2,681 Leading Design Teams jobs in the United Kingdom

If you’ve reached a point where long hours, low pay, and stalled progression are the norm, it’s worth asking: Is there a smarter way to build your career?

The answer: Yes. And it starts by stepping into design management with a team that leads the field.

Make the Leap Into a Career That Values Your Insight

We’re recruiting on behalf of a pioneering firm that works alongside the world’s most renowned architectural studios. They don’t design buildings; they manage the process that makes great design possible .

This role offers ambitious architects the rare opportunity to transition into design management, with full support, mentorship, and structured exposure to some of the industry’s most complex and high-value projects (£200m–£1.5bn+).

Whether you’re a project architect or operating at Associate level, this team has a track record of nurturing talent and launching careers that go far beyond traditional architecture.

Why Architects Make Exceptional Design Managers

Unlike roles weighed down by production, this position places you at the centre of strategic decision-making. You’ll:

• Coordinate global teams across architecture, engineering, and various external consultants.
• Shape the design programme , not just react to it.
• Lead client-facing meetings , providing critical insights and steering key decisions.
• Spot risks early and solve problems before they escalate.
• Translate creativity into delivery , safeguarding the integrity of design through structure and clarity.

And most importantly, you’ll be trusted from day one.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for architects who’ve had enough of broken systems and want to drive change from the inside out. If you have:

• 5-15 years experience in a design-led architectural practice , with experience on complex projects;
• An instinct for coordination - you’re the one keeping teams aligned;
• Clear communication skills , especially with clients and consultants;
• A natural ability to plan , de-risk, and keep things moving;
• A mindset geared toward outcomes , not just output;

…then we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Gain

• A clear path into design/project management , with hands-on exposure from day one.
• Unrivalled support and development from a senior team that’s invested in your future.
• Competitive salary and benefits, reflective of your impact, not your overtime.
• Opportunities for international travel (voluntary) and attendance at industry-recognised events.
• A healthier work/life balance with real respect for boundaries, development, and progression.
• A long-term, meaningful career pathway, with alumni of this team now leading design/project management functions, working client and developer-side, and having relocated abroad for world-class opportunities.

You Don’t Have to Leave the Industry to Leave the Problems Behind

If you’re ready to channel your architectural insight into something more strategic, sustainable, and rewarding, send your CV to Grõ Careers .

You can shape the future of architecture by changing how it’s delivered.

Please Note: Due to high volumes of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Thank you for understanding.

If you’ve reached a point where long hours, low pay, and stalled progression are the norm, it’s worth asking: Is there a smarter way to build your career?

The answer: Yes. And it starts by stepping into design management with a team that leads the field.

Make the Leap Into a Career That Values Your Insight

We’re recruiting on behalf of a pioneering firm that works alongside the world’s most renowned architectural studios. They don’t design buildings; they manage the process that makes great design possible .

This role offers ambitious architects the rare opportunity to transition into design management, with full support, mentorship, and structured exposure to some of the industry’s most complex and high-value projects (£200m–£1.5bn+).

Whether you’re a project architect or operating at Associate level, this team has a track record of nurturing talent and launching careers that go far beyond traditional architecture.

Why Architects Make Exceptional Design Managers

Unlike roles weighed down by production, this position places you at the centre of strategic decision-making. You’ll:

• Coordinate global teams across architecture, engineering, and various external consultants.
• Shape the design programme , not just react to it.
• Lead client-facing meetings , providing critical insights and steering key decisions.
• Spot risks early and solve problems before they escalate.
• Translate creativity into delivery , safeguarding the integrity of design through structure and clarity.

And most importantly, you’ll be trusted from day one.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for architects who’ve had enough of broken systems and want to drive change from the inside out. If you have:

• 5-15 years experience in a design-led architectural practice , with experience on complex projects;
• An instinct for coordination - you’re the one keeping teams aligned;
• Clear communication skills , especially with clients and consultants;
• A natural ability to plan , de-risk, and keep things moving;
• A mindset geared toward outcomes , not just output;

…then we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Gain

• A clear path into design/project management , with hands-on exposure from day one.
• Unrivalled support and development from a senior team that’s invested in your future.
• Competitive salary and benefits, reflective of your impact, not your overtime.
• Opportunities for international travel (voluntary) and attendance at industry-recognised events.
• A healthier work/life balance with real respect for boundaries, development, and progression.
• A long-term, meaningful career pathway, with alumni of this team now leading design/project management functions, working client and developer-side, and having relocated abroad for world-class opportunities.

