Creative Services Manager

We are looking for an experienced Creative Services Manager with production