Design Team Lead (Motion & Graphic Design)

*Purpose*

To lead the *design execution and quality* of work across Tone’s client projects, while supporting the team with *clear direction, feedback, and brief interpretation*.

You’ll act as a *senior point of confidence for designers and project managers*, helping turn briefs into strong creative output and ensuring work meets the right standard before it reaches the client.

This role sits between *designers, project managers, and clients*, helping work move forward smoothly without unnecessary escalation.

*What success looks like*

* Design work consistently meets the brief and is client-ready before it’s shared.
* Designers feel supported and challenged, improving through clear and actionable feedback.
* PMs have confidence in how briefs are interpreted and approached.
* Client calls run smoothly, with clear creative direction and minimal need for escalation.
* You become a *go-to person for design questions, feedback and direction* across the team.

*What a typical week looks like*

* Designing and delivering high-quality work across web, campaigns, motion and content
* Reviewing team output and providing feedback before it goes to clients
* Helping interpret briefs and define the right creative approach
* Supporting PMs with scope, estimates and approach
* Joining client calls to discuss work, direction and feedback
* Helping designers refine ideas and improve execution
* Stepping into projects where additional support is needed
* Maintaining quality and consistency across all outputs

*Core responsibilities:*

*1. Design Execution*

Lead and deliver high-quality design work across the areas in your specialisms. At Tone we deliver projects around:

* Websites and landing pages
* Campaign and social assets
* Motion and interactive content
* Email and digital marketing outputs

Take work from concept through to final delivery with attention to detail and craft.

*2. Design QA & Quality Control*

Review work before it reaches the client, ensuring:

* it answers the brief
* it aligns with brand guidelines
* it works across its intended channels
* it meets Tone’s standard of quality

Provide clear, constructive feedback that improves both the work and the designer.

*3. Brief Interpretation & Direction*

Work with PMs and designers to:

* clarify briefs
* define direction
* unblock projects early

Help turn vague or open briefs into *clear creative approaches*.

*4. Client Collaboration*

As an experienced lead, you'll be confident presenting work and rationale clearly. You'll support PMs and leadership on client calls where needed to:

* Explain design decisions
* Discuss direction
* Respond to feedback
* Help move conversations forward

*5. Team Support & Mentoring*

Act as a senior point of support for the design team:

* Provide feedback and guidance
* Support idea development
* Help improve craft and thinking
* Share knowledge and best practices

Mentor more junior designers and help raise the overall standard of work.

*6. Workflow & Collaboration*

Work closely with PMs to:

* Estimate and scope design work
* Manage workload effectively
* Keep projects moving efficiently

Collaborate across teams to ensure delivery is smooth and aligned.

*Who you are*

A strong, well-rounded designer with experience across *digital, campaigns and brand work*.

You are confident in your craft, comfortable giving feedback, and able to help others produce better work.

You enjoy being involved in conversations, not just execution - and are comfortable contributing on client calls when needed.

You are reliable, clear in your thinking, and able to make decisions that move work forward.

*Experience that would help*

* 5–8+ years experience in a design role (agency or similar environment)
* Strong portfolio across digital, campaign and brand work
* Experience working on websites, campaigns and multi-channel outputs
* Confidence reviewing and improving other designers’ work
* Experience presenting work internally and to clients
* Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite
* Understanding of design systems, layouts, and production outputs

*Who this role is not*

A purely execution-focused designer who prefers not to engage in discussions.

A strategist or performance marketer.

A studio or production manager focused only on resourcing.

*Why Tone Agency*

Tone works with enterprise brands that value *speed, clarity and creative precision*.

This role is an opportunity to *shape high-quality creative work*, support a growing design team, and play a key part in how ideas are delivered across web, campaigns and content.

*Important - please read*

We receive a high volume of automated applications. To make sure applicants have genuinely read the role, *we will only consider applications from people who also email us*.

Please send a short email to *work@tone.co.uk* answering:

* Why you’re a good fit for this role
* Why now
* Any relevant experience or examples you think matter

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £52,000.00-£62,000.00 per year

Benefits:
* Cycle to work scheme
* Flexitime
* Free parking
* Work from home



Application question(s):
* According to Google Maps, how long will it take to get from your home address to BB12 8BW? And will you drive?
* Do you currently live in North West England? (Unfortunately we can only accept applications to people already in the area with appropriate commute distance.
* Have you fully read the job description, including the note to email the work@ email address? (Sorry, we get a lot of automated applications unfortunately).

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Burnley BB12 8BN