Creative Director - Art and Design

We are seeking a senior multidisciplinary Creative Director from an art, design or cultural background to work closely with an established London based artist and lead the creative development and execution of their artistic practice and wider creative ventures.

This is a highly unique opportunity to play a central creative role within an ambitious and evolving artistic practice, working across artwork, exhibitions, spatial experiences, film, publications, objects, products, events and visual identity.

The role is predominantly studio-based in London, with some travel depending on projects.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience across contemporary art, design, architecture, fashion, film, spatial design, exhibition design, cultural projects or multidisciplinary creative studios. This is not a conventional brand or advertising Creative Director position; we are looking for someone with a strong understanding of art and design who is comfortable working across disciplines and bringing ideas into the physical world.

The role

Working closely with the artist, you will:

• Develop and shape ideas from initial conversations, sketches and references through to fully realised projects.

• Lead a broad range of multidisciplinary projects across artwork, exhibitions, immersive experiences, film, publications, visual identities, events, editions, products and merchandise.

• Translate an evolving artistic vision into clear creative direction while maintaining the spontaneity and experimentation of the creative process.

• Move comfortably between big-picture creative thinking and hands-on execution.

• Work confidently across 2D and 3D, including graphic, spatial, physical and moving-image projects.

• Use drawing and sketching to communicate ideas, concepts and details.

• Develop and oversee physical objects and products, including sculpture, furniture, jewellery, homewares, editions and prints.

• Support film and moving-image development through visual research, mood boards, storyboarding and visual experimentation.

• Develop and maintain a coherent visual identity across the wider practice while allowing individual projects to have their own character.

Team leadership

• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary creative team of permanent staff and freelancers.

• Set clear expectations, delegate effectively and provide creative direction, feedback and support.

• Act as the key creative link between the artist, creative team and production teams.

• Brief and coordinate external designers, fabricators, manufacturers, printers, suppliers and other specialists.

• Ensure creative ideas and requirements are communicated clearly from concept through to production.

• Support recruitment, onboarding and development of creative team members and freelancers.

• Contribute to building an effective and well-structured creative team as the studio grows.

Organisation and project management

A particularly important part of the role is bringing structure, clarity and organisation to a highly intuitive and free-flowing creative environment.

You will:

• Turn evolving ideas and conversations into clear briefs, priorities and next steps.

• Manage multiple projects across different disciplines and stages.

• Oversee projects from creative development through production and final delivery.

• Establish effective workflows and systems without making the creative process overly rigid.

• Maintain highly organised project files, archives, references and creative assets.

• Manage timelines, resources, quotes and budgets.

• Anticipate challenges and identify what is needed next.

• Find practical and creative solutions to keep projects moving.

• Remain calm, proactive and adaptable when priorities shift or deadlines are tight.

Production and realisation

• Oversee the transition from creative development into production.

• Work closely with fabricators, manufacturers, printers, suppliers and production teams.

• Have a strong understanding of materials, fabrication methods and technical requirements.

• Communicate effectively with production partners and specialist makers.

• Balance creative ambition with practical, technical and budgetary considerations.

• Maintain creative intent, quality and attention to detail through to final delivery.

We are looking for someone with significant experience working across art and design, rather than a purely commercial or advertising background.

You will ideally have:

• A strong background in contemporary art, design, architecture, fashion, film, spatial design or another multidisciplinary creative field.

• A substantial portfolio demonstrating work across different mediums and formats.

• Excellent visual and conceptual thinking.

• Strong drawing, sketching and visual communication skills.

• Experience taking ambitious creative ideas through to physical or final realisation.

• Experience working with fabricators, manufacturers, printers and other production partners.

• Experience managing creative teams and external collaborators.

• Excellent organisational and project management skills.

• Exceptional attention to detail and high standards of execution.

• The ability to work closely with an artist or creative founder and interpret an evolving creative vision.

• The confidence to develop, refine and challenge ideas while remaining highly collaborative.

• The ability to move between conceptual thinking, creative direction and practical delivery.

• A calm, practical and solutions-oriented approach.

• The ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.

The successful candidate will be someone who is equally comfortable:

• Discussing an idea with an artist

• Making a sketch

• Developing a visual direction

• Creating a brief

• Working with a designer or creative collaborator

• Briefing a fabricator or manufacturer

• Reviewing a prototype

• Solving a production problem

• Managing the next stage of a project

This is a rare opportunity to work closely with an artist at the centre of a diverse and expanding creative practice, with the chance to shape projects across art, design, film, objects, exhibitions and wider creative ventures.

The role is predominantly based in the studio in London, with some travel depending on the needs of the work.

Start date: ASAP

To apply, please submit a CV and portfolio, along with a brief introduction outlining your experience and interest in the opportunity.

Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.