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- Tasks: Lead creative projects, from concept to execution, across various marketing channels.
- Company: Join wagamama, a vibrant brand celebrating Asian cuisine with over 165 restaurants in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work, food allowance, private healthcare, and generous holiday.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that values innovation and storytelling in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in art direction, video, photography, and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Flexible family-friendly policies and a network of creative professionals to collaborate with.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At wagamama, we’re an eating house for the soul. With over 165 UK restaurants and growing, our purpose is to nourish the world from bowl to soul, inspired by fast-paced Japanese ramen bars since 1992.
We’re looking for an Art Director to join us on our continuous journey of true nourishment. The Art Director will be a key driver of creative projects across the brand, marketing campaigns, and brand activations. You will be working on projects that range from food launches, OOH activities, social marketing campaigns, TVCs, as well as brand partner activations and experiences.
You will lead creative projects and collaborate closely with our Creative Director and creative team to bring brand stories to life across all touchpoints. As an Art Director, you are experienced in your craft with great imagination and leadership qualities. Storytelling and a good understanding of design are essential components of creating beautiful and engaging work.
You will be able to leverage your extensive experience in both video and photography, helping to expand our visual style guide, defining detailed directions for imagery, video, lighting, set design, and more. You will manage the production process from start to finish with our in-house and external partner producers, working with a network of stylists, photographers, and set designers to bring innovative concepts to life. Your ability to manage multiple projects—whether large-scale strategic initiatives or detailed on-set productions—will be key to your success.
Key Accountabilities:- Lead creative projects
- End-to-end creative journey
- Conceptualization and vision: responsible for developing the overall creative concept and visual style for a project, ensuring it aligns with the brand's identity and target audience.
- Innovative mindset: A creative leader with a proven track record in ideation and pushing the boundaries of briefs.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills to build and maintain relationships with internal teams, agencies, and freelancers.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt to challenges and find creative solutions.
- Presentation skills: ability to bring all parts of the company on a creative journey with storytelling presentations.
- Video and photography expertise: A strong portfolio of video content for social and editorial use, complemented by a solid understanding of photography.
- Team leadership: experience working with both small and large shoot teams, assembling the right talent for each project, alongside stakeholder management.
- Technical expertise: proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and experience in concepting and managing content shoots.
- In-house/agency experience: experience in either in-house or agency environments, with a knack for commissioning and managing creative briefs with contractors.
- Network and relationships: a well-established network of stylists, photographers, set designers, and other creative professionals.
What’s in it for you:
- A competitive annual salary
- Discretionary 20% bonus opportunity per year
- Hybrid working model
- £200 wagamama food allowance
- Private healthcare
- Pension contribution
- 25 days holiday + all bank holidays
- Various discounts across retail, hospitality + leisure
- Family friendly policy: any expectant person or anyone adopting a child will receive 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay.
Art Director employer: Wagamama
Contact Detail:
Wagamama Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Art Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with wagamama's brand identity and visual style. Understanding their unique approach to storytelling through food and design will help you align your creative vision with theirs, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing past projects where you successfully managed teams and collaborated with various stakeholders. Highlighting your ability to bring people together will demonstrate that you're ready to lead creative projects at wagamama.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare a portfolio that not only showcases your video and photography expertise but also illustrates your innovative mindset. Include examples of how you've pushed creative boundaries in previous roles, as this aligns with what wagamama is looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the industry, especially those who have experience with food brands or similar creative environments. Building relationships with stylists, photographers, and set designers can give you insights and potentially valuable connections for your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Art Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Art Director position at wagamama. Familiarise yourself with their brand identity and the type of creative projects they undertake.
Tailor Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that showcases your best work in video and photography, particularly projects that demonstrate your storytelling abilities and innovative mindset. Highlight any relevant experience in food-related campaigns or similar industries.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also reflects your passion for the brand and its mission. Use this opportunity to convey your understanding of their creative vision and how you can contribute to it.
Highlight Leadership Skills: In your CV and application, emphasise your experience in leading creative teams and managing multiple projects. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with various stakeholders and navigated challenges in past roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wagamama
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
As an Art Director, your portfolio is your calling card. Make sure to present a well-curated selection of your best work that highlights your storytelling abilities and design skills. Be prepared to discuss the thought process behind each piece and how it aligns with brand identities.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since the role involves leading creative projects, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Discuss your approach to collaboration and how you motivate others to bring innovative concepts to life.
✨Understand Wagamama's Brand Identity
Familiarise yourself with Wagamama's ethos and visual style. During the interview, reference specific campaigns or projects that resonate with you and explain how you would enhance their brand storytelling through your creative vision.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think of challenges you've faced in previous projects and how you overcame them. Highlight your adaptability and innovative mindset, especially in high-pressure situations.
