About Us
The National Audit Office (NAO) is the UK’s independent public spending watchdog. Our work supports Parliament in holding government to account and helps improve public services. We're looking for a Senior Design Manager to lead and inspire our creative team, drive design innovation and operational excellence, and elevate our deliverables, building the NAO brand.
Role Overview
As Senior Design Manager, you'll lead a design team of four, directly line managing two members: the Integrated Design Lead and the Senior Integrated Designer. You'll oversee the creative direction and operational activity for our key publications, as well as creative collateral, conference material, and internal communications, ensuring that all outputs are innovative and meet the very highest standards while staying true to the NAO brand.
Your leadership will help foster creativity, improve team capabilities, and drive the digital-first mindset across the team and in turn, the wider Communications team. You’ll manage the design pipeline, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on-brand, and to the highest quality. Additionally, you'll collaborate closely with internal and external clients and stakeholders, providing expert advice and creative solutions.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead, mentor, and inspire a small team of integrated designers and artworkers, promoting collaboration and creativity.
Oversee the delivery of high-quality digital and print designs – mainly for external publications, but also supporting video and animation, web assets, as well as various internal and event/corporate materials.
Be the owner of creative quality, responsible for quality assurance of everything that’s produced by the design team.
Manage the design project pipeline, ensuring efficient workflows and timely delivery.
Guide the creative team through challenges and innovation, staying ahead of trends.
Build strong relationships with internal clients and internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication, managing expectations well, and achieving the best creative outcomes.
Act as a key member of the wider Communications management team, facilitating and building strong inter-team relationships and enabling collaborative and inclusive ways of working.
In collaboration with this role’s equivalent on the Publishing side of the team, support the Head of Design & Publishing in shaping broader Communications strategies and goals.
Take charge of a creative budget as well as resource planning and recruitment for the Design team to meet fluctuating design needs from across the organisation.
What We’re Looking For:
Proven experience in design leadership, with strong skills in creative direction and brand development.
Strong people skills, with experience managing, mentoring, and coaching diverse teams.
Solid experience in creative project management, ensuring high-quality outputs and on-time delivery.
A digital-first mindset including, ideally, knowledge of creative AI tools, with a genuine passion for innovation and keeping up with design trends.
Broad expertise in both digital and print design, with a strong portfolio showcasing your work.
Advanced proficiency in Adobe CC (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat) with intermediate experience with Premiere Pro and/or After Effects being desirable.
Strong experience in managing creative and print suppliers, with a demonstrable aptitude for achieving value for money.
Why Join Us?
At the NAO, you’ll be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team where your creativity will directly impact public services. You’ll work on a variety of exciting projects, collaborate with a talented team, and have the chance to shape the future of design at the NAO.
HOW TO APPLY:
The Application Process:
Candidates are required to submit the following:
CV: Upload your CV.
Supporting Statement: Provide a supporting statement that addresses the five shortlisting criteria outlined in the advert. This statement should clearly demonstrate how you meet each of the following criteria:
Demonstrable creative and art-direction skills with a proven ability to uphold an in-house brand.
Digital publications & collateral experience, with a strong understanding of best practices
Proven experience leading and coaching small-to-medium-sized creative teams that are diverse and multi-faceted.
Managing change effectively within a creative environment.
Experience in building and upholding creative quality standards, ensuring consistency across all design work from self and the team
3. Personal Portfolio: Submit a personal portfolio in either PDF format or as a Website/Online Personal Portfolio. Please note that submissions via Dropbox or WeTransfer links will not be accepted.
Although we have a closing date, we will be shortlisting as we receive applications. Suitable candidates will be invited for interviews while the vacancy is still open, so we encourage you to apply early. Please see timetable below.
SELECTION PROCESS:
Applications close on 18 May 2025-Submit CV, Supporting statement, including portfolio (PDF/website link only)
1st stage interviews held on Friday 23rd May-45 minute phone interviews
Final Interviews (2nd Stage)- 2/3/4 June 2-hour in-person interviews incl. staff engagement exercise. (Slots are 2nd June: 14:30-16:30 + 4th June: 09:30-11:30 + 5th June: 09:30-11:30).
Please ensure you are available on these dates and times. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Due to the time-critical nature of this recruitment we may not be able to delay the process for people who are unavailable on these dates.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Nationality Requirements:
K nationals & nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
Please note, we are not able to sponsor work visas. Please contact us at hrservicedesk@nao.org.uk should you have any questions on your nationality eligibility.