NewsubstanceNewsubstance is recruiting a senior creative to join its team in Leeds, UK.
Salary: £52,500-£65,000 (dependent on experience)
Contract type: PAYE, permanent full-time (37.5 hours a week)
Start date: 1 July 2024 (or subject to notice period)
Line manager: chief creative officer, Patrick O’Mahony
Location: UK-based, hybrid; our main creative studio is in Leeds and we would work with the right candidate to agree on the optimum working arrangements
International travel: our studio creates work across the world and international travel is a key part of the role with key territories being the Middle East and the USA
Deadline: Monday 3 June, midday
Who we are
Newsubstance is an award-winning creative studio. We have over 20 years’ experience designing and delivering brave and ambitious projects that blur the lines of art, engineering and technology.
We produce compelling, physical and performance-driven creative from large-scale artistic installations, experiential and immersive production design, global ceremonies, icon design, to stages and major set pieces for global festivals, theatre and leading music artists.
We occupy the space where design meets drama. From creative direction to fabrication and automation, we build from a strong design aesthetic and engineering perspective, propelled by the principle that every aspect of our work has to perform.
We are diverse, disruptive and driven.
We love what we do.
The role
The role of senior creative is a key position in our award-winning creative studio. As a lead creative on client projects, you will help shape the creative direction of Newsubstance through inventive storytelling and visual mastery. You won’t just lead, you will sculpt narratives that resonate globally, influencing diverse projects and leaving an indelible mark on the creative landscape.
We are seeking a senior creative with flexible skills who can work across different areas of focus for our expanding studio.
In this role, you would work on a varied design portfolio including:
- sculptural public realm artworks and installations
- creative direction for ‘place-making’ and icon design
- design of signature moments for global ceremonies
- concepts for stage design and music artists
- creative development of high-level location-based entertainment experience
With two decades of international work, this is an exciting moment for the studio as we move forward into a period of growth and global expansion.
Our creative studio
As a multi-disciplinary studio, Newsubstance houses two departments:
- imagine and design: this department leads our creative direction, from visioning to visualisation; focused on collaboration and concept development, we work with clients to develop ideas into creative concepts that can be built and delivered
- build and perform: this is our team of engineers, fabricators, technicians and production managers, they are responsible for taking the vision of the imagine and design team and turning it into reality
As senior creative you will be based within imagine and design and have a close working relationship with build and perform when the studio is also operating in a delivery function. Your role will be to ensure that the creative integrity of the original concept is maintained throughout delivery.
This role reports to the chief creative officer, Patrick O’Mahony. On a day-to-day basis, the senior creative will collaborate with the chief creative officer to discuss briefs, respond to feedback and review projects that are within the Imagine and design department.
Core duties:
- develop blue sky concepts in response to new client briefs
- work with visualisers to realise concepts for presentation and submission within the defined timeline of a project
- develop a network of visualisers and freelance creative skills for the studio to draw upon across the broad portfolio of design projects; you will manage and grow this resource pool to enhance our creative capacity and capability
- collaborate with our producers and creative associates to ensure that our work responds to a client brief and is aligned with the narrative and strategy for each project
- where a client has an existing creative vision or concept for a project, further develop and mature the visuals for the design
- collaborate with our build and perform department to protect the creative integrity of an idea as it moves through execution into fabrication and live installation
- lead creative pitches for our business development team; keep abreast of what is on the horizon, where they need support and when further resource is required
Key experience and attributes
Proven creative leadership:
- a distinguished track record in a senior creative role, showcasing your ability to lead and innovate
Creative experience:
- you will have had at least five years’ experience in a creative industries business, with a background in broad creative thinking and ideation
Storytelling and design direction:
- you will be able to showcase your skills in visual storytelling and your ability to translate abstract concepts into captivating visuals
Strategic thinking:
- a strategic mindset that aligns creative endeavours with overarching business goals; an ability to work within the parameters of a project brief, to work to deadlines, under pressure and to go the extra mile when required
Inspirational leadership:
- exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and drive a team towards creative excellence
Passion:
- the studio recognises the importance of physical design, so it is key that our senior creative shares this drive and passion for the work we create
Collaboration:
- we excel through our collaborative approach, working cross-team and often with global teams; your skills at working with others and approaching each project with openness and skilled experience is key
Communication:
- a key part of the role of the senior creative is to be able to advocate the studio’s output to clients and their agents; whilst the day-to-day client management will rest with producers, it is vital that you are comfortable with presenting your creative
Technical skills:
- competent Mac operator and proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud
- an ability to sketch out basic ideas to facilitate the briefing of a network of external illustrators and visualisers
- a basic understanding of Blender is desirable but not necessary
- strong written and oral communication skills to present a creative idea
Company benefits
This is a unique opportunity to be in a senior role within a leading global creative studio, working in a collaborative space that fuels creativity, encourages unconventional thinking and fosters a culture of innovation.
This role is employed by Newsubstance.
In addition to a competitive salary, your package will include:
- 25 days holiday a year (plus bank holidays)
- company pension scheme
We will support the appointed candidate with opportunities for continual growth and professional development. Our studio will work with you to build a career plan that pushes the boundaries of conventional creative thinking and allows you to develop bold new ideas.
