At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative innovation and AI adoption while managing a talented team.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation at the forefront of creative evolution.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and the chance to shape creative strategy.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and influence within a highly regulated sector.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment focused on creativity and technology.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior creative leadership and AI-driven workflows.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester (Hybrid Working)
Salary: Up to £75,000
Contract: 6-Month Temporary Contract
Team Management: 5 Direct Reports
Start Date: ASAP
Ready to Shape the Future of Creative? We're partnering with a leading organisation operating within a highly regulated sector to appoint an exceptional Deputy Head of Creative. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and established creative leader with a strong AI specialism to drive innovation, inspire high-performing teams and help redefine modern creative delivery.
The Role
- Work closely with the Head of Creative to evolve creative capability, champion innovation and lead a talented team of five creative professionals.
- Embed AI into creative processes, test and implement emerging technologies, develop future-ready creative capabilities and ensure the highest standards of creative excellence across all outputs.
- Act as a trusted senior leader, working closely with stakeholders across the business, translating commercial objectives into impactful creative solutions while supporting the ongoing transformation of the creative function.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with the Head of Creative to shape and evolve the creative vision and capability.
- Lead the development and delivery of integrated creative campaigns and communications.
- Manage, coach and develop a team of five creative professionals.
- Provide creative direction, feedback and quality assurance across all creative output.
- Champion creative excellence while ensuring work delivers against commercial and strategic objectives.
- Lead the strategic adoption of AI tools and emerging technologies across the creative function.
- Develop and implement AI-enabled workflows that enhance creativity, efficiency and effectiveness.
- Evaluate, test and scale innovative creative technologies and processes.
- Build AI confidence and capability through coaching, mentoring and knowledge-sharing.
- Drive continuous improvement across creative operations, workflows and production processes.
- Partner with stakeholders to maximise the impact and effectiveness of creative solutions.
- Act as a subject-matter expert on creative innovation and AI adoption.
About You
You will be an accomplished creative leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and leading teams within an agency, in-house or integrated creative environments.
Essential Experience
- Significant experience in a senior creative leadership position.
- Proven success implementing AI-driven creative workflows and technologies.
- Strong experience managing and developing creative teams.
- Outstanding portfolio demonstrating creative excellence across multiple channels.
- Experience introducing innovative technologies, processes and ways of working.
- Strong understanding of AI applications across creative development, content production and design operations.
- Excellent stakeholder management, presentation and communication skills.
- Strong understanding of branding, design systems and integrated campaign development.
- Experience working within a complex, highly regulated or matrix organisation.
- Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma and AI-powered creative tools.
Desirable Experience
- Experience leading creative transformation or change programmes.
- Understanding of responsible AI governance and adoption frameworks.
- Experience measuring the impact of AI and innovation initiatives.
- Knowledge of emerging technologies across content creation, personalisation and digital experiences.
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation at a pivotal point in its creative evolution. You'll have the chance to influence creative strategy, shape innovation programmes, lead AI adoption and develop a talented team, all while working closely with senior leadership. If you're a commercially minded creative leader who is passionate about innovation, technology and creative excellence, we'd love to hear from you.
Additional Information
As this position operates within a highly regulated environment, the successful candidate will be required to undergo enhanced pre-employment screening and background checks. Any offer of employment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of all required checks.
Deputy Director of Creative in London employer: Hays
Join a vibrant secondary school that prioritises excellence in education and fosters a supportive community for both students and staff. As the Head of Mathematics, you will benefit from a competitive salary, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and growth. This role not only allows you to lead a dedicated team but also to make a significant impact on student achievement in a welcoming environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Director of Creative in London
✨Dive into Local Events
Get involved with local marketing and communications events! These are great places to meet people from the industry, learn about temporary roles, and even uncover hidden job leads. Check out local networking events or marketing conferences that might be happening in your area.
✨Show Off Your Work
Create a standout digital portfolio showcasing your previous campaigns, writing samples, or projects. Share this on social media and professional groups relevant to marketing-communications. This public visibility can often attract interest from potential employers, especially for those temporary gigs!
✨Utilise Online Job Boards
Focus on job boards specific to marketing and communications. Sites like MarketingJobs.com or even LinkedIn can have temp roles that aren’t always advertised on the usual job sites. Keep your eyes peeled and apply through our website—temp roles can come up unexpectedly, and you want to be first in line!
✨Tap into Your Uni's Resources
If you're still at university, don't forget to lean on your career services for temporary marketing roles. They often have connections to firms looking for interns or temporary staff who can jump in at short notice. Plus, networking with your professors can lead to some valuable opportunities—always worth a chat!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Director of Creative in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience with Campaigns:In marketing-communications, it’s all about showcasing your ability to create impactful campaigns. Make sure to include any relevant projects you’ve worked on in your CV, detailing your role, the strategies used, and the results achieved. We're looking for candidates who can demonstrate their creativity and analytical skills!
Tailor Your Writing Samples:For a temporary role, we want to see your versatility and adaptability in communication. Include a couple of writing samples that align with our brand voice or reflect your ability to engage various audiences. This gives us a taste of what you can bring to the team at Hays from day one!
Show Off Your Digital Savvy:Digital marketing is a big part of marketing-communications, so make sure your application reflects your understanding of social media, SEO, and content marketing. Feel free to throw in any certificates you've earned in these areas—it shows your initiative and dedication to learning the latest trends!
Express Your Enthusiasm for the Short-Term Role:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in this temporary position at Hays specifically. Share what you hope to learn during your time with us and how you can contribute to our ongoing projects. We're all about passion and potential, so let that shine through!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
As a candidate for a temporary marketing-communications role at Hays, your portfolio will speak volumes. Bring along samples of your best work—think campaigns you've managed, social media content, and any visuals. Be ready to talk through your creative process and the impact your work had on previous projects.
✨Understand the Latest Trends
We know the marketing-communications field moves at lightning speed. Make sure you brush up on the latest trends—such as digital storytelling or the effectiveness of influencer partnerships. Being able to discuss these trends during your interview will show Hays you're not just up-to-date but also eager to innovate.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work on short timelines. Share examples from your past where you had to pivot a strategy or campaign swiftly to meet changing demands. This will reassure Hays that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Ready Your Communication Strategy
Be prepared for questions that assess your communication skills. You might get asked to pitch a marketing idea on the spot or create a quick content plan. This is your chance to shine and show how your unique perspective can solve problems for Hays, so think on your feet and don't hesitate to showcase your creativity!
