Creative Lead (Design/Art)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Creative Lead (Design/Art)

🔹 Company: Telstra

🔹 Location: Australia (Flexible)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Creative & Design

🔹 Date Posted: April 10, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Flexible)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading visual ideation and design direction for campaigns and content streams
• Ensuring creative outputs are strategically aligned, visually compelling, and on-brief
• Maintaining high standards of design execution across multiple formats
• Mentoring and coaching mid-weight and junior designers
• Collaborating with strategy, copy, and production teams to ensure creative thinking extends from hero ideas to execution

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creative leadership, technical expertise, and the ability to work collaboratively with various teams to deliver visually impactful and strategically aligned creative outputs.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead visual ideation and design direction for campaigns and content streams

✅ Ensure creative outputs are strategically aligned, visually compelling, and on-brief

✅ Maintain the highest standards of design execution across digital, social, CRM, and print formats

✅ Drive consistency and cohesion across all design outputs, aligned with Telstra’s brand guidelines and design systems

✅ Work hands-on to develop layouts, art direct photography, or build presentations when required

✅ Coach, mentor, and upskill mid-weight and junior designers

✅ Review work with constructive feedback, ensuring growth in both craft and creative confidence

✅ Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team culture

✅ Work closely with strategy and copy leads to ensure creative thinking extends from hero ideas to execution

✅ Adapt big ideas to channel-specific creative executions, ensuring relevance across touchpoints

✅ Provide art direction across photoshoots, illustration, typography, and motion, in collaboration with production

✅ Foster Telstra’s unique and established Hybrid WoW with agency partners

✅ Stay ahead of emerging trends in design, editing, and platforms

✅ Experiment with new tools, AI-driven editing techniques, and immersive formats to push creative boundaries

✅ Ensure all creative is optimized for various platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, CRM, and digital ads

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of design principles, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to work effectively with various teams to deliver high-quality creative outputs.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Design, or Visual Communication

Experience: 10+ years of hands-on industry design experience, with a minimum of 8 years of experience in art direction, design leadership, or senior creative roles within in-house or agency environments

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to lead creative thinking and develop work that drives real-world impact
• Experience working within and evolving design systems, brand guidelines, and multi-channel campaign structures
• Experience designing for a retail marketing environment and/or Telco (highly favorable)
• Experience collaborating with and establishing relationships with interdepartmental stakeholders and external agencies

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in designing for a telecommunications company or adjacent brand
• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant design software

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong portfolio showcasing art direction, campaign work, and high-end design execution across multiple formats will be highly competitive for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a senior creative role in Australia, the estimated salary range for this position is AU$120,000 - AU$160,000 per annum. This estimate takes into account the candidate's experience level, the role's responsibilities, and the company's size and industry.

Benefits:

• Flexible work arrangements
• Competitive salary packaging options
• Discounts on Telstra products and services
• Learning and development opportunities
• Employee assistance program

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard business hours, Monday to Friday. Flexible work arrangements may be available.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. The benefits listed are subject to change and may be confirmed during the application process.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Telstra is a leading telecommunications and technology company, operating in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving market.

Company Size: Telstra has over 1,000 employees, providing a large and diverse work environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Founded: Telstra was founded in 1901 and has since grown to become a global company with a strong presence in more than 22 countries.

Company Description:

• Telstra is committed to building a connected future so everyone can thrive
• The company provides the best experience and delivers the best tech on the best network
• Telstra's in-house creative agency is looking for a Creative Lead to play a critical role in brand guardianship, creative leadership, and high-level creative execution

Company Specialties:

• Telecommunications
• Technology
• Creative Services

Company Website: https://www.telstra.com.au/

ASSUMPTION: Telstra's large size and global presence offer candidates the opportunity to work on diverse projects and collaborate with various teams, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior-level position within Telstra's in-house creative agency, reporting directly to the Head of Creative.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Lead will oversee mid-weight and junior designers, providing mentorship and guidance to support their professional growth.

