Art Direction Manager
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Hatfield (Blended working - 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week: 40 hours - Full Time
Level: Manager
Application closing date: Thursday 7th November
About us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivaled service, and reassuringly good value.
We’re Ocado Retail, a market-leading, joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket ocado.com. Not only is Ocado.com the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, but it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado, our same-day grocery delivery service.
About the team and the role
The Art Direction Manager will be part of EAT Creative, our talented in-house creative team. It’s a mighty bunch of creative folk inspired by our three awesome values: “Always be curious”, “Bring your best self” and “Challenge what's possible”.
We’re always looking for like-minded people to bring on board, and this is a fantastic opportunity for an upper-Mid or Senior Art Director to join a fast-moving, growing business. We’re a fun, dynamic, and snack-loving team that’s always ready to go the extra mile (and run to the freebie table on the third floor).
What you’ll do
Each day is different, and new stuff pops up all the time, but you should expect to work on the following tasks regularly:
- You’ll spend a lot of your time on our bigger seasonal campaigns, like Easter. Coming up with cracking (sorry) ideas to help us inspire existing customers or bring in shiny new ones.
- Working with creative types from other disciplines – writers, designers, videographers – you’ll create visually impactful work and make sure your creative vision comes to life through every baton pass in the EAT team.
- Concepting new and refreshed ideas across all our marketing channels, from CRM email journeys, to print projects (like door drops) that are sent to millions of people.
- Producing presentation decks (currently using G-suite) to showcase ideas, PPMs and campaign-style guides.
- Providing art direction during shoots, ensuring that all elements align with the creative concept and brand guidelines.
- Assisting our in-house producer in organising photo and video shoots. Coordinating with photographers, stylists and retouchers when required.
- Developing considered and clear shot lists, set design ideas, and prop suggestions to create the desired visual style.
- Managing and guiding junior and midweight members of the team.
- Liaising with departments across Ocado Retail to absorb, question and respond to briefs, building cross-team relationships/collaboration.
Who you are
- Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Marketing, or a related field.
- 5+ years’ experience as an art director, advertising creative, or a similar role, within a creative agency or in-house with a brand.
- You’re an effective communicator, experienced in presenting ideas and creative thinking to colleagues and/or business owners.
- You have up-to-date knowledge of creative industry trends and preferably digital channels like Meta, YouTube and TikTok.
- Experience in retail/FMCG eCommerce is preferable but not essential.
What’s in it for you
By joining Ocado Retail you’ll have the chance to experience life at the world’s largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what’s possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail.
If that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal. Here’s a taste of what we offer:
Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with the option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.
Spend & Save: Annual bonus scheme split between personal and business objectives, recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.
Never miss the moments that matter: Blended/Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy an extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.
Our Hiring Process
Lucky for us, we get loads of great applications and we really appreciate that so many people put the time and effort in to apply. To recognise that, we treat all applications respectfully and fairly. So, if yours stands out, you’ll follow our standard hiring process - one of our Talent Partners will talk you through this in an initial call.
Everyone’s welcome
We’re an equal opportunities employer. That means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.
