The opportunity
We’re seeking a Senior Art Director who’ll bring original thinking and art direction to external and internal communications on a client list of national and international brands.
We’re looking for someone who shares our energy – to challenge the ordinary, drive up standards in our people and create exciting work which others wish they had done. You’ll be responsible for developing exceptional ideas, building strong client relationships – and guiding the next generation of creative talent. This role will be prominent, client-facing and influential in building our reputation.
Here’s what the role will involve:
Campaign expertise
You’ll be working for some of the world’s biggest brands on employee experience campaigns, as well as national B2B and B2C marketing campaigns. You’ll be hands on in:
- Developing integrated campaign ideas that work seamlessly across multiple platforms from digital to events, and everything inbetween
- Working closely with strategists and copywriters to craft thinking that drives change
- Creating compelling visual narratives for employee experience campaigns
- Using Adobe, Figma and AI tools to bring your ideas to life
- Ensuring brand consistency and creative excellence across all touchpoints
Creative leadership
As an experienced art director, you’ll be:
- Taking ownership for the end-to-end delivery of marketing communications and campaigns, maintaining creative vision and tight quality control from start to finish
- Presenting creative concepts to clients and senior stakeholders with confidence and strategic rationale
- Overseeing design, copywriting and art direction across all media channels including video, digital, print, experiential, and social
- Supporting the Executive Creative Director in inspiring the team with our creative ethos of ‘never ordinary’
Here’s what you’ll bring:
Experience and background
- Full-time agency experience essential
- 8+ years in creative roles working as an art director
- Portfolio demonstrating range across multi-channel experiences
- Ideally experience developing employee experience campaigns for global brands
- Mentoring and oversight experience of junior creatives
- Strong presentation and communication skills
Creative and technical skills
- Strong conceptual thinking with ability to translate strategy into compelling creative ideas
- Exceptional abilities in visual storytelling
- Experience directing photography, film and digital content creation
- Understanding of current creative trends and emerging technologies
- Understanding of digital platforms and social media creative requirements
All about us
Mr B & Friends is an independent agency based in Bristol and London with a global perspective. Our clients range from entrepreneurial scale-ups to global brands such as LEGO and Coca-Cola, and we work frequently with clients in the USA and Asia. Our expertise lies in three areas – branding, communications and employee experience.
The ‘Friends’ in our name isn’t spin. We look after our people – many have been with us for five or more years (and there’s loyalty bonuses that go along with that). But if you really want to ‘get’ our culture, then you have to understand our ethos – Never Ordinary. It’s the lens we apply to everything we do – challenging sector norms and driving up quality standards in ideas and execution.
We also have a great Employee Benefits scheme called The Friends Pact – offering a host of additional benefits outside salary, holiday and pension on offer for all the team to enjoy. This currently includes flexible hours, a hybrid work policy and a 4.5day week with half-days on Fridays. Full details will be shared during the recruitment process.
If it’s glory you’re after, then we win awards too, including the likes of The Drum and the Transform Awards. But really, it’s a bi-product – our focus is building great relationships with clients who come to us for exciting and effective work.
If you don’t have a traditional creative education, you won’t be alone here. We value aptitude and experience over certificates, and welcome untypical perspectives.
Essential information
- Job Title: Senior Art Director
- Team: Creative
- Reporting to: Executive Creative Director
- Location: Hybrid with 3 days in our Bristol office (Tue-Thu)
- Package:
- Salary: £55k p.a.
- Workplace pension
- 24 days annual leave
- 4.5 day working week
- Flexible hours
- Full employee benefits package detailed in ‘The Friends Pact’. Full details will be shared during the recruitment process.
Applications
In the first instance, please email your CV and PDF/URL portfolio to:
Kate Gorringe
Executive Creative Director
kate.gorringe@mrbandfriends.co.uk
Initial interviews with shortlisted candidates are either in person or via video, with follow interviews in our Bristol office. Let us know if there’s anything we can do to make our application or interview process more accessible for you.
