Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative campaigns and visual storytelling to shape Starling's brand identity.
- Company: Join Starling, a disruptive tech bank transforming how people manage their money.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a vibrant work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while pushing creative boundaries.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in art direction with a strong portfolio showcasing your creative voice.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Hello, we’re Starling. We built a new kind of bank because we knew technology had the power to help people save, spend and manage their money in a new and transformative way. We’re a fully licensed UK bank with the culture and spirit of a fast-moving, disruptive tech company. We’re a bank, but better: fairer, easier to use and designed to demystify money for everyone. We employ more than 3,500 people across our London, Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester offices.
As Associate Creative Director of Art Direction, you’ll help shape Starling’s brand through campaign ideas, storytelling and big visual moments. You’ll take the lead on creative concepting and execution across shoots, advertising, content and brand activations. This role is about visual storytelling, strong art direction and the ability to create work that resonates and inspires.
You’ll collaborate with writers, producers, designers and marketers to bring ideas to life. You’ll direct and guide others, helping raise the creative bar while acting as a clear and trusted voice across the business.
Key Responsibilities- Creative Leadership and Campaign Development
- Lead concepting and visual storytelling across campaigns and brand communications
- Develop original creative ideas that work across film, photography, print and digital
- Partner closely with writers and strategists to shape compelling narratives
- Take projects from concept to delivery, ensuring strong creative direction throughout
- Art Direction and Brand Expression
- Push the look and feel of campaigns, shoots and branded content
- Oversee photography, film and illustration commissions with a strong creative point of view
- Guide post-production and asset creation to maintain quality and intent
- Help evolve Starling’s brand expression while staying aligned to the visual identity
- Collaboration and Team Mentorship
- Support and guide midweight and junior creatives with clear, constructive feedback
- Collaborate with internal partners and external agencies to deliver standout work
- Maintain strong relationships with production teams, talent and vendors
- Contribute to a culture of curiosity, collaboration and creative ambition
6+ years experience in art direction, campaign development or visual storytelling
A portfolio that shows big ideas, sharp execution and a clear creative voice
Strong experience leading shoots and working across photography, film and branded content
Confident presenting work and guiding creative discussions with stakeholders
Fluent in Adobe Creative Suite and comfortable working in Figma
Able to lead others while being hands-on when needed
Bonus Points- Experience commissioning photographers, directors or illustrators
- Comfortable working on campaign strategy and messaging
- Knowledge of content creation across social, motion and OOH
- Familiarity with creative budgets, resourcing and production planning
25 days holiday (plus take your public holiday allowance whenever works best for you)
An extra day’s holiday for your birthday
Annual leave is increased with length of service, and you can choose to buy or sell up to five extra days off
16 hours paid volunteering time a year
Salary sacrifice, company enhanced pension scheme
Life insurance at 4x your salary
Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth including mental health support and cancer care. Partner benefits include discounts with Waitrose, Mr&Mrs Smith and Peloton
Generous family-friendly policies
Perkbox membership giving access to retail discounts, a wellness platform for physical and mental health, and weekly free and boosted perks
Access to initiatives like Cycle to Work and Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships
You may be put off applying for a role because you don’t tick every box. Forget that! While we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’re always open to discussion. So, if you’re excited about working with us, but aren’t sure if you’re 100% there yet, get in touch anyway.
We’re on a mission to radically reshape banking – and that starts with our brilliant team. Whatever came before, we’re proud to bring together people of all backgrounds and experiences who love working together to solve problems.
Starling Bank is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Starling Bank are considered without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
By submitting your application, you agree that Starling Bank may collect your personal data for recruiting and related purposes. Our Privacy Notice explains what personal information we may process, where we may process your personal information, its purposes for processing your personal information, and the rights you can exercise over our use of your personal information.
Associate Creative Director - Art Direction employer: Starling Bank
Contact Detail:
Starling Bank Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Creative Director - Art Direction
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio in tip-top shape! Make sure it showcases your best work, especially projects that highlight your art direction and visual storytelling skills. Remember, this is your chance to shine, so pick pieces that resonate with the kind of creative work Starling is known for.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend creative events, or join online forums. Building connections can lead to opportunities and insider info about roles at Starling. Plus, you never know who might put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising your pitch. Be ready to discuss your creative process, how you collaborate with teams, and your approach to leading projects. Show them you’re not just a great artist but also a fantastic communicator and leader.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t hesitate to apply through our website! Even if you don’t tick every box, if you’re excited about the role, we want to hear from you. Your unique perspective could be just what we need to elevate our brand!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Creative Director - Art Direction
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creative Flair: When you're putting together your application, make sure to showcase your unique creative style. We want to see how you can bring ideas to life through your portfolio, so don’t hold back on those big visual moments!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to really understand what we’re about at Starling. Tailor your application to reflect our mission and values, and highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Associate Creative Director in Art Direction.
Be Authentic: We love authenticity! Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your written application. Share your passion for visual storytelling and how you’ve made an impact in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our team at Starling!
How to prepare for a job interview at Starling Bank
✨Know Your Portfolio Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you can talk confidently about every piece in your portfolio. Highlight the thought process behind your creative decisions and how they align with the brand's vision. This will show your depth of understanding and passion for your work.
✨Research Starling’s Brand Identity
Dive deep into Starling's existing campaigns and brand messaging. Understand their visual style and storytelling approach. This knowledge will help you tailor your ideas to fit seamlessly with their ethos, demonstrating that you're not just a good fit but also genuinely interested in their mission.
✨Prepare for Creative Discussions
Expect to engage in discussions about your creative concepts and how they can evolve. Be ready to present your ideas clearly and confidently, and don’t shy away from constructive feedback. Show that you can collaborate effectively with writers, producers, and other creatives.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Associate Creative Director, you'll need to guide and mentor others. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to inspire creativity while maintaining a clear direction, which is crucial for this role.
