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Whether you need a permanent UX designer, or a temporary web designer - we can help you build a team that meets your requirements. We have an extensive reach and the ability to source talented candidates both locally and nationally quickly and efficiently. Our expert creative recruiters will only put forward professionals with the most relevant skills and experience for your role, saving you time and money.
Ardmore House, 40 George Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH2 2LE
+ 62 other offices
Conrad Consulting specialises in Technical recruitment for a total of 8 verticals including Architecture, Civil & Structural, Environmental and Traffic & Transportation. Besides hiring for permanent, temporary and contract appointments, they also deliver Executive Search services. They were established in 2001 and have 6 offices nationwide. They are a corporate member of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation.
Suite 31, 4-5 Lochside Way, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH12 9DT
+ 3 other offices
Denholm finds candidates for Sales, Marketing, HR, Finance and Data & Technology assignments across the UK. They utilise a digital end-to-end recruitment system and partner with a software authority in pre-employment. Following their foundation in 2002, they have worked with a number of establishments like Coca-Cola, SnapDragon and Optos.
37 Constitution Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH6 7BG
Radial Recruitment connects prospective employees and employers in Scotland for appointments in Marketing, Digital Marketing, Communications and Design. They were established in 2017 by a recruiter with almost 10 years of relevant experience. For applicants, they offer services like mock interviews, while for companies, they aid in the preparation of job descriptions, support in interviews and more. Their office can be found in Edinburgh.
3 Melville Crescent, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH3 7HW
Stafffinders is Scotland's longest family-run recruitment agency handling permanent, temporary and contract staff to 34 key industry divisions. For 50 years we have successfully partnered a broad selection of high-calibre candidates with prestigious companies across a magnitude of sectors. Our network of Scottish offices in Paisley and Edinburgh allow our specialised recruitment team to build genuine relationships all over Scotland.
139 George Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH2 4JY
+ 2 other offices
Gilchrist Recruitment Partnership seeks Marketing, Digital, Creative and Communications talents for Scottish firms. They help satisfy demands in the market for direct-hire, contract, temp-to-perm and freelance roles such as Lead Account Directors, Digital Marketing Executives, Brand Campaign Managers and Project Coordinators. Their operations started in 2011 and their staff has more than 20 years of experience.
CBC House, 24 Canning Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH3 8EG
Creative roles in Lothian span junior designers through to creative directors, with salaries that vary by niche and portfolio strength. In Edinburgh, graphic and digital designers often sit in the £28,000 to £35,000 range, senior designers and UX specialists can reach £45,000 to £60,000, and creative directors or heads of design can command £70,000 to £90,000. Copywriters and content leads tend to land between £30,000 and £55,000 depending on sector, motion and video specialists often see £32,000 to £55,000. Day rates for freelancers commonly run at £200 to £450, art direction and senior UX can exceed that for short projects. Agencies and employment firms set fees by model, permanent fees often sit between 15 percent and 25 percent of salary, temp agencies apply margins on hourly pay, and executive search can move higher for niche briefs. Employers want clear fee structures, candidates want pay rates that reflect skills, so it helps to agree budgets early and request market examples from recruitment consultants.
Most employers look for strong portfolios first, though degree routes in graphic design, digital media, marketing, film, and communications remain common. UX and product roles benefit from user research practice, prototyping fluency, and accessible design knowledge. Video and motion hires gain from editing suites, colour skills, and camera know how, with production safety and risk awareness on location. Copy and content roles favour clear grammar, SEO literacy that is not spammy, and brand tone control. Certifications in Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, or motion tools can support an application, and DBS checks can appear for education, charity, or public sector placements.
Recruiters across Lothian place designers, artworkers, art directors, brand strategists, UX and UI designers, product designers, content writers, social media managers, PPC and SEO specialists, videographers, editors, producers, project managers, and studio managers. Progression paths often move from junior to mid to senior, into lead or head of department, with routes into creative strategy, client services, or product leadership. Freelance careers remain strong, with many professionals mixing contract work with retained projects. Employment firms and staffing agencies help candidates step from studio roles into in house teams when they want steadier hours and benefits.
