, alongside leadership and presentation abilities. The ideal applicant thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about creative collaboration. The position requires at least two days a week in the studio as part of a full-time commitment.

Qualifications

• Experience in design roles, ideally agency side.
• Strong understanding of branding and campaigns in digital and print.
• Ability to manage or mentor other designers.

Responsibilities

• Guide the design team across digital and offline projects.
• Develop design concepts for brands and campaigns across all channels.
• Art-direct and elevate visual storytelling.

Skills

Creative vision

Leadership

Design excellence

Mentorship

Presentation skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Figma

After Effects

Premiere Pro

Job description

THE ROLE

If you’re looking for the chance to use creativity to genuinely change the world, you might have just found your next home..

We’re working with an impact‑first communications agency built around a simple belief: powerful creative work can accelerate progress toward a fairer world. We partner with charities, NGOs, brands, and changemakers to tackle some of humanity’s biggest challenges — climate change, gender equality, digital health, human rights, and everything in between. Our work spans brand identities, campaigns, flagship films and animations, digital content, out‑of‑home activations, websites, and reports — all crafted with one purpose: to spark action and drive social impact.

We’re searching for a Design Director who combines creative vision with hands‑on craft, and who thrives in a role that blends leadership, strategy, and design excellence. You’ll guide our team across digital and offline projects, mentor designers at different stages of their careers, and shape the visual direction of work that matters. This is a full‑time role based in London, with at least two days a week in the studio, and you’ll work closely with our Creative Director to push the agency’s creative output forward.

In this role, you’ll lead the development of design concepts for brands and campaigns across every channel and touch point, ensuring the work is executed with craft, clarity, and strategic intent. You’ll art‑direct, guide, and elevate the visual storytelling of our projects, from brand systems and cross‑channel advertising to websites, events, and long‑form reports. You’ll run creative sessions and workshops – both internally and with partners – and you’ll be the kind of person who feels just as comfortable presenting to clients as you do rolling up your sleeves and getting into the details of the work.

You’ll play a central role in shaping the culture of the design team, helping everyone do their best work through clear guidance, mentorship, and thoughtful feedback. You’ll support individual growth, help manage workloads and resources, and bring together the right mix of skills – including freelancers – to deliver high‑quality creative. You’ll also be a confident and compelling presenter, able to articulate ideas with clarity and emotion, and you’ll often take the lead in pitches and proposals from a design perspective.

Operationally, you’ll help maintain the flow of the studio: reviewing work, managing your own deadlines, collaborating with our Traffic Manager to keep projects on track, and improving processes to support efficiency, creativity, and consistency. And as part of the agency’s leadership, you’ll contribute to hiring decisions, champion our race equity and environmental strategies, and encourage the team to stay curious – exploring new tools, approaches, and technologies, including AI.

WHO YOU ARE

You’re a design leader with a strong sense of creative purpose and a deep understanding of how branding and campaigns come to life across both digital and print. You know how to turn audience‑centred ideas into beautifully executed design, and you’re able to bring people with you – whether you’re pitching to a partner, collaborating with cross‑functional teams, or mentoring designers through their next growth milestone. You’re confident juggling multiple projects, balancing timelines and budgets, and keeping communication clear and open. You’re fluent in Adobe Creative Suite and comfortable in Canva, with a working knowledge (or strong understanding) of tools like Figma, After Effects, or Premiere Pro. You care deeply about the details, stay calm under pressure, and adapt quickly when plans shift.

You’ll bring solid experience from previous design roles – ideally agency side – as well as experience managing or mentoring other designers. You thrive in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment, and you’re the kind of person who brings energy and positivity to creative sprints. If you have a network of creatives you love working with, even better.

THE EXTRA MAGIC

If you have relationships across brands or NGOs, experience in UX/UI, illustration skills, or deep knowledge of the social impact, sustainability, charity or political sectors, you’ll have an edge. And if you speak another language? Even better. None of this is essential, but it’s the kind of thing that might make you an even more perfect fit.