At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative projects across digital and print, driving engagement and sales.
- Company: Join Charles & Ivy, the UK's top lifestyle brand for composite fencing.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, autonomy, and a clear development path.
- Other info: Work in a supportive team and mentor junior creatives while evolving brand identity.
- Why this job: Unleash your creativity and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in digital design with a strong portfolio and team collaboration skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join a growing premium lifestyle brand and bring your creative flair to performance advertising, campaign content and print and digital storytelling.
About Charles & Ivy
Charles & Ivy is the UK’s leading composite fencing and decorative screens brand. Our products are weatherproof, UV and mould resistant, low maintenance and backed by a long warranty. Based in Manchester, we run our own delivery fleet. Our aesthetic is modern yet timeless. We’re looking for a talented designer to help evolve our visual identity.
The Role
This role reports into the Head of Performance Marketing and Head of Marketing and focuses on creative execution across paid media, social, print and digital touch points. You’ll work closely with the performance marketing team, social media, merchandising and web to produce assets that drive attention, engagement and sales. You’ll also contribute to brand development and campaign ideation. This is a hands‑on design role ideal for a senior creative ready to step into more ownership and collaboration. You’ll work alongside a Creative Content Assistant, supporting their development without formal line management.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and produce static, motion and video assets for paid media (Meta, Google, TikTok, LinkedIn).
- Collaborate with performance marketing to interpret data and test new angles.
- Partner with the social and merchandising teams to build assets for stories, feeds and site.
- Develop and oversee delivery of campaign content including seasonal brand videos for CTV, paid social and YouTube, photography briefs, content for website, and print materials including brochures and flyers.
- Handle internal design requests from across the business, including installation guides, POS, emails and how‑to videos.
- Work with generative AI platforms (i.e. OpenArt) and engage with AI workflows to optimise creative output and create assets at scale.
- Manage creative team workflow to ensure a timely delivery of assets, working with a range of internal and external stakeholders to manage expectations and deadlines.
- Oversee the creative delivery of all CRM output, providing creative direction through to sign off.
- Lead the relationship with partner agencies from a creative standpoint, providing steer, weekly updates and engaging with PCAs and performance reports.
- Develop engaging, platform specific copy for all paid channels including Meta, YouTube and Google.
- Manage and mentor our creative content assistant to maintain high design standards.
- Maintain and evolve brand guidelines and visual identity.
- Support content planning and creative concepting for photoshoots.
- Stay up to date on platform specs and creative best practice.
- Provide weekly creative status reports to management, and contribute to the monthly board report from a creative POV.
Experience & Requirements
- 5+ years’ experience in digital or brand design.
- Strong portfolio with examples of paid social, e-commerce, and campaign creative.
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma and video editing tools.
- Proficient using AI creative workflows and generative AI software.
- Experience maintaining and evolving brand guidelines and tone of voice.
- Experience working with paid media teams or fast‑paced performance environments.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple briefs.
- Ideally experience managing junior creatives.
- Comfortable collaborating with teams across social, merchandising and performance.
Who You Are
A creative, proactive, and solutions-focused thinker who thrives across formats and platforms, embraces feedback and iteration, is passionate about visual storytelling and consumer behavior, and is eager to grow into a broader creative leadership role.
What We Offer
A role with autonomy and clear development path. Collaborative team with strong in‑house creative and marketing capability. Hybrid working from our Manchester HQ.
Location: Manchester (Middleton) with hybrid working.
Senior Creative Lead in Middleton employer: Charles & Ivy
At Charles & Ivy, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and creative work environment. As a Marketing Assistant, you'll enjoy the benefits of hybrid and flexible working arrangements, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic interiors brand. Our team is passionate about design and storytelling, ensuring that you will be part of a vibrant culture that values creativity and innovation while offering staff discounts and engaging social activities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Creative Lead in Middleton
✨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 Charles & Ivy 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 Charles & Ivy 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 Charles & Ivy 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 Charles & Ivy. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Creative Lead in Middleton
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 Charles & Ivy. 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 Charles & Ivy:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Charles & Ivy’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 Charles & Ivy
✨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 Charles & Ivy 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 Charles & Ivy, 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.
