Creative Lead

Creative Lead

Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Ogilvy UK

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead creative direction for global campaigns, blending bold ideas with real-world impact.
  • Company: Join Ogilvy, a top global agency known for creativity and effectiveness.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, healthcare, and personal coaching.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse, inclusive culture that values creativity and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Shape iconic brands and inspire teams while making a cultural impact.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in leading creative teams and delivering impactful campaigns.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

About Ogilvy

Ogilvy, part of WPP, has been creating impact for brands through iconic, culture-changing, value-driving ideas since the company was founded by David Ogilvy 75 years ago. It builds on that rich legacy through Borderless Creativity – innovating at the intersections of its advertising, public relations, relationship design, consulting, and health capabilities with experts collaborating seamlessly across over 120 offices in nearly 90 countries. Ogilvy currently ranks as the #1 global agency network for creative excellence and effectiveness by WARC, signifying its ability to deliver creative solutions that drive unreasonable impact for clients and communities.

The Role

We are looking for a visionary Creative Lead to guide the work for a global FMCG powerhouse—one of our network’s most cherished cornerstone accounts. In this role, you will lead the creative direction for a diverse portfolio of household-name consumer brands, driving global and regional campaigns that seamlessly blend bold ideas with meaningful, real-world impact. This is an opportunity for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy, creativity, and purpose-led marketing to inspire dedicated teams, elevate our craft, and deliver ideas that leave a lasting mark on culture. You will set the creative vision across multiple iconic categories, champion exceptional work, and lead a talented, multi-disciplinary team.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead with Vision: Set and articulate a compelling creative vision, raising the standard of craft across copy, design, film, digital, social, and experiential touchpoints.
  • Shape the Narrative: Guide platform-level thinking and ensure ideas are culturally resonant, strategically grounded, and effectively modernise the brand’s expression.
  • Partner for Impact: Act as a trusted advisor to senior clients, translating business goals into inspiring creative briefs and presenting work with clarity and conviction.
  • Drive 360 Campaigns: Oversee end-to-end creative for integrated campaigns across paid, owned, and earned channels, partnering closely with strategy, data, media, and production.
  • Empower the Team: Mentor, coach, and grow creative talent, fostering a rich, accountable culture that prizes curiosity and creates space for emerging voices.
  • Deliver Excellence: Guide work from pitch through production—including casting, edit, and delivery—ensuring insights are transformed into executionally flawless work.

About You

You have a proven track record of leading and inspiring global or multi-market creative teams, backed by a portfolio of culturally impactful, platform-level campaigns. You are a master of integrated channels—from film and social to experiential and commerce—and stay fluent in current trends, platforms, and emerging technologies. You possess exceptional storytelling and presentation skills, comfortable navigating high-stakes decisions and advising C-suite stakeholders. You have deep production experience across the entire lifecycle, fiercely protecting the integrity of an idea through to execution. You have the courage to challenge conventions, take smart risks, and defend great work, while remaining open, collaborative, and adaptable. You are passionate about building vibrant creative cultures and developing emerging talent.

Benefits & Culture

At Ogilvy, we are a friendly, collaborative, and eclectic team united by a shared commitment to doing the best work of our lives. Beyond client work, you’ll have the chance to shape our vibrant culture, join active social teams, and contribute to our industry-leading DEI initiatives. Here is a snapshot of the benefits we offer:

  • Hybrid Working: We embrace a hybrid model that blends collaborative in-office time with the flexibility to work remotely.
  • Annual Leave: 25 days holiday, a paid volunteering day, plus the option to buy up to 5 additional days.
  • Pension: a generous matched scheme. Contribute 4% (Ogilvy pays 6%) up to a maximum contribution of 7% (Ogilvy pays 10.5%—totalling a powerful 17.5%).
  • Healthcare & Wellbeing: BUPA Private Medical Insurance, plus discounted BUPA dental cover or financial contribution towards your physical and mental wellness.
  • Employee Assistance: 24/7 access to remote GPs, mental health support, physio, nutrition consultations, and confidential counselling for you and your family.
  • Free 1-to-1 Coaching: Professional and personal growth coaching sessions annually.
  • Life Assurance & Income Protection: Financial peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Ogilvy champions innovation and the thoughtful application of AI. We encourage you to use AI tools to enhance your application and achieve the best possible results. During interviews, we may explore how you leverage AI, showcasing your judgment and ability to integrate these technologies effectively. Please ensure your application authentically reflects your own skills, experience, and unique contributions.

Our ambition is to attract the very best diverse talent to Ogilvy, and to be the employer of choice in the UK. We want everyone to feel welcome when they join us, and once they’re here, for them to want to stay with us, grow their career, and to feel they belong with us. We are an equal opportunity employer and we’re committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone who wants to work at Ogilvy. For us, diversity, equity and inclusion is integrated into everything that we do. We believe that for creativity to flourish, everything about how we work must have diversity at its core.

Creative Lead employer: Ogilvy UK

Ogilvy UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide mentorship opportunities and a flexible working model that supports work-life balance. Our commitment to wellbeing, alongside our prestigious client roster and award-winning campaigns, makes Ogilvy a truly rewarding place to advance your career in social and influencer marketing.

Ogilvy UK

Contact Details:

Ogilvy UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Creative Lead

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 Ogilvy UK 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 Ogilvy UK 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 Ogilvy UK 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 Ogilvy UK. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!

We think you need these skills to ace Creative Lead

Creative Vision
Strategic Thinking
Cultural Sensitivity
Storytelling Skills
Presentation Skills
Integrated Campaign Management
Team Leadership

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 Ogilvy UK. 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 Ogilvy UK:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Ogilvy UK’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 Ogilvy UK

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 Ogilvy UK 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 Ogilvy UK, 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.