Head of Digital

Crown Creative is seeking an experienced Head of Digital to lead and elevate our digital offering across hospitality, brand and experience design.

This is a senior, hands-on role within a leading hospitality-focused creative studio. Working closely with our strategy, brand, interiors and project management teams, you will shape how hospitality brands come to life online through websites and digital experiences that are beautiful, intuitive and commercially effective.

As Head of Digital, you will own the studio’s digital output across client projects and internal ventures, from digital strategy and UX through to design, CMS structure, development oversight and final delivery.

You’ll bring exceptional digital design judgement, strong technical understanding and the ability to translate creative direction into polished, high-performing websites. You should be confident working with WordPress, CMS platforms, front-end best practice and digital production workflows.

At Crown Creative, digital is not separate from brand, strategy or hospitality. Our websites are often the first interaction a guest, investor or operator has with a concept, so they must feel considered, functional and true to the world we are building.

This role reports to the Managing Director and Creative Director and works closely with our wider creative and project teams.

Applicants must be based in London or Belfast, or be willing to relocate. Full-time availability and the right to work in the UK are required.

RESPONSIBILITIES & ROLE

• Lead the digital function at Crown Creative, setting the standard for how websites and CMS-led digital experiences are designed, built and delivered.
• Design and build visually compelling websites and digital experiences for client projects and internal Crown ventures.
• Own the execution of WordPress-based websites and CMS-driven digital properties, ensuring they meet our creative, technical and commercial standards.
• Translate brand identities, creative direction, wireframes and design concepts into polished, high-performing digital outputs.
• Work with the Creative Director, Project Management team, Brand Strategists and Designers to interpret briefs and create the best strategic, visual and digital outcome for our client partners.
• Partner with external specialists where required to ensure seamless functionality, performance, responsiveness and usability.
• Continually define and improve Crown Creative’s digital process, including design systems, CMS workflows, quality control, handover documentation and launch procedures.
• Review and maintain existing client digital properties where required, identifying opportunities to improve design, performance, usability and content structure.
• Ensure all digital work adheres to agreed brand guidelines, visual standards and client requirements.
• Present digital work internally and externally to an exceptional standard, clearly explaining design decisions, functionality and user experience.
• Collaborate with the wider design team to ensure digital thinking is embedded early in the brand and concept development process.
• Support, mentor and guide designers and developers working across digital projects.
• Stay current on emerging digital tools, workflows and platforms, including AI-assisted design and development tools.
• Maintain efficient workflows, structured file management and clean handoffs across Figma, WordPress, Dropbox and relevant studio systems.
• Manage multiple fast-moving digital projects simultaneously with strong organisation and attention to detail.

SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• A strong portfolio demonstrating high-level digital design work across websites, CMS platforms and brand-led digital experiences.
• Expert proficiency in WordPress, including theme customisation, page builders, CMS management and content-led website delivery.
• Strong understanding of layout, typography, visual hierarchy, interaction design and digital design systems.
• A design-first thinker with the ability to bring creative concepts to life digitally.
• Solid understanding of HTML5, CSS and front-end best practice. This role does not require a pure engineer, but does require strong executional knowledge.
• Excellent knowledge of Figma and modern design collaboration tools.
• Experience working with CMS platforms beyond WordPress would be considered an advantage.
• Working knowledge of AI tools within design, content and development workflows.
• Ability to interpret and execute within strict brand guidelines while still elevating the creative output.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and organisational skills.
• Ability to present work internally and externally with confidence, clarity and professionalism.
• Highly detail-oriented, with strong aesthetic standards and a commitment to quality.
• Comfortable working across multiple teams, stakeholders and client groups.
• Commercially aware, solutions-oriented and focused on delivering excellent outcomes for clients.
• Stality, culture, design, technology and the role digital plays in shaping guest experience.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years’ experience in digital design, web design within a studio, agency, media company or brand environment.
• Proven experience leading the design and delivery of WordPress and CMS-led websites.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating brand-led digital work, ideally across hospitality, lifestyle, culture, travel, food and beverage, or premium consumer brands.
• Experience managing or mentoring other designers, developers or digital specialists would be considered an advantage.
• Experience within the hospitality industry would be considered an advantage.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• £55k-£70k. The salary will reflect the candidate’s relevant experience for the role.
• Annual Performance and Salary Reviews.
• 38 days annual leave.
• 5 Sick Days.
• £250 Quarterly Research stipend.
• £50 Monthly Education and Wellness stipend.
• Early Studio Closure on Fridays.
• Annual Team Days – last year we went to Copenhagen.
• A fun, creative and collaborative work environment.
• Ambitious colleagues and client partners.
• Hybrid working model.
• Investment in conferences, training and books.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

At Crown Creative, we believe in having a diverse team of talented and experienced individuals that constantly question how we can do things differently and how we can do things better. We are an equal-opportunity employer that believes in the power of diversity and designing a workplace that embraces a myriad of perspectives.