Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative projects and direct photoshoots for kidswear, ensuring top-notch quality.
- Company: Join NEXT, a leading UK fashion retailer with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and a chance to work in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Unleash your creativity and make a real impact in kidswear fashion.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and a passion for fashion and art direction.
- Other info: Collaborate with talented teams and grow your career in a fast-paced setting.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job ID: 74103
Team: Digital & Marketing
Location: London
Contract Type: Temp
Job Schedule: Full time
Salary: competitive
Posting Date: 22/01/2026
Apply Before: 29/01/2026
About the Role: To create and deliver images of the highest creative quality for the NEXT customer, aligned to our brand principles & creative direction. You will provide strong guidance on and off set to achieve the best creative possible in line with our brand guidelines. You will be a focused, driven, hard-working individual that has the maturity and empathy to brief, manage and direct a large team of freelancers and in-house members of the team across varying levels. You must be able to remain calm and professional while maintaining a positive and proactive attitude. This role demands a strong team player with exceptional communication skills who is eager to learn and develop and can grasp new information & adapt quickly. You will be able to identify with the ever-changing requirements of Art Directing a shoot, whilst delivering on the day to a high creative level. It is vital to build and maintain strong relationships with senior management within the Product team, Brand Marketing and other senior stakeholders across the business.
Responsibilities:
- Art Direct mainly studio & potentially some location shoots, working with the product and co-ordination team to create a detailed brief for each shoot.
- Create and maintain an excellent working relationship with the womenswear product and co-ordination teams by attending styling and briefing meetings on a regular basis.
- Keeping engaged in design meetings, product surgery & seasonal Mockshop meetings when required.
- Complete understanding of wider NEXT brand purpose and strategy, and how this reflects in your area.
- Provide strong, clear and aspirational creative guidance and support to the freelance team from a creative standpoint.
- Communicate effectively with photographers, stylists and hair & make up crew to evolve the aesthetics of the imagery creatively.
- Consistent research and understanding of new trends, customer profiles, models, celebrities, social, Pinterest, Instagram and Tiktok to stay inspired, in order to bring the correct approach to every shoot.
- Maintain constant awareness of competitors, be ahead of the curve.
- To work closely and collaborate with the production/bookings team in regards to set, props, models and crew options.
- Manage creative projects and photo/video shoots from initial kick-off meetings through to delivery.
- Communicate & work collaboratively with the Brand Marketing & Product teams regarding current creative direction and styling trends when appropriate.
- Communicate effectively with the Lead Art Director about your workload, schedule and projects.
- Design and produce moodboards for each shoot that showcase the imagery created.
About you:
- Stand out creative skills, and an eye for fashion, styling and art direction is critical.
- Outstanding leadership qualities, taking full responsibility for the day-to-day management of this area.
- Forward thinking, innovative & proactive in approach of all projects.
- Enthusiastic with strong motivational skills, enabling the management and motivation of the team.
- Able to manage multiple concurrent projects across several teams within set timescales and to budget.
- Superior planning, workload management and organisational capabilities.
- Highly developed interpersonal, problem solving and presentation skills.
- Highly communicative with an ability to influence and negotiate at all levels.
- Creative flair and knowledge, producing innovative ideas and solutions.
- A strong communicator and listener.
- Exemplary attention to detail.
- It is essential to be commercially minded and aware of retail fashion and lifestyle trends.
- Comfortable with a highly pressured and rapidly changing environment.
- Experience in E-commerce, Photography and/or editorial Art Direction.
- A supporting portfolio or website if available.
Team Overview: The Digital & Marketing team brings creativity, technology, and insight together. From bold campaigns and boundary-pushing design to product innovation, digital evolution, and vital data support, these teams shape seamless experiences and drive the business forward.
About NEXT: You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global! Challenges. Opportunities. The future. Let’s take it on at NEXT.
Art Director (Kidswear) - fixed term contract employer: Next Careers
Contact Detail:
Next Careers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Art Director (Kidswear) - fixed term contract
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up social media platforms like LinkedIn to find potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure you have a stunning portfolio ready to go. Whether it’s a website or a physical book, let your creativity shine through. When you get the chance to meet with potential employers, this is your time to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews like a champ! Research the company, understand their brand, and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their needs. Practice common interview questions and think about how you can showcase your leadership and creative flair.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Art Director (Kidswear) - fixed term contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creative Flair: When you're crafting your application, let your creativity shine through! Use engaging language and showcase your unique style. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas to the table, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Art Director role. Highlight your experience in kidswear and any relevant projects that align with our brand principles. We want to see how you fit into our creative vision!
Be Clear and Concise: While we love creativity, clarity is key! Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. Use bullet points if necessary to outline your skills and experiences, so we can quickly see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at NEXT!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next Careers
✨Know Your Creative Vision
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your creative style and how it aligns with NEXT's brand principles. Be ready to discuss your portfolio and how your previous work demonstrates your ability to create high-quality imagery that resonates with kidswear.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Art Director, you'll be managing a team of freelancers and in-house members. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, highlighting your communication skills and ability to motivate others. This will show that you can handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Stay Ahead of Trends
Research current trends in kidswear, fashion, and social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Bring insights to the interview about how these trends can influence your art direction. This demonstrates your proactive approach and understanding of the market.
✨Build Relationships
Emphasise your interpersonal skills during the interview. Discuss how you've built strong relationships with stakeholders in previous roles, as this is crucial for collaborating with the product and marketing teams at NEXT. Show that you can communicate effectively across different levels.