Demand clusters around the City of Edinburgh, with spillover to Livingston, Dalkeith, and Musselburgh. Hiring can be tight when festival work and campaign seasons overlap, and when tech scale ups seek the same design and content talent as agencies. Employers in East Lothian and West Lothian may face longer shortlists, so hybrid offers and clear progression can widen appeal. Recruiters report that briefs move fastest when portfolios are reviewed within two working days, and when test tasks are used sparingly and paid for where time is material.
Edinburgh brings the deepest pool, with Leith and the Shore home to many studios, and CodeBase and the city centre drawing product and UX talent. Commuter links on the A1, the A720 City Bypass, the M8, and rail from Waverley and Haymarket make cross county hiring practical. Edinburgh Park, Straiton, Shawfair, and Livingston’s Alba Campus support in house teams that prefer office based or hybrid patterns. East Lothian firms can tempt candidates with shorter commutes from Haddington, Tranent, and North Berwick, and Midlothian employers draw from Penicuik, Loanhead, and Dalkeith.
Creative recruitment agencies in Lothian support advertising, branding, design, digital marketing, games, film and TV, and the public and higher education sectors. Edinburgh agencies serve national brands and public campaigns, in house teams at financial services and tech companies hire designers and content leads, and production houses scale crews for shoots around the city and beyond. Festivals season brings spikes for content, events, and production roles, with many jobseekers registering early to secure shifts. Local businesses value recruiters who can move from a single designer brief to a small team build with project managers and producers.
Employers work across temporary, permanent, and contract work, with many briefs starting on a three month contract that extends when funding clears. Temp bookings cover campaign surges, product sprints, and leave cover, and can move to permanent when both sides click. Retention improves when teams offer proper onboarding, clear feedback, and progression talks within the first six months. Candidates want clarity on kit, software versions, hybrid days, and overtime policy before they accept, and recruiters can gather this in one call so decisions are quick and fair.
For hourly bookings, juniors often sit at £14 to £20 per hour, midweight designers and editors at £22 to £30, senior specialists at £32 to £45. Video crew day rates for camera, lighting, and sound can range from £250 to £450, with producer or director roles higher for short shoots. Recruitment fees are quoted upfront, many recruiters offer scaled fees by level, and temp margins are explained on a rate card. Employers get better results when they confirm budgets, recruitment fees, and any bonus plan in the brief, and when jobseekers know the banding and review points before interview one.
Most agencies ask for a CV and a link to a portfolio, plus rights to work, references, and availability. For temp roles, bring bank details and proof of address for fast set up. Candidates can register with an agency online, many recruiters offer showreel reviews and portfolio clinics by appointment. Employers can share brand guidelines, wireframes, or scripts before interviews, it speeds up practical tasks and helps the recruiter judge fit with less back and forth.
Do creative recruitment agencies cover the whole of Lothian, or just Edinburgh
Yes, most serve Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian, with hybrid and remote options easing travel.
What notice do freelancers in Lothian usually ask for
Short freelance bookings can start next day, project roles often need one week, and senior contractors may need two weeks.
Can agencies help with executive search for creative leadership
Yes, executive search is common for heads of design, heads of content, and creative directors, with fee models set at the outset.
How can local employers speed up shortlists
Share budget, portfolio must haves, and decision timelines, and give feedback within two days, it keeps candidates warm.
Do agencies place graduates and career changers
Yes, many recruiters run junior pools and mentor schemes, paid test briefs help assess potential and keep things fair.
Agency Central brings together creative recruitment agencies for Lothian Scotland in one place, so local employers can hire staff and find employees with less delay, and candidates and jobseekers can register with an agency and track roles across the region.