You Don’t Have to Leave the Industry to Leave the Problems Behind

If you’re ready to channel your architectural insight into something more strategic, sustainable, and rewarding, send your CV to Grõ Careers .

You can shape the future of architecture by changing how it’s delivered.

Please Note: Due to high volumes of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Thank you for understanding.

If you’ve reached a point where long hours, low pay, and stalled progression are the norm, it’s worth asking: Is there a smarter way to build your career?

The answer: Yes. And it starts by stepping into design management with a team that leads the field.

Make the Leap Into a Career That Values Your Insight

We’re recruiting on behalf of a pioneering firm that works alongside the world’s most renowned architectural studios. They don’t design buildings; they manage the process that makes great design possible .

This role offers ambitious architects the rare opportunity to transition into design management, with full support, mentorship, and structured exposure to some of the industry’s most complex and high-value projects (£200m–£1.5bn+).

Whether you’re a project architect or operating at Associate level, this team has a track record of nurturing talent and launching careers that go far beyond traditional architecture.

Why Architects Make Exceptional Design Managers

Unlike roles weighed down by production, this position places you at the centre of strategic decision-making. You’ll:

• Coordinate global teams across architecture, engineering, and various external consultants.
• Shape the design programme , not just react to it.
• Lead client-facing meetings , providing critical insights and steering key decisions.
• Spot risks early and solve problems before they escalate.
• Translate creativity into delivery , safeguarding the integrity of design through structure and clarity.

And most importantly, you’ll be trusted from day one.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for architects who’ve had enough of broken systems and want to drive change from the inside out. If you have:

• 5-15 years experience in a design-led architectural practice , with experience on complex projects;
• An instinct for coordination - you’re the one keeping teams aligned;
• Clear communication skills , especially with clients and consultants;
• A natural ability to plan , de-risk, and keep things moving;
• A mindset geared toward outcomes , not just output;

…then we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Gain

• A clear path into design/project management , with hands-on exposure from day one.
• Unrivalled support and development from a senior team that’s invested in your future.
• Competitive salary and benefits, reflective of your impact, not your overtime.
• Opportunities for international travel (voluntary) and attendance at industry-recognised events.
• A healthier work/life balance with real respect for boundaries, development, and progression.
• A long-term, meaningful career pathway, with alumni of this team now leading design/project management functions, working client and developer-side, and having relocated abroad for world-class opportunities.

You Don’t Have to Leave the Industry to Leave the Problems Behind

If you’re ready to channel your architectural insight into something more strategic, sustainable, and rewarding, send your CV to Grõ Careers .

You can shape the future of architecture by changing how it’s delivered.

Please Note: Due to high volumes of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Thank you for understanding.

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Creative Director

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon

Salary: Up to £100,000 dependent on experience

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is entering a transformative new chapter - one defined by creative ambition, cultural leadership, and global relevance. As the world’s leading centre dedicated to William Shakespeare, the Trust holds the largest publicly accessible collection of Shakespeare-related material and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to the playwright’s family homes.

We are now seeking our inaugural Creative Director to shape and deliver a bold, inclusive creative vision that inspires audiences of the future. This is an unparalleled opportunity to lead a globally significant cultural institution into its next era: connecting people, ideas, and communities through the life, works, and legacy of Shakespeare.

Set in the heart of stunning Stratford-upon-Avon, the Trust is a place of discovery, dialogue, and imagination. From immersive exhibitions and participatory programming to groundbreaking research and community partnerships, we are redefining what it means to be a museum of Shakespeare - for everyone.

The Role

As Creative Director, you will:

• Lead content creation and delivery - from exhibitions and interpretation to outreach and audience engagement.
• Shape a strategic, inclusive learning programme that fosters critical thinking and creative expression.
• Establish and grow a dynamic research function, translating academic excellence into public impact.
• Steward our Designated Museum collections, including archives, library, and objects of global significance.
• Champion innovative, audience-led programming in collaboration with artists, educators, and communities.
• Act as a visible ambassador for the Trust - locally, nationally, and internationally.

