At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative projects, mentor teams, and develop impactful advertising in healthcare.
- Company: Havas Lynx is a top global agency transforming healthcare communications with creativity and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 28 days holiday, wellness programmes, and extensive learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a recognised leader in healthcare advertising and make a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in creative leadership, global campaigns, and strong client engagement skills required.
- Other info: This role is based in Manchester with a vibrant team culture and commitment to personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
Are you passionate about creating advertising that not only informs but also transforms lives within the healthcare sector?
At Havas Lynx, a global advertising agency at the forefront of healthcare communications, we combine unmatched creativity, extensive expertise, and a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical and healthcare field. Our communications resonate deeply with audiences and adhere to the highest standards of healthcare advertising.
Committed to driving meaningful change—a change built on a foundation of rich experience, inspired by innovation, and confirmed through our proven track record—we work in close partnership with healthcare professionals, patients, carers, and leading pharmaceutical brands to navigate the complex challenges of today's healthcare landscape. Our approach blends strategic insights and deep scientific acumen with cutting-edge creativity and digital innovation, crafting campaigns and solutions that significantly improve people's lives.
We’re proud to be recognised as the 2025 UK’s top healthcare and innovation agency at Cannes, where we’ve earned 2 Silver Lions, 1 Bronze Lion, and 6 shortlists – a testament to our creative excellence and impact. Our work has also been honoured with Gold and Silver at the Clio Health Awards, and we’ve taken home 5 coveted D&AD Pencils, celebrating our commitment to craft and innovation.
We’re a team of over 400+ people in Manchester and London, with a history spanning over 35 years and an ever-evolving future. You can get a feel for the #LYNXLife through our YouTube #LYNXLife playlist, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Everything this company achieves—every life it saves, every penny it makes, every policy it changes, every award it wins—is down to everyone who works here.
Please note that this role is based in Manchester, and our current hybrid working arrangement requires office attendance on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Summary of our role
As a Creative Director at Havas Lynx, you are responsible for thinking of insightful and effective conceptual ideas, whilst overseeing and producing impactful and original work which impresses and surpasses the need. You will excel across a broad range of media, whilst pro-actively furthering you and your team’s skills across all areas. You will be a mentor to all Creatives in your team, helping them to fulfil their potential. You will apply your vast experience in guiding projects, taking overall responsibility for them and ensuring all work created by you and your team is of high quality. You will work closely with Strategy to shape big ideas and with Client Services to build strong client relationships, demonstrating an ability to passionately present and sell ideas.
What you can expect to be doing:
- Creative Leadership & Expertise – Lead the team with expert understanding of client needs, ensuring creative work exceeds expectations across various media.
- Concept Development & Execution – Originate, guide, and refine conceptual ideas, taking full responsibility for the quality and effectiveness of creative output.
- Client Engagement & Business Growth – Build strong client relationships, lead meetings, sell ideas effectively, and identify opportunities for new business.
- Industry Excellence & Innovation – Maintain high creative standards, track trends, and develop award-winning work through research, refinement, and execution.
- Project & Resource Management – Oversee team workload, ensure appropriate resource allocation, and maintain financial awareness to align creativity with budget constraints.
- Team Development & Recruitment – Mentor, delegate, and support career growth, actively participating in performance reviews and hiring processes.
- Cross-Department Collaboration – Work with senior leadership, client services, and strategy teams to ensure creative solutions are innovative, effective, and aligned with agency goals.
- Positive Work Environment – Foster a culture of creativity, inclusivity, and ambition, encouraging collaboration and professional development within the team.
- Industry Knowledge & Learning – Stay informed about industry advancements, share insights internally and externally, and ensure the team engages in relevant training.
- Self-Development & Emotional Intelligence – Pursue personal growth, set and achieve development goals, and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to uplift both yourself and the team.
This role could be a great fit for you if:
- You thrive in creative leadership – You can develop, refine, and execute compelling ideas while maintaining high creative standards.
- You excel at leading and mentoring teams – You enjoy guiding talent, delegating effectively, and fostering a collaborative environment.
