Design Director

Jones Knowles Ritchie is a branding business, founded in 1990 and proudly independent ever since.

We started out in the world of packaging, but now we’re worldwide—from three founders, to more than 350 of us across the UK, USA and China. Together, we build and deliver brands across the entire consumer experience.

But even more important than what we do, is why we do it. We’re here to inspire brands and people to be their true selves. To be brave. Be tenacious. And above all, be yourself. Because we believe that’s the only way to truly be distinctive, everywhere.

We're looking for a Design Director, reporting into the Creative Director.

The Design Director plays a key leadership role within our Creative team, developing long-lasting client relationships through the consistent delivery of high quality, strategically led creative solutions. You’ll inspire the creative team, providing direction and development opportunities to enable them to reach their potential. 

From a creative leadership perspective, you'll lead the creative direction of brands, championing the raising of craft levels and promote the meaning of Brand First through charismatic design, showing how it can get a brand noticed and chosen.

Responsibilities

• Promotes self and the team, through sharing of work and creative inspiration 
• Identifies development areas and skills gaps for the team and supports the team in training and coaching   
• Develop succession plans, actively looking for talent to build the team skills and capabilities 
• Actively gives feedback on creative work to steer it in the right direction 
• Works with other disciplines outside of Design to get the best result for jkr and clients 
• Leads all client facing presentations and role-models excellence in communication with clients and with teams internally  
• Delivers strong pitches and seeks to influence results 

Experience

• Have experience working in a top branding, design or creative studio
• Demonstrable experience building brand ideas across multiple touch points
• Be comfortable and experienced leading one or more designers
• Feel confident in presentations and be comfortable dealing with senior clients and internal teams
• Be passionate about great design and have a keen eye for detail
• Examples of drawing world class conceptual design thinking from your team

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite
• Clear and concise communication style
• At JKR, our goal is to create an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace that reflects and creates for the societies we live in. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a long-term business imperative and a commitment at JKR, not an initiative that sits under one department.  As a leader in our business, you will demonstrate being a DE+I advocate and champion with your actions in how you build, run, and grow your team(s)