Chief Design Officer

Total remuneration package: £85,000 - £135,000 per annum* All salaries listed on our roles are based on UK salary bands, however, if you’d like more information on the bands for your country give us a shout. Chief Design Officer A bit about Torchbox We’re the digital marketing specialists for many of the biggest charities in the UK; we build digital products for international NGOs, governments and universities; and we created Wagtail CMS, used by Google, NASA, the NHS and thousands more. Our diverse team of over 120 people is mostly UK-based but with a significant presence in Manila as well as a network of people around the world. We are on a mission to set a new standard for a purpose-led business. Torchbox is 100% employee-owned - everyone is a co-owner from day one and we are building an amazing, progressive ownership and learning culture. If you are excited about this mission, it’s a great time to join. What we’re looking for We’re looking for a Chief Design Officer to join our team!​ The Chief Design Officer (CDO) leads creative innovation and strategic planning to drive Torchbox’s growth and success in the digital space. By staying ahead of industry trends, the CDO identifies market shifts, new technologies, and evolving customer needs, turning these insights into impactful products, services, and strategies. Combining vision with execution, the CDO ensures Torchbox adapts to change and shapes the future of the digital landscape, solidifying its position as a leader in creativity and innovation. We encourage applications from candidates who are interested in both 4-day and 5-day work weeks, supporting flexible working arrangements to suit individual needs. Responsibilities of the role Stay informed on emerging trends, disruptions, and opportunities to keep the company ahead of the curve. Regularly speaking at Torchbox/Industry events to drive brand awareness Establish and promote design philosophies, approaches, and methodologies that drive innovation and ensure consistency and excellence across all creative outputs. Lead the development of organisation-wide strategies through co-creation, involving key stakeholders to ensure alignment and buy-in from across the company. Identify challenges and opportunities in key sectors and services, using these insights to drive innovation and development. Conduct thorough competitor analysis to understand market positioning and identify areas where the company can differentiate and innovate. Oversee the management of the innovation portfolio, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and projects are aligned with strategic goals. Lead efforts to incubate and test new products and services, supporting their development from concept to market-ready solutions. Define and implement metrics to measure the success of innovation initiatives, ensuring they contribute to the company’s strategic objectives and deliver measurable value. Coach the Design & Innovation team, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and creative work environment. Cultivate and nurture a culture of innovation within the organisation as a whole, encouraging creative thinking, experimentation, and continuous improvement at all levels. Skills and Experience for the role The human: Forward-thinking leader who anticipates industry trends and translates them into actionable strategies that drive growth and innovation. Recognised thought leader, contributing at industry events to build brand recognition. Adaptable and resilient in navigating change, capable of guiding the organisation through challenges while focusing on innovation. Skilled at pitching ideas to secure buy-in and guiding teams to align with strategic objectives. Strong collaborator with a track record in facilitating cross-functional teamwork, workshops, and design sessions to drive creative solutions. Effective team builder, able to develop high-performing, diverse teams focused on shared goals and impactful solutions. The technical: Proficient in developing strategic design frameworks that guide innovation and foresight processes. Experienced in qualitative and quantitative research, translating insights into strategies that drive business growth. Skilled in measuring the impact of innovation efforts, assessing potential outcomes and success. Manages a balanced portfolio of innovation projects, aligning short-term gains with long-term goals. Strong understanding of digital trends and marketing principles, ensuring solutions are market-driven and tech-savvy. Leads transformation initiatives, ensuring new processes and innovations are smoothly integrated. Financially literate, with a commercial mindset that aligns innovation initiatives with the company’s growth objectives. What we offer Become a co-owner of Torchbox, shape our success and share in the rewards Work with awesome clients doing rewarding, purposeful work Competitive salary + annual review + bonuses Ethical pension scheme, with a 6% contribution from Torchbox 27 days holiday, plus public holidays Fully remote, hybrid, office full-time, whatever works for you Training and conference budget to discover new ideas Paid time off to volunteer for causes that matter to you Health schemes and access to mental health support Electric car salary sacrifice scheme (UK only) Wellness programme and cycle-to-work scheme, alongside other lovely things that are good for you and the environment Some pretty epic socials (virtual and in-person), weekly free veggie lunches in the offices and a bunch of other cool stuff we’d love to tell you about The money bit * As an employee-owned company our remuneration is made up of two parts, your base salary £85,000 - £135,000 per annum and your tax-free co-owner bonus of £3,600 which is prorated and paid quarterly. There is an additional profit share scheme.​ The application process The closing date for this role is Friday 29th November 2024. With interviews being held 2nd to 13th December. Everyone is welcome We’re committed to being an inclusive employer, from recruitment to everyday life. If you need help or have questions - give us a shout - recruitment@torchbox.com or leave us a voice message on +44 (0) 1608 811 870 No agencies, please.