Design Director

About us… smol is on a mission to change the face of consumer brands and businesses by bringing super effective, eco-friendly products at value for money prices. We believe everyone should be able to make easy swaps that are better for them, the planet, and their pockets. Since launch, smol has taken the household cleaning market by storm. We are already the fastest growing and most positively reviewed brand in the laundry, dishwash, fabric conditioner and surface spray categories and we’ve got so much more planned. Having received Series B investment in 2021 and B Corp certification at the end of 2023, our team is focused on combining fast growth with being a force for positive change and impact in all that we do. In Summary... As a Design Director, you will balance high-level design direction with hands-on execution. Reporting into the Chief Creative Officer, you will co-lead the activity of smol’s design function alongside an existing Design Director. You’ll take ownership of your own design schedule while coaching and line managing your direct report/s. You will act as a critical bridge in our Design Team, driving day-to-day decisions, collaborating cross-functionally, and protecting the Chief Creative Officer’s time by managing standard creative workflows independently. What does the role involve?... 1. Design Direction and Execution Translating Briefs into High Quality Designs: Turn commercial and marketing briefs into compelling, high-impact design direction and designs. Hands-on Design: Own and execute your own schedule of design work, including but not limited to packaging and graphic design for both print and digital use. Day-to-Day Decision Making: Act as the ultimate daily decision-maker for design execution, ensuring your projects move forward efficiently. Maintain Quality: Uphold and champion exceptionally high visual and functional design standards across all outputs. 2. Leadership and Management Line Management: Directly line manage, mentor, and support the career growth of your direct report/s. Coaching: Direct, review, and elevate the work of the Designer and Senior Designer to foster a culture of continuous improvement. Peer Collaboration: Partner effectively with your co-Design Director to ensure a unified design vision and balanced workload distribution. Creative Culture: Contribute to a culture of creativity by sharing knowledge, inspiration and ways to make continuous improvements. 3. Cross Functional & Strategic Alignment. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Represent the Design Team by attending key cross-functional meetings, ensuring design is aligned with manufacturing, marketing, and product development. Campaign Strategy: Working with teams across the business to introduce products to market. Gatekeeping: Protect the Chief Creative Officer's time by autonomously resolving day-to-day design challenges. You will need... Extensive Experience: Proven track record as a Senior Lead Designer or Design Director Portfolio Excellence: A strong portfolio demonstrating mastery in graphic design and innovative packaging design. People Leader: Experience line managing and coaching junior-to-mid-weight designers with an empathetic, growth-oriented leadership style. Autonomous Worker: Highly disciplined and organized, with a proven ability to manage your own workload and deadlines in a 100% remote environment. Strong Communicator: Exceptional ability to articulate creative concepts to non-creative internal stakeholders. What we offer: A fantastic opportunity to be part of one of the UK’s fastest growing, Series-B funded scale-ups. An amazing culture and mission. A chance to make a difference in our shared future, eliminating or reducing the usage of plastic, water, toxic chemicals, energy and animal testing. Working with an experienced, passionate team invested in helping you grow professionally. 25 days holiday per year + bank holidays. A volunteer day to spend on a cause you care about. Flexible working from home. C