Associate Creative Director

This position sits in our Marketing & Technology service based in London. We combine data, technology, creative and paid media to crack brands’ business problems & drive revenue through a variety of digital marketing solutions like social, influencer, TTL ad campaigns, augmented reality, AI and innovation. Our clients include eBay, easyJet, Just Eat Takeaway and Pepsico.

JOB PURPOSE

We are looking for an Associate Creative Director for an exciting AI client of ours. The work we produce for them is varied and can range drastically from simple BAU creative responses, to in‑person creative sprints and even full productions across multiple global markets. So, broad creative experience is required to ensure that whatever the brief, you feel comfortable leading the team and providing clear direction. As a creative lead on the client, you will be responsible for ensuring creative excellence across all campaigns and projects. You will work with a wider team of creatives, designers, producers and other disciplines, providing clear, decisive feedback, guidance and inspiration to support members of the team. You will also build, delegate and empower the team to confidently take on work, and be a hands‑on creative with a willingness to “get your hands dirty” to help the team. Communication and presentation skills are critical due to frequent touchpoints with internal and external senior stakeholders across the UK and US. You’ll be expected to work fast and nimble, getting work organised and ready to present to the client. You will also attend and lead in‑person creative sprints and workshops with the wider creative teams as well as the client’s internal creative teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Craft brilliant, award‑winning ideas that capture attention and inspire our clients’ creatives
• Create opportunities for account growth through selling brilliant creative campaigns that have community and culture at the heart of them
• Strategic thinking to lead your roster of clients to success through excellent creative
• Lead, develop, motivate and inspire DEPT’s creative teams and encourage collaboration
• Work closely with the accounts team to ensure a smooth monthly production process
• Suggest best ways of working, and hustle for the best opportunities
• Deliver and inspire innovative and high‑quality work across all deliverables from the team
• Be aware of and respond to current advertising and media trends and pop culture
• Use experience and ideas to contribute to the development of our creative process
• Present work internally and externally to an excellent standard
• Stay up‑to‑date with industry developments
• Initiate and facilitate creative team collaboration and sharing, and team cohesion through social and team‑building initiatives

SKILLS AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

• Be an AI‑native and have an interest in AI generally
• Strategically minded with the ability to sell bigger ideas
• Must be Figma‑native (this is where we do 90% of our work/presentations)
• Keep up to date with the latest tech/AI trends and have a broad understanding of the competitor landscape
• Strong performance chops
• Outstanding portfolio across multiple creative disciplines with examples of tech or AI‑led campaigns
• Ability to work fast and be decisive
• ImageGen skills – using AI to generate high‑quality imagery (big bonus)
• Ability to meet deadlines and collaborate well with the team and clients
• High attention to visual and copywriting details
• Ability to remain focused under pressure within a fast‑paced environment
• A love for learning new things and exploring new mediums

WE OFFER

• A flexible, hybrid working policy
• The choice of medical healthcare providers (Bupa or Medicash)
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and your birthday off each year
• Company pension scheme
• Ride to work scheme
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies
• Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks at DEPT®.
• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global – at DEPT® you’ll get the opportunity to work with clients of all sizes and across all industries. And we celebrate all of our successes together!
• The opportunity for possibility. We want to enable you to do what you do best and help you develop your skills further with training, development and certifications.
• Global annual DEPT® Cares Month in which employees come together and donate their skills to support local charities.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.