At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative projects, inspire teams, and build strong client relationships.
- Company: Dynamic global marketing agency with a focus on creativity and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, hybrid working, and global travel opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting role with diverse projects and a supportive, ambitious culture.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant team and shape impactful campaigns while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in creative leadership, graphic design, and client engagement.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 80000 € per year.
THE PACKAGE
- Salary: Circa £80,000 base
- Bonus: Attractive performance-related bonus
- Benefits: Full details provided to shortlisted candidates
- Location: Bristol, hybrid working (3 days in office) with some global travel
- Contract: Permanent
THE OPPORTUNITY
If you're a Creative Director on the rise, someone who leads from the front, builds teams that punch above their weight and thrives when the pace is high, you'll love this role. We're looking for a Creative Director who combines strong creative craft with genuine commercial instinct, someone who can move fluidly between ambitious concept work and the practical demands of client-facing leadership, and who gets real energy from building a team around them. The business is a global full-service marketing agency with serious momentum. The new business pipeline is strong and growing, which means the work is varied, ambitious and never standing still. The UK team is established and highly capable, and what they need now is the right leader to take it to the next level; someone who sees building and inspiring a team as one of the best parts of the job, not a distraction from it.
You'll report directly to the Global Creative Director, a high-calibre, hands-on creative leader who sets a high bar, backs bold thinking and offers the kind of direct exposure and creative challenge that genuinely accelerates careers. For the right person, this relationship alone is a reason to take the role seriously. The UK office focuses primarily on UK clients with some European work. You'll lead across the full creative spectrum: brand campaigns, rebranding, content and digital experiences, with the mental agility to move between strategic concept work and hands-on creative direction without losing momentum on either. You'll also be on location, leading shoots, running client workshops, travelling for productions; which means the role has real variety and energy built into it from day one. This is not a role for someone who wants to stay in one lane. Commercial awareness matters here as much as creative excellence, and you'll be expected to contribute to new business, build lasting client relationships and help foster a culture where the team does the best work of their careers.
WHAT YOU'LL DO as Creative Director
- Lead the development of creative concepts across brand campaigns, rebranding projects, content and digital experiences
- Direct multidisciplinary teams spanning design, film, photography and digital, maintaining creative quality and coherence across large-scale rollouts
- Translate strategic insights into compelling, original creative ideas
- Contribute creative thinking to new business pitches, proposals and tenders
- Support the development and guardianship of the agency's own brand and internal creative output
- Present and confidently articulate creative work to clients, responding to feedback and evolving ideas in real time
- Facilitate creative workshops and ideation sessions with clients
- Act as a trusted long-term creative partner to clients, building relationships that go beyond individual projects
- Work closely with Client Services to ensure effective prioritisation and project planning
- Lead, mentor and develop an established, highly capable creative team, fostering a culture of trust, creative ambition and constructive critique, supporting the team in navigating creative challenges on fast-moving projects
- Travel regularly for client meetings, workshops and production shoots in the UK and sometimes globally, leading on-site creative direction for photography and film productions, bringing the creative vision to life in the room
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
- A strong background in graphic design, visual communication and brand systems, with proven experience leading creative campaigns from concept through to delivery
- Experience art directing photography and video production
- The ability to pivot between rebrand and concept projects, adapting thinking and approach to the demands of each
- Confident presenting creative work to senior stakeholders, with the ability to articulate ideas clearly and respond to feedback constructively
- A natural team builder, someone who invests in the people around them and creates an environment where great work happens
- A genuine commitment to building client relationships and a track record of acting as a trusted long-term creative partner
- Workshop facilitation experience
- An appreciation of the commercial side of creative work: new business, client retention and the link between great creative output and business growth
- A background in UX/UI, digital experience design or brand strategy would be a bonus, as would experience working with complex or multi-stakeholder organisations.
More than anything, we're looking for someone with the ambition, energy and leadership instinct to make the most of a rare opportunity.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please submit your CV via LinkedIn.
Creative Director employer: Suzie Walker Executive Search
Join a dynamic global marketing agency in Bristol as a Creative Director, where you'll thrive in a vibrant work culture that champions creativity and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, you'll have the opportunity to lead a talented team, engage in exciting projects, and enjoy the benefits of hybrid working alongside global travel. This role not only offers competitive compensation but also the chance to make a significant impact in a fast-paced environment that values innovative thinking and client relationships.
Contact Detail:
Suzie Walker Executive Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Creative Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Creative Director gig.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. We want to see your creative flair and how you’ve led teams to success. A strong portfolio can speak volumes about your capabilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising your pitch. We need to be able to articulate our creative vision and how we can contribute to the agency's growth. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how they align with the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you note. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Creative Director role.
We think you need these skills to ace Creative Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Spark: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 lead with flair, so don’t hold back on expressing your creative vision.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Creative Director. Highlight your experience in leading teams and managing projects that align with our needs. We want to see how you’ve built relationships and driven creative success in your previous roles.
Be Authentic:Don’t just list your skills; tell us about your journey! Share stories that reflect your passion for creativity and team building. We love hearing about real experiences that shaped your career, so be genuine and let your personality come through.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Suzie Walker Executive Search
✨Know Your Creative Portfolio Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of your past projects. Be ready to discuss specific campaigns you've led, the creative processes involved, and the results achieved. This will not only showcase your experience but also demonstrate your ability to articulate your creative vision.
✨Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills
As a Creative Director, your ability to lead and inspire a team is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've built and nurtured teams in the past. Highlight any workshops or ideation sessions you've facilitated, and be ready to discuss how you foster a culture of creativity and trust within your team.
✨Understand the Commercial Side of Creativity
This role requires a balance between creative excellence and commercial awareness. Brush up on how your creative work has contributed to business growth in previous roles. Be prepared to discuss how you can help the agency build lasting client relationships and contribute to new business pitches.
✨Be Ready for Real-Time Feedback
During the interview, you might be asked to present some of your work or ideas. Practice articulating your creative concepts clearly and confidently. Show that you're open to feedback and can adapt your ideas on the spot, as this reflects the dynamic nature of the role.
