Senior Art Director

OLIVER Agency; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading creative agency in Greater London is looking for a Senior Art Director to transform ideas into compelling visuals while mentoring a global team. The role involves overseeing digital and print projects, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with client needs. Ideal candidates will have at least 5 years of experience in art direction, strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, and a passion for innovation. This position encourages creativity and includes a commitment to inclusivity and sustainability.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as an Art Director with team leadership.
• Proficient in developing creative concepts across various projects.
• High fluency in English with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-quality conceptual designs for digital and print.
• Lead design projects from conception to execution.
• Mentor junior creatives and oversee project management.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Figma

Creative leadership

UX/UI design

Project management

Tools

Adobe Experience Manager

Motion graphics

Job description

Established in 2004, OLIVER is the world’s first and only specialist in designing, building, and running bespoke in‑house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands. We partner with over 300 clients in 40+ countries and counting. Our unique model drives creativity and efficiency, allowing us to deliver tailored solutions that resonate deeply with audiences.

As a part of The Brandtech Group, we’re at the forefront of leveraging cutting‑edge AI technology to revolutionise how we create and deliver work. Our AI solutions enhance efficiency, spark creativity, and drive insightful decision‑making, empowering our teams to produce innovative and impactful results.

About the role

Oliver Agency is looking for a Senior Art Director to join the team. As a Senior Art Director, you will utilize your exceptional conceptual design skills to transform ideas into compelling visuals aligned with client needs and brand guidelines and support strategic development of marketing initiatives. Your role involves mentoring creatives, overseeing projects from brief to completion, and confidently articulating ideas to clients. You’ll collaborate with a global team to design and produce diverse materials, all while fostering a culture of learning and innovation.

In your role, you will be reporting to the Associate Creative Director and working closely with clients as part of a global team designing, overseeing and producing a variety of materials. In the day‑to‑day, you’ll be completing conceptual integrated designs, overseeing the work of junior creatives, and supporting the management of projects. Projects can include both print and digital deliverables for internal/external campaigns/brands, visual systems, brochures, invitations, e‑mail, social and digital banners, digital signage, posters, storyboard ideation for animation, and large‑scale event signage like staging, wayfinding, UI/UX and swag items. Our ideal candidate enjoys working in a fast‑paced environment and operates well as a part of a team.

What you will be doing

• Develop beautiful and innovative high‑quality conceptual designs for both digital and print applications and event collateral for internal campaigns and brands.
• Leads the full lifecycle of design projects from conceptualization to execution. Ensuring that they are delivered on time and within budget.
• Creating and overseeing the preparation of all finished files that will comply with the correct output specifications.
• Expertly present creative work to both internal business partners and clients. Ability to adapt designs to incorporate feedback to meet client needs.
• Provide artistic direction and project oversight for all design team members and creative studio colleagues, providing guidance and mentorship to foster their creative growth.
• Collaborate with project management and other creative colleagues to understand project goals and client needs; help support in the development of realistic scopes and schedules.
• In partnership with studio leadership, identifies and spearheads the development and implementation of studio processes to encourage efficiency and collaboration.
• Play a critical role in supporting deeper integration cross‑functionally between visual development and digital work.
• Drive strategic initiatives for AI adoption within the design studio, leading training programs and fostering a culture of innovation to leverage AI for improved project outcomes, enhanced brand consistency, and effective communication of complex financial concepts.

What you need to be great in this role

• 5 years of experience as an Art Director at a design firm, agency or an in‑house team with at least 3 years as a team lead or involved with people management.
• 5+ years of work experience that demonstrates impeccable craft and command in the development of creative concepts, art direction and design across a variety of projects.
• Excellent Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.) skills.
• Leverage expertise in Figma for seamless UX/UI design integration. Knowledge or experience with Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) a plus and proficiency in motion graphics storyboarding and video are advantageous.
• Understanding of design principles and some experience with UX, UI and Responsive Design trends as well as social best practices.
• The ability to take projects from concept to completion, with a history of translating strategic thinking into compelling creative ideas.
• Ability to listen to, and work closely with, all workstreams involved in the project, which may include strategists, project managers, creatives, developers, testers, external suppliers, clients and various other supporting departments or functions, providing decisive creative leadership and collaborative problem‑solving.
• Skills to creatively lead (and sometimes push) clients and the agency to achieve solutions that positively impact the client’s business, and of which both client and the agency are proud.
• You must have exposure working in a client‑facing capacity, from handling client queries to supporting colleagues in taking full and conclusive briefs.
• Persuasive communication and presentation skills with colleagues and clients.
• High fluency in English, including strong verbal and written communication and listening skills.
• A passion to mentor and oversee junior art directors, designers, and other studio colleagues.
• Be extremely detail‑oriented and have a deep technical knowledge of production for print and digital campaigns.
• Must be team‑oriented and collaborative with the ability to problem‑solve proactively and deal with multiple priorities.
• Demonstrate a high level of initiative and be a proactive solution seeker.
• Must be extremely resourceful and enthusiastic, patient, and diplomatic, able to successfully work with a range of personality types.
• Display a capacity to learn quickly and respond well to changes and opportunities.
• Be a kind human being who operates with thoughtfulness, consideration, and generosity, caring equally and passionately for the people, and the work.
• Experience working in the investment banking/finance industry is a bonus.

Values

Be Imaginative to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Be always learningand listening to understand.

Be actively pro‑inclusive and anti‑racist across our community, clients and creations.

OLIVER, a part of the Brandtech Group, is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. All applicants shall be considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, neurodivergence, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by local laws.

OLIVER has set ambitious environmental goals around sustainability, with science‑based emissions reduction targets. Collectively, we work towards our mission, embedding sustainability into every department and through every stage of the project lifecycle.