Senior Designer / Creative Lead / Design Director

CellarDoor is a growing multi-disciplined design studio specialising in the food and drink market. Our work covers branding, , interior architecture marketing and digital.

We don't just design brands, we build them in the physical world.

Working extensively across the UK and Middle East, we build brands, experiences and design spaces.

Our work is the fusion of insight and imagination. As such everyone in the team is expected to think, read, write, and document ideas that helps create work built on intelligence.

The studio specialises in the world of food and drink and so we look for people that share our passion for food. We have the privilege of working alongside Caffe Nero Group, Pickl UAE, Bonbird UAE, and Surf Club UAE to name a few.

Our projects range from strategy and positioning, brand identity, Interior design packaging, digital (animation and website), advertising and activation – working with specialists to develop the highest quality creative output.

Job description

Position title: Design Director / Creative Lead / Senior Brand Designer with experience (5 years +)

Hours: Full time 0830-1730 Monday – Thursday, 0830-1500 Friday.

Location: Studio based, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Optional 1 day a week work from home

Outline of the role: (what’s the job)

We are looking for a solid and experienced creative to support the output of the studio and ensure we are pushing our clients to deliver projects we are truly proud of.

As the senior / lead creative in the studio, you will be responsible for the daily management of projects and the brand team, and you will be expected work alongside the Creative Director to deliver creative in line with a strategy, against strict timescales with ambitious scope, pushing our work online and in the physical world.

You must have a keen eye and interest in all areas of design and culture, with agency experience of at least 5 years. We are a small team, but all driven to make a difference and make things the best they can be.

Responsibilities & duties: (what we expect you to do)

• Leading a team of designers to deliver exceptional work.
• Liaising with account management to ensure briefs are clear, contain all information needed and have clear actions for the design team to deliver against.
• Upskilling creatives to ensure our work is the highest quality possible and industry leading.
• Work practically across a range or projects, from branding a new restaurant concept to delivering marketing and photography campaigns across print and digital.
• You will be responsible for helping to bring insight and inspiration into all work, through a strong understanding of language, colour, typography, layout, illustration and industry standard production to help the studio create the best work possible.
• You are expected to continually develop your core skills through a hunger for learning, as well as improve the studio standards and practices through skill sharing.
• Communication is critical to the successful operation of any studio. You should feel confident to contribute to the entire creative process. Keeping a finger on the pulse of current trends, ideas and innovations that can help our clients grow and achieve their goals.

Typical activities include (not exclusively):

• Offering input and helping steer creative meetings and sharing ideas
• Managing the design team on a daily basis
• Challenging briefs to create the most impactful work we can
• Upskilling and training through mentorship and feedback
• Producing innovative and effective designs for all media
• Strict delivery of considered and well-constructed design
• Strict adherence to timescales
• Communicating all team members to give and receive feedback in the development of ideas
• Liaising effectively with clients and other team members in a courteous and professional manner
• Continuously develop skills and knowledge of design
• Research and develop understanding of the landscape of design and F&B

Requirements and capabilities: (what skills and attributes you need for the job)

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Adeptness and keenness to grow
• Hunger to achieve
• The ability to meet deadlines in a high pressure environment
• The ability to see projects through from inception to production
• Consistency regardless of project size
• Good organisational skills that support the rest of the team
• The motivation to maintain and improve design standards
• The willingness to listen to feedback and use it to improve
• Encouraged to drive new opportunities that support the studio’s growth and allows the team to develop positive new relationships.

The role is studio based in Cheltenham with some flexibility dependant on schedule, but as a leader for the team you would be expected to be office based majoritively.

As well as salary you would also receive:

• Extensive private healthcare including cancer, dental, optical and mental health add ons.
• Pension scheme
• Monthly supper club (dinner or activity with studio)
• Bi Annual team events (summer party and Christmas do)

Previous events have included anything from visiting the worlds largest bouncy castle and a letterpress workshop, to screenprinting and the testing our logic in the crystal maze.

Most importantly you will have the chance to work on incredibly creative projects where there are opportunities to see the work come to life in the physical space.

Salary

£32,000-£36,500 (senior designer)

£34,000 - £41,000 (creative lead)

£42,000 - £57,500 (design director)