Associate Creative Director

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Associate Creative Director

🔹 Company: Future Publishing

🔹 Location: London, United Kingdom (Hybrid: 3 days office, 2 days remote)

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Creative & Design

🔹 Date Posted: July 1, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading creative branded content strategies and campaigns
• Collaborating with editorial, sales, and other teams to deliver tailored solutions
• Pitching and winning new business opportunities
• Developing creative concepts and producing moodboards, scripts, and copy
• Adapting tone of voice and style to align with various brands in the Future portfolio

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a versatile creative with a strong portfolio and deep publishing experience, particularly in homes, tech, gaming, or sport markets.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the development of pitches and live campaigns, coordinating creatives, designers, copywriters, and editorial teams

✅ Digest client briefs and new opportunities, working closely with planning and sales directors to drive new business efforts

✅ Lead new business pitches, from organizing brainstorms to writing the deck and presenting alone or as part of a team

✅ Come up with creative campaign concepts that inspire clients with a vision for their brands and businesses

✅ Facilitate productive ideation sessions that generate relevant, impactful ideas and push the envelope creatively

✅ Be a figurehead for creativity and branded content across the business, consulting on trends, opportunities, and best practices

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration and requires strong communication and project management skills.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Design, Marketing, or a related discipline)

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in a creative leadership role within magazine publishing, with a strong portfolio in branded content partnerships

Required Skills:

• Proven success pitching branded content partnerships to client brands
• Deep experience and portfolio strength in homes, tech, gaming, or sport markets
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Strong strategic thinking and creative concept development abilities
• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with influencers and social media platforms
• Knowledge of video and audio storytelling techniques
• Familiarity with event planning and experiential activations

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in a similar role within a magazine publishing environment will have a competitive edge.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £49,000 - £75,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Creative Director role in London)

Benefits:

• Uncapped leave
• Profit share bonus
• Referral rewards
• Wellbeing support
• Share incentive plan

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexible working arrangements

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and skills.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Future Publishing is a global leader in specialist media, with over 200 brands across various sectors, including technology, gaming, home interest, and music.

Company Size: Future Publishing has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Founded: 1985, with a rich history in magazine publishing and a strong presence in both the UK and the US.

Company Description:

• Future Publishing is the global platform for specialist media, creating expert original content that connects people to their passions.
• The company reaches 1 in 3 adults online in the UK and the US through its websites, magazines, events, and social spaces.
• Future Publishing is the largest magazine publisher in the UK, with a combined circulation of more than 3 million across its publications.

Company Specialties:

• Magazines
• Events
• B2C and B2B marketing
• Content marketing
• eCommerce
• Technology
• Gaming
• Entertainment
• Home interest
• Knowledge
• Music
• Media
• Content creation
• Websites
• Social media
• Video
• Digital
• Fashion
• Advertising

Company Website: futureplc.com

ASSUMPTION: Future Publishing's diverse portfolio and global presence offer candidates the opportunity to work on a wide range of brands and projects.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, reporting directly to the Creative Director.

Reporting Structure: The Associate Creative Director will oversee creatives, designers, copywriters, and other team members, collaborating with editorial, sales, and other departments.

Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with three days worked from the office (London Paddington or Bath) and two days from home.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to Creative Director or other senior leadership roles
• Expanding creative skillset and portfolio through diverse projects
• Gaining experience in managing and mentoring team members

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to advance their career and develop their skills.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Future Publishing has offices in London (Paddington) and Bath, with a hybrid work arrangement.

Office Location(s): London, Paddington; Bath

Geographic Context:

• London: A vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving creative industry
• Bath: A historic city with a strong digital and tech sector

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexible working arrangements

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers candidates the best of both worlds, with the opportunity to collaborate in an office environment and enjoy the flexibility of remote work.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video call interview with the HR department
• Creative challenge or portfolio review
• Final interview with the Creative Director and other stakeholders

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creativity and portfolio strength
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Communication and presentation skills
• Collaboration and teamwork abilities

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
• Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your branded content partnerships and creative concepts
• Research Future Publishing and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's mission and values

ATS Keywords: Branded content, creative leadership, publishing experience, campaign development, client pitches, collaboration, ideation, trend analysis, portfolio development

ASSUMPTION: Future Publishing's application process is designed to assess candidates' creativity, strategic thinking, and cultural fit, with a focus on their portfolio and interview performance.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
• Design and prototyping tools (e.g., Sketch, Figma)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard creative and project management tools is essential for success in this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Passion for content
• Innovation and curiosity
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Integrity and respect
• Accountability and ownership

Work Style:

• Creative and innovative
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and accountable
• Adaptable and responsive to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a passion for creating cutting-edge commercial solutions in a publishing environment?
• Are you comfortable working collaboratively with various teams to deliver tailored solutions for clients?
• Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment and enjoy pushing the envelope creatively?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Future Publishing's values and work style will be most successful in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Adapting to the distinct tone of voice and style of various brands in the Future portfolio
• Balancing creative vision with client expectations and budget constraints
• Keeping up with industry trends and best practices in a rapidly evolving media landscape

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong project management, communication, and adaptability skills.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional creative director roles, this position focuses specifically on branded content partnerships and requires a strong portfolio in this area
• Future Publishing's diverse portfolio offers candidates the opportunity to work on a wide range of brands and projects
• This role offers significant growth potential, with opportunities to advance to creative director or other senior leadership positions

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique within the publishing industry, requiring a specific skillset and portfolio focus on branded content partnerships.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a creative campaign for a tech client, including moodboards, scripts, and copy
• Pitching a branded content partnership to a gaming client, showcasing a deep understanding of the target audience and market trends
• Collaborating with the events team to create an experiential activation for a home interest client, combining creative storytelling and immersive experiences

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of creative challenges and opportunities presented by this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within the creative department?
• How does Future Publishing support the growth and development of its creative team members?
• What are the most rewarding aspects of working as an Associate Creative Director at Future Publishing?
• How does the company approach work-life balance and employee well-being?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the role's responsibilities, the company culture, and the opportunities for professional growth.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
• Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your branded content partnerships and creative concepts
• Research Future Publishing and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's mission and values
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submission, inquiring about the status of your application

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.