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- Tasks: Lead High Stakes Films, driving creative production and agency growth.
- Company: Join ZAK Media Group, a dynamic independent creative business with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, generous leave, and perks like cultural events and wellness memberships.
- Why this job: Be part of a fresh, culturally relevant team making an impact in the film industry.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in agency leadership with proven success in business development and team building.
- Other info: Work from anywhere up to 2 weeks abroad annually and enjoy a supportive, fun environment.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 100000 £ per year.
MANAGING PARTNER: HIGH STAKES FILMS
WHAT WE\’RE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for an Agency Leader to run and lead High Stakes Films, our Culture Driven Film & Stills Production Agency. This role would join the Board of ZAK Media Group Ltd, which includes ZAK and SELFHOOD agency brands.
The role would report into our group Co-Founder & CEO and would be the 4th and final position in our Board Commercial team, alongside our other Managing Partners in ZAK and SELFHOOD.
High Stakes Films is a start-up and will play a very important role in our business plan for the next 5+ years.
The work is fresh and culturally relevant, ranging from traditional TV and OOH productions to social content, product shots and storytelling documentaries, predominantly for fashion, sport, alcohol and FMCG brands and their agencies.
We need someone who matches the energy and ambition of the team, working as ride or die with our Board Commercial team, as well as our High Stakes Films core team of Creative Partner, Creative Production Director and Executive Producer, who were all honoured with Production Agency of the Year at the Brand Film EMEA Awards.
ABOUT YOU
You must have at least 15 years’ experience growing and running an agency and/or agency team with production at its core.
You will set the Vision, own the Business Strategy & Plan and deliver against our commercial targets.
You will have proven experience winning new business, growing accounts and developing relationships, (agency and brand).
You thrive in building and leading teams in the production, advertising and/or creative agency space.
You are an excellent communicator and highly organised, with huge career hunger and drive.
You are entrepreneurial by nature, a great team player, who thrives in developing teams and driving agency growth.
ABOUT US
We are an independent creative business with c25 permanent staff and a vast range of freelancers and consultants who support us on live jobs, across 3 agency brands:-
ZAK: Cultural Capital for Brands
Creative Strategy Partners, who create and build dynamic cultural universes for brands.
SELFHOOD: Global Culture & Insight Community
https://www.thisisselfhood.com/
37K strong Gen Z-Gen X community, offering Research & Insight and Community & Cultural Activation services to clients.
High Stakes Films: Culture Driven Film & Stills
https://www.highstakesfilms.com/
Working with a mixture of brand and agency clients, High Stakes Films are agile, commercially smart and hyper creative, capturing content all over the world.
We recruit against our own values of Courageous & Confident; Curious & Conscious; Spirited & Positive. Our culture is dynamic, fast-moving, supportive, down-to-earth, fun and professional.
We are entrepreneurial by nature and are committed to creating the best work environment and packages for agency staff. We do this by investing in every single team member via our ZAKademy training and development programme, which we run in consultation with the IPA.
We believe in work/life balance and giving staff the autonomy and trust to work wherever they need to, to get the job done.
With that in mind, we operate a hybrid working model of 2 days per week in our London offices on Wed and Thu (White City / Wood Lane tubes), 3 days WFH with the ability to work up to 2 x 5-day weeks abroad across the year (WFW / Work From Wherever).
PERKS & BENEFITS
Salary: £TBC, dependent on experience
Bonus: discretionary bonus for 2025 (performance related)
Octopus Electric Car Scheme: salary sacrifice for tax efficient car ownership
Pension: up to 3% contributory pension
Travel Loan: to help spread the cost of commuting
EOT Scheme: to go live 2026/27 (tax efficient management buy-out where the current business owners are bought out by the profits over time, assume 5 years, and the \”new\” team share equity and ownership ongoing)
CULTURE
Culture Club: monthly tickets to interesting cultural events and exhibitions
Film Club: quarterly tickets to the latest Hollywood blockbuster or cult classic
Birthday: £75 voucher of choice
Most Valuable Player: £100 cash prize every month for the agency winner
ZAKMAS: our annual Christmas knees-up
ZAKMAS Annual Awards: cash prizes for winners of our 5 categories
ZAKROCK: 2 days,1 night out of the City to reset and recharge
Socials: monthly department breakfasts or lunches for team bonding
LONG SERVICE RECOGNITION
Anniversary: £100 cash every year
Extra hols: 1 extra day off for every year worked from year 4 to year 8
Sabbatical: 1 month’s paid sabbatical once you’ve hit 5 years’ service
WELLBEING
Paid Leave: up to 41 days paid leave annually (1 day birthday / \”U Day\”, 7 days Christmas Close, 21 days holiday, 8 days UK Bank holidays, 4 days Passion Projects – see below)
White City House Membership: gym, pools, sauna, steam room
BUPA
1pm Fridays: work allowing, staff can finish work at 1pm on a Friday with no reduction in pay
Work From Wherever (WFW): the flex to work up to 2 x 5 days consecutively abroad
ZAKROCK: 2 days,1 night out of the City to reset and recharge as a team (as above)
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Appraisals: bi-annual 360 appraisals
Check-ins: bi-monthly line manager check-ins
Passion Projects: 1 day per quarter paid leave to pursue a passion project, side hustle or charity endeavour
ZAKademy: ZAK’s personalised training and development plan
IPA membership: access to ongoing learning and development
PROCESS
30min chemistry call with Co-Founder & CEO
45min interview with CFO & HR Partner
1.5hr interview with Co-Founder & CEO, Co-Founder & CCO, CFO, HR Partner, Managing Partner ZAK, Creative Partner HSF to present task
Start date: ASAP
Managing Partner HSF / Board Director ZAK employer: High Stakes Films
Contact Detail:
High Stakes Films Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Partner HSF / Board Director ZAK
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the unique culture and values of High Stakes Films and ZAK Media Group. Show how your personal values align with theirs during conversations, emphasizing your entrepreneurial spirit and team-oriented mindset.
✨Tip Number 2
Network within the creative and production industry, especially with professionals who have experience in agency leadership roles. Attend relevant events or workshops to connect with potential colleagues and showcase your passion for agency growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven agency growth in your previous roles. Highlight your experience in winning new business and developing strong relationships with clients.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your understanding of the current trends in film and content production, particularly in sectors like fashion, sport, and FMCG. Being knowledgeable about the industry will help you stand out as a candidate who can contribute to High Stakes Films' vision.
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Partner HSF / Board Director ZAK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience in agency leadership and production. Focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to grow accounts and win new business.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the creative industry and your entrepreneurial spirit. Mention how your vision aligns with High Stakes Films' goals and how you can contribute to their success.
Showcase Relevant Experience: Provide examples of past projects or roles where you successfully led teams in production or advertising. Highlight any awards or recognitions that showcase your capabilities in this field.
Demonstrate Cultural Fit: Research the company culture at ZAK Media Group and reflect this understanding in your application. Emphasize your alignment with their values of being courageous, curious, and spirited.
How to prepare for a job interview at High Stakes Films
✨Show Your Leadership Experience
Make sure to highlight your extensive experience in leading and growing agency teams. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed production at its core and driven agency growth.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Relevance
Since High Stakes Films focuses on culturally relevant content, be prepared to discuss your understanding of current trends in fashion, sport, and FMCG. Bring examples of past projects that align with these themes.
✨Communicate Your Vision
Articulate a clear vision for the agency and how you plan to achieve commercial targets. Discuss your strategic approach and how you would align the team towards common goals.
✨Emphasize Team Collaboration
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams. Share instances where you've successfully built relationships with both agency and brand clients, showcasing your excellent communication skills.
