Head of Design

About the role

We’re proud to foster a culture that values collaboration, curiosity, and balance. Our people are what make Hydrogen special and as we continue to grow, we’re looking for someone who can help us work smarter, plan better, and deliver our best work every time.

As Head of Design, you are responsible for leading Hydrogen’s creative vision across design and content. You bring ambitious, blue sky creative thinking to every brief, developing ideas that are strategically grounded, pitch-ready and commercially effective.

You balance conceptual leadership with a hands-on approach, remaining close to the tools and the work. You ensure creative output is consistently high quality, delivered efficiently and aligned with operational priorities and you will play a central role in new business pitches and client growth.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know – we’re here to support you every step of the way.

• Define and lead Hydrogen’s creative direction, ensuring all work is insight-led, innovative and effective.
• Develop blue sky creative concepts and strong creative territories for campaigns, pitches and client refreshes.
• Translate strategy into compelling creative narratives and visual ideas that can be confidently sold.
• Remain actively involved in day to day creative delivery, producing and reviewing design and content as needed.
• Set and maintain high creative standards across social first design, brand and digital output.
• Lead, mentor and develop the design team, creating a supportive and high-performing environment.
• Lead creative input into new business pitches, from initial concepting through to final presentation.
• Present ideas with confidence and clarity, adapting messaging for different audiences.
• Support agency growth by identifying creative opportunities within existing and prospective accounts.
• Provide clear feedback, coaching and direction to help individuals grow their skills and confidence.
• Work with the Operations Director and Resource Manager on resource planning, workflow and team structure.

• Design Strategy:
  Strong ability to think big, generate original ideas and develop creative territories
• Hands On Creativity:
  Comfortable staying close to the tools and contributing to day to day delivery. Advanced Adobe Creative Suite capabilities are essential and working knowledge of Canva, Affinity and Blender are all preferable.
• Leadership:
  Proven experience leading and inspiring Design teams.
• Operational Awareness:
  Understanding of workflow, resourcing and delivery within an agency environment.
• Digital and Social Expertise:
  Deep knowledge of social first creative, organic and paid media.
• Problem Solving:
  Calm, solutions focused approach to creative and operational challenges.
• Strategic Thinking:
  Ability to connect creative ideas to wider business and client objectives.

• 25 days holiday plus statutory public holidays
• Paid volunteering and wellbeing days
• Enhanced parental leave pay.
• Company pension and life assurance (4x salary)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• A supportive, award-winning team and inclusive culture