Driven to create unique home-grown food concepts that bring people together, the Independent Food Company is a UAE-based hospitality company with multiple concepts under its umbrella – SALT, Parker’s, Grind, Somewhere, Public, Soil, Shalwa and Kumo.
We are presently seeking to hire a highly qualified Design Lead who will be a pivotal creative force, responsible for defining, developing, and maintaining the visual identity and aesthetic integrity of our various restaurant brands. This role requires a visionary designer with strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of F&B branding, and the ability to guide a team in producing high-quality, impactful design solutions across all touchpoints.
Key Responsibilities:
- Creative Direction & Strategy:
- Lead the development of comprehensive brand guidelines and visual identities for new and existing restaurant concepts.
- Translate F&B visions and strategies into compelling visual narratives and design solutions.
- Ensure brand consistency and quality across all internal and external communications and physical spaces.
- Design Execution & Oversight:
- Oversee the design and production of all brand collateral, including menus, packaging, signage, uniforms, in-venue graphics, and promotional materials.
- Direct the visual content for digital platforms, social media, websites, and marketing campaigns.
- Collaborate closely with F&B operations, marketing, project management, and interior design teams to ensure seamless integration of design elements.
- Manage project timelines and resources effectively to meet deadlines and budget requirements.
- Team Leadership & Mentorship:
- Mentor and inspire a team of designers, providing constructive feedback, fostering skill development, and promoting a collaborative creative environment.
- Delegate tasks efficiently and oversee the quality of design output from the team.
- Innovation & Trend Spotting:
- Stay abreast of global and local design trends, F&B industry innovations, and competitor activities to ensure our brands remain fresh, relevant, and cutting-edge.
- Propose new design approaches and technologies to enhance brand presence and customer experience.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Education: Bachelor's degree in graphic design, Visual Arts, or a related creative field.
- Experience:
- Minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience in graphic design, with at least 1-2 years in a leadership or senior design role.
- Proven experience within the F&B, hospitality, or restaurant industry is essential.
- A strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of branding projects, particularly for F&B concepts.
- Technical Proficiency:
- Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat).
- Proficiency in Figma, Sketch, or similar UI/UX design tools is a plus.
- Familiarity with motion graphics (After Effects) or 3D rendering software is an advantage.
- Design Acumen:
- Exceptional understanding of typography, color theory, layout, and visual hierarchy.
- Ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling visual communications.
- Leadership & Communication:
- Excellent leadership, mentorship, and team-building skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly to both creative and non-creative stakeholders.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