- You have experience working on global campaigns – You understand the nuances of international markets and can deliver impactful work at scale.
- You are multilingual – You can communicate effectively across languages, enhancing collaboration and campaign reach.
- You have served on high-profile creative awards juries in the past three years (Cannes, D&AD, LIA’s, One Show, or Clio’s), – You bring a critical, respected perspective from your experience judging top-tier creative work.
- You have a proven track record of recent creative award wins – Your portfolio includes work that has been recognised by respected industry bodies.
- You have strong client engagement skills – You can confidently present ideas, build relationships, and challenge briefs to push creative boundaries.
- You stay ahead of industry trends – You have a keen eye for market insights, award-winning work, and emerging creative innovations.
- You balance creativity with business needs – You understand budgets, identify new opportunities, and contribute to business growth.
- You collaborate across disciplines – You work effectively with strategy, client services, and leadership teams to ensure creative excellence.
- You are committed to growth and development – You seek continuous learning, mentor others, and contribute to a positive, ambitious culture.
What you can expect from us
A supportive and challenging environment in which you will have the opportunity to learn, grow, and make an impact that matters. We put a huge investment into #LYNXLife and our #LXAcademy internal programmes. It’s a unique initiative that aims to reward hard work, reduce pressures, and ensure that we can all enjoy our time at Lynx. Our strategy is to build capabilities internally and inspire the best talent, so we can continue to deliver on our mission.
You can also expect a whole host of benefits, including:
- Hybrid Working – 3 days in the office (flexible working options are available for in-office days)
- Starting holiday allowance of 28 days annual leave + Bank Holidays, with increasing allowance connected to length of service
- Option to buy, carry or sell holidays
- Early Friday finish throughout the year
- Seasonal working hours
- Enhanced family leave, pay and return to work benefit scheme
- Extensive L&D support
- Sabbatical opportunities
- Season ticket interest free loans for travel
- Cycle to work scheme
- Life insurance (4x salary)
- Company pension scheme
- Fully compensated company events
- Volunteer days
- Wellbeing programme including sports clubs, discounted gym memberships, free onsite flu vaccinations, extended lunch breaks on Wellness Wednesdays and much more
- +Medicash healthcare benefit
- 24/7 access to a free, confidential and independent Employee Assistance Programme
Get in touch to find out how we can make an impact that matters together.
Creative Director employer: Havas Lynx
Contact Detail:
Havas Lynx Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Creative Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Havas Lynx's recent campaigns and awards. Understanding their creative approach and the types of projects they excel in will help you tailor your discussions during interviews, showcasing how your vision aligns with theirs.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Havas Lynx on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which you can leverage in your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on industry trends and innovations in healthcare advertising. Being able to discuss these topics intelligently during interviews will demonstrate your passion for the field and your commitment to driving meaningful change through creativity.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare a portfolio that not only showcases your best work but also highlights projects where you've led teams or mentored others. This will illustrate your leadership skills and ability to foster creativity, which are crucial for the Creative Director role.
We think you need these skills to ace Creative Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Creative Director position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in creative leadership, concept development, and client engagement. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and deliver award-winning work.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for healthcare communications and your understanding of the industry. Mention specific projects or campaigns you've worked on that relate to the role, and express why you want to join Havas Lynx.
Showcase Your Portfolio: Include a link to your portfolio that features your best work, especially any award-winning projects. Make sure to explain your role in each project and the impact it had, as this will demonstrate your creative capabilities and leadership experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Havas Lynx
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
Bring a well-curated portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects relevant to healthcare advertising. Be prepared to discuss the thought process behind each piece and how it aligns with the company's mission of transforming lives.
✨Understand the Healthcare Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current trends and challenges in the healthcare sector. Demonstrating knowledge about the industry will show your commitment and ability to create impactful campaigns that resonate with audiences.
✨Prepare for Client Engagement Scenarios
Anticipate questions about how you would build client relationships and sell creative ideas. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully engaged clients and drove business growth.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership Skills
Be ready to discuss your approach to mentoring and developing creative talent. Highlight specific instances where you've led a team to success, fostering a positive and collaborative environment.