Creative & Design Manager

We are seeking an experienced and highly driven Creative & Design Manager to lead our in-house design function and drive creative excellence across all brand and business initiatives. This role is responsible for setting creative direction, managing and developing a high-performing design team, and ensuring consistent, high-quality visual output across all channels.

The ideal candidate will combine strong strategic thinking with hands-on creative capability, excellent people leadership skills, and the ability to translate business objectives into impactful creative solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

Creative Leadership & Strategy

• Define and execute the creative vision aligned with brand strategy and business objectives.
• Champion design thinking and promote the value of design across the organisation.
• Present creative strategies, concepts, and design solutions to senior and executive stakeholders.
• Monitor industry trends and integrate best practices into team operations.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, manage, coach, and develop a team of designers across different experience levels.
• Conduct performance reviews, provide regular feedback, and support career development plans.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive team culture.
• Address creative disagreements and team challenges constructively.

Delivery & Quality Assurance

• Oversee the full design lifecycle from concept through final execution.
• Review and approve all creative outputs to ensure alignment with brand standards and business goals.
• Establish and enforce design standards, brand guidelines, and quality benchmarks.
• Provide photography, videography, and art direction to ensure consistent and brand-compliant visual outputs across all deliverables.

Operations & Resource Management

• Manage team capacity, project allocation, and production schedules.
• Develop and optimise workflows, tools, and processes to improve efficiency and delivery.
• Build and manage digital asset libraries and version control systems.
• Manage design budgets, external vendors, agencies, and production partners.

Hands-On Creative Contribution

• Remain actively involved in design, motion, and visual development as required, particularly for high-impact or strategic projects.

Required Qualifications & Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field.
• Fluent in English and Arabic.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects).
• Strong knowledge of typography, layout, and visual systems.
• Experience with video editing and motion graphics.
• Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat for professional PDF production.
• Experience managing digital asset libraries and version control.
• Familiarity with Canva or similar tools for rapid content creation.
• Strong understanding of design for print, digital, social, and large-format environments.

Core Competencies:

• Strategic creative leadership with strong business alignment.
• Proven people management and mentorship capability.
• Excellent stakeholder communication and presentation skills.
• Strong decision-making and prioritisation under tight deadlines.
• Operational mindset with focus on process improvement and scalability.
• High ethical standards and commitment to quality and consistency.
• Ability to adapt to new tools, platforms, and evolving technologies.

Experience Requirements:

• Minimum 8+ years of professional design experience.
• At least 4+ years in a people management or team leadership role.
• Demonstrated success leading large creative projects or brand campaigns.
• Experience building, developing, and scaling design teams.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and external suppliers.
• Experience working in cross-functional and multinational environments preferred.
• Strong professional portfolio demonstrating both creative excellence and strategic thinking.

Portfolio Requirement

As part of the selection process, shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a professional portfolio showcasing a range of creative work, including examples of branding, campaigns, digital and print design, and, where applicable, motion or video content. The portfolio should also demonstrate strategic thinking and leadership contribution to projects.