About You

We’re looking for a visionary leader with:

• A deep appreciation of the transformative power of museums and heritage in shaping cultural dialogue.
• Experience in leading creative programmes, curating collections, and engaging diverse audiences.
• The ability to unite content, collections, research, and learning into a cohesive, future-facing vision.
• A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion - amplifying underrepresented voices.

Whether you come from a museum, heritage, cultural, or academic background, you’ll bring the imagination, leadership, and collaborative spirit to guide the Trust into its next chapter.

Our Values

We are outward-facing, ambitious, innovative, collaborative, excellent, and responsible. We champion equality and strive for diversity in all we do and we especially welcome applications from those underrepresented at senior leadership levels in our sector.

You can find out lots more information about this opportunity by clicking Apply and navigating the details in the microsite using the tabs at the top of the page. 

If after reading the information available, you would like a confidential conversation about the opportunity, contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson:

Rebekah Herz-Bauman, Partner –

Jennie Wood, Research Lead –

Closing date: Monday, 3rd November

Creative Director: Workplace Interiors

Location: London (Hybrid: 3 days in office, 2 days from home)

Salary: £80-£0k + Bonus

About the Role

We are seeking a Creative Director to lead and manage a 60-person workplace interiors team within a major UK design practice. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for both creative direction and team management, ensuring design excellence, operational efficiency, and client satisfaction across a broad portfolio of workplace projects.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Directly lead and oversee a 60-person workplace interiors team including senior designers, associates, and junior staff.
• Provide vision, strategy, and structure for the pod, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Manage resourcing, workflows, and performance reviews, setting clear objectives and career paths.
• Champion a culture of creativity, collaboration, and accountability.

Creative Direction

• Define and uphold the creative vision and standards for the workplace interiors team.
• Oversee concept development, storytelling, and design execution for all projects.
• Conduct design reviews and ensure high quality, innovative, and client-focused solutions.
• Keep the team at the forefront of design trends, workplace strategy, sustainability, and new technologies.

Client Engagement & Business Development

• Lead pitches and presentations, winning new projects and strengthening client relationships.
• Act as a senior point of contact for key clients, ensuring alignment of design solutions with business objectives.
• Work closely with the business development and leadership team to grow the practice’s market presence.

Project Oversight

• Oversee multiple workplace projects simultaneously, ensuring design excellence and delivery within budget and programme.
• Collaborate closely with architecture, technical, sustainability, and project management teams.
• Provide hands-on support during critical project stages, ensuring design integrity is maintained.

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 15+ years of experience in interior design/architecture, with a strong background in workplace projects .
• Proven track record of leading and managing large design teams (50+ people) .
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creative vision and delivery of high-profile workplace projects.
• Experience with business development, pitches, and client presentations.

Skills & Attributes

• Inspirational leader with excellent people management skills.
• Exceptional design and creative direction capability.
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness.
• Confident communicator with the ability to win trust and build long-term relationships.
• Able to balance creative ambition with delivery and operational efficiency.
• Proficiency in design tools is desirable : Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp.

Qualifications

• Degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related discipline.
• Professional accreditation (e.g. RIBA, BIID, IIDA) desirable.

What’s on Offer

• Opportunity to run and shape a 60-person interiors team within a respected design practice.
• Leadership position with real influence over creative direction and business strategy.
• Competitive salary £80, 0 – £9 000 plus performance-related bonus .
• Hybrid working model: 3 days in the London office, 2 days from home.
• Exposure to high-profile projects and international clients.
• Supportive environment with resources, career development, and professional growth.

Creative Director: Workplace Interiors

Location: London (Hybrid: 3 days in office, 2 days from home)

Salary: £80-£0k + Bonus

About the Role

We are seeking a Creative Director to lead and manage a 60-person workplace interiors team within a major UK design practice. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for both creative direction and team management, ensuring design excellence, operational efficiency, and client satisfaction across a broad portfolio of workplace projects.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Directly lead and oversee a 60-person workplace interiors team including senior designers, associates, and junior staff.
• Provide vision, strategy, and structure for the pod, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Manage resourcing, workflows, and performance reviews, setting clear objectives and career paths.
• Champion a culture of creativity, collaboration, and accountability.

