About the Role
To create and deliver images of the highest creative quality for the NEXT customer, aligned to our brand principles & creative direction.
You will provide strong guidance on and off set to achieve the best creative possible in line with our brand guidelines. You will be a focused, driven, hard-working individual that has the maturity and empathy to brief, manage and direct a large team of freelancers and inhouse members of the team across varying levels. You must be able to remain calm and professional while maintaining a positive and proactive attitude. This role demands a strong team player with exceptional communication skills who is eager to learn and develop and can grasp new information & adapt quickly. You will be able to identify with the ever-changing requirements of Art Directing a shoot, whilst delivering on the day to a high creative level. It is vital to build and maintain strong relationships with senior management within the Product team, Brand Marketing and other senior stakeholders across the business.
Responsibilities
* Art Direct mainly studio & potentially some location shoots, working with the product and co-ordination team to create a detailed brief for each shoot.
* Create and maintain an excellent working relationship with the womenswear product and co-ordination teams by attending styling and briefing meetings on a regular basis.
* Keep engaged in design meetings, product surgery & seasonal Mockshop meetings when required.
* Complete understanding of wider NEXT brand purpose and strategy, and how this reflects in your area.
* Provide strong, clear and aspirational creative guidance and support to the freelance team from a creative standpoint.
* Communicate effectively with photographers, stylists and hair & make up crew to evolve the aesthetics of the imagery creatively.
* Consistent research and understanding of new trends, customer profiles, models, celebrities, social platforms (Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok) to stay inspired and bring the correct approach to every shoot.
* Maintain constant awareness of competitors and stay ahead of the curve.
* Work closely and collaborate with the production/bookings team regarding set, props, models and crew options.
* Manage creative projects and photo/video shoots from initial kick-off meetings through to delivery.
* Communicate and work collaboratively with the Brand Marketing & Product teams regarding current creative direction and styling trends when appropriate.
* Communicate effectively with the Lead Art Director about workload, schedule and projects.
* Design and produce moodboards for each shoot that showcase the imagery created.
About you
* Stand out creative skills, and an eye for fashion, styling and art direction is critical.
* Outstanding leadership qualities, taking full responsibility for the day-to-day management of this area. Forward thinking, innovative & proactive in approach of all projects.
* Enthusiastic with strong motivational skills, enabling the management and motivation of the team.
* Able to manage multiple concurrent projects across several teams within set timescales and to budget.
* Superior planning, workload management and organisational capabilities.
* Highly developed interpersonal, problem solving and presentation skills.
* Highly communicative with an ability to influence and negotiate at all levels.
* Creative flair and knowledge, producing innovative ideas and solutions.
* A strong communicator and listener.
* Exemplary attention to detail.
* It is essential to be commercially minded and aware of retail fashion and lifestyle trends.
* Comfortable with a highly pressured and rapidly changing environment.
* Experience in E-commerce, Photography and/or editorial Art Direction.
* A supporting portfolio or website if available.
About Us
You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!
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