Head of Design

We are looking for a Head of Design to provide leadership, strategic direction and development for the De La Rue Currency Design function. You will lead De La Rue’s world class design department, ensuring all sales and production needs are fulfilled to demanding standards of quality, and delivered in an efficient and cost-effective manner. You will gather insights on global trends and provide engaging and leading materials such as rapid prototyping to support customer sales and tender opportunities. You will be responsible for the delivery of efficient banknotes, determining products are efficient for manufacturing by ensuring aesthetic designs can be manufactured within budgeted expectations. You will deploy design engineering methodology to reduce risk of launching new security products and new banknotes into manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Influence vision, direction and goals for the Design team, supporting and leading design projects from inception to delivery ensuring key governance points
• Influence customers and specification via design to leverage De La Rue features and IP
• Assist and drive the development of a design strategy that enables future Security Feature growth through the deployment of distributed design methodology, and a future clear vision and strategy for software and software development.
• Implement industry leading Polymer origination processes ensuring error proof elements are built in and deployed. Creating production processes to minimize cycle times, reduce error rates, and minimize costs
• Play an active role in new-client acquisition and new business pitches, identify new opportunities and establish relationships with prospective clients, and participate in or lead new business initiatives, providing Rapid Prototyping of security features via Digital Methods
• Demonstrate responsible fiscal management, understand and respect the economics of the business, and contribute in a way that supports the financial model
• Responsible for compliance with security, quality, health & safety and manufacturing standards (ISO9000, ISO12000, ISO14001, ISO18000)
• Responsible in conjunction with HR for major industrial relations negotiations within the Design Department with a view to maintaining a harmonious employee relation atmosphere conducive to efficient operation of the department
• Central Bank and Security Features/Polymer propositions
• Provide subject matter expertise to support effective decision making provide input as required to the annual strategic planning cycle

Contract type: Permanent

Working hours: Full Time

Base location: Basingstoke Viables

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to degree level (or accredited apprenticeship), or proven ability in a technical discipline such as currency manufacture, engineering, chemistry or professional management.
• A proven leader who can clearly demonstrate transformational drive and energy with a passion for change.
• Proven career path with experience in leading and developing teams at a senior level.
• Strong financial acumen.
• Exceptional analytical skills with a focused and methodical approach to managing work.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Strong stakeholder management experience.
• A strong team worker who focuses on the success of a team as a whole; with excellent interpersonal skills, clear communication and ability to negotiate effectively.
• Well organised with the ability to prioritise deliverables and plan accordingly.
• Ability to understand & articulate up detailed process maps.
• Confident in using own initiative, adept at problem solving, willing to learn.
• Able to prioritise and make decisions whilst balancing results with workload and applying appropriate attention to detail.

About De La Rue

De La Rue’s purpose is securing trust between people, businesses, and governments.

We operate across six continents to provide highly secure physical and digital solutions to 140 countries. As an authentication and currency provider we are the trusted partner of choice for governments, central banks and businesses seeking to secure their global supply chains and cash cycles.

Specialising in product design, international manufacturing, and digital solutions, we are trusted by governments, central banks and brands to provide secure products and services that protect economies, revenue sources and reputations. Our solutions enable businesses and people to participate securely in the global economy whilst protecting people from the impact of counterfeiting and illicit trade.

Benefits

• Car allowance
• Eligible for the Company’s Annual incentive scheme (Up to 25% bonus)
• 26 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Chance to buy or sell holiday as part of our Annual Leave Flexibility Scheme
• Contributory pension scheme (De La Rue pay 1.5x the employee’s contribution up to a maximum of 9%)
• Life assurance - 4x your annual salary
• Private health insurance – No cost for single cover, subsidised rates for additional dependant cover
• Sharesave Scheme – opportunity to buy shares in De La Rue
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Subsidised Gym Memberships
• Various other perks and Employee Assistance packages
• Enhanced family friendly policies

Please note that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and therefore interviews may be held prior to the closing date for this vacancy.

***This position is located in the United Kingdom. To be eligible for consideration, you must be authorised to work in the UK without sponsorship**