Integrated Creative Lead

Strategy and Communications

Strategy and Communications sits at the centre of the organisation, bringing together several teams with organisation-wide remits and mutual collaboration opportunities. The work of the directorate’s teams includes delivery of major events, designing and leading public affairs or marketing campaigns, providing data, evidence and analysis, leading cross-organisational programmes, to making sure we plan for and can respond to emerging events or emergencies in our city.

About the team

The Creative team is a small team that sits within the External Relations Unit at City Hall. They look after the Mayor of London and London brands to make sure all public facing design work has a consistent look and feel. The team works closely with the Marketing Campaigns team to translate marketing strategy into compelling content by coming up with and developing creative concepts for high profile campaigns that resonates with our London audience.

About the role

You’ll be working across high profile marketing campaigns from tackling the city’s housing crisis to sharing good news stories about London, the ideas produced can make a tangible difference to Londoners’ lives.

We’re looking for someone with a strong grasp of conceptual thinking, who can come up with great ideas that truly resonate with Londoners.

This is your chance to help shape and develop integrated marketing campaigns at the heart of London’s government.

You’ll bring:

• A passion for great design
• Experience as an integrated creative lead / senior creative
  (in-house or agency)
• A great portfolio showing a variety of creative projects

We work across everything from digital (static and animation, social media and video to print and OOH. That means we'd like you to be skilled in a range of channels. You'll also enjoy coming up with and developing fresh creative concepts.

You’ll be a good speaker too. Someone who's a dab hand at pitching and presenting work to our stakeholders.

You’ll report to the Creative Services Manager and will manage our team apprentice. As such, we'd like you to be a strong leader. Someone who can inspire, guide and mentor.

What your day will look like

On any given day you could be:

• Researching ideas for campaign creatives
• Preparing mood boards and scamping ideas
• Developing a creative route into final artwork
• Providing finished artwork in an array of different mediums (different file formats and sizes depending on the media channel)
• scoping locations, procuring props and choosing cast/volunteers
• Image research for projects using stock photography
• Working with suppliers, production companies, creative agencies, freelancers, printers

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Substantial experience developing and delivering creative ideas for digital (including static and animated screens and social posts and video) as well as for print
• Substantial experience of working as part of a small team working in a studio (agency or in-house setting) and be comfortable presenting your work to key stakeholders.
• Fluency in Adobe CC Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat and After Effects
• Experience and understanding of different media formats – e.g. social media channels, digital adverts, video, animation
• Experience in briefing photographers and production agencies for campaigns as well as working with other external suppliers.
• Knowledge and experience of designing accessible digital and print materials

Behavioural competencies

Planning and Organising

…is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Priorities work in line with key team or project deliverables
• Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones
• Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholder in planning work
• Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard
• Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverable can be met

Responding to Pressure and Change

…is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increase, tensions rise or priorities shift

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Maintains a focus on key priorities and deliverables, staying resilient in the face of pressure
• Anticipates and adapts flexibly to changing requirements
• Uses challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve
• Participates fully and encourages other to engage in change initiatives
• Manages team’s well being supporting them to cope with pressure and change

Communicating and Influencing

…is present information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Communicates openly and inclusively with internal and external stakeholders
• Clearly articulates the key points of an argument, both verbal and written communication
• Persuades others, using evidence-based knowledge, modifying approach to deliver message
• effectively
• Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way
• Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally

Stakeholder Focus

….is consulting with, listening to and understanding the needs of those our work impacts and using this knowledge to shape what we do and manage others’ expectations

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Seeks to understand requirements, gathering extra information when needs are not clear
• Presents the GLA positively by interacting effectively with stakeholders
• Delivers a timely and accurate service
• Understands the differing needs of stakeholders and adapt own service accordingly
• Seeks and uses feedback from a variety of sources to improve the GLA’s service to Londoners

Problem Solving

…is analysing and interpreting situations form a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Processes and distils a variety of information to understand a problem fully
• Proposes options for solutions to presented problems
• Builds on the ideas of others to encourage creative problem solving
• Thinks laterally about own work, considering different ways to approach problems
• Seeks the opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Up to date CV
• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.
• Please submit a portfolio of work examples with us by sending a link or PDF to design@london.gov.uk.
  In your submission, please include at least one multi-channel campaign (featuring animation), a social media campaign (with animation), and any additional work you are proud of.
  Note: Please ensure files are marked with your full name and the job title. PDF attachments must not exceed 10MB.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345)

As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination.

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Vivienne Lang would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at Vivienne.Lang@london.gov.uk.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

This role DOES NOT meet the criteria for sponsorship for external candidates. It may meet the criteria for sponsorship for some internal candidates, in limited circumstances. Please contact the hiring manager if you wish to discuss this further.

Assessment process

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment.

The interview/assessment date is: w/c 1 June 2026 (may be subject to change)

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

Benefits

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.

Secondment Opportunity

If you are a GLA employee applying for an internal fixed-term position, as an internal secondment opportunity, you must ensure you satisfy the following secondment policy criteria listed below before applying

• On a permanent contract or a fixed term contract where the time left on the contract at the point at which you apply for secondment is longer than the secondment period;
• successfully completed your probation period and are performing to the required standard for your current role; and
• at least 18 months service with the GLA

If you do meet the criteria listed above, you will need to complete the Approval for secondment application form and gain line manager approval, before emailing the fully completed form to the Resourcing Assistant who is managing the vacancy. This form must be received by the closing date of the vacancy. Failure to provide this form will mean your application cannot be progressed.

If you are unable to satisfy all of the criteria, unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy as an internal secondment. For further information, please see Secondment Policy and Procedure.

IMPORTANT: If you are a current GLA employee on a fixed-term contract, which is due to end BEFORE the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete the Approval for secondment application form as it is not a secondment.

If you are successful in securing this secondment opportunity, you will need to be released from your existing role, so please ensure that you make your line manager aware of your application

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.