Overview

This is not just another design role. Celebrating artistry, culture, and craftsmanship through timeless design. This is your opportunity to shape the creative future of a globally celebrated brand at the intersection of Luxury design, fashion, art, and culture. At David Harber, we create award-winning, hand-crafted sculptures that redefine luxury spaces around the world, from Windsor Castle to New York rooftops, from Chelsea Flower Show gardens to private collections across Asia, Europe, and the USA. As our Design Director, you’ll be a visionary leader and global ambassador guiding the creative direction of our New, Bespoke, and Classic collections while inspiring a talented team and captivating international audiences with your design voice.

The Role at a Glance

Role: Design Director

Location: Didcot, Oxfordshire HQ (Hybrid 3 days per week in office) + Travel minimum 6 times per year, representing the brand globally

Compensation: Competitive salary (based on expertise) + bonus, private healthcare with Vitality, pension, 25 days holiday rising to 28, pension contribution, birthday leave, employee assistance programme.

About the Company

David Harber Ltd are multi-award-winning, internationally renowned designers of luxurious, hand-crafted sculptures, whose works have graced some of the world’s most prestigious addresses—from Windsor Castle and Eton to destinations in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the USA. Every sculpture, sundial or water feature is crafted by hand on site in rural Oxfordshire. As a family-owned business, we are a small but established team where every individual plays a part in offering the very best service to a highly affluent audience of private customers, interior and garden designers, art consultants and property developers.

What you’ll shape

As Design Director, you will be the driving force behind David Harber’s creative vision—shaping new concepts into elegant, commercially successful products while keeping our Classic range fresh. You’ll transform client briefs into inspiring bespoke proposals, experiment boldly with materials and finishes, and lead multiple projects from sketch to proposal with precision and flair. Externally, you will act as a figurehead for the brand, representing David Harber at high-profile UK and international design events, leading CPDs, and building influential networks across the global design world. You’ll travel frequently to champion the brand on an international stage.

You will lead and mentor a talented creative team, collaborating with Engineering, Operations, and Marketing to energise stakeholders and drive exceptional results across the company. You will work closely with consultants and clients worldwide, bringing ideas to life in prestigious spaces. You will unite teams, stakeholders, and clients around bold ideas and shared success through strong leadership and communication.

Responsibilities & Expectations

• Lead the creation and evolution of New, Bespoke, and Classic products from concept to market.
• Transform client briefs into inspiring bespoke proposals and experiment with materials and finishes.
• Manage multiple projects end-to-end with precision and flair.
• Represent the brand externally at design events and CPDs; build and maintain high-level networks.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the creative team; foster innovation and curiosity.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, and Marketing to drive company-wide results.
• Develop strategic vision in partnership with senior leaders to guide the business forward.

Qualifications & Experience

You’ll bring a degree in visual or product design (or equivalent experience) and extensive senior-level expertise, ideally within the luxury sector. You should have a strong grasp of historical, classical, and contemporary design, and balance creativity with commercial awareness. You must be confident in face-to-face client interactions, translating complex briefs into elegant solutions while inspiring trust and collaboration. Exceptional communication and networking skills are essential, along with proven experience leading, motivating, and developing a creative team. Above all, you’ll bring a positive, open approach and the ability to inspire clients, colleagues, and stakeholders alike.

How to Apply

Alter your world. Transform your space. At David Harber, every piece is made with mystery, beauty, and great British craftsmanship to shift perceptions and change the world around you. We’re looking for a Design Director who can bring that transformative energy to our creative future.

If you’re ready to inspire, innovate, and lead at the very pinnacle of design, we want to hear from you. Apply today with your CV, covering letter, and portfolio.

Application notice

We take your privacy seriously. You may be contacted by email, text or telephone. Your data is processed by our talent partner RR (Recruitment Revolution) on the basis of their legitimate interests in fulfilling the recruitment process. Please refer to their Data Privacy Policy & Notice on their website for further details.