Job Description
Who are we?
Hey, we’re ORCA. THE purpose-driven, challenger brand studio.
We build global brands that move the world forward.
We exist to help ambitious brands move with purpose; to turn chaos into clarity, and ideas into lasting impact through distinctive brands, effective campaigns and meaningful experiences.
We’re pragmatic optimists; pairing insight with imagination and rigour with emotion.
Clients choose us for our chemistry, but stay for the results.
Together, we build brands that don’t just keep up with the future, they shape it.
We’re based in Bristol, UK. A city known for its fierce independent spirit and its thriving art, music and food scenes, and one that’s rapidly establishing itself as a hub for technology, innovation and entertainment.
Culture comes first at ORCA. It’s what drives great design, keeps our people happy and nurtures long-standing client relationships. We support collaboration and self-expression, encouraging the team to challenge themselves daily, experiment, and grow. The result is a fun, inspiring and supportive studio environment, something we think shows through in the work we deliver.
We’re now looking for a brilliant Senior Designer to join the team. Someone who thrives on responsibility, brings bold creative thinking, and delivers what’s been promised to the creative standard we’re known for.
Who are you?
You’re an open-minded, optimistic and curious creative who lives and breathes design, with a natural hunger for creating distinctive, purposeful solutions to complex challenges.
You have broad experience creating full-scale visual identities for businesses, ideally in professional services, consumer services and non-profits. Your portfolio showcases bold, strategically driven thinking alongside meticulous craft; work that doesn’t just look good, but actively solves problems.
You’re a natural problem solver, spotting gaps, opportunities and hidden solutions. You know how to follow a creative instinct quickly without losing focus on quality.
You have over 6 years of experience in a similar agency environment, but you love the energy and intimacy of smaller independent studios. You’re comfortable working with a high degree of autonomy, managing your own calendar, meetings and priorities, and you thrive under pressure with an eye on deadlines at all times.
You know how to craft a real story, leading with authenticity and conviction. You enjoy presenting your work with passion, understanding the delicate balance of when to fight for an idea and when to accept feedback.
You’re a people person, energised by helping others and building great relationships. You are driven and passionate, but above all, a team player, understanding how your role plays a part in the wider business and how you can support those around you.
You have a deep interest in sustainability and a genuine affinity with the B Corp movement; you believe, as we do, that business can and should be a force for good. You’re drawn to purpose-driven clients, and you care about the impact your work has in the world.
You’re switched on to industry changes, cultural trends and technology advancements, always hunting for new tools, techniques and ideas that keep the studio ahead of the curve.
You’re comfortable working across brand, UI and motion, with a strong arsenal of tools at your disposal, particularly Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.
Progression
There’s real potential for the right person to grow with us, working towards a Design Director role with commensurate salary progression.
How to Apply
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Send a short email to [email protected] with the following:
- Subject line: “I’m the Senior Designer you’ve been looking for!”
- A short note (max 150 words) explaining why you’re a great fit for the role, plus your salary expectation.
- Your portfolio. Please send a link, not a huge PDF.
- Your CV.
- A link to your LinkedIn and any other relevant socials.
- Your availability to work, i.e., whether you’re available straight away or the length of your current notice period.
Key Information
- Application deadline: Sunday 12th April, 2026
- Interviews: w/c 13th April 2026
- Hiring decision: TBC
- Salary: £37,000 to £42,000 depending on experience
- Position type: Full-time, permanent
Required skills
Role and Responsibilities
Creative Leadership
- Guide, support and collaborate with designers, freelancers and design interns
- Lead creative team brainstorming sessions to generate innovative, unexpected ways to convey a client’s desired message
- Put together strong concepts with clear reasoning and supporting explanation
- Deliver ideas and concepts that combine creative and strategic understanding
- Engage the team through brainstorming, sketching, and verbal ideation sessions
Design Excellence
- Complete a variety of brand identity projects, from conception to rollout
- Work on complex UI projects, digital products and full design systems
- Work on illustration, typography, editorial and digital design tasks
- Have an eye for detail, with solid craftsmanship and technical understanding
- Work on multiple projects simultaneously, balancing time management in line with studio requirements
Strategic understanding
- Demonstrate a solid understanding of the brand strategy process, using insight to shape creative ideas
- Interrogate and challenge the creative brief, considering audience, context, outcomes and ambitions
- Delivery of creative ideas with a thorough rationale and an inspiring narrative
Client and Stakeholder Engagement
- Lead project presentations and client meetings, presenting work with confidence and ensuring actions, next steps and responsibilities are clear
- Liaise with clients to answer design questions and provide specific direction
- Effectively collaborate with clients and other team members
- Articulate ideas with clarity and confidence
- Ensure client satisfaction with creative output
Studio and Growth
- Support ORCA’s new business efforts with input into proposals, estimates, meetings and pitches
- Identify potentially award-winning pieces of work and ensure that award entries are produced to an appropriate standard
- Ensure ORCA is seen as a thought leader through article writing, partnerships and campaigns that sit alongside client work
- Ensure ORCA is at the forefront of current design trends, continuing to be seen as a reputable and inspirational agency for up-and-coming designers
- Be the hunter-gatherer for our creative team, bringing home innovative tools, apps and trends that keep us at the top of our game
- Adapt ORCA’s creative offering to better suit the team’s strengths and deliver a more refined, niche proposition
- Portray ORCA’s values and ethos in everything you do
Benefits
Package
- Time off that actually feels like time off. 21 days holiday, plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and the Christmas shutdown period (on average 3 further days).
- Work your way. A mix of in-studio energy and remote flexibility.
- Flexitime. Because life doesn’t always stick to 9 to 5.
- Team lunches. Every month. Eat, share, bond.
- Training and inspiration budget. We invest in your growth.
- Quarterly ORCA Hero Award. With a bonus, because heroes deserve one.
- Summer perks. A team trip and summer hours for those sunny afternoons.
- Enhanced parental leave and sick pay. Because we’ve got your back.
- Referral bonus scheme. Help us find great people, get rewarded.
- Sensible travel policy. We keep trips purposeful (and fun).
- Cycle to Work scheme. Save money on a new bike and do your bit for the planet.
- Early Friday finishes. Because weekends should start early.
- Annual pro bono projects and volunteer days. Because we want to give back.