Design Director (fixed term contract)

Coley Porter Bell Ltd; City of London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global branding agency based in London is seeking an experienced Design Director to lead their creative team. The role requires significant FMCG packaging expertise and strong leadership skills, with a focus on developing impactful design solutions. The ideal candidate will have an impressive portfolio and experience in a senior design role. This is a fixed-term contract position with a hybrid working model, promoting collaboration and creativity within the team.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading design projects as a Design Director or senior role in a design agency.
• Expert skills in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop and Illustrator.
• An impressive portfolio showcasing successful FMCG packaging projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative team to develop exciting design solutions.
• Guide the team in exploring design ideas.
• Develop impactful ideas based on design plans and client briefs.

Skills

Leadership

Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)

Communication

Design project management

FMCG packaging knowledge

Job description

Join to apply for the Design Director (fixed term contract) role at Coley Porter Bell

We’re Coley Porter Bell, a global branding agency based in London and New York. With almost 50 years of experience, we help world‑famous brands discover their Unordinary Idea and accelerate growth for ambitious brands.

Our team is friendly, down‑to‑earth, and supported by a global network. We combine strategic rigour, global talent, and cutting‑edge technology to offer a senior yet nimble consulting experience. We foster a culture of free thinkers and individual experts where your Unordinary Idea can grow.

We bring together human craft and tech‑fuelled creativity, delivering brands in immersive and engaging ways.

What you’ll do

• Lead our creative team to develop new and exciting design solutions that meet client goals.
• Guide the team in exploring many different design ideas to find the best ones.
• Develop and push for big, impactful ideas based on design plans and client briefs for packaging.
• Lead the creation of strong and unique design plans, especially for FMCG packaging.
• Work closely with our internal teams and clients, presenting your design ideas clearly and enthusiastically.
• Guide and motivate other designers, helping them grow and do their best work.

What you’ll need

• Extensive experience leading design projects as a Design Director or senior role in a design agency, with a strong focus on FMCG packaging.
• Expert skills in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop and Illustrator, and ability to train others.
• An impressive portfolio showing recent work where you led successful FMCG packaging projects from start to finish.
• Excellent knowledge of current design trends and future direction, applied to effective packaging design.
• Great communication and presentation skills, able to explain design ideas clearly to clients and build strong relationships.

We believe the best work happens together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That’s why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

Coley Porter Bell, a WPP company, is an equal‑opportunity employer. We consider all applicants without discrimination based on characteristic and are committed to a culture of respect where everyone belongs and can progress in their careers.

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Contract

Job function

Design, Art/Creative, and Strategy/Planning

Industries

Design Services, Advertising Services, and Marketing Services