Head of Designers

About us

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.

At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.

In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.

Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion 

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

The role

The Head of Designers will lead the creative and visual design function for FTChinese, overseeing design initiatives that support Business Development, Marketing, Advertising Sales, and Product teams. This role combines hands-on graphic design with leadership responsibilities to ensure all creative outputs align with Financial Times brand standards and business objectives

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design team to deliver high-quality creative work on time and in line with strategic goals.
• Design visual materials across digital and print channels, including campaign assets, promotional graphics, presentations, newsletters, and event materials.
• Collaborate closely with Business Development, Marketing, Advertising Sales, and Product teams to translate business needs into compelling visual communication.
• Ensure brand consistency and uphold FTʼs global design standards across all creative touchpoints.
• Maintain and evolve the FTChinese visual identity, adapting FTʼs brand guidelines for local audiences and digital platforms.
• Provide creative direction and feedback to designers, freelancers, and vendors as needed.
• Support the development of new design systems and processes to improve workflow efficiency and quality.
• Contribute to the long-term creative strategy for FTChinese and promote innovation in design practice.

Required skills and experience

• Bachelorʼs degree or equivalent experience or higher in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field.
  
• Minimum 5 years of professional design experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
  
• Strong design portfolio showcasing creativity, versatility, and commercial impact.
  
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and familiarity with Figma or similar tools.
  
• Experience working with business, marketing, and product teams to develop design solutions that drive engagement and revenue.
  
• Excellent attention to detail, communication, and project management skills.
  
• Fluency in Mandarin Chinese; working proficiency in English preferred.
  

What’s in it for you? Our benefits

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

We’ve embraced a 50% hybrid working model (averaging two to three days onsite) that fosters trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to accommodating specific flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.

Further information

At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may leverage AI tools as part of their job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications.

Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

Please beware of fraudulent job postings and offers claiming to be from the Financial Times. All legitimate opportunities will direct you to apply through the official Financial Times careers site, and the FT will never ask for financial information, payments, or referrals to third parties during the hiring process. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a job posting or suspect any scam activity, please contact talent@ft.com. 

 

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