Senior Creative Director, Marketing

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Creative Director, Marketing

🔹 Company: IMG

🔹 Location: London - Chiswick Park

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-03

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site with flexibility

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading a creative team to drive innovative marketing campaigns
• Collaborating with various teams to ensure creative direction aligns with agency mission and values
• Developing and executing big campaign ideas that drive engagement and brand affinity
• Overseeing the development of brand identities, campaign assets, motion graphics, and digital experiences
• Mentoring and developing a team of designers and motion graphic designers

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a unique blend of strategic creativity and impeccable design skills to develop compelling, innovative, and visually stunning marketing campaigns.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and oversee the creative direction of marketing campaigns, ensuring innovative, high-quality, and impactful storytelling

✅ Conceptualize and execute big campaign ideas that drive engagement and brand affinity

✅ Oversee the development of brand identities, campaign assets, motion graphics, and digital experiences

✅ Own the creative and strategic direction of the IMG brand

✅ Lead and collaborate with strategy, sports management, commercial, digital, content & studios & productions teams to develop considered and effective creative approaches and campaigns

✅ Run projects and pitches with minimal senior oversight, championing creative direction, intent, and creative excellence while being aware of commercial pressures

✅ Provide hands-on design expertise to elevate visual storytelling across all platforms

✅ Answer briefs with great work as a solo creative and a great leader

✅ Understand how to brief craft specialists – designers or directors, for example – to deliver projects against your creative vision

✅ Nurture, mentor, and develop a team of designers & motion graphic designers to be the best they can be and deliver work that works

✅ Be an excellent strategic and creative partner to our clients

✅ Maintain a deep understanding of sports culture, trends, and the evolving media landscape to keep our creative output fresh and relevant

✅ Present and pitch creative concepts to clients, stakeholders, and executive leadership with clarity and enthusiasm

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the sports industry, consumer behavior, and marketing trends to create effective and engaging campaigns.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Marketing, or a related field

Experience: 10+ years of experience in a creative leadership role, preferably within a sports marketing or advertising agency

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to develop breakthrough campaign ideas and execute them through impeccable design
• Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, motion graphics, typography, and branding
• Extensive experience in video production, experiential marketing, and digital campaigns
• Superior knowledge of design, illustration, typography, layout, photography, motion and video
• Strong presentation and storytelling skills to sell big ideas to internal and external stakeholders
• Passion for sports and a deep understanding of how to engage consumers through compelling creative

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with sports rights holders, clubs, leagues, and brands
• Fluency in additional languages

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong portfolio showcasing years of conceptual thinking and high-end design execution for both B2B & B2C audiences.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £70,000 - £90,000 per annum (Based on industry standards for a Senior Creative Director role in London)

Benefits:

• Income protection
• Life insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Virtual GP
• Pension contribution
• 23 days holiday + bank holidays
• Dental insurance
• Green car scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Subsidized office canteen
• Free breakfast
• Eye care
• Endeavor Wellness - lunch and learn events
• EAP (Employee Assistant Programme)
• Critical Illness cover
• Financial Wellbeing
• Health Cash Plan
• Subsidized gym membership / Class-pass/ GymPass
• Health screening
• Will Writing
• Dynamic office environment with great people!
• Regular team and company networking events/celebrations
• Access to free tickets to sporting and entertainment events
• Tech Scheme
• Taste Card
• Travel Insurance

Working Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Senior Creative Director role in London. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Sports Marketing & Management

Company Size: 501-1,000 employees (Mid-size)

Founded: 1997 (as IMG, Inc.)

Company Description:

• IMG is a leading global sports marketing agency specializing in media rights management and sales, multi-channel content production and distribution, brand partnerships, strategic consulting, digital services, and events management
• It powers growth of revenues, fanbases, and IP for more than 200 federations, associations, events, and teams, including the National Football League, English Premier League, International Olympic Committee, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, ATP and WTA Tours, the AELTC (Wimbledon), Euroleague Basketball, DP World Tour, and The R&A, as well as UFC, WWE, and PBR
• IMG is a subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company

Company Specialties:

• Betting
• Sports
• Engagement
• Innovation
• Official
• Global
• Sports Betting
• Streaming
• Events
• Content
• Football
• Tennis
• Golf
• Basketball
• Cricket
• UFC
• NHL
• Sports Technology
• Gambling
• Sports Data
• iGaming
• and Sports Rights

