Art Direction Styling Manager (12 Months FTC)

Dunelm; Leicester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in homewares seeks a talented Art Direction Styling Manager to lead creative direction and styling excellence. In this dynamic role, you will collaborate with various teams to ensure high-quality product presentation, manage shoots, and mentor your team. Your passion for photography, design, and trend awareness will drive the brand's creative vision. Join a supportive culture that values innovation and collaboration, where your contributions will enhance the customer experience and elevate the brand's presence in the market.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in creative roles, delivering print and digital creative.
• Strong influencing skills when presenting creative ideas to stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive creative direction and maintain consistent product styling for shoots.
• Manage lighting directions and oversee all styling aspects of shoots.
• Line manage and mentor direct reports to foster their development.

Skills

People Management

Creative Direction

Photography

Styling

Problem-Solving

Collaboration

Creative Software (InDesign, Photoshop)

Education

Degree in Design or Related Field

Tools

InDesign

Photoshop

Job description

Overview

Home. There’s no place like it. And there’s no feeling like helping people create the joy of feeling truly at home. At Dunelm, that’s what we do. We’re the UK's number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. And the caring and supportive culture we've created makes this a place you'll feel right at home too.

We are the UK’s Number One homewares retailer offering approximately 85,000 products, building a consumer-focused total retail business that delights customers through our multichannel operation.

We are ambitious in our plans to expand further to more customers, encouraging more frequent shopping, with greater choice, enhanced digital and physical services, and new capabilities to innovate and operate swiftly in a fast-changing landscape. In developing the business for the long-term benefit of our customers, we are investing in our supply chain, stores, and technology to improve our customer proposition.

Department Overview

The purpose of the Brand Marketing team is to generate increased brand love, awareness, and consideration among customers, encouraging existing customers to shop more and attracting new customers to consider Dunelm as a shopping destination. Our brand platform, The Home of Homes, is supported by owned channels including ATL and organic social media, as well as earned media and influencer engagement, underpinned by consistent creative and tone of voice.

We collaborate closely with the Commercial teams, Digital Trading, and Digital Marketing to ensure seamless promotion of our products and our commitment as a responsible retailer supporting local communities and the environment.

What you'll be doing

The Art Direction Styling Manager will drive the creative direction, growth, and excellence of our styling work, interpreting how all Dunelm products are styled for our shoots, setting the team vision, and maintaining a consistent, seasonally appropriate tone that prioritizes the customer. Responsibilities include:

• Collaborating with brief owners and the creative team to ensure all images meet high standards and are fit for purpose.
• Maintaining consistent, accurate, and engaging product styling that differentiates us from competitors.
• Managing lighting directions with photographers to ensure consistency and quality across shoots.
• Creating mood boards, storyboards, production, and set build briefs, overseeing all styling aspects of shoots.
• Ensuring shoot targets are achieved, products are shot logically, and communication with teams is regular.
• Working with production teams to source locations, models, and manage budgets.
• Aligning trend directions from the Design team to ensure unified product presentation across all platforms.
• Building strong relationships with Buying, Design, Social, and PR teams to inform styling decisions and support the buying strategy.
• Line managing, training, and mentoring direct reports, fostering their development and team success.
• Driving creative consistency through all projects and sign-off processes.
• Conducting high-profile shoots with external teams domestically and abroad.

What we'll look for in you

• Ability to support teams with sample issues, equipment challenges, and deadlines, liaising with stakeholders and prioritizing risks.
• Outstanding people management and mentoring skills.
• Being a role model for the Creative team.
• Significant experience in creative roles, capable of delivering print and digital creative from concept to publication.
• A passion for photography, video, and design.
• Knowledge across interior, fashion, and food styling and composition.
• Understanding of social media content delivery.
• Familiarity with pre and post-production processes.
• Awareness of industry trends and competition.
• Previous management experience with a coaching ethos.
• Strong influencing skills when presenting creative ideas to stakeholders.
• Effective problem-solving skills and adaptability.
• Experience briefing studio teams.
• Ability to balance creative goals with efficient, well-planned production.
• Highly collaborative, fostering positive relationships and work practices.
• Passionate about the Dunelm brand.
• Proficiency with creative software such as InDesign, Photoshop, etc.