At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative projects and shape the NFU's brand identity across various channels.
- Company: Join the largest farming organisation in the UK, championing British agriculture.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, health cash plan, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth and to embrace emerging creative technologies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on British farming while leading a talented creative team.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in creative roles and strong leadership skills required.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is the largest farming organisation in the UK, representing over 43,000 farmers and growers across England and Wales. We’re proud to champion British agriculture, shaping the future of food, farming and the countryside. From influencing government policy to supporting our members day-to-day, our work makes a real difference.
Purpose of the role & how you will contribute:
We’re looking for an experienced and inspiring Creative & Brand Manager to lead the NFU’s creative function and champion of the UK’s most recognised and respected sector brands. This is an exciting opportunity to shape how the NFU presents itself to members, stakeholders, policymakers and the public. You’ll lead a talented in-house team responsible for design, photography and brand execution, ensuring our visual identity is expressed consistently, effectively and creatively across every channel.
As the guardian of the NFU brand, you’ll balance strategic thinking with hands-on creative leadership. You’ll help colleagues across the organisation bring campaigns, initiatives and communications to life, developing creative solutions that engage audiences, strengthen perceptions of the NFU and deliver real impact. Working closely with Marketing, Communications, Digital, IT and Market Research teams, you’ll play a key role in evolving and modernising our visual brand while ensuring it remains true to our values and trusted reputation. You’ll also help build the capability of our creative services, embracing new technologies, improving processes and ensuring we’re equipped to meet the changing needs of the organisation. This is a leadership role for someone who is equally comfortable setting creative direction, developing people and rolling up their sleeves to contribute to important, high-profile projects.
What you’ll bring:
- Significant experience in a senior creative, design or visual brand role.
- A professional qualification in graphic design, visual communication or equivalent professional experience.
- A strong portfolio demonstrating excellence across print and digital channels.
- Experience developing and applying visual identities, brand guidelines and design systems.
- Experience leading creative teams and delivering major campaigns, projects and communications.
- Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud and professional design tools.
- A strong understanding of digital design, accessibility, usability and user experience principles.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and challenge constructively.
- Experience managing agencies, suppliers and creative budgets.
- Strong creative judgement, a collaborative approach and the ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining high standards.
- Curiosity about emerging creative technologies, including the potential application of AI within creative workflows.
Why choose us?
At the NFU, you’ll be part of a purpose-driven organisation that values your expertise and supports your growth. We offer:
- Generous holiday allowance (starting at 25 days a year pro rata + Bank Holidays, rising to 30 days pro rata with length of service), plus 1 annual Christmas company day.
- Option to buy and sell up to 5 days annual leave.
- Company funded health Cashplan.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave.
- Performance-related pay.
- Competitive Pension and Life assurance.
- Access to interest-free loans for cars, bikes, season tickets and driving lessons.
- Employee Assistance program to help you deal with life’s challenges.
- Discounts on a range of vehicles, holiday rentals, wellbeing and lifestyle and many more.
- Attractive, modern office, with on-site restaurant and free parking.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a highly respected national brand while leading a talented creative team and delivering work that makes a genuine difference to British farming and the countryside. We're committed to recruiting a diverse and highly talented workforce. We’ll support you with extensive learning and development opportunities and help you build a career that balances your professional ambitions with your personal commitments, including discussions around agile and flexible working options.
Creative & Brand Manager employer: NFU
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for those passionate about agriculture and rural affairs. With a strong focus on employee development, generous benefits including a company car or allowance, and a commitment to work-life balance, NFU empowers its team to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a fulfilling career. Join us in Kent, where you can lead initiatives that directly support local farmers and shape the future of British farming.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Creative & Brand Manager
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for NFU and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like NFU are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with NFU on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at NFU. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Creative & Brand Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit NFU. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of NFU:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about NFU’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at NFU
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at NFU will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At NFU, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
