Head of Graphic Design

Head of Graphic Design

Location: Hamilton

Job Type: Full Time Permanent (Mon – Friday 07:00 – 15.45)

Salary: £35k – 38k DoE

Reports To: General Manager

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced and commercially minded Head of Graphic Design to lead and oversee our design department. This is a key leadership role requiring a balance of creative excellence, operational management and client-facing expertise.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a team of designers, overseeing workflow and job allocation, ensuring high-quality design output and maintaining strong relationships with clients. You will also play a hands-on role in design production and print setup, while coordinating closely with production and administrative teams to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and to the highest standard.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

● Lead, mentor and develop a team of graphic designers of varying experience levels

● Conduct regular performance reviews, training, and professional development planning

● Foster a collaborative, creative and high-performance team culture

● Set clear expectations, workflows and quality standards for the department

Job & Workflow Management

● Oversee all incoming design projects from brief through to final delivery

● Allocate jobs effectively based on team capacity, skillset and deadlines

● Monitor project progress and ensure all deadlines are consistently met

● Implement and improve workflow systems and processes to maximise efficiency

Client & Stakeholder Management

● Act as a senior point of contact for key clients

● Conduct client consultations to understand requirements, objectives and constraints

● Translate client briefs into clear, actionable design tasks

● Manage expectations and provide expert guidance on design solutions and production feasibility

Creative Direction & Design Execution

● Provide creative leadership and ensure all output meets brand and quality standards

● Contribute hands-on to design work where required, particularly on complex or high-value projects

● Review and approve all major design work before release

Print Production & Technical Oversight

● Prepare and oversee artwork for print production, ensuring accuracy and technical compliance

● Set up print-ready files, including colour management, bleed and formatting requirements

● Liaise closely with production teams to ensure smooth transition from design to print

● Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to design and print processes

Cross-Department Collaboration

● Work closely with production and administrative teams to align priorities and schedules

● Ensure clear communication between departments to avoid delays or errors

● Contribute to overall operational planning and continuous improvement initiatives

Problem Solving & Quality Control

● Identify and resolve design, workflow or production challenges proactively

● Maintain strict quality control processes across all design output

● Ensure all deliverables meet both client expectations and internal standards

Required Skills & Experience

● Minimum 5 years of professional graphic design experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or managerial role

● Proven experience managing a design team in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

● Strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality design across print and/or digital media

● Extensive knowledge of print production processes and artwork setup

● Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, etc.)

● Excellent organisational and project management skills

● Strong client-facing and communication abilities

● Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail

● Commercial awareness and ability to balance creativity with business objectives

Desirable Qualifications

● Degree or equivalent qualification in Graphic Design or a related field

● Experience in automotive design preferable but not essential

● Knowledge of workflow/project management systems

● Experience implementing or improving design processes and systems

Key Attributes

● Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire and motivate a team

● Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset

● High level of attention to detail and commitment to quality

● Excellent time management and prioritisation skills

● Calm and effective under pressure

What We Offer

● Competitive salary and benefits package

● Opportunity to lead and shape a growing design department

● Collaborative and dynamic working environment

● Career progression opportunities