At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a creative team to shape Wagamama's brand identity and visual direction.
- Company: Join a vibrant, fast-growing restaurant chain with a passion for fresh Asian flavours.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a 30% bonus, and a £200 monthly food allowance.
- Other info: Embrace a culture that values diversity and offers excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how we connect through food and creativity.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in leading creative projects and teams in hospitality or retail.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Hybrid 3x a week | London Bridge | Competitive salary + 30% bonus at Wagamama. Food is life and we’re here to make every bite count. With over 165 restaurants across the UK (and growing fast), we’ve been dishing up vibrant, fresh Asian inspired flavours since ‘92. It’s all about good food, good vibes, and good company.
We’re looking for a Head of Creative to cover our North region and to join us ready to dive in and stir things up.
Purpose: You’ll help shape how Wagamama shows up in the world, making sure our creative direction and visual identity feel fresh, distinctive and unmistakably us across every guest touchpoint. You’ll lead our in-house creative team with clarity, care and a strong point of view, setting the standard for great work while helping people and disciplines thrive. You’ll bring the brand to life across campaigns, restaurants, digital channels and physical experiences, making sure every piece of work strengthens the brand and helps guests feel good. You’ll also play a key role in building a best-in-class in-house studio, developing brand guidelines, creative systems, tools and ways of working that help the team move with more pace, more confidence and more creative consistency.
What you'll do:
- Lead and develop a high-performing creative team across design, content, production and brand.
- Set and evolve the creative vision for Wagamama, ensuring it is brought to life consistently and distinctively across all channels.
- Develop and maintain brand guidelines, design systems and asset libraries that support consistency and speed.
- Continue to build the capability of the in-house studio, reducing reliance on external agencies where appropriate.
- Provide creative leadership across campaigns, menu launches, partnerships, social, CRM, restaurant communications and brand initiatives, from first idea through to execution.
- Oversee the design and evolution of physical brand assets including packaging, crockery, uniforms, signage and restaurant graphics.
- Partner with property and operations teams to help shape the creative direction of future restaurant environments and guest experiences.
- Build strong relationships with external agencies, freelancers and production partners, ensuring they bring specialist expertise where needed.
- Stay connected to culture, design, hospitality and consumer trends, bringing fresh thinking into the business.
What you'll need:
- Extensive experience leading creative projects and teams in the hospitality, retail or similar guest-facing industry.
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
- Agency management and budget management experience.
- Experience working as an account director or similar for an agency highly desirable.
- Strong relationship builder, able to bring teams together and bring positive energy to the role.
What's in it for you:
- Hybrid working (3x a week at Noodle HQ, the rest at home).
- 30% bonus.
- Car allowance.
- Come as you are culture, with modern offices, fresh fruit and soft drinks.
- £200 monthly Wagamama food allowance — enjoy all your favourite dishes on us!
- Private healthcare cover.
- 3% pension contribution.
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays + further discounts across retail, hospitality & leisure — perks that make life sweeter.
- Supporting you every step of the way!
- Family-friendly pay: 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay for expectant or adopting parents.
Nothing brings people together like great food. No matter where you’re from or who you are, you’ve got a seat at our table because food is the ultimate connector, and here everyone belongs.
head of creative employer: wagamama
At wagamama, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture in Ellesmere Port. Our Kitchen Team Members enjoy numerous benefits such as biweekly pay, substantial discounts for friends and family, free meals during shifts, and generous parental leave, all while working in a supportive environment that fosters personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land head of creative
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for wagamama and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like wagamama are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with wagamama on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at wagamama. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace head of creative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit wagamama. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of wagamama:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about wagamama’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at wagamama
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at wagamama will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At wagamama, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