Work Arrangement: This role is primarily on-site, with flexible work arrangements available to accommodate individual needs and preferences.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to a more senior role within the creative agency or Telstra's broader organization
• Expanding creative skillset and expertise through collaboration with various teams and projects
• Developing leadership and management skills through mentoring and coaching team members

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development, both within the creative agency and Telstra's broader organization.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Telstra's headquarters are located in Sydney, Australia, with flexible work arrangements available for eligible employees.

Office Location(s): 400 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Geographic Context:

• Sydney is the largest city in Australia, offering a vibrant cultural scene, diverse neighborhoods, and ample employment opportunities
• The city is known for its beautiful harbor, iconic landmarks, and stunning beaches
• Sydney's climate is mild and temperate, with warm summers and cool winters

Work Schedule: Standard business hours, Monday to Friday, with flexible work arrangements available for eligible employees.

ASSUMPTION: Telstra's flexible work arrangements and central office location in Sydney provide employees with a balanced work-life experience and easy access to the city's amenities.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• Creative portfolio presentation and interview with the creative team
• Final interview with the Head of Creative and/or other senior stakeholders

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creative portfolio and design skills
• Art direction and conceptual thinking
• Collaboration and communication skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Telstra's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a strong creative portfolio showcasing your art direction, campaign work, and high-end design execution across multiple formats
• Research Telstra's brand, values, and recent campaigns to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its creative direction
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, or company to show your interest and engagement

ATS Keywords: Art Direction, Design Craft, Visual Storytelling, Mentorship, Campaign Development, Integrated Thinking, Technical Expertise, Innovation, Collaboration, Brand Guidelines, Data-Driven Strategies, Customer Insights, Photography, Typography, Motion Design

ASSUMPTION: Telstra's application process is designed to assess candidates' creative skills, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's values and objectives.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Sketch or Figma
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, JIRA)

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

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer Obsessed
• Inclusive
• One Telstra
• Brave
• Trustworthy
• Integrity

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Innovative and creative
• Adaptable and responsive to change
• Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality outputs

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody Telstra's values in your daily work?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your creative approach to meet a client's needs or feedback?
• How do you foster a positive and inclusive team culture, particularly when working with diverse teams or stakeholders?

ASSUMPTION: Telstra's company values and work style are integral to the success of this role, and candidates should demonstrate their alignment with these factors throughout the application and interview process.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Balancing creative vision with practical constraints and stakeholder feedback
• Adapting to a large and complex organization with diverse teams and stakeholders
• Maintaining high creative standards while working within brand guidelines and design systems

ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and can be mitigated through strong project management, communication, and collaboration skills, as well as a deep understanding of Telstra's brand and creative direction.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Senior Art Director or Creative Director position within an in-house creative agency or advertising agency
• However, this role is unique in its focus on Telstra's brand and creative direction, as well as its responsibility for mentoring and coaching mid-weight and junior designers
• Career progression in this role may lead to more senior creative leadership positions within Telstra's in-house agency or broader organization

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other senior creative positions, its unique focus on Telstra's brand and creative direction, as well as its mentoring and coaching responsibilities, sets it apart from other roles in the industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive brand guidelines document for Telstra's in-house creative agency
• Leading the creative direction for a major marketing campaign, including concept development, art direction, and design execution across multiple touchpoints
• Collaborating with production teams to ensure high-quality output and adherence to brand guidelines and design systems

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and creative challenges that the successful candidate may face in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the in-house creative agency?
• How does this role contribute to Telstra's overall creative strategy and brand guardianship?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the creative agency, and how can this role help address them?
• How does Telstra support the professional growth and development of its creative team members?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the role's context, priorities, and opportunities for professional growth and development.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: https://telstra.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Telstra_Careers/job/Australia-Flexible/Creative-Lead--Design-Art-_JR-10145325
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a strong creative portfolio showcasing your art direction, campaign work, and high-end design execution across multiple formats
• Research Telstra's brand, values, and recent campaigns to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its creative direction
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, or company to show your interest and engagement
• Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role

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