Creative Director (Copy)

At AKQA (part of WPP), we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create a better future. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive ideas, services, and experiences that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns and growth for our clients.

Creatives at AKQA apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insight, to create and bring to life powerful ideas that move the world. We collaborate at the intersections of diverse disciplines to expand the edge of possibility for our clients, ourselves, our industry.

As Creative Director (Copy) at AKQA London, you will inspire and lead a team of creatives to craft compelling narratives that drive meaningful change. Through storytelling, innovation, and problem-solving, you will shape ideas that resonate with audiences and transform their experiences. Your role is to push the boundaries of innovative creativity, influencing the future of brand expression and engagement while inspiring some of the world’s most forward-thinking companies. You will support our dynamic studio, collaborating with ambitious local, regional, and global teams and clients. Your leadership will be essential in crafting work and culture that resonates not only within London but also across the EMEA region and with international audiences.

There will be the opportunity to learn and grow within a creative and technically advanced environment, with access to ongoing personal and professional development. At AKQA, we’re committed to your growth, as well as your wellbeing.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Deliver and inspire award-winning work from your team, influencing change through ideas, creativity, and innovative brand experiences across any channel.

Consistently deliver a number of successful solutions and high-quality work to clients on time.

Immerse within the client’s business. Identify, understand, and overcome commercial and internal challenges to inspire and deliver effective solutions that consider the holistic needs of the brand.

Contribute to the strategic development of a well-defined creative brief and any additional briefing documents, speaking with clients directly where necessary.

Contribute thought leadership and team leadership to the conversation of the Writing practice. This is particularly important in this time of AI writing. Have a POV on the place and importance of human crafted writing and its value to clients.

Lead by example to help build an inspiring, fun, and high performing creative culture.

Generate useful, usable ideas across all existing and emerging platforms.

Continually develop practices and processes to inspire, innovate, and harness new ways of thinking - including the use of AI.

Set creative direction and offer hands-on guidance throughout client team projects.

Inspire clients with opportunities, growing partnerships organically through both ideas and successes.

High level of internal and external client and team satisfaction.

High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Learn new skills and stay abreast of technical and digital design developments, and successfully apply them to work practices to help improve processes and procedures.

Display a cohesive understanding and execute principles that make innovative and effective digital communications, interface design, and interaction design.

Select the most appropriate supplier for the required task. Successfully manage multiple suppliers, partners, and clients to ensure outsourced projects are creatively delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

Oversee creation of award entries and case studies of key projects, ensuring they are distributed across the business to relevant people (e.g., client team, Business Development Director).

Creatively lead new business pitches. Responsible for ideas and creative work, and competently present pitches.

Develop strategies to build a climate of trust, openness, and respect; forge strong relationships to drive successful outcomes.

Possess highly advanced writing skills to effectively present a point of view, using logic, fact, and a compelling storyline via any medium.

Represent AKQA by delivering talks, connecting with new talent, and inspiring the next generation of creatives.

Be hands-on from a design craft standpoint. The ability to use creative programs such as Adobe Creative Suite and Figma to a high level is essential, in addition to emerging AI tools.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

Extensive experience working at an Associate Creative Director or Creative Director level in a similar agency environment with a background in Copywriting.

Demonstrated creative success in leading collaborative multi-functional teams, including project planning, to winning a number of industry-recognised awards.

Considerable experience of European and Global projects.

Experience developing/leading client relationships.

Curiosity and hunger to experiment with new creative tools and ways of working

Proven track record generating new business.

Exceptional information presentation (visual and written) experience.

Experience in, and enthusiasm for, creating digital platforms and products from brief to delivery and beyond.

Experience in side-by-side collaboration with UX and development teams and leaders.

Expert knowledge of user interface, application, mobile, and responsive design, using the latest prototyping and design tools.

AKQA is committed to developing wellbeing and supporting our team's life choices. We provide an extensive range of benefits. To find out more, click here.