NEWSUBSTANCE – Senior Creative

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Application Form Link Here

Website: www.newsubstance.co.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 
• Location: UK-based; Hybrid. Our main creative studio is in Leeds, and we would work with the right candidate to agree 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 USA
• Deadline: Monday 3rd 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 & 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 across diverse projects and leaving an indelible mark on the creative landscape.

We are seeking a Senior Creative with flexible skills that 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 
• Concepting 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 & 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 & 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 & Design and have a close working relationship with Build & 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. 

 

Core Duties

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.

• 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 to 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 & 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, when further resource is required.

 

Key Experience & 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 5 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 in the parameters of a project brief, to work to deadlines, under pressure and 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

Location: We are comfortable with you working remotely but we recognise the creative benefits of your presence in our Leeds-based studio. We would work with the right candidate to agree the optimum working arrangements that would facilitate regular periods in Leeds each month.

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 pushing the boundaries of conventional creative thinking and allows you to develop bold new ideas.

 

How to Apply

GOOGLE FORM LINK - https://forms.gle/ojMQABuQiw2sqwCD8

If you think this sounds like you and you’re interested in a fast-moving and exciting challenge then we’d love to hear from you.

Please apply via the google form linked above. You will need to upload your portfolio/examples of your work, CV and a covering letter, setting out why you would be great for the role.

If you have any questions about the role, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Please Note: All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.