Creative Direction

• Define and uphold the creative vision and standards for the workplace interiors team.
• Oversee concept development, storytelling, and design execution for all projects.
• Conduct design reviews and ensure high quality, innovative, and client-focused solutions.
• Keep the team at the forefront of design trends, workplace strategy, sustainability, and new technologies.

Client Engagement & Business Development

• Lead pitches and presentations, winning new projects and strengthening client relationships.
• Act as a senior point of contact for key clients, ensuring alignment of design solutions with business objectives.
• Work closely with the business development and leadership team to grow the practice’s market presence.

Project Oversight

• Oversee multiple workplace projects simultaneously, ensuring design excellence and delivery within budget and programme.
• Collaborate closely with architecture, technical, sustainability, and project management teams.
• Provide hands-on support during critical project stages, ensuring design integrity is maintained.

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 15+ years of experience in interior design/architecture, with a strong background in workplace projects .
• Proven track record of leading and managing large design teams (50+ people) .
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creative vision and delivery of high-profile workplace projects.
• Experience with business development, pitches, and client presentations.

Skills & Attributes

• Inspirational leader with excellent people management skills.
• Exceptional design and creative direction capability.
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness.
• Confident communicator with the ability to win trust and build long-term relationships.
• Able to balance creative ambition with delivery and operational efficiency.
• Proficiency in design tools is desirable : Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp.

Qualifications

• Degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related discipline.
• Professional accreditation (e.g. RIBA, BIID, IIDA) desirable.

What’s on Offer

• Opportunity to run and shape a 60-person interiors team within a respected design practice.
• Leadership position with real influence over creative direction and business strategy.
• Competitive salary £80, 0 – £9 000 plus performance-related bonus .
• Hybrid working model: 3 days in the London office, 2 days from home.
• Exposure to high-profile projects and international clients.
• Supportive environment with resources, career development, and professional growth.

I am partnered with a leading fragrance house in the search for a Creative Director to lead the UK perfumery team. This candidate will have expertise in cross-category creative and technical perfumery for the European market and hold a minimum of 8 years of leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high value fragrance creations across target categories for the UK and European markets.
• Lead the olfactive strategy for the UK, working closely with global leaders.
• Work cross-functionally with R&D, Technical and Commercial teams.

Qualifications

• Qualification from a recognised perfumer training institute e.g., ISIPCA.
• 10+ years of experience as a Perfumer / Senior Perfumer.
• Fluent in English language.

Must be based in the UK or willing to relocate.

If you are interested in this position or would like to refer someone in your network, please contact me directly via email or LinkedIn.

Email -

Creative Director

Location: Beijing, China (Full-time, 12-month renewable contract)

Eligibility: Open exclusively to foreign passport holders

About CGTN and the Role

CGTN is a global media organization committed to delivering authoritative news and analysis to a worldwide audience through TV, mobile, and digital platforms. Based in Beijing, the Creative Director will lead the Packaging Team’s visual storytelling and creative vision—driving brand excellence and narrative impact across CGTN’s global output.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and define the creative direction aligned with CGTN’s visual identity and international standards.

• Oversee end-to-end project development—from conceptualization and scripting to final execution.

• Track and analyze global media and branding trends, infusing fresh thinking and innovation into our workflow.

• Inspire, manage, and develop a diverse team of designers and motion artists in a dynamic cross-cultural environment.

• Collaborate closely with editorial, technical, and external teams to ensure timely and high-quality output.

• Provide strategic creative direction for major international events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Art, Visual Communication, Advertising, or related fields.

• Minimum 3 years in a senior creative role—preferably as Creative Director in an international media setting.

• Proven portfolio of high-impact, internationally recognized projects; industry awards are a strong plus (e.g., Promax, Red Dot, Cannes Lions).

• Demonstrated expertise across media types including promotional videos, studio design, graphic/motion packaging.

• Strong understanding of global creative trends and ability to adapt them within cross-cultural contexts.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills to convey vision and align stakeholders.

How to Apply

Send your CV and portfolio to:

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis—early applications are strongly encouraged.