Creative Director, HearstMade (12 Month FTC)

We are the UK's leading premium publisher, home to iconic and influential media brands including Esquire, Men's & Women's Health, ELLE, Good Housekeeping, Harper's Bazaar, Digital Spy, Cosmopolitan, Red and more. At Hearst UK, we don't just create content – we shape culture.

Our workplace is driven by passion, shaped by authenticity and powered by creativity. We back bold ideas, act with an entrepreneurial mindset and continually evolve to meet the moment - while respecting the legacy that's brought us here. We believe in each other's potential and push boundaries together to create meaningful impact, both across the media landscape and in people's lives.

We're proud of our heritage - but even more excited about making history.

Hearst UK operates an in office policy with flexible Friday's. Our office is based at House of Hearst, 30 Panton Street, St James's, London, SW1Y 4AJ , where teams collaborate in person and connect across brands and functions.

Salary - £55,000-£65,000 -Salary is dependent on experience and will be assessed in line with the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and relevant expertise.

The Role…

As HearstMade’s Creative Director, you will lead the development and creation of visual commercial and marketing content that inspires, engages and delivers impact. This pivotal new role will set the creative vision across all design output, championing multi-platform excellence and bold, boundary-pushing ideas.

As the senior creative voice within the team, you will oversee the creative functions across shoot production, design, art direction and video editing. You will set priorities, allocate resources and ensure that all disciplines work collaboratively to deliver cohesive, high-quality content across platforms.

You will be accountable for raising creative standards, driving a culture of creativity, collaboration and innovation, and evolving HearstMade’s creative offering to unlock new revenue-driving opportunities.

Main Duties…

• Define and uphold the creative vision, inspiring and leading the creative team to deliver bold, imaginative and engaging content aligned with client, brand and audience needs.

• Oversee and support the creative team across shoot production, design, art direction and video editing, providing clear direction, setting priorities and ensuring effective collaboration across disciplines.

• Oversee the end-to-end creative production process, from concept development and treatments through to shoot production, design, post-production and final delivery.

• Work closely with the Creative Strategy team to develop compelling concepts and ideas at pitch stage, translating client briefs and strategic insights into distinctive, commercially effective creative proposals.

• Manage the quality and consistency of HearstMade’s design, art direction, video and marketing output through clear feedback, rigorous quality assurance and consistently high creative standards.

• Lead the creative direction of stills and video shoots, ensuring that the visual concept is effectively translated from pre-production through to final execution.

• Nurture and develop creative talent, providing training, mentoring and opportunities for the team to upskill and flex across platforms.

• Build a collaborative, ambitious and high-performing team culture, supporting individual development and ensuring the team has the skills and resources required to deliver excellent work.

• Build strong relationships with editorial creative teams, strengthening brand alignment and enhancing content performance.

• Collaborate with stakeholders across sales, commercial operations, consumer and brand teams to deliver first-class content on time and to budget.

• Stay ahead of creative trends, emerging platforms and new technologies to drive innovation and maintain HearstMade’s competitive edge.

• Help shape premium creative content packages and unlock new revenue streams through innovative, client-focused creative solutions.

• Identify opportunities to create efficiencies, streamline processes and increase production profitability.

What We Are Looking For…

• Proven leadership experience in design, art direction and creative direction, supported by a strong portfolio of bold, imaginative and brand-relevant visual content.

• A strong track record of overseeing and inspiring multidisciplinary creative teams across shoot production, design, art direction and video editing.

• Experience leading the end-to-end production of stills and video content, from concept development and pre-production through to post-production and final delivery.

• Experience collaborating with Creative Strategy teams to develop concepts, ideas and visual approaches at pitch level.

• A strong track record of mentoring creative teams and building high-performance cultures.

• Experience managing creative workflows, setting priorities, allocating resources and balancing multiple projects and deadlines.

• An ability to work with internal stakeholders to develop creative ideas, analyse performance data and identify growth opportunities.

• Proven ability to review and refine creative work, striking the right balance between innovation, brand alignment and business goals.

• Evidence of developing creative commercial solutions in response to client briefs and revenue objectives.

• A clear understanding of emerging creative trends, platforms and technologies, with strong awareness of competitor activity.

• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder-management skills, with the confidence to provide clear creative direction and constructive feedback.

• A solution-focused mindset, with experience streamlining processes, driving efficiencies and delivering cost-effective solutions.

Benefits…

(Your benefits at Hearst UK are more than just extras—they are tools to help you thrive in every part of life.)

Hearst Exclusives - Only for You! 

• Get adventurous with Good Housekeeping Taste and Beauty Testing Panels - yes, you could be trying the next big thing in beauty, food & drink.
• Snag luxe beauty steals at our legendary office sample sales - score big on top brands without breaking the bank!

Inclusion, Health & Wellbeing: Feel Your Best

• Stay healthy with Specsavers eye care, a company-funded Health Cash Plan, and access to mental health support.
• Get active and stress-free with discounted gym memberships and the Cycle to Work scheme.
• Embrace flexibility with a Location Flex and Holiday Exchange to take time when you need it.
• Take time to give back with a Charity Day and access wellbeing resources whenever you need them.
• Join one of our Hearst ERG Groups.

Financial Wellness - Boost Your Budget

• Plan ahead with a generous Workplace Pension, Income Protection, Life Assurance and Season Ticket Loan for easier commuting.
• Make smarter money moves using Salary Finance tools, Financial Wellbeing sessions, and Home Tech benefits to spread costs.
• Treat yourself with major discounts across London plus everyday savings via the HAPI at Hearst app

Hearst UK is deeply committed to using our influential brands to reflect the world we want to live in – one that respects, protects, represents and uplifts the voices and opinions of all people. As a business, we recognise the significant benefits of creativity, collaboration and innovation that comes with diverse teams. Not only is diversifying the voices in our organization the right thing to do, but it also helps us to make powerful and exciting content that can be enjoyed by many more people. This is why we’re working to build a sense of true belonging within our business and foster a culture in which everyone feels heard.