Company Website: https://www.imgarena.com

ASSUMPTION: IMG's extensive experience and global presence in the sports industry make it an attractive employer for professionals seeking to work with high-profile clients and brands.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior/Management

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Global Head of Marketing

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (On-site with flexibility)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to lead and grow the creative team
• Progression to a global or executive leadership role within the marketing department
• Broad exposure to various aspects of the sports industry and marketing

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to expand their leadership and creative skills.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with on-site amenities

Office Location(s): Chiswick Park, London

Geographic Context:

• Chiswick Park is a popular business park located in West London, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities
• The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with various housing options and nearby attractions

Work Schedule: Full-time, with some flexibility for remote work

ASSUMPTION: The Chiswick Park location provides a convenient and comfortable work environment for employees, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Tele/Virtual Interview – up to 30 mins with member of talent acquisition team
• 1st stage interview - Virtual/in person – TBC
• 2nd stage interview – TBC

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creativity and design skills
• Leadership and team management abilities
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Understanding of the sports industry and consumer behavior
• Presentation and communication skills

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your creative and leadership skills, as well as your passion for sports and marketing
• Prepare a portfolio showcasing your conceptual thinking and design execution for both B2B & B2C audiences
• Be ready to discuss your experience working with sports rights holders, clubs, leagues, and brands
• Research IMG's clients and campaigns to demonstrate your understanding of the company's work

ATS Keywords: Creative Director, Marketing, Sports, Branding, Campaign Development, Team Leadership, Adobe Creative Suite, Motion Graphics, Typography, Design Execution

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's creative and leadership skills, as well as their understanding of the sports industry and marketing trends.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Motion Graphics Software (e.g., After Effects, Premiere Pro)
• Design Software (e.g., Sketch, Figma)
• Project Management Tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Microsoft Office Suite

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be proficient in industry-standard design and creative software, as well as project management tools.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• We are BOLD and not afraid to take risks
• We are PASSIONATE and proud of our legacy
• We are DYNAMIC and constantly evolving
• We are AUTHENTIC and human
• We are UNITED in our pursuit of excellence

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Agile and adaptable to change
• Data-driven and strategic in decision-making
• Passionate about sports and the industry

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment?
• Are you comfortable taking risks and driving innovation?
• Do you have a deep understanding of the sports industry and consumer behavior?
• Can you balance creative vision with commercial constraints?
• Are you an effective leader and mentor, able to inspire and develop a team of creatives?

ASSUMPTION: IMG values candidates who are passionate, bold, and dynamic, with a strong understanding of the sports industry and a collaborative work style.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a team of creatives and ensuring consistent high-quality output
• Balancing commercial constraints with creative vision
• Keeping up with industry trends and consumer behavior in the fast-paced sports marketing landscape
• Working with diverse stakeholders, including clients, internal teams, and external partners

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from related positions in its focus on leading a creative team and driving the creative vision for a global sports marketing agency
• It requires a unique blend of strategic creativity, impeccable design skills, and strong leadership abilities
• Career progression may involve moving into a global or executive leadership role within the marketing department

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a creative team and drive the creative vision for a global sports marketing agency, with potential for significant career growth.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive brand identity and campaign assets for a new sports league
• Creating innovative motion graphics and digital experiences for a major sporting event
• Conceptualizing and executing a high-impact marketing campaign for a global sports brand

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse and challenging creative projects the Senior Creative Director may undertake, requiring a strong portfolio showcasing conceptual thinking and design execution.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the creative direction and strategy for a recent campaign or project?
• How do you approach briefs that require both creative vision and commercial awareness?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to pivot or adapt your creative approach due to changing circumstances?
• How do you foster a culture of creativity and innovation within your team?
• Can you discuss a time when you had to manage a difficult client or stakeholder relationship?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership, and adaptability, as well as their understanding of the creative process and client management.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your creative and leadership skills, as well as your passion for sports and marketing
• Prepare a portfolio showcasing your conceptual thinking and design execution for both B2B & B2C audiences
• Be ready to discuss your experience working with sports rights holders, clubs, leagues, and brands
• Research IMG's clients and campaigns to demonstrate your understanding of the company's work
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your continued interest in the role

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