Associate Creative Director - Art Direction

Starling Bank; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A modern bank in London is seeking an Associate Creative Director of Art Direction to lead its creative direction and visual storytelling across campaigns. The ideal candidate will have over 6 years of experience in art direction and campaign development, demonstrated by a strong portfolio. You will collaborate with a variety of teams to shape compelling narratives while ensuring high-quality visual outcomes. This position offers a dynamic role in a thriving environment focused on innovative financial solutions.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus public holiday flexibility

Annual leave increases with service

16 hours paid volunteering time

Life insurance at 4x salary

Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth

Generous family-friendly policies

Perkbox membership for retail discounts

Access to Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• 6+ years experience in art direction, campaign development or visual storytelling.
• A portfolio that shows big ideas, sharp execution and a clear creative voice.
• Strong experience leading shoots and working across photography, film and branded content.

Responsibilities

• Lead concepting and visual storytelling across campaigns and brand communications.
• Develop original creative ideas that work across film, photography, print and digital.
• Oversee photography, film and illustration commissions with a strong creative point of view.

Skills

Creative Leadership

Visual Storytelling

Art Direction

Collaboration

Adobe Creative Suite

Figma

Job description

Overview

Hello, we’re Starling. We built a new kind of bank because we knew technology had the power to help people save, spend and manage their money in a new and transformative way. We’re a fully licensed UK bank with the culture and spirit of a fast-moving, disruptive tech company. We’re a bank, but better: fairer, easier to use and designed to demystify money for everyone. We employ more than 3,500 people across our London, Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester offices.

As Associate Creative Director of Art Direction, you’ll help shape Starling’s brand through campaign ideas, storytelling and big visual moments. You’ll take the lead on creative concepting and execution across shoots, advertising, content and brand activations. This role is about visual storytelling, strong art direction and the ability to create work that resonates and inspires.

You’ll collaborate with writers, producers, designers and marketers to bring ideas to life. You’ll direct and guide others, helping raise the creative bar while acting as a clear and trusted voice across the business.

Key Responsibilities

Creative Leadership and Campaign Development

Lead concepting and visual storytelling across campaigns and brand communications

Develop original creative ideas that work across film, photography, print and digital

Partner closely with writers and strategists to shape compelling narratives

Take projects from concept to delivery, ensuring strong creative direction throughout

Art Direction and Brand Expression

Push the look and feel of campaigns, shoots and branded content

Oversee photography, film and illustration commissions with a strong creative point of view

Guide post-production and asset creation to maintain quality and intent

Help evolve Starling’s brand expression while staying aligned to the visual identity

Collaboration and Team Mentorship

Support and guide midweight and junior creatives with clear, constructive feedback

Collaborate with internal partners and external agencies to deliver standout work

Maintain strong relationships with production teams, talent and vendors

Contribute to a culture of curiosity, collaboration and creative ambition

• 6+ years experience in art direction, campaign development or visual storytelling
• A portfolio that shows big ideas, sharp execution and a clear creative voice
• Strong experience leading shoots and working across photography, film and branded content
• Confident presenting work and guiding creative discussions with stakeholders
• Fluent in Adobe Creative Suite and comfortable working in Figma
• Able to lead others while being hands-on when needed

Bonus Points

• Experience commissioning photographers, directors or illustrators
• Comfortable working on campaign strategy and messaging
• Knowledge of content creation across social, motion and OOH
• Familiarity with creative budgets, resourcing and production planning

• 25 days holiday (plus take your public holiday allowance whenever works best for you)
• An extra day’s holiday for your birthday
• Annual leave is increased with length of service, and you can choose to buy or sell up to five extra days off
• 16 hours paid volunteering time a year
• Salary sacrifice, company enhanced pension scheme
• Life insurance at 4x your salary
• Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth including mental health support and cancer care. Partner benefits include discounts with Waitrose, Mr&Mrs Smith and Peloton
• Generous family-friendly policies
• Perkbox membership giving access to retail discounts, a wellness platform for physical and mental health, and weekly free and boosted perks
• Access to initiatives like Cycle to Work and Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships

About Us

You may be put off applying for a role because you don’t tick every box. Forget that! While we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’re always open to discussion. So, if you’re excited about working with us, but aren’t sure if you’re 100% there yet, get in touch anyway.

We’re on a mission to radically reshape banking – and that starts with our brilliant team. Whatever came before, we’re proud to bring together people of all backgrounds and experiences who love working together to solve problems.

Starling Bank is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Starling Bank are considered without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

By submitting your application, you agree that Starling Bank may collect your personal data for recruiting and related purposes. Our Privacy Notice explains what personal information we may process, where we may process your personal information, its purposes for processing your personal information, and the rights you can exercise over our use of your personal information.