Group Creative Director in London

The VP of Creative is the senior creative leader responsible for shaping and delivering best‑in‑class branded content across our commercial publishing business. This role oversees creative strategy, concept development, editorial storytelling, and the design studio, leading a multidisciplinary team of approximately ten creatives to produce innovative, audience‑first campaigns for advertising partners. Working at the intersection of editorial excellence, commercial strategy, and brand marketing, the VP of Creative transforms client objectives into compelling cross‑platform experiences that drive engagement while maintaining the integrity and premium voice of our publications. As a key member of the commercial leadership team, this role partners closely with Sales, Marketing, Editorial, Production, and Client Success to develop scalable creative solutions that deliver measurable business results.

Key Responsibilities

• Creative Leadership & Vision: Define and lead the creative vision for the branded content business across print, digital, video, social, experiential, and emerging platforms. Champion innovative storytelling and creative excellence that differentiates the organisation in the marketplace. Establish creative standards, processes, and best practices that elevate the quality and consistency of commercial work. Ensure all branded content aligns with audience expectations while meeting advertiser objectives and protecting editorial integrity.
• Creative Strategy & Ideation: Lead strategic ideation for high‑value RFPs, proactive opportunities, and integrated marketing campaigns. Translate business challenges into compelling creative concepts that connect brands with audiences through authentic storytelling. Collaborate with Sales and Commercial leadership to develop winning pitches that drive revenue growth. Present strategic recommendations and creative concepts directly to senior clients and agency partners.
• Design Studio Leadership: Oversee the in‑house creative and design studio responsible for visual design, campaign development, presentation design, motion graphics, and creative production. Ensure efficient workflows, resource planning, and creative quality across simultaneous projects. Drive continual improvement of creative operations, processes, and collaboration.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team of approximately ten creative strategists, designers, art directors, writers, and producers. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing creative culture. Provide coaching, performance management, career development, and succession planning. Recruit and retain exceptional creative talent while building team capabilities for evolving client needs.
• Cross‑Functional Partnership: Partner with Editorial leadership to ensure commercial storytelling reflects the quality and values of the publication. Collaborate with Marketing, Audience Development, Research, Production, and Analytics teams to develop integrated client solutions. Work closely with Sales leadership to support business development, key account growth, and strategic partnerships. Serve as the senior creative voice across the commercial organization.
• Client & Industry Leadership: Build trusted relationships with senior marketers, agencies, and strategic partners. Lead creative presentations, workshops, and campaign reviews. Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging platforms, AI‑enabled creative tools, audience behaviours, and innovations in branded storytelling. Represent the organization at industry events and within the broader creative community.

Experience & Qualifications

• Experience in creative leadership within publishing, media, advertising, branded content, or integrated marketing.
• Proven experience leading creative strategy for premium brands and multi‑channel campaigns.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary creative teams in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking, innovative concepts, and award‑worthy creative execution.
• Exceptional presentation, storytelling, and executive communication skills.
• Experience collaborating with revenue organizations and supporting new business development.
• Deep understanding of editorial content, audience engagement, and branded storytelling.
• Strong operational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Leadership Competencies

• Visionary creative leadership
• Strategic and commercial thinking
• Collaborative influence across functions
• Client relationship management
• Talent development and coaching
• Innovation and continuous improvement
• Executive presence
• Data‑informed decision making

Success Measures

• Growth in branded content revenue and pitch win rates
• Creative quality and innovation of campaigns
• Client satisfaction and retention
• Team engagement, development, and retention
• Operational efficiency and on‑time delivery
• Industry recognition and creative awards