Head of Creative (12 month FTC)

Control Risks has a strong and distinctive visual identity. The Creative Team plays a critical role in shaping how our brand is experienced across the globe through campaigns, thought leadership, digital experiences, client engagement and internal communications.

We are seeking an exceptional creative leader to continue the evolution of the Creative Team as a high-performing global creative function.

This role combines creative leadership, brand stewardship and creative direction with responsibility for modernising the function through AI, technology, automation and operational excellence.

The successful candidate will provide the creative vision, leadership and judgement that ensures all creative outputs meet the highest standards, while building a scalable, future-ready team capable of delivering increasing value through new technologies, improved workflows and design through innovation. The role acts as the organisation's senior creative authority while also leading the transformation of creative operations to improve efficiency, quality, consistency and impact.

Creative Leadership and Authority

· Act as the senior creative figure within the organisation.

· Establish and communicate the creative vision for the brand.

· Lead the development of creative concepts and visual storytelling approaches.

· Provide final creative approval and quality assurance on major campaigns, initiatives and strategic projects.

· Ensure all outputs achieve the highest standards of creativity, professionalism and effectiveness.

· Champion innovative creative thinking that differentiates Control Risks in the marketplace.

· Challenge and navigate stakeholders constructively to maintain creative integrity and brand quality.

· Stay close enough to key projects to influence and elevate creative outcomes.

Visual Brand Leadership and Guardianship

· Protect and evolve the visual identity of Control Risks globally.

· Maintain consistency across all channels and business units.

· Translate brand strategy into compelling creative expression.

· Ensure accessibility, inclusivity and usability are embedded in creative outputs.

· Continuously raise the overall quality and sophistication of brand execution.

Team Leadership and Capability Development

· Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing Creative Team.

· Create a culture of creativity, innovation and continual learning.

· Build future capabilities across design, digital, motion, content creation and AI-assisted production.

· Support career development, succession planning and workforce planning.

· Maintain access to specialist freelance and agency resources where required.

Creative Operations and Service Excellence

· Lead the Creative Team as a high-performing internal agency.

· Develop and optimise briefing, workflow and project delivery processes.

· Improve prioritisation, resource management and capacity planning.

· Reduce bottlenecks and improve service responsiveness.

· Establish and monitor appropriate service levels, operating metrics and team performance indicators.

· Drive continuous improvement across the function.

AI, Technology and Innovation

· Develop and lead the Creative AI and innovation roadmap.

· Implement AI, automation and emerging technologies to improve quality, efficiency and speed.

· Establish governance and best-practice standards for AI-supported creative production.

· Collaborate with technology, digital and data teams to implement new capabilities.

· Evaluate and optimise creative platforms, tools and vendor relationships.

· Ensure the team remains at the forefront of developments in creative technology.

Design Systems and Scalable Delivery

· Lead the development of global design systems, template frameworks and reusable creative assets.

· Increase consistency and efficiency through appropriate standardisation.

· Drive greater use of Digital Asset Management and self-service capabilities.

· Balance scalability and operational efficiency with creativity and originality.

· Build sustainable operating models that support growing business demand.

Requirements

Essential

· Significant experience leading creative teams within a professional services, B2B or corporate environment.

· Strong portfolio demonstrating creative leadership and design excellence.

· Proven ability to develop and direct creative concepts from strategy through execution.

· Exceptional creative judgement and visual communication skills.

· Experience managing brand governance across multiple markets and channels.

· Strong stakeholder management and influencing capability.

· Experience leading multidisciplinary creative teams

· Track record of implementing AI-enabled creative workflows, AI tools or creative automation platforms.

· Experience managing Digital Asset Management and creative technology platforms.

· Understanding of design systems and scalable content production methodologies.

· Experience of leading change and functional transformation.

Benefits

• Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarised in the full job offer.
• We operate a discretionary global bonus scheme that incentivises, and rewards individuals based on company and individual performance.
• Control Risks supports hybrid working arrangements, wherever possible, that emphasise the value of in-person time together - in the office and with our clients - while continuing to support flexible and remote working.
• Working with our clients, from day one our people are given direct responsibility, career development and the opportunity to work collaboratively on fascinating projects in a rewarding and inclusive global environment.
• The Company is committed to further its diversity, inclusion and equity agenda and as an employee you have access to various business resource groups in the Company including the Company's LGBT+ network called MOSAIC, the Women's Network, and Synergy - a people network to celebrate and promote ethnic diversity at Control Risks

Control Risks is committed to a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made in order to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.