At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative projects across photography, video, CGI, and digital production.
- Company: Join a global agency known for innovative brand journeys.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, birthday off, additional holidays, and health benefits.
- Other info: Hybrid working available with opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of content creation with cutting-edge technologies and AI.
- Qualifications: Strong art direction experience and a keen visual eye.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
As an Art Director, you will originate and lead high-quality creative work across photography, video, CGI, and digital production, seamlessly bridging traditional and emerging production methods to deliver impactful and innovative output. You will take ownership of the visual direction of projects from initial concept through to final execution, ensuring a cohesive and compelling creative vision. In addition, you will play a key role in evolving creative standards by integrating new technologies and AI, helping to shape forward-thinking and cutting-edge approaches to content creation.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a creative conscience within the agency, maintaining high standards across all output.
- Constructively challenge and elevate every brief.
- Lead visual direction across shoots, CGI and digital production projects.
- Work closely with production teams to ensure ideas are executed to the highest standard.
- Understand and apply quality management and file management systems.
- Take responsibility for continuous personal development, particularly across emerging creative technologies.
- Originate big ideas and creative concepts across campaign content, photography, video, CGI and digital platforms.
- Direct and guide CGI and digital production, ensuring creative intent is maintained.
- Collaborate with creative, strategy and client services teams to deliver fully integrated campaigns.
- Liaise closely with production teams, photographers, directors, CGI artists and external partners.
- Manage time and resources effectively to meet deadlines and budgets.
- Ensure all work is quality controlled, accurate and delivered to the highest standard.
- Identify and resolve creative and production challenges across both traditional and digital outputs.
- Stay up to date with industry trends across photography, film, CGI, digital content and AI.
- Explore and integrate new tools, workflows and technologies, including AI.
- Communicate clearly at every stage of the creative process to ensure smooth delivery.
Required Skills
- Strong experience in art direction across both traditional production (photography, video) and digital production (CGI, motion).
- Proven ability to originate and develop creative concepts from brief to execution.
- A strong visual eye with the ability to curate and communicate clear creative direction.
- Experience directing shoots and working with photographers, videographers and production teams.
- A good understanding of CGI workflows and digital content production.
- Awareness and curiosity around AI in creative and production workflows.
- Storyboarding and layout skills to clearly communicate ideas.
- Strong presentation skills and confidence in client‑facing situations.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
- High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills.
- A proactive mindset with a drive to push creative standards forward.
Location and Working Hours
This role will be based from our Manchester office, 9am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. The role is open to hybrid working. There will be a requirement to work from our Leeds studio or travel to location when shooting. Occasional travel to our other offices may also be required.
What We Offer
You’ll join a global team that backs each other and delivers joined‑up brand journeys at scale for some of the world’s best brands. In addition, we offer a competitive salary and benefits including:
- Your birthday off.
- Additional holidays through salary sacrifice.
- Company sick pay.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Pension contribution.
- Westfield Health cash plan.
- Childcare salary sacrifice.
Equal Opportunities Statement
Ride Shotgun is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and will provide reasonable adjustments where needed.
Art Director employer: Ride Shotgun
At Ride Shotgun, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that encourages creativity and innovation. As an Art Director in our Manchester office, you'll have the opportunity to lead cutting-edge projects while benefiting from a supportive global team, competitive salary, and unique perks like your birthday off and additional holidays. We are committed to your professional growth, offering continuous development opportunities in emerging technologies and creative standards.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Art Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on your dream Art Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up to date and highlights your best work across photography, video, and CGI. When you land that interview, let your creativity do the talking.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching the company’s recent projects and trends in the industry. Bring fresh ideas to the table that align with their vision, and don’t be afraid to share how you can elevate their creative standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Art Director
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 originate and lead high-quality creative work, so don’t hold back on demonstrating your artistic vision.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application specifically for the Art Director role. Highlight your experience in both traditional and digital production, and how you’ve successfully bridged the gap between the two. We want to see how you can elevate our creative standards!
Be Clear and Concise:While we love creativity, clarity is key! Ensure your application communicates your ideas clearly and concisely. This will reflect your ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively, which is crucial for this role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and ready to take the next step in your career with us at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ride Shotgun
✨Know Your Creative Vision
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your unique creative vision and how it aligns with the company's projects. Be ready to discuss specific examples of your work that showcase your ability to originate and develop creative concepts from brief to execution.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Art Directors need to work closely with various teams, so be prepared to share experiences where you successfully collaborated with production teams, photographers, and CGI artists. Highlight how you communicated effectively to ensure smooth delivery of projects.
✨Stay Ahead of Trends
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in photography, video, CGI, and AI technologies. During the interview, mention any new tools or workflows you've explored and how they could enhance the creative process at the agency.
✨Prepare for Practical Challenges
Expect questions about how you would handle creative and production challenges. Think of specific scenarios from your past experience where you identified issues and resolved them effectively, ensuring high-quality output under tight deadlines.
