---
title: 'Design Director (AI & Tech) at DEPT®'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/design-director-ai-tech-dept-london-a55snvv04585'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Design Director (AI & Tech) at DEPT®

- **Company:** DEPT®
- **Location:** London, United Kingdom
- **Posted:** 2026-06-09
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/dept/jobs/7990043

## Job description

Design Director (AI&Tech)

London / Manchester

This position sits in our Marketing & Technology service based in London. We combine data, technology, creative and paid media to crack brands’ business problems & drive revenue through a variety of digital marketing solutions like social, influencer, TTL ad campaigns, augmented reality, AI and innovation. Our clients include eBay, easyJet, Just Eat Takeaway and Pepsico.

## JOB PURPOSE

We are looking for a Design Director for an exciting AI Platform client of ours. The work we produce for them is varied and can range drastically from simple BAU creative responses, to in-person creative sprints and even full productions across multiple global markets.

As a Design Director and lead on the client, you’ll be responsible for reviewing and signing off work, upholding brand and business standards, and ensuring creative excellence across all campaigns and projects. You will work with a wider team of creatives, producers etc , providing clear, decisive feedback, guidance and inspiration to support members of the team across these disciplines. As well as building, delegating and empowering the team to confidently take on work, you will be a hands-on creative with a willingness to ‘get your hands dirty’ to help the team.

This role combines design management and creative leadership, balancing people development, asset production, resource management and creative innovation. You’ll act as a trusted partner to wider team leads, bringing both vision and practical executional expertise to every project.

## WHAT YOU’LL DO:

- Lead, develop, motivate and inspire DEPT’s design teams and encourage collaboration
- Deliver and inspire innovative and high quality work across all deliverables from the team
- Develop strong creative ideas rooted in narrative, pacing, composition, and visual structure
- Initiate and facilitate creative team collaboration and sharing, and team cohesion through social and team building initiatives
- Guide execution across motion and static deliverables to keep work aligned with the original creative intent
- Lead, develop, motivate and inspire the design team as well as encouraging collaboration
- Be the face and voice of design at Dept®, to raise the profile of the team
- Suggest best ways of working,  and hustle for the best opportunities
- Work with the ECD to build processes, structures and raise the quality of design
- Nurture and build a team of happy and fulfilled designers
- Build a productive and working relationship with other disciplines across the agency to deliver projects
- Maintain brand consistency throughout all our marketing projects
- Explore and work within a variety of different formats and platforms to create global campaigns
- Generate the creative ideas and campaign look and feel
- Deliver and inspire innovative and high quality work across all deliverables from the team
- Collaborate with other designers and creative planners
- Be aware of and respond to current design trends and culture
- Use your experience and ideas to contribute to the development of our creative process
- Present work internally and externally
- Stay up-to-date with industry development and tools

## WHAT YOU BRING:

- Experience of growing, inspiring and leading a team of 10+
- Strong experience leading on a client with a consultative approach, ideally a client in the tech or AI space
- Work with management to operationally set the client team up for success
- Strong visual judgement and confidence contributing to concepts and creative direction
- Experience working with resource / operations to ensure projects are set up for success
- A high attention to detail, especially in large scale asset production and sign off
- Experience in creating and reviewing scopes/timing plans
- Curiosity around AI tools and interest in learning how they can support creative work
- A strong portfolio or showreel showing concept, craft, and high quality motion and design work, with examples of tech or AI-led campaigns

## WE OFFER:

- A flexible, hybrid working policy (2 days from the office, depending on location).
- An excellent salary based on experience and equal pay policies
- Pension, free private healthcare, mental health support, and company sick pay scheme.
- 26 days paid holiday (plus UK Bank Holidays).
- Refreshments are provided in the office all week, as well as drinks at 4 pm on a Thursday.
- Help getting you to work with a season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme.
- Enhanced family friendly policies to support new parents.
- Social and Cultural Events, plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues through organised activities and celebrations.
- Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events.
- Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance.
- Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks’ at DEPT®.
- A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified [B Corp® since 2021](https://www.deptagency.com/en-gb/insight/dept-is-a-certified-b-corporation/) and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
- Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get

WHY DEPT®?

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.

## DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts [here](https://www.deptagency.com/the-good-company/).

## About DEPT®

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: DEPT® is a global digital agency that combines technology and marketing to help ambitious brands grow faster.
- **Entity Type**: Private (backed by The Carlyle Group)
- **Headquarters**: Amsterdam, Netherlands (global HQ; 30+ offices across 5 continents)
- **Founded**: 1996 (founded as TamTam; rebranded to DEPT® in 2019)
- **Founders**: Paul Manuel and Bart Manuel (founded TamTam, the predecessor agency)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Digital Agency, Technology, Marketing, Commerce, AI
- **Target customers**: B2B, Enterprise (clients include Google Store, KFC, Beats by Dre, Patagonia, Lego, YouTube, National Geographic, Meta, Adidas, Microsoft, Hulu, Supercell, Tomorrowland)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To be the best agency for the world, not just in the world. A certified B Corporation, they aim to pioneer tech and marketing while balancing purpose and profit.

## Products & Services
- **Integrated Agency Services**: A 50-50 blend of technology and marketing services, including strategy, creative, data, and media.
- **DEPT®/AI**: A dedicated AI practice launched in 2023, with 50% of revenue now AI-enabled.
- **Commerce Services**: Recognized by Forrester as a top 10 Commerce Services Provider.
- **Specialized Studios**: Includes BASIC/DEPT®, Hello Monday/DEPT®, STUDIO DUMBAR/DEPT®, and Dogstudio/DEPT®—each with unique creative and technical specialties.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed; backed by The Carlyle Group (partnership announced in 2023).
- **Key Metric**: Over 4,000 employees (Depsters) across 30+ offices in 5 continents.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: The Carlyle Group (strategic partner), Waterland Private Equity (historical partner). Key clients include Google, Meta, Microsoft, Lego, Adidas, Patagonia, and KFC.
- **Growth Signals**: 30 acquisitions since 2015; named Webby Agency of the Year 2022, 2023, 2024; Campaign Digital Innovation Agency of the Year 2023; launched Asia Pacific operations in 2021; 50% AI-enabled revenue; 85+ nationalities and 50+ languages spoken in-house.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Partner-led model**: 200+ owners with "skin in the game," ensuring entrepreneurial accountability and long-term client relationships.
- **Global scale with craft depth**: 4,000+ digital specialists available as one integrated team across all time zones.
- **B Corp & Climate Label certified**: First global agency to become a Certified B Corporation, with a strong focus on sustainability and social impact.
- **Award-winning track record**: Consistently recognized as Agency of the Year by Webby and Lovie Awards.
- **50-50 tech/marketing split**: Rarer in the industry, enabling full 360-degree client solutions.

## Strategic Focus
- **AI integration**: Deep investment in DEPT®/AI to embed AI into all service lines (50% of revenue already AI-enabled).
- **Global expansion**: Continued growth through acquisitions and new market entries (e.g., Asia Pacific, Americas).
- **Sustainability & Impact**: Active impact strategy focused on four pillars: Impactful Work, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Community, and Climate.
- **Talent development**: Heavy investment in learning ("DEPT®/YOU" curated learning experiences) and internal mobility.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as "inclusive, supportive, open" with a strong emphasis on diversity (85+ nationalities), equity, and inclusion. Certified B Corporation with a clear purpose.
- **Flexibility**: Open to discussing flexible and hybrid working arrangements to achieve work/life balance.
- **Benefits**: Health and wellness benefits, DEPT®/CARES (annual day of giving), DEPT® Festival (all-expenses-paid global gathering), and DEPT®/YOU (curated learning experiences for personal and professional growth).
- **Global opportunities**: Ability to work from offices across 5 continents, with a strong internal mobility ethos.
- **Engineering culture**: Emphasis on pioneering, innovation, and craft; 50-50 tech/marketing split means engineers and technologists are core to the business.
- **Notable perks**: Climate Label company (100% climate neutral, 37% renewable energy), strong sustainability focus, and community impact programs.

## Sources
1. [DEPT® Careers Page](https://www.deptagency.com/careers/)
2. [DEPT® Homepage](https://www.deptagency.com/)
3. [DEPT® About Us](https://www.deptagency.com/about-us/)
4. [DEPT® Culture Page](https://www.deptagency.com/en-in/culture/)
5. [DEPT® Job Board (Greenhouse)](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/dept)

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