Head of design

Cog is a digital design agency, working exclsuively in arts and culture since 1991. The majority of our work is designing world-class websites for exceptional venues. We have an unprecedented portfolio of the most interesting and exciting arts organisations in the UK.

Overview

• We’re looking for an experienced designer, ready to step up and take the design lead on our projects.
• You’ll be working concurrently across multiple challenges: from big picture concepts, to systematic implementation.
• We do work across branding and campaigns but the majority of our work is well considered and often complex websites for theatres, venues and arts organisations. You’ll need to understand websites and how to design sites that will be content managed by our clients.
• You’ll need to know (or quickly learn) what’s important to our cultural sector clients and what inspires their audiences.
• You’ll need to initiate discussions, lead presentations, interpret and digest feedback and assimilate multiple (sometimes contrary) perspectives.
• You’ll need to be a plain spoken advocate, championing our values with colleagues, clients, and the wider world.
• We’re a hybrid team so we expect you to be in our London studio at least Monday to Wednesday.

Package

• Salary: around £55K
• We’re genuinely open to a discussion if you feel you are worth more (or if you feel you’d need to work up to this level).
• Hybrid working: studio-based on Mon – Wed (and Thu/Fri if you’d like) plus some client meetings.
• Flexible hours: Flexibility around core hours: 10am – 4pm, start early or finish later to allow for school runs and relaxed evenings.
• Leave: 33 days (including Xmas and bank holidays) increasing after you’ve been here two years. Plus the option to buy or sell up to five days each calendar year.

Things that mark us out:

• The world’s best portfolio of the best (and nicest) arts clients
• A proven record of meeting the highest standards of social responsibility and environmental impact
• Funded monthly cultural outing with the team
• Lunchtime learning sessions delivered by team members and guests
• Annual team discussion days – where we celebrate the past and play an active part in planning your future
• Membership of the Arts Marketing Association with access to online resources
• Occasional team dinners
• Recruitment referral bonus
• Cycle to work scheme
• Travelcard loans (interest free)
• Free tickets and opportunities to attend shows and client events
• A well stocked kitchen with cupboards full of fancy teas, coffee and biscuits

Qualities and knowledge required

We’re looking for someone who can show us they’d be a great addition to our team. That probably means they can demonstrate the following:

• Experience designing outstanding websites, branding and campaigns – proven through a portfolio of examples
• Ability to inspire, support lead the design process – demonstrated through significant time spent in a similar role in a design studio or similar set-up
• Proven competence working with real world clients or an enthusiasm and aptitude to do so, shown through examples of similar working relationships
• Ability to explain complex tasks in everyday English
• In-depth knowledge of Figma and Adobe software
• Enthusiasm for the sector we work in and empathy for the needs of our arts-based clients, perhaps through personal or professional experience
• A team player with a desire to constantly improve, and to help others do the same

It would be an advantage if you could demonstrate the following:

• An understanding of the topic of accessibility and a desire to implement best practise and push for inclusivity
• Experience designing site plans and wireframes
• Knowledge of ticketing platforms