Technical Director / CTO (Creative Systems)
Technical Director / CTO (Creative Systems)

Technical Director / CTO (Creative Systems)

Freelance 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
P

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the creation of a premium creative system and build a high-performing delivery team.
  • Company: Exciting early-stage company focused on innovative visual production.
  • Benefits: Equity stake with potential for paid leadership as revenue grows.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of creative production and make a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Experience in creative tech, quality control, and workflow automation.
  • Other info: Join a warm pipeline with immediate client opportunities and founding-level influence.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.

We’re building a premium creative systems company that helps consumer brands produce authored, high-performing visuals at scale—without falling into the “template AI” look. We’re entering with an active partner channel and a warm pipeline. Our immediate constraint is execution capacity, not demand. This role is for a technical leader who can build the engine and help form the first delivery team so we can confidently approach and serve initial clients.

This is an early-stage, pre-revenue build role. Unpaid for the initial build phase while we assemble the first pod and close initial client work. Compensated via fair equity aligned to a founding contribution. As revenue begins, the role converts into a paid leadership position (timing tied to client delivery milestones). If you’re looking for a stable salary today, this won’t be the right fit. If you want to build the core system and own meaningful upside, you’ll love it.

What you’ll own:

  • The production engine (end-to-end)
    • Design and run a repeatable pipeline that covers:
    • Client intake & asset requirements
    • “Creative grammar” / constraints (our Pattern Break rules)
    • Quality control gates (anti-AI-tells)
  • The goal is speed with premium finish—not speed at the cost of sameness.
  • Quality as a product
    • Build a quality standard that prevents the “everyone can tell it’s AI” problem:
    • Implement QC checklists + review loops
    • Own the final bar for “luxury enough to convert”
  • Automation & workflow tooling
    • Build lightweight tooling that makes delivery faster and more consistent:
    • Delivery systems that reduce revisions and shorten cycle time
    • We care about shipping usable systems quickly (weeks), not building a giant platform too early.
  • Build the first team (and make them unstoppable)
    • Help assemble and lead the first delivery pod (freelance-first, then core hires), likely including:
    • 3D / CG artist
    • Senior retoucher / compositor (premium finish gate)
  • You’ll define standards, workflows, throughput targets, and quality gates.
  • What success looks like (first 90 days):

    • By day 30: Documented pipeline (SOPs, templates, file standards)
    • By day 60: Scene library + reusable modules in place; Output velocity improving week over week
    • By day 90: Production runs predictably with consistent premium quality; We can approach and serve multiple clients without quality drop; Pod structure is proven and scalable

    Who you are:

    • Creative-tech taste + quality control: You can spot “template AI” instantly and know how to correct it; you understand compositing/CG/retouch standards enough to enforce a premium bar.
    • Workflow + automation: Systems mindset; You translate standards into templates/checklists/modules, and you measure cycle time, revisions, defects.
    • Shipping culture: You don’t overbuild. You ship a usable system fast, then iterate.

    Nice to have:

    • Experience building internal tools for creative teams
    • Light ML familiarity (helpful, not required)
    • Familiarity with paid social creative specs + e-commerce conversion contexts

    Red flags:

    • Wants to build a platform before delivering for several paying clients
    • Pure ML engineer with no visual taste
    • Dismisses retouch/compositing craft—premium finish is the product

    Why this is compelling:

    • Warm pipeline via an established partner channel; immediate opportunity to deliver real client value
    • You’ll build the core IP: the authored creative system + pipeline becomes the moat
    • Founding-level influence, equity upside, and the chance to define how modern creative production should work

    Technical Director / CTO (Creative Systems) employer: Protagonist Productions

    Join us as a Technical Director / CTO in a dynamic early-stage creative systems company where your leadership will shape the future of premium visual production. With a warm pipeline and an established partner channel, you'll have the unique opportunity to build a high-performing team and core systems that redefine creative standards, all while enjoying equity benefits and the potential for a paid leadership role as we grow. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and rapid execution, making this an exciting environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact.
    P

    Contact Detail:

    Protagonist Productions Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Technical Director / CTO (Creative Systems)

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and join relevant online communities. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work and demonstrates your ability to build creative systems. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings—reach out directly to companies you admire. Express your interest in their work and how you can contribute to their success.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make an impact. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!

    We think you need these skills to ace Technical Director / CTO (Creative Systems)

    Technical Leadership
    Pipeline Design
    Quality Control
    Automation
    Workflow Tooling
    Creative Standards Enforcement
    Team Building
    Systems Mindset
    Documentation Skills
    3D/CG Knowledge
    Retouching/Compositing Standards
    Agile Methodologies
    Client Management
    Light ML Familiarity

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for creative systems shine through! We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about building something innovative and premium. Share why this role speaks to you and how you can contribute to our vision.

    Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in tech leadership and creative production. We’re looking for someone who can spot the difference between 'template AI' and premium visuals, so give us examples of how you've maintained quality standards in your past roles.

    Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and fluff. Use bullet points if it helps convey your skills and experiences more effectively—this will make it easier for us to see your fit for the role.

    Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Protagonist Productions

    ✨Know Your Creative Systems

    Dive deep into the world of creative systems before your interview. Understand the nuances of quality control, automation, and workflow tooling. Be ready to discuss how you can build a production engine that delivers premium visuals without the 'template AI' look.

    ✨Showcase Your Shipping Culture

    Prepare examples that highlight your ability to ship usable systems quickly. Discuss past experiences where you’ve implemented efficient workflows or automation tools that improved delivery times. This role is all about speed with quality, so make sure to emphasise your results.

    ✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills

    Since you'll be building and leading the first delivery pod, come prepared with strategies on team assembly and management. Share your vision for creating a collaborative environment that fosters creativity and efficiency among freelancers and core hires alike.

    ✨Understand the Business Model

    Familiarise yourself with the company's early-stage, pre-revenue model. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to building a sustainable pipeline while navigating the challenges of an unpaid initial phase. Show enthusiasm for the equity opportunity and how it aligns with your long-term goals.

    Technical Director / CTO (Creative Systems)
    Protagonist Productions

    Land your dream job quicker with Premium

    You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
    Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
    Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
    1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
    Go Premium

    Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

    P
    Similar positions in other companies
    UK’s top job board for Gen Z
    discover-jobs-cta
    Discover now
    >