At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a creative team to shape British Airways' brand and customer experiences.
- Company: Join British Airways, a globally recognised airline with a commitment to creativity and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff travel perks, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse culture that values inclusion and creativity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a world-renowned brand while working with talented creatives.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in design, strong portfolio, and experience with multidisciplinary teams.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
British Airways is entering an exciting new chapter, with design and creativity playing a defining role in shaping the future of our brand and customer experience. From the aircraft cabins and lounges that our customers experience to the stories we tell and the identity that connects it all, our ambition is to create distinctive, beautifully considered experiences at every touchpoint.
At the heart of this is our in-house Creative Studio, bringing together talented creatives, designers and content specialists to champion creative excellence across the business.
We're looking for a Senior Creative & Design Manager to help shape that future, providing creative and design direction across brand identity, product experience and content. You'll lead and inspire our creative talent, develop our in-house capabilities and champion exceptional craft and design excellence, shaping how British Airways looks, feels and comes to life for millions of customers around the world.
As a senior creative leader, you’ll help set the creative and design direction across brand, product, content and physical customer experiences, leading a multidisciplinary team to deliver distinctive, relevant and beautifully executed work. You'll combine strategic creative leadership with a hands-on approach to design and art direction, shaping concepts, developing ideas and working closely with the team to elevate creative execution across every discipline.
You’ll be an influential voice for design across British Airways, partnering with senior stakeholders and leading relationships with external creative agencies, design partners and specialist suppliers. You’ll set the ambition, challenge thinking and ensure the work reflects the quality and creativity expected of one of the world’s most recognisable airline brands.
Key duties
- Provide creative and design leadership across brand, product, content and physical customer experiences.
- Lead, develop and inspire a multidisciplinary design team, building capability for the future.
- Evolve and protect the British Airways brand identity while ensuring it continues to feel distinctive and relevant.
- Champion and help evolve the British Airways Design Blueprint, establishing a coherent set of design principles that shape how our brand looks, feels and is experienced across every customer touchpoint.
- Lead relationships with external agencies, design partners and specialist suppliers, ensuring exceptional standards of creative thinking and execution.
- Lead creative concept development and art direction across design, photography, film, CGI and immersive content, championing exceptional craft, storytelling and innovation.
- Champion the responsible adoption of Generative AI and emerging creative technologies, exploring opportunities to enhance creativity, innovation and production capabilities.
- Influence senior stakeholders and drive strong design decision-making across complex programmes.
About you
You’ll be an established leader with the confidence to set a vision, inspire talented people and influence at senior level. You’ll bring a strong background in design and content, with an understanding of product and experience design, and the ability to connect strategic creative thinking with exceptional execution. You'll have outstanding creative judgement, strong conceptual design and art direction skills and a passion for delivering beautifully crafted work.
You’ll understand that great design isn't just about how something looks, but how it works, feels and is experienced by the customer. You'll recognise both the responsibility and opportunity of shaping a globally recognised brand, where creative decisions can influence the experiences and perceptions of millions of customers around the world.
You’ll bring:
- Significant experience in a senior creative or design leadership role.
- A strong track record of leading, inspiring and developing multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience managing influential relationships with creative agencies, design consultancies and specialist suppliers.
- The confidence to set creative direction, challenge thinking and maintain exceptionally high standards.
- A strong understanding of product, industrial or environmental design, with experience connecting brand and creative thinking to physical customer experiences such as interiors, automotive, transport or retail.
- The ability to connect brand strategy, storytelling, product design and customer experience.
- Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
- Experience operating across complex programmes with multiple stakeholders and delivery considerations.
- A strong creative portfolio demonstrating both conceptual thinking and high-quality delivered work.
What you can expect
We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family.
At British Airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress. We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either.
Inclusion & Diversity
At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work. Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.
Senior Creative and Design Manager employer: British Airways
British Airways is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of the aviation industry. As a Lead Product Data Scientist, you will have access to cutting-edge technology and significant opportunities for professional growth, all while contributing to impactful projects that enhance operational efficiency. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on delivering measurable business value, British Airways provides a rewarding environment for those looking to make a difference in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Creative and Design Manager
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for British Airways and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like British Airways are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with British Airways on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at British Airways. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Creative and Design Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit British Airways. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of British Airways:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about British Airways’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at British Airways
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at British Airways will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At British Airways, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
