Design Director (2.5 days pw)

Established in 2004 OLIVER is the worlds first and only specialist in designing building and running bespoke in-house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands. We partner with over 300 clients in 40 countries and counting. Our unique model drives creativity and efficiency allowing us to deliver tailored solutions that resonate deeply with audiences.

As a part of The Brandtech Group were at the forefront of leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to revolutionise how we create and deliver work. Our AI solutions enhance efficiency spark creativity and drive insightful decision-making empowering our teams to produce innovative and impactful results.

Role: Design Director (50%)

Location: London/Hybrid with occasional travel to Birmingham

About the role:

As Design Director youll serve as both brand guardian and strategic creative partner for Client leading the studios creative output while building close relationships with senior stakeholders across marketing communications and the partnership. This is a director-level role with genuine scope: youll set the creative vision maintain brand consistency across all channels and develop the talent around you. Youll work closely with OLIVERs creative leadership bringing your expertise to everything from campaign concepting and typographic craft to team coaching and executive presentations.

What you will be doing:

• Lead all visual communications for Client acting as brand guardian across print digital social and events ensuring consistency quality and strategic alignment at every touchpoint
• Set the creative vision and direction for the studio translating complex briefs from senior stakeholders into compelling sophisticated design solutions
• Build mentor and develop the in-house creative team providing clear creative direction constructive feedback and ongoing coaching that elevates individual craft and collective output
• Serve as the primary creative partner to senior Client stakeholders including marketing leadership and firm partners presenting creative strategy and executions with confidence and clarity at executive level
• Oversee the production of high-quality communications tailored for professional services audiences from thought leadership campaigns and pitches to events and digital content
• Champion and evolve Clients brand system keeping it contemporary distinctive and appropriate for a regulated sector environment
• Manage multiple concurrent projects across the portfolio balancing hands-on creative contribution with leadership responsibilities and proactive problem-solving
• Collaborate with OLIVERs wider creative and account leadership to identify opportunities to grow the studios offering and deepen the Client relationship
• Oversee studio-level production budgets including cost estimation supplier relationships and spend reporting ensuring financial performance aligns with Client and OLIVER expectations
• Drive responsible integration of AI tools across studio workflows setting quality standards and governance that preserve craft excellence while improving efficiency

What you need to be great in this role:

• A strong portfolio of sophisticated brand and campaign work with particular depth in B2B corporate or professional services environments
• Expert-level understanding of brand systems how to build maintain and evolve them within complex regulated contexts
• A track record of leading and developing creative teams with a coaching approach that brings out the best in people at all levels
• Experience presenting creative work to executive and partner-level audiences with the presence and communication skills to hold a room and advocate for ideas with conviction
• Deep craft knowledge across print and digital typography layout art direction and visual storytelling with the ability to contribute hands-on when the work demands it
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop Illustrator InDesign) and familiarity with Figma and contemporary design tooling
• Experience managing studio-level or project-level production budgets including supplier relationships and cost oversight
• Experience integrating AI tools strategically across studio projects and operations with the ability to set quality standards and governance at studio level
• Clear understanding of where AI enhances creative output and where human craft and judgement remain essential
• Drives thoughtful AI adoption within the team maintaining rigorous human oversight and mentoring others in responsible effective use
• Agentic approach to complex creative and business challenges: systematic adaptive and focused on outcomes

Req ID: 17936

#LI-JS1 #LI-Director #LI-hybrid

Our values shape everything we do:

BeAmbitiousto succeed

BeImaginativeto push the boundaries of whats possible

BeInspirationalto do groundbreaking work

Bealways learningand listening to understand

BeResults-focused to exceed expectations

Be actively pro-inclusive and anti-racist across our community clients and creations

Our recruitment process does not employ artificial intelligence. Candidate evaluation and selection are conducted without AI-supported screening or decision-making.

OLIVER a part of the Brandtech Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all employees are encouraged to reach their full potential and individual differences are valued and respected. All applicants shall be considered for employment without regard to race ethnicity religion gender sexual orientation gender identity age neurodivergence disability status or any other characteristic protected by local laws.

OLIVER has set ambitious environmental goals around sustainability with science-based emissions reduction targets. Collectively we work towards our missionembedding sustainability into every department and through every stage of the project lifecycle.