Design Manager NEW

Marie Curie

Company Description

Marie Curie is the UK s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they re likely to die from.

Job Description

You ll join Marie Curie s in-house Creative team, working closely with colleagues across Marketing, Fundraising, Digital, Events and Communications. The team is responsible for delivering high-quality, on-brand creative across all channels, from fundraising campaigns and supporter communications to digital experiences and print materials. You ll lead a well-established, talented team of designers and collaborate with external agencies and suppliers to bring the charity s work to life.

As Design Manager, you ll play a pivotal role in shaping Marie Curie s visual identity and creative output. By setting design standards, inspiring your team, and championing innovation, you ll ensure our creative work is consistently high quality, inclusive, and impactful. Your leadership will help strengthen our brand, deepen engagement with supporters and audiences, and support the charity in achieving its organisational and fundraising goals.

Your Impact:

• Lead and champion design excellence across the organisation, ensuring all creative outputs align with brand guidelines and strategic objectives.
• Develop and maintain a clear design vision that resonates with diverse audiences and supports Marie Curie s mission.
• Inspire, manage and develop a team of designers, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Oversee end-to-end design delivery, from concept to execution, ensuring quality, accessibility and deadlines are met.
• Work closely with the Studio Manager to plan resources and balance workloads across multiple projects.
• Own and develop key visual assets and lead the photography plan, working closely with the Stories team.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to translate briefs into compelling, effective design solutions.
• Ensure inclusive and accessible design principles are embedded in all outputs.
• Maintain governance standards, including brand compliance, copyright and legal requirements.
• Build strong relationships with external agencies and creative suppliers.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience leading a high-performing design team in a creative or brand-led environment.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating excellence across digital and print design.
• Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and familiarity with emerging design tools and trends.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience delivering a wide range of creative outputs, including digital, print, merchandise, photography and environments.
• Understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles.
• Highly organised, detail-oriented and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
• Experience in the charity, healthcare or purpose-led sector is desirable but not essential.
• A genuine commitment to Marie Curie s mission and values.

Application & Interview Process

• As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV and supplementary details. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
• Close date for applications: Sunday 1 February 2026. We encourage early applications, as we may close the application process sooner once we receive a sufficient number of qualifying applicants.

Salary: £37,000-40,000 per annum, depending on experience

Contract: Permanent, full-time (35h per week)

Location: Home-based with regular visits to the Embassy Garden office in London as required.

Benefits you ll LOVE:

• Flexible working. We re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work. We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

We are committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.