Lead Creative (restricted market)

JR United Kingdom; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading creative agency is seeking a bold Lead Creative to drive innovative projects in a regulated environment. The role involves leading multidisciplinary teams to develop ambitious ideas across retail, live experiences, and digital content, while setting new standards in a complex industry. Candidates should have over 6 years of experience in creative agencies and a strong portfolio showcasing impactful campaigns.

Qualifications

• 6+ years’ experience in creative agencies, ideally with integrated campaigns.
• Portfolio showcasing standout retail activations and experiential campaigns.
• Experience in regulated environments is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of channel-spanning ideas across various platforms.
• Take ownership of high-profile projects in a regulated category.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to deliver creative proposals.

Skills

Creative Leadership

Art Direction

Concept Development

Presentation Skills

Collaboration

Job description

Job Title: Lead Creative

Client: Creative Marketing Team

Location: London (Hybrid)

Type: Full-time

Salary: Depending on experience

Overview

We’re looking for a bold, idea-led Lead Creative to take the reins on conceptually ambitious, brand-building work in a highly regulated category — with the freedom to break new ground and reshape the creative norms of the industry.

This is a hands-on role for a conceptual thinker and experienced Art Director who thrives on creating powerful ideas that come to life across retail, live experience, sponsorship, and digital content. The opportunity sits within a creative team working on high-visibility projects for major consumer-facing brands — including a regulated sector client with a significant innovation agenda.

While your core focus will be on restricted market projects, you'll also contribute to work across a wider portfolio of lifestyle, sport, and culture brands.

What You'll Do

• Lead the development of ambitious, channel-spanning ideas across retail activations, live events, digital, and content
• Take creative ownership of high-profile projects in a regulated category, pushing the boundaries of what's possible within the space
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including strategists, producers, designers, and writers
• Develop and deliver compelling creative proposals to senior stakeholders and clients
• Apply hands-on craft — from art direction to visual mock-ups and storyboarding
• Help shape a creative culture built on originality, experimentation, and strategic thinking

About You

• 6+ years’ experience in creative agencies, ideally with a focus on integrated campaigns and brand experiences
• A portfolio that demonstrates standout retail activations, sponsorship ideas, experiential campaigns, and content-driven creative
• Conceptually strong — you thrive on big ideas and can work them through every stage of delivery
• Visually driven with excellent hands-on art direction and executional craft
• Comfortable working in regulated or complex brand environments (experience in categories like alcohol, pharma, or finance is a bonus)
• A confident presenter with the ability to bring others along with your vision
• Ambitious, proactive, and excited by the chance to do category-defining work

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to work on big, strategically important projects with the creative freedom to set a new standard in a typically limited space. You’ll be part of a creatively ambitious team, backed by an agency environment that values brave ideas, real collaboration, and work that connects with culture.