Design Director - Premium Drinks

Design Director role - Drinks activation - 12-14 month Contract

Creative Crowd have partnered with an Independent strategically driven creative agency that specialise in working with well-known global drink brands such as Courvoisier, Moet and many more.

We are on the hunt for an exceptional Design Director with an Integrated background for maternity cover, filling big shoes and taking on a great mount of responsibility, working on Brand Identity, overseeing successful implementation of brand concepts, packaging designs, POS materials, and consumer activations.

Role Responsibilities

· Provide creative leadership for all design projects within the agency.

· Collaborate with the Creative Strategy department to develop brand/activation concepts, positioning, and tone of voice that align with client objectives and target audience/demand space.

· Oversee the Creative department, managing and mentoring a team of talented designers, ensuring high-quality output and adherence to project timelines.

- Continue to build and expand the team as necessary. And importantly be happy to be hands-on when necessary!

· Manage external creative support; both freelance and production partners

· Lead brainstorming sessions and provide innovative design solutions that push creative boundaries and differentiate our clients' brands in the market.

· Present concepts and design to clients

· Apply a multidisciplinary design approach, incorporating expertise in various design disciplines to create compelling concepts, visuals and brand experiences.

· Develop comprehensive design solutions that encompass visual identity, brand world, key visuals, VIS guidelines/toolkits, packaging design, and other POS for key channels (On-trade, Off-trade, GTR, Digital and Ecom).

· Ensure consistency and integrity of brand execution across different touchpoints and global markets.

· Work closely with the Client Services team to understand client requirements, communicate design concepts effectively, and maintain strong client relationships. Assist with the creation of briefs if necessary.

· Advise on client scopes/budgets: Collaborate with the Account Management department to develop accurate and realistic budgets that reflect the scope of work and timeframes required.

· Lead strategic resource planning for the creative team, ensuring efficient allocation of talent and expertise across projects, optimising workflow and maintaining high-quality standards throughout the agency.

· Stay up-to-date with industry trends, design innovations, and competitive landscape to drive continuous improvement and creative excellence within the agency.

About you..

· Minimum 8 years of experience creative agency, with experience working in small/medium sized agencies

· Solid track record of delivering BTL creative solutions & design for premium drinks brands

· Experience in leading cross-functional (creative/strategy/client services) teams in a creative agencies or internal creative teams.

· Extensive portfolio showcasing a range of successful brand design projects, including packaging, POS, and consumer activations.

· Strong understanding of brand strategy and the ability to translate client objectives into compelling visual concepts.

· Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and PPT.

· Strong understanding of Below the Line (BTL) and Through the Line (TTL) campaigns, with the ability to conceptualise and execute consumer journeys, messaging and designs for point-of-sale materials and experiential activations, ensuring effective communication and driving customer action.

· Basic understanding of artworking techniques is crucial for effectively assessing and approving artwork.

· Basic understanding of 3D and Motion software and processes.

· Be an excellent listener, great communicator and have strong sense of commitment both to the work and the team. Your ambition and expertise bring success to the team, clients and agency business alike.

· Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a creative team.

· Exceptional communication and presentation skills to effectively articulate design concepts to clients and internal stakeholders.

· Detail-oriented approach with a keen eye for aesthetics and design quality.

· Experience in managing client relationships and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

· Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while maintaining a high level of creativity and attention to detail.

For you..

· Salary £65,000- £75,000 dependant on experience

· Holiday allowance: 24 days [includes 3 x days for Christmas]

· Hybrid working – from our office in Central London or from home address. Ability to work from other locations as agreed by the business.

· Quarterly Agency Wellness Days

· Gym access, exercise classes, networking, and drinks events

· Opportunities to attend drinks brand activations in London