📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Lead Brand Designer (Fixed-Term Contract)
🔹 Company: Monzo
🔹 Location: Cardiff, London (Hybrid) or Remote (UK)
🔹 Job Type: Fixed-Term Contract
🔹 Category: Design
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-22
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (London) or Fully Remote (UK)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading and overseeing end-to-end design projects
- Developing and maintaining brand identities
- Mentoring and guiding junior designers and external agencies
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product design, and communications
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creative leadership, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills to manage projects and teams effectively.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead and oversee end-to-end design projects, from ideation to execution, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams
✅ Mentor and provide guidance to junior designers, fostering a collaborative and productive team environment
✅ Guide external agency partners on all things design and creative concepts
✅ Develop, evolve, and maintain brand identities, ensuring consistency across all touchpoints
✅ Contribute directly to design work, such as crafting campaigns, refining typography, or animating assets
✅ Utilize expert knowledge of typography to create visually appealing and readable designs
✅ Work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver cohesive design solutions
✅ Concept art direction and motion for in-app experiences with product teams
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong portfolio demonstrating branding, art direction, campaigns, and typography. Experience in leading design projects and mentoring junior designers is essential.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: Proven track record in design roles, with a strong portfolio demonstrating branding, art direction, campaigns, and typography
Required Skills:
- Proficient in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects), Figma (must)
- Strong understanding of design principles, color theory, and typography
- Experience in leading design projects and mentoring junior designers
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to articulate design concepts to both internal teams and clients
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in fast-paced tech startups or creative agencies working on global brands
- Experience in additional areas like web design, print design, storyboarding, art direction, film
- Strong skills in evolving within a brand guideline
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in fast-paced environments and a strong understanding of brand evolution will be well-suited for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £75,000 - £100,000 per year
Benefits:
- Learning budget: £1,000 per year for books, training courses, and conferences
- Flexible working hours
- Work from home setup for fully remote workers
- Plus lots more!
Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), with flexible working hours and trust-based approach
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for a Lead Brand Designer role with 5-10 years of experience in the UK.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Fintech (Financial Technology)
Company Size: Medium (11-50 employees)
Founded: 2015 (as a staffing company)
Company Description:
- Monzo is a staffing company that focuses on quality referrals for business and technology professionals
- Their business model involves vetting referrals thoroughly and partnering with companies to provide experienced professionals
- They aim to bring value to their customers by offering a cost-effective and efficient recruitment solution
Company Specialties:
- Staffing and Recruiting
- Business and Technology Professionals
- Quality Referrals
Company Website: http://www.byreferralsonly.biz
ASSUMPTION: Monzo's focus on quality referrals and experienced professionals sets it apart from traditional recruitment agencies.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Chief Design Officer and leads a team of 3 brand designers
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (London) or Fully Remote (UK), with ad hoc meetings in London for remote workers
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a more senior role within the design team or take on additional responsibilities
- Opportunity to work on high-impact projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams
- Chance to mentor and develop junior designers, fostering a collaborative and productive team environment
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a substantial impact on the company's brand and design output.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (London) or Fully Remote (UK)
Office Location(s): London, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- The role can be based in Monzo's London office or worked remotely from anywhere in the UK
- London offers a vibrant and dynamic work environment, with access to numerous cultural attractions and networking opportunities
- Remote workers will benefit from a flexible and autonomous work environment, with the ability to work from the comfort of their own home
Work Schedule: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), with flexible working hours and a trust-based approach
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid or fully remote work arrangement offers candidates the flexibility to balance their personal and professional lives effectively.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- 30-minute call with the Recruiter, Tom
- 1-hour craft interview presenting a single case study to 2 members of the Brand Design team
- 1-hour interview covering values and ways of working
Key Assessment Areas:
- Portfolio and case study presentation
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Alignment with Monzo's values and ways of working
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare a strong case study demonstrating your branding, art direction, and creative ideation skills
- Research Monzo's brand and values to ensure a good cultural fit
ATS Keywords: Branding, Art Direction, Creative Ideation, Design Software, Typography, Mentoring, Collaboration, Project Management, Web Design, Print Design, Storyboarding, Film, Motion Design, Creative Leadership, Design Critiques
ASSUMPTION: The interview process is designed to assess the candidate's technical skills, communication abilities, and cultural fit with Monzo's values and ways of working.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
- Figma
- Motion design and 3D programs (optional)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite and Figma is essential for this role. Experience with motion design and 3D programs is a plus.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Quality over volume
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Continuous learning and improvement
Work Style:
- Flexible and autonomous work environment
- Trust-based approach to working hours
- Focus on quality referrals and experienced professionals
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong portfolio demonstrating branding, art direction, campaigns, and typography?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple projects simultaneously?
- Do you have experience leading design projects and mentoring junior designers?
- Are you able to articulate design concepts effectively to both internal teams and clients?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Monzo's values and work style, and can demonstrate a strong portfolio and relevant experience, will be well-suited for this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting tight deadlines
- Working effectively in a hybrid or remote work environment
- Evolving within a brand guideline while maintaining creativity and innovation
- Balancing the responsibilities of leading a team and contributing directly to design work
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong project management skills, effective communication, and a proactive approach to collaboration and teamwork.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from related positions in its focus on brand design and creative leadership, rather than product design or user experience
- Industry-specific context: The fintech industry is competitive and fast-paced, requiring candidates to keep up with the latest trends and technologies
- Career path comparison: This role offers growth opportunities for experienced designers looking to transition into a leadership role or take on additional responsibilities
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their long-term career goals and whether this role aligns with their desired career path in the design industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Refining brand guidelines for a global brand
- Developing motion storyboards for a marketing campaign
- Creating campaign assets for a product launch
- Collaborating on web designs and product designs with cross-functional teams
- Elevating internal design projects, such as creating onboarding materials or internal communications
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the breadth and depth of the responsibilities required for this role, highlighting the need for a versatile and experienced designer.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the design team?
- How does Monzo support the professional development and growth of its designers?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Monzo approach collaboration and communication with external agencies?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in a hybrid or remote work environment, and how does Monzo support its employees in overcoming these challenges?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the role's day-to-day responsibilities, team dynamics, and the company's approach to supporting its employees' growth and success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link: https://monzo.com/careers/
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare a strong case study demonstrating your branding, art direction, and creative ideation skills
- Research Monzo's brand and values to ensure a good cultural fit
- Follow up with the Recruiter, Tom, one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
