EMEA Creative Director: Studio Lead

McCormick & Company; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global food business is seeking an EMEA Creative Director: Studio Lead to oversee the production of high-quality creative assets. Key responsibilities include leading a creative team, managing studio operations, and ensuring the alignment of visual content with brand guidelines. The ideal candidate possesses a Bachelor's Degree in Design, significant experience in video production and food styling, and is proficient in Adobe Creative Suite. Join a dynamic environment focused on creative excellence and impactful campaigns.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in shooting food and managing creative teams.
• Extensive experience with lighting techniques for visual content.
• Proven ability to influence and drive process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of creatives for EMEA brand campaigns.
• Direct on-set lighting and camera angles to enhance food appeal.
• Manage studio operations and equipment.

Skills

Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite

Strong communication skills

Creativity in content development

Experience managing junior creatives

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Design, Film, or related field

Tools

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe After Effects

Job description

Overview

Position: EMEA Creative Director: Studio Lead

Based: UK, Haddenham

The EMEA Creative Director: Studio Lead is responsible for overseeing the in-house production of high-quality creative assets for McCormick’s brands across the EMEA region. This includes social videos, display ads, recipe photography, and more. The role focuses heavily on video content and ensures all projects align with brand guidelines. The Creative Director will lead a team of in-house creatives and freelancers specializing in photography, video editing, and food styling. Additionally, the role involves fostering collaboration and driving creative excellence to deliver impactful campaigns.

Main responsibilities

• Lead a team of 4-5 creatives, freelancers, and agency partners to deliver content for campaigns and organic marketing across EMEA brands.
• Manage studio operations, including equipment, props, and kitchen space, and create a collaborative, creative environment.
• Direct all studio work, focusing on visual composition, lighting, and prop styling to enhance food appeal.
• Provide on-set direction for lighting, camera angles, and props to ensure alignment with brand guidelines.
• Set up and operate video equipment to ensure high-quality video that meets brand standards and showcases food effectively.
• Edit footage with attention to timing, detail, and overall quality.
• Edit video for various formats in Premiere Pro and After Effects.
• Create rough storyboards for social videos and edit existing content.
• Design concepts for display and product thumbnails.
• Work with marketing leaders to develop annual production plans that align with media needs, secure funding, and prioritize content production.
• Collaborate with chefs and food stylist to create appetizing and engaging visual content.
• Collaborate with agency partners to version out assets initially concepted by external agencies.
• Continually execute against analytics learnings in content production.

Candidate profile

• Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Design, Film, or related field.
  • Relevant work experience, including shooting food and managing creative teams.
  • Extensive experience with lighting techniques and equipment for high-quality visual content (both video and photography).
  • Strong background in art direction, specifically with food-related projects.
• Skills & Expertise:
  • Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite, with proficiency in key design and video tools.
  • Experience managing and mentoring junior creatives, providing guidance and fostering growth.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate creative direction to teams.
  • Proven ability to influence cross-functional partners and drive process improvements.
  • Able to manage multiple projects and tasks efficiently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Creativity & Problem-Solving:
  • Ability to stay true to brand identity while introducing creative and innovative content ideas.
  • Strong understanding of what makes food visually appealing and appetizing in content.
  • Ability to develop and execute content ideas that balance creativity with brand consistency.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Workfront) to streamline workflows.
  • Proven ability to establish and run a content studio.
  • Expertise in working with multiple brands, understanding their unique styles and tones.
  • Strong people management skills, focusing on leadership and team development.
  • Cooking experience and/or knowledge of food ingredients to enhance the authenticity of content.

Company

Company manufactures, markets, and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavourful products to the entire food industry, retail outlets, food manufactures, food service businesses and consumers.

While our global headquarters are in the Baltimore, Maryland, USA area, McCormick operates and serves customers from nearly 60 locations in 25 countries and 170 markets in Asia-Pacific, China, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and the Americas, including North, South and Central America with recognized brands including Schwartz.

At McCormick, we have over a 100-year legacy based on our “Power of People” principle. This principle fosters an unusually dedicated workforce requiring a culture of respect, recognition, inclusion and collaboration based on the highest ethical values.

To apply

Agencies: McCormick as needed will work with external recruitment vendors through our Agency Portal. Unless previously contacted, McCormick does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies.

McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.

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