Senior Art Director in Cardiff

Senior Art Director in Cardiff

Cardiff Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Matalan

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead creative direction for a high-street fashion brand across campaigns and eCommerce.
  • Company: Join Matalan, a dynamic retailer evolving in the fashion and home industry.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a 20% staff discount, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture that champions equality and encourages creativity.
  • Why this job: Shape the brand's visual identity and make a real impact in a collaborative environment.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in art direction, strong commercial mindset, and leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

As Senior Art Director, you will lead and evolve the visual creative direction across all brand touchpoints for a high-street fashion and home retailer, covering womenswear, menswear, kids and home. You’ll own the brand’s visual identity, ensuring all creative output is consistent, commercially relevant and executed to a high standard across campaigns, eCommerce, packaging and content channels. This is a senior leadership role, balancing big-picture brand guardianship with hands-on creative direction.

You will:

  • Define and deliver clear art direction across campaigns, seasonal stories, eCommerce and brand content
  • Lead creative concepting for key campaigns, launches and brand moments
  • Translate business and marketing objectives into compelling visual storytelling
  • Art direct and lead photoshoots (studio and location, UK and international)
  • Oversee photographers, stylists and wider on-set teams to deliver best-in-class imagery
  • Manage and develop Art Directors, setting clear direction and expectations
  • Ensure consistency across layout, typography, colour and composition
  • Collaborate closely with eCommerce, Production and Marketing to align creative with commercial goals
  • Oversee packaging direction to ensure alignment with brand storytelling
  • Maintain high standards across post-production, retouching and asset quality
  • Contribute to planning, timelines and delivery, balancing creativity with operational needs

You’ll play a key role in shaping the brand, delivering creative excellence at scale, and leading a high-performing, collaborative team.

You’re an experienced Senior Art Director with a strong background in fashion retail (home experience is a bonus), used to delivering high-volume campaigns and eCommerce content in a fast-paced environment.

You’ll bring:

  • Proven experience leading art direction across campaigns and eCommerce
  • A strong commercial mindset alongside a sharp creative eye
  • Experience managing and developing creative teams
  • Confidence working cross-functionally with marketing, production and trading teams
  • Strong understanding of layout, typography, imagery and visual storytelling
  • The ability to lead shoots and direct creative teams on set
  • A collaborative, calm leadership style with the ability to influence at senior level
  • Strong organisation and the ability to deliver against deadlines and budgets
  • Solid working knowledge of Photoshop and InDesign

You’re someone who can think big, execute well, and bring people with you—raising the standard of creative output while keeping things practical and deliverable.

From humble beginnings to disruptive innovations in the retail industry, find out about how Matalan is ever-evolving. We know as a team, we are stronger together – we champion equality for all and make lasting connections that go beyond work. We thrive off our inclusive culture, encouraging our colleagues to bring their true selves to work and contributing to collective creativity, open-mindedness and growth.

We want to give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and then ultimately in their role. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.

In addition to competitive salaries, we also offer the below core benefits:

  • 20% staff discount, which increases with length of service
  • Thrive Recognition Scheme
  • Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust
  • Life Assurance
  • Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers
  • Pension Scheme
  • Access to a wide range of career development
  • Additional benefits may apply depending on your role and area of the business

Senior Art Director in Cardiff employer: Matalan

MATALAN is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee development and fosters a collaborative work culture, making it an ideal place for those looking to grow in the retail sector. With a focus on empowering leaders and driving performance, employees benefit from comprehensive training programmes and opportunities for career advancement, all while working in a dynamic environment across the vibrant South of England. Join us to be part of a team that values innovation, customer satisfaction, and personal growth.

Matalan

Contact Details:

Matalan Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Art Director in Cardiff

Get Down to the Fashion Events

Dive headfirst into local fashion shows, trade fairs, and networking events. These are golden opportunities to meet industry pros and showcase your passion for the industry in person. Plus, it gives you the chance to chat about potential roles at places like Matalan!

Join Fashion-Focused Communities

Become a part of online fashion communities on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest. Participate in discussions and share your insights on trends or your personal style journey. It’s a great way to get noticed by brands looking to fill positions, including Matalan.

Craft a Rock-Solid Portfolio

Since you're aiming for a full-time gig, your portfolio should reflect not just your best work but also your personality. Whether it’s lookbooks, design sketches, or styling projects, make sure it screams 'you' and includes a bit about why you’d be a perfect fit for Matalan.

Leverage Your University Connections

If you’re fresh out of university, don’t underestimate your career services. They often have partnerships with fashion companies for internships and entry-level roles. Use this to your advantage and connect with them to find any openings at Matalan!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Art Director in Cardiff

Art Direction
Visual Storytelling
Creative Concepting
Photography Direction
Team Management
Layout Design
Typography

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Style:In the fashion-apparel industry, your personal style and understanding of current trends are crucial. Make sure your CV and cover letter reflect your unique fashion sense – use visuals if you can and highlight any fashion-related experiences or projects that show off your flair!

Highlight Relevant Experience:When you're applying for a full-time role, be sure to focus on any past roles or internships in fashion that’ve honed your skills. Whether that's working in retail, fashion design, or marketing, quantify your achievements and show how they relate to the role at Matalan.

Include a Strong Portfolio:An impressive portfolio is key in fashion! Make sure to include a link to your online portfolio in your CV, showcasing your best work, be it designs, campaigns, or styling projects. This is your chance to let your creativity shine and demonstrate your abilities to Matalan!

Craft a Standout Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to weave in your passion for fashion and the specific reasons you want to work at Matalan. Share your vision of how you'd contribute to their brand and why you're excited about their work. Tailoring this will make you stand out from the crowd!

How to prepare for a job interview at Matalan

Showcase Your Style Portfolio

For a role in the fashion-apparel industry, having a well-curated portfolio is essential. Ensure you include your best work that reflects your style and creativity, whether it's sketches, lookbooks, or completed designs. Be ready to discuss your design process and the inspirations behind your pieces!

Know the Latest Trends and Brands

Being well-versed in current fashion trends and influential brands can give you a leg up in the interview. Get familiar with what’s trending in the market and know your competitors. This shows your passion for the industry and helps you connect your work experience to current fashion trajectories.

Demonstrate Your Collaboration Skills

In a full-time fashion role, collaboration is key, whether you’re working with designers, marketers, or suppliers. Be prepared to share experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team or navigated challenges with colleagues. This will highlight your ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Dress the Part

This might sound obvious, but in fashion, how you present yourself is part of your brand. Wear something that represents your personal style while still aligning with the company’s aesthetic. It’s a great way to show you understand the industry's essence and can embody the brand’s image!