Director, Resource Management (Creative)

DEPT

Design Director (AI&Tech) London / Manchester This position sits in our Marketing & Technology service based in London. We combine data, technology, creative and paid media to crack brands’ business problems & drive revenue through a variety of digital marketing solutions like social, influencer, TTL ad campaigns, augmented reality, AI and innovation. Our clients include eBay, easyJet, Just Eat Takeaway and Pepsico. JOB PURPOSE We are looking for a Design Director for an exciting AI Platform client of ours. The work we produce for them is varied and can range drastically from simple BAU creative responses, to in-person creative sprints and even full productions across multiple global markets. As a Design Director and lead on the client, you’ll be responsible for reviewing and signing off work, upholding brand and business standards, and ensuring creative excellence across all campaigns and projects. You will work with a wider team of creatives, producers etc , providing clear, decisive feedback, guidance and inspiration to support members of the team across these disciplines. As well as building, delegating and empowering the team to confidently take on work, you will be a hands-on creative with a willingness to ‘get your hands dirty’ to help the team. This role combines design management and creative leadership, balancing people development, asset production, resource management and creative innovation. You’ll act as a trusted partner to wider team leads, bringing both vision and practical executional expertise to every project. WHAT YOU’LL DO: * Lead, develop, motivate and inspire DEPT’s design teams and encourage collaboration * Deliver and inspire innovative and high quality work across all deliverables from the team * Develop strong creative ideas rooted in narrative, pacing, composition, and visual structure * Initiate and facilitate creative team collaboration and sharing, and team cohesion through social and team building initiatives * Guide execution across motion and static deliverables to keep work aligned with the original creative intent * Lead, develop, motivate and inspire the design team as well as encouraging collaboration * Be the face and voice of design at Dept®, to raise the profile of the team * Suggest best ways of working,  and hustle for the best opportunities  * Work with the ECD to build processes, structures and raise the quality of design * Nurture and build a team of happy and fulfilled designers * Build a productive and working relationship with other disciplines across the agency to deliver projects * Maintain brand consistency throughout all our marketing projects * Explore and work within a variety of different formats and platforms to create global campaigns * Generate the creative ideas and campaign look and feel * Deliver and inspire innovative and high quality work across all deliverables from the team * Collaborate with other designers and creative planners * Be aware of and respond to current design trends and culture * Use your experience and ideas to contribute to the development of our creative process  * Present work internally and externally * Stay up-to-date with industry development and tools  WHAT YOU BRING: * Experience of growing, inspiring and leading a team of 10+  * Strong experience leading on a client with a consultative approach, ideally a client in the tech or AI space * Work with management to operationally set the client team up for success * Strong visual judgement and confidence contributing to concepts and creative direction * Experience working with resource / operations to ensure projects are set up for success * A high attention to detail, especially in large scale asset production and sign off  * Experience in creating and reviewing scopes/timing plans * Curiosity around AI tools and interest in learning how they can support creative work * A strong portfolio or showreel showing concept, craft, and high quality motion and design work, with examples of tech or AI-led campaigns  WE OFFER: * A flexible, hybrid working policy (2 days from the office, depending on location). * An excellent salary based on experience and equal pay policies * Pension, free private healthcare, mental health support, and company sick pay scheme. * 26 days paid holiday (plus UK Bank Holidays). * Refreshments are provided in the office all week, as well as drinks at 4 pm on a Thursday. * Help getting you to work with a season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme. * Enhanced family friendly policies to support new parents. * Social and Cultural Events, plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues through organised activities and celebrations. * Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events. * Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance. * Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks’ at DEPT®. * A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards. * Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get  WHY DEPT®? We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA. We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter. At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build. DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION  At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine. We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us. Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.

