Hiring People
Head of Graphic Design
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Head of Graphic Design
We are seeking a highly experienced and commercially minded Head of Graphic Design to lead and oversee our design department. This is a senior 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
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
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
- Previous experience in professional graphic design, along with leadership or managerial experience.
- 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
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Desirable Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Graphic Design or a related field
- Experience in [industry-specific experience, if relevant]
- 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
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and our agent from Hiring People will be in touch. If shortlisted, you may be asked to complete a short video interview. Please be sure to check YOUR JUNK/SPAM.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills