Social Art Director in London

Whalar is the leading, most awarded, independent Creator and Social agency. We transform brands into cultural drivers by unlocking the full creative power of Creators. We go beyond the conventional social and influencer strategy. We have the technology and methodology to tap into the beating pulse of communities, listen to nuances that move culture, and connect brands in ways that make them unforgettable.

About the role: We are looking for an exceptional Social Media Art Director and established tastemaker to define the visual standard of Whalar Social. This is not a role for someone who simply makes content look good. This is for someone who shapes taste, influences aesthetic direction, and understands how visual storytelling moves through culture. You are deeply embedded in the worlds of fashion, creators, entertainment, internet culture, design, photography, and social behaviour.

Here’s what you’ll do day-to-day:

• Define and elevate the visual identity, creative ambition, and aesthetic standards of the brands we manage across social platforms.
• Develop bold, platform-native creative ideas designed for attention, participation, conversation, and shareability.
• Translate briefs into compelling visual systems, narratives, treatments, moodboards, and social-first creative worlds.
• Lead the creative direction of shoots, social content, creator collaborations, and in-house productions from concept through execution.
• Ensure everything produced feels culturally sharp, visually distinct, and native to the platform it lives on.
• Work fluidly between high-level creative direction and hands-on execution.
• Build and manage strong creative relationships with photographers, stylists, creators, editors, and talent across nano to celebrity.
• Partner closely with Social, Community, Strategy, Insights, and Studios teams to ensure creative work is informed by culture, conversation, and audience behaviour.
• Push brands beyond safe creative and toward work people actually want to watch, share, save, and imitate.
• Play an active role in new business pitches, creative presentations, and shaping the future of Whalar’s integrated social offering.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• 9+ years of experience across art direction, creative direction, social, luxury, fashion, entertainment, or digital culture.
• A world-class portfolio showcasing visually exceptional social-first work across image, video, creators, campaigns, and emerging formats.
• Deep fluency across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Substack, and the evolving visual language of the internet.
• You have exceptional creative instincts and an obsessive attention to detail.
• Strong experience leading shoots, developing visual systems, directing talent, and shaping social-first storytelling.
• Comfortable operating at both conceptual and executional level.
• Strong understanding of pacing, hooks, editing rhythm, platform behaviour, and what makes audiences stop scrolling.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to sell the vision, protect the idea, and inspire both clients and collaborators.
• Commercially aware and comfortable contributing to pitches, scoping conversations, and creative planning.
• Technical proficiency across Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and video editing tools.
• Genuine passion for creators, culture, aesthetics, and the future of social entertainment.

Based in Farringdon, London, we embrace a flexible hybrid model. We ask our team to work from the office two to three days a week, with Tuesday and Thursday serving as our "anchor days." These days are dedicated to collaborating in person and celebrating Whalar’s vibrant culture together.

Our values: At Whalar, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn't just a statement, it's our collective strength. Our people are our superpower. A diverse team and inclusive leadership have shaped Whalar since our inception in 2016, fueling a constant evolution of growth. We champion a culture of respect and empathy, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends demographics. We hire individuals of all backgrounds and empower them to thrive, challenge stereotypes, and actively break societal barriers.

The perks: Whalar provides flexible benefits and collaborative work environments/experiences, so employees can work productively in a setting that best and uniquely suits their needs.

• Private medical insurance
• Health cash plan
• 25 days of PTO + Sick days + Winter break
• Private pension scheme
• Monthly phone/internet reimbursement
• Professional development stipend
• New joiner's Home office allowance
• Enhanced maternity (up to 22 weeks) / paternity (up 16 weeks) leave
• Reduced fee gym membership (next to office location)
• Life Assurance
• Workplace Nursery Scheme
• Volunteer days
• Social programs