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- Tasks: Lead creative projects, from concept to execution, across various marketing channels.
- Company: Join wagamama, a vibrant brand celebrating Asian cuisine with over 165 restaurants in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a competitive salary, food allowance, private healthcare, and generous holiday.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that values innovation and storytelling in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in video, photography, and managing creative projects with strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for a discretionary bonus and discounts across retail and hospitality.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At wagamama, we’re an eating house for the soul. With over 165 UK restaurants and growing, our purpose is to nourish the world from bowl to soul, inspired by fast-paced Japanese ramen bars since 1992. We’re looking for an Art Director to join us on our continuous journey of true nourishment.
The Art Director will be a key driver of creative projects across the brand, marketing campaigns, and brand activations. You will be working on projects that range from food launches, OOH activities, social marketing campaigns, TVCs, as well as brand partner activations and experiences. You will lead creative projects and collaborate closely with our Creative Director and creative team to bring brand stories to life across all touchpoints.
As an Art Director, you are experienced in your craft with great imagination and leadership qualities. Storytelling and a good understanding of design are essential components of creating beautiful and engaging work. You will leverage your extensive experience in both video and photography to help expand our visual style guide, defining detailed directions for imagery, video, lighting, set design, and more. You will manage the production process from start to finish with our in-house and external partner producers, working with a network of stylists, photographers, and set designers to bring innovative concepts to life. Your ability to manage multiple projects—whether large-scale strategic initiatives or detailed on-set productions—will be key to your success.
Key Accountabilities:
- Lead creative projects
- End-to-end creative journey
- Conceptualization and vision: responsible for developing the overall creative concept and visual style for a project, ensuring it aligns with the brand's identity and target audience.
Requirements:
- Innovative mindset: A creative leader with a proven track record in ideation and pushing the boundaries of briefs.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills to build and maintain relationships with internal teams, agencies, and freelancers.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt to challenges and find creative solutions.
- Presentation skills: ability to bring all parts of the company on a creative journey with storytelling presentations.
- Video and photography expertise: A strong portfolio of video content for social and editorial use, complemented by a solid understanding of photography.
- Team leadership: experience working with both small and large shoot teams, assembling the right talent for each project, alongside stakeholder management.
- Technical expertise: proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and experience in concepting and managing content shoots.
- In-house/agency experience: experience in either in-house or agency environments, with a knack for commissioning and managing creative briefs with contractors.
- Network and relationships: a well-established network of stylists, photographers, set designers, and other creative professionals.
What’s in it for you:
- A competitive annual salary
- Discretionary 20% bonus opportunity per year
- Hybrid working mode
- Wagamama food allowance (£200 monthly)
- Private healthcare
- Pension contribution
- 25 days holiday + all bank holidays
- Various discounts across retail, hospitality + leisure
- Family friendly policy: any expectant person or anyone adopting a child will receive 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay.
Art Director (Greater London) employer: Wagamama
Contact Detail:
Wagamama Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Art Director (Greater London)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with wagamama's brand identity and visual style. Understanding their unique approach to storytelling through food and design will help you align your creative vision with theirs during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the industry, especially those who have worked with wagamama or similar brands. Building relationships with stylists, photographers, and set designers can give you insights into the company culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare a portfolio that showcases not only your best work but also projects that demonstrate your ability to lead creative teams and manage multiple projects. Highlight any experience with video and photography, as these are key components of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Practice your presentation skills by creating a mock pitch for a wagamama campaign. This will help you articulate your creative concepts clearly and show how you can bring the brand's stories to life, which is crucial for the Art Director position.
We think you need these skills to ace Art Director (Greater London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Art Director position at wagamama. Familiarise yourself with their brand ethos and the type of creative projects they undertake.
Tailor Your Portfolio: As an Art Director, your portfolio is crucial. Curate a selection of your best work that showcases your video and photography expertise, as well as your ability to lead creative projects. Highlight any relevant experience in food or lifestyle branding.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that tells your story. Explain why you're passionate about wagamama's mission and how your innovative mindset and leadership skills can contribute to their creative journey. Be sure to mention specific projects or experiences that align with their needs.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: In your application, emphasise your excellent interpersonal and presentation skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with teams and managed stakeholder relationships in previous roles, as this will be key for the Art Director position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wagamama
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
Make sure to bring a well-curated portfolio that highlights your best work in video and photography. This is your chance to demonstrate your storytelling abilities and how you've brought brand concepts to life in previous projects.
✨Understand Wagamama's Brand Identity
Familiarise yourself with Wagamama's ethos and visual style. Be prepared to discuss how your creative vision aligns with their mission of nourishing the world from bowl to soul, and how you can contribute to their ongoing journey.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since the role involves working closely with a creative team, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated on projects. Highlight your interpersonal skills and how you've managed relationships with internal teams and external partners.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to discuss challenges you've faced in past projects and how you creatively solved them. This will showcase your innovative mindset and ability to adapt, which are crucial for managing multiple projects effectively.