DEPT

Associate Design Director London  This position sits in our Marketing & Technology service based in London. We combine data, technology, creative and paid media to crack brands’ business problems & drive revenue through a variety of digital marketing solutions like social, influencer, TTL ad campaigns, augmented reality, AI and innovation. Our clients include eBay, easyJet, Just Eat Takeaway and Pepsico. JOB PURPOSE We are looking for an Associate Design Director for an exciting AI Platform client of ours. The work we produce for them is varied and can range drastically from simple BAU creative responses, to in-person creative sprints and even full productions across multiple global markets. As an Associate Design Director and lead on the client, you’ll be responsible for reviewing and signing off work, upholding brand and business standards, and ensuring creative excellence across all campaigns and projects. You will support the Design Director and work with a wider team of creatives, producers etc , providing clear, decisive feedback, guidance and inspiration to support members of the team across these disciplines. As well as building, delegating and empowering the team to confidently take on work, you will be a hands-on creative with a willingness to ‘get your hands dirty’ to help the team. This role combines design management and creative leadership, balancing people development, asset production, resource management and creative innovation. You’ll act as a trusted partner to wider team leads, bringing both vision and practical executional expertise to every project. WHAT YOU’LL DO: * Work with the Design Director to develop processes, structures and raise the quality of design * Lead, develop, motivate and inspire DEPT’s design teams and encourage collaboration * Deliver and inspire innovative and high quality work across all deliverables from the team * Develop strong creative ideas rooted in narrative, pacing, composition, and visual structure * Initiate and facilitate creative team collaboration and sharing, and team cohesion through social and team building initiatives * Guide execution across motion and static deliverables to keep work aligned with the original creative intent * Lead, develop, motivate and inspire the design team as well as encouraging collaboration * Be the face and voice of design at Dept®, to raise the profile of the team * Suggest best ways of working,  and hustle for the best opportunities  * Work with the ECD to build processes, structures and raise the quality of design * Nurture and build a team of happy and fulfilled designers * Build a productive and working relationship with other disciplines across the agency to deliver projects * Maintain brand consistency throughout all our marketing projects * Explore and work within a variety of different formats and platforms to create global campaigns * Generate the creative ideas and campaign look and feel * Deliver and inspire innovative and high quality work across all deliverables from the team * Collaborate with other designers and creative planners * Be aware of and respond to current design trends and culture * Use your experience and ideas to contribute to the development of our creative process  * Present work internally and externally * Stay up-to-date with industry development and tools  WHAT YOU BRING: * Strong experience leading on a client with a consultative approach * Work with management to operationally set the client team up for sucess * Experience leading and guiding designers / creatives in a client team or department * Strong visual judgement and confidence contributing to concepts and creative direction * Art direction experience showing how you’ve helped crafted the visual story of your work * Solid motion design skills with a good sense of timing, composition, framing, and storytelling * Experience creating styleframes, visual systems, and narrative driven motion * Curiosity around AI tools and interest in learning how they can support creative work * A strong portfolio or showreel showing concept, craft, and high quality motion and design work, with examples of tech or AI-led campaigns  WE OFFER: * A flexible, hybrid working policy (2 days from the office, depending on location). * An excellent salary based on experience and equal pay policies * Pension, free private healthcare, mental health support, and company sick pay scheme. * 26 days paid holiday (plus UK Bank Holidays). * Refreshments are provided in the office all week, as well as drinks at 4 pm on a Thursday. * Help getting you to work with a season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme. * Enhanced family friendly policies to support new parents. * Social and Cultural Events, plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues through organised activities and celebrations. * Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events. * Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance. * Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks’ at DEPT®. * A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards. * Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get  WHY DEPT®? We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA. We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter. At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build. DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION  At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine. We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us. Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.

WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands.  We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.    We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.   Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.    For more information, visit WPP.com.   THE COMPANY: About WPP Production We are WPP Production - the unified global production company that brings together all of WPP's content producers, studios and craft experts into one connected organisation. We combine world-class human craft with next generation technology to originate, design, and deliver multi-channel content systems at scale. Built for borderless collaboration and powered by deep craft expertise, we are the production engine designed for today's always on, AI driven marketing world.  About WPP WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com. #L THE ROLE: We are looking for a passionate leader and technical champion for the creation of rich front-end experiences. You will manage a team of HTML5, Javascript, CSS developers and be ultimately responsible for the clients’ technical delivery. You have an in-depth knowledge of current and emerging front-end technologies and can work with server-side technical leads to create and integrate complex client-side applications. You will have a clear idea of what ‘good’ looks like, and be able to communicate best practice to your colleagues and fellow project members. You will work with WPP Production and partner organisations to define the optimum technical approach for client projects and ceaselessly promote best practice, quality and craft in your code and the code of those you lead. Strong communication skills, including the ability to listen, understand, advocate, and persuade are essential as you will represent your practice in client and internal senior stakeholder meetings. You will Provide technical thought leadership and promote the vision, strategy and services of the digital department to both educate our teams within WPP Production and to be seen as a leading figure in the industry. Define our distributed development strategy and processes across our onshore, offshore and remote teams, including identifying and developing key strategic technology partnerships. You will manage a team of highly skilled developers ranging from Graduate to Senior level, implementing and maintaining development practices, running meetings and workshops that ensure the growth, motivation and continued development of the team, and ultimately take responsibility for the quality of your team’s output. The team needs to build/modify responsive web pages using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc. based on the visual briefs. You will work closely with other discipline leads (QA/PM) to ensure scoping, estimates, and requirements are estimated correctly and delivered with minimal errors. You must be enthusiastic about technology and constantly be looking at the next innovation. On top of possessing strong oral, interpersonal, and organizational abilities, you must be able to work in a fast paced environment. Flexibility and tolerance is a necessity.   KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: * Co-ordinating with leads across key delivery teams (Tech, Project Management, QA, and Resource Management) * Ensure compliance with Hogarth production processes * Acting as the point of escalation for project issues raised by team leads, resolving problems quickly and communicating effectively * Coaching and developing the team in their roles with regular performance reviews to ensure success in their personal development * Manage the team hiring and keeping briefs clear and consistently updated * Interviewing candidates for the team and taking responsibility for the approval of freelancers to work in a fast paced and reactive environment * Set and manage client expectations while coordinating and ensuring all parties follow the agreed workflows * Build strong, trusting relationships with all key stakeholders, function leads, cross-functional project managers, senior managers, and third-party vendors that are directly involved with the work * Manage the approval of quarterly budgets, flagging important budget fluctuations to the client and line manager * Draft, prepare and present timelines, documents, and presentations and reports both to the client and to the team * Ensure that the line manager is always aware of all client issues and proposed solutions (including potential delays) to ensure swift resolution and avoid further escalation * Ensure your account consistently delivers against all contractual obligations including SLAs and KPIs * Act as a brand QC/Guardian – always ensure brand guidelines, QC checklists and procedures are followed * Keep GAD and FD informed of any circumstances which would positively or negatively affect forecasts * teamwork, create balanced work schedule and ensure people are able to deliver results * Identify training requirements for team members to ensure their adherence to processes and workflow * Plan resources for overseas projects and inform talent manager and line manager of new recruitment needs * Plan, prepare and implement the induction of new starters   REQUIREMENTS: * A minimum of 12 years Project Management experience background, of which 2 years are leading a team * Experience of leading innovation, leveraging emerging platforms and quickly facilitating new ideas and platforms to market * Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills * Know-how in working cross-functionally to build relationships between business units, technology, product, media, agency, and design teams * Experience working on international initiatives - ideally with exposure to emerging markets * Self-motivated and a self-starter * Very high competence in project management software such as Microsoft Project and Omniplan * Extensive experience in costing, quotations and project scope definition * Excellent communication skills to different target groups within the project team, management and clients * Ensure understanding of the contractual obligations, commercial arrangements and SLAs of the accounts and ensure specific details are understood by the wider team where relevant * Analytical and detailed in project documentation, accountability, and tracking * Pragmatic, team player with excellent written and verbal communication skills * Understanding of brands and brand challenges * The ability to function productively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment * High level of IT literacy, including use of spreadsheets * Strong numeracy skills * Support GAD/CSD and FD in revenue forecasting on an ongoing basis * Keep GAD/CSD and FD informed of any circumstances which would positively or negatively affect forecasts * Ensure full compliance with all financial procedure and policies * Prioritization, time management and attention to detail * Resilience and ability to work under pressure * Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, in both Japanese and English * Strong interpersonal skills * Highly organised, detail oriented, customer focused, and proactive * Possess technical understanding of mobile and web technologies necessary to run projects and convey details. Examples would be: * iOS and Android development * Cloud computing * HTML5/CSS/JavaScript * ecommerce/Shopping Carts * Social Media Strategies/Platforms * Familiarity with creative production and development tools is always an advantage. Such software includes Adobe Creative Suite, BBEdit, SVN, GitHub, Eclipse, Dreamweaver, Final Cut Pro and others. In addition, familiarity with mobile and web platforms and ecosystems would also be advantageous * Must be able to travel as required, sometimes for several weeks at a time I-DNP We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. PLEASE READ OUR PRIVACY NOTICE (HTTPS://WWW.WPP.COM/EN/CAREERS/WPP-PRIVACY-POLICY-FOR-RECRUITMENT) FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW WE PROCESS THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE.