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- 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 banking with your creativity and vision.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in art direction with a strong portfolio showcasing your creative voice.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
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.
Responsibilities- Creative Leadership and Campaign Development: Lead concepting and visual storytelling across campaigns and brand communications.
- 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
- 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 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.
Associate Creative Director - Art Direction employer: Starling
Contact Detail:
Starling Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Creative Director - Art Direction
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with fellow creatives. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss your projects and the thought process behind them.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their brand voice and think about how your creative vision aligns with theirs. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets them.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t hesitate to apply through our website! We love seeing passionate candidates who are excited about joining our mission. Even if you don’t tick every box, your enthusiasm and creativity could make all the difference.
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 style and creativity. We want to see how you can bring ideas to life visually, so don’t hold back on sharing your best work!
Tailor Your Portfolio: Your portfolio should reflect the kind of work we do at Starling. Highlight projects that demonstrate your experience in art direction and visual storytelling, especially those that resonate with our brand values.
Be Authentic in Your Application: We love authenticity! When writing your application, let your personality shine through. Share your passion for creative leadership and how you’ve collaborated with teams to create standout campaigns.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Starling
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
Make sure to bring a well-curated portfolio that highlights your best work in art direction and visual storytelling. Tailor it to reflect the kind of campaigns Starling is known for, showcasing big ideas and sharp execution.
✨Understand Starling's Brand
Do your homework on Starling Bank and its brand identity. Familiarise yourself with their campaigns and visual style so you can discuss how your vision aligns with theirs during the interview.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Discussions
Since collaboration is key in this role, be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked with writers, producers, and designers in the past. Share specific examples where your leadership made a difference in a project.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Art Direction Techniques
Brush up on your knowledge of photography, film, and illustration techniques. Be prepared to talk about your experience leading shoots and how you maintain quality and intent throughout the creative process.
