Start your search to find your closest local or specialist agency
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
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.
16 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH1 2BB
+ 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
Pay varies by role, seniority, and location, with Edinburgh and Glasgow sitting at the higher end. Junior designers often start around £22,000 to £28,000, mid weight designers and artworkers sit near £32,000 to £42,000, and senior or lead roles can reach £50,000 to £65,000 in larger studios. Copywriters and content leads often track similar bands, with social media or content executives near £24,000 to £32,000, and heads of content above £55,000 when brand scale is bigger. Freelance day rates for creatives tend to run from £200 to £350, with senior creatives, UX contractors, or motion specialists reaching £400 to £500 for complex briefs. Temp agencies may set minimum booking values, often £250 for short shifts. Recruitment fees for permanent hires usually range from 15% to 25% of starting salary, with retained executive search priced in stages. Agency costs for temps fold in pay rates, holiday accrual, and on costs, with a clear breakdown helping finance teams forecast.
Portfolios matter more than long lists of certificates. Employers often ask for a degree in design, marketing, or communications, yet a strong book with live campaigns will carry weight. UX and UI roles may ask for Figma proficiency, component libraries, and research cases. Motion and 3D briefs lean on After Effects, Cinema 4D, Blender, and clean renders. Marketing roles often look for Google Analytics, content calendars, and CRM fluency. Recruitment consultants can help sift for proof of idea development, not just polished visuals.
Edinburgh agencies often handle brand, campaign, and financial services work, anchored around the city centre, Leith, and Quartermile. Glasgow shows strength in production, live events, and broadcast, with hubs in the Merchant City, Finnieston, and the West End, and fast links on the M8. Dundee brings games, illustration, and art school talent, with strong graduate flows. Aberdeen leans toward energy, engineering comms, and corporate design, with business parks around Dyce and Westhill feeding briefs. Rail links help commuter hiring across Stirling, Falkirk, and Livingston, which widens the candidate pool for hybrid patterns.
Lead creatives, senior strategists, and hands on UX designers can be hard to secure when pitch work spikes. Salary bands and pay rates can move quickly after awards season or major festival cycles. Retention gets tricky when studios scale fast, so local employers often seek recruiters who can map passive candidates and present shortlists with notice periods and risk flags. A clear brief, a fair test stage, and quick feedback help keep candidates engaged. Creative recruitment agencies in Scotland can shorten the cycle when speed matters.
Studios and in house teams hire artworkers, graphic designers, copywriters, social media managers, PPC executives, digital marketers, content producers, photographers, videographers, animators, UX and UI designers, and creative services managers. Growth can move from junior to mid weight to senior, then to lead or head of, with options to move sideways into brand strategy, content strategy, or product design. Employment firms and staffing agencies can advise on steps that turn a broad portfolio into a focused path.
Festival and tourism campaigns add pace in spring and summer. Retail and e commerce push peaks near Black Friday and Christmas. Education and public sector projects often brief around budget cycles. Temp agencies report late requests for social content and paid media cover near launches. Contract work grows when product teams hit feature sprints, and when production houses lock in shoot schedules.
Recruitment agencies and recruitment consultants place designers, content creators, PPC and paid social managers, CRM executives, community managers, digital producers, traffic managers, and studio managers. Executive search covers creative directors, heads of design, heads of content, and head of brand. Temporary, permanent, and contract work runs through the year, with quick turnarounds for shoot crews and event staff.
Senior UX with strong research cases is a regular pinch point. Motion designers who handle both 2D and 3D are in short supply. Brand strategists with facilitation skills and clear frameworks draw multiple offers. Paid media specialists who can plan, execute, and report often move fast. Recruitment agencies with live shortlists can save time for local employers who need to hire staff for product launches or campaign peaks.
Hybrid work helps widen reach beyond city centres, and commuter links on the M8, M90, and A90 shape the labour market. Some candidates seek three day office patterns in Edinburgh Park or Glasgow city core. Businesses outside those hubs may need to raise pay rates or offer flexible hours to find employees within a steady timeframe. Candidates who register with an agency early in the week are more likely to be interviewed by Friday.
What recruitment fees do creative recruiters charge in Scotland?
Most firms quote 15% to 25% for permanent roles, with fixed project fees for contract hires.
Can I book creative temps for a single day?
Yes, though many agencies set minimums, often from £250, with higher rates for senior contractors.
Do I need a degree for design roles?
No, a strong portfolio is often enough, and recruiters will highlight practical work that proves ability.
Which cities see the fastest turnaround on briefs?
Edinburgh and Glasgow usually move quickest, with Dundee and Aberdeen close behind for specialist hires.
How do I register with an agency?
Send a portfolio or reel, share availability, and list software skills, then book a call with a consultant.
Do recruiters cover both brand and performance marketing?
Yes, most creative recruitment agencies in Scotland handle brand, content, and paid media under one roof.