We are looking for an experienced Studio Lead and Senior Designer to join our fast-growing Studio and manage a small team of talented designers and content creators. You will play a pivotal role in leading our design capability, looking at how we can grow the business by delivering both creative and commercial results. You will work across a variety of retained and project-based clients across our Edinburgh and London offices, Whyte & Mackay, ScottishPower, Virgin Hotels, Scottish Government, Etihad Airlines, Tefal, Grosvenor Casinos, FT Group, Travelodge and Merlin Entertainments. You will have a passion for finding new ways to make culture-shaping, thumb-stopping content & activations that have the power to get people talking. You will be responsible for leading and managing a small studio team, guiding them in executing creative strategies and delivering exceptional design solutions to our clients. This role requires a blend of planning, leadership and commercial skills, creative vision and technical proficiency. You will report in the MD, Social & Influencer. Key Responsibilities: Studio Lead Functional head of the studio team taking a proactive role in growing the business both creatively and commercially. Working closely with the Stripe Social leadership team refine the overarching proposition for Stripe Studio outlining areas of potential growth and opportunity aligned with current talent client need. Responsibility for ensuring the studio team deliver on commercial business objectives and client satisfaction in terms of output and delivery. Creative & Design Expertise Collaborate closely with internal teams to understand project requirements and translate them into compelling visual concepts. Provide creative direction and strategic insight ensuring alignment with client objectives and brand guidelines. Conceptualise innovative design solutions and layouts for various platforms, including reports, tenders, new business proposals, pitch presentations, branded merchandise, and social media. Lead the design process from concept to execution, utilising industry-leading software tools and technologies to produce high-quality designs. Stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in digital design, incorporating innovative techniques to enhance user engagement and experience and sharing these with the wider team. Develop wireframes, prototypes, and mock-ups to communicate design concepts effectively and gather feedback from stakeholders. Develop creative assets for social media platforms, including graphics, animations, and video content, to support marketing campaigns and brand awareness efforts. Collaborate with the social media team to develop content calendars, ensuring alignment with brand messaging and campaign objectives. 3. Team Leadership: Mentor and coach content teams and junior designers, providing guidance on design principles, industry standards, and project management best practices. Manage workload distribution and project timelines for the studio team, ensuring deliverables are completed on time and within budget. Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, encouraging creativity, innovation, and continuous learning among team members. Relationship Management: Cultivate strong relationships with internal clients, serving as a trusted advisor and creative partner throughout the project lifecycle. Present design concepts and recommendations, articulating the rationale behind creative decisions and addressing any feedback or concerns. Proactively identify opportunities for upselling additional services or expanding the scope of existing projects to drive business growth. Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, or a related field. Minimum of 6 years of experience in a design role, preferably within an agency or digital marketing environment. Proven track record of effective people management and commercial leadership of a design function. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing and other relevant design tools. Mastery of Adobe After Effects is crucial for creating motion graphics, visual effects, animations, typography, and text animation. Strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of digital design projects, with a focus on social media content, and digital marketing campaigns. Microsoft Office Suite: While not specifically design-focused, proficiency in software like PowerPoint, is a valued skill for creating presentations, proposals, and other documents related to design projects. Experience of using workflow tools like Monday.com for project management and team collaboration making full use of workflows, task tracking, and communication tools. Commercial understand and drive with an entrepreneurial flair to grow. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative concepts and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and clients. Proven leadership experience, with the ability to inspire and motivate a team to deliver exceptional results under tight deadlines. Knowledge of industry trends and emerging technologies in digital design and social media marketing. Detail-oriented approach with a keen eye for visual aesthetics and brand consistency. We offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package that focuses on what matters to you – health and well-being, personal finances, professional development, and a healthy work/life balance: Hybrid and Flexible Working - we are currently hybrid working with two mandatory in-office days a week Enhanced maternity/paternity leave and shared parental leave options A pension plan with employer contributions Subsidised private healthcare with employee contribution Personal learning plans, coaching and mentoring to support you on your career path Generous annual leave entitlement including Christmas and birthday off and work from anywhere for up to 4 weeks of the year An annual profit related bonus Join Our Team: If you are passionate about leveraging design to create impactful communication strategies and are excited about the opportunity to lead a dynamic team in a fast-paced agency environment, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to be part of our collaborative and innovative team.