Creative Services Lead

We're looking for an exceptional Creative Services Lead to shape and drive our in-house creative function during an exciting period of growth for the organisation.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced creative leader who combines strategic thinking with hands-on creative excellence.

Working closely with the Head of Brand and Content, you'll champion a digital-first approach to creativity, safeguard and evolve our visual identity, and create the conditions for outstanding creative work across every channel and touchpoint.

This is a home-based role (Home-based, Nationwide, UK). However, occasional travel will be required as part of this role. 12-month fixed term contract, 35 hours per week, full time.

What you'll be doing

Provide creative leadership

• Set the creative vision for the organisation's in-house creative function.
• Lead the development and evolution of our visual identity, ensuring consistency, relevance and impact.
• Act as lead art director on major campaigns, fundraising activations, digital experiences, publications and service communications.
• Champion innovative, audience-led creative thinking and storytelling.

Drive a digital-first approach

• Build the digital creative capability in the team.
• Ensure accessibility and digital application sit at the heart of every creative solution.
• Partner with digital marketing, website, email and social teams to create engaging, high-performing content.

Deliver content and communications excellence

• Provide expert advice on effective content, communications and creative execution.
• Support impactful communications across fundraising, services, research, policy, advocacy, brand and internal communications.
• Ensure all creative work is audience-centred, accessible and inclusive.

Lead and develop a high-performing team

• Inspire and support a multidisciplinary team of creative professionals.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Coach, mentor and develop team members, helping them grow their skills and careers.

Strengthen creative operations

• Oversee resource planning, workflow management and creative production processes.
• Manage budgets, suppliers, agencies and freelancers.
• Ensure projects are delivered efficiently, on time and to the highest standards.
• Drive continuous improvement across systems, processes and digital asset management.

What we're looking for

You'll be a strategic creative leader with a track record of delivering outstanding work through teams and partnerships. We're particularly looking for someone who has:

• Significant experience leading creative, brand, studio or content teams.
• Strong art direction and creative leadership experience across digital and offline channels.
• Expertise in brand development, visual identity systems, storytelling and content creation.
• Experience translating complex organisational needs into clear, compelling creative solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility at all levels.
• Experience managing budgets, creative operations, workflows and resource planning.
• Experience working with agencies, freelancers and creative suppliers.
• A strong understanding of accessibility, inclusion and user-centred design.
• Experience using tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and Figma.
• A relevant degree in a creative discipline.

What's on offer

• Salary circa £49,700 per annum.
• Inner London weighting £3,950 per annum/pro rata or outer London weighting £2,457 per annum/pro rata may be applied in accordance with where you live.
• In return, you'll find a collaborative environment, meaningful work and the chance to make a lasting impact.
• Further details of employee benefits are available on the Stroke Association website.

Equal opportunities

Stroke Association is driven by our ambition to improve the lives of everyone affected by stroke, and we're determined to create an equitable and inclusive workplace that benefits from the difference. We are keen to receive applications from people affected by stroke, people of colour, members of LGBT+ communities and disabled people because these identities and experiences are underrepresented. We are a Disability Confident employer. If you are applying under the Disability Confident scheme, please indicate this in your supporting statement.

How to apply

Apply online and submit your CV (including details of your current address) and a supporting statement of no more than one page, demonstrating how you meet the person specification. Please include a link to your portfolio of relevant creative work either in your supporting statement or on your CV, and state any preferences for flexible working options in your supporting statement. Interviews: w/c 7 December 2026. Please note all roles close at midnight. Closing date: 22 November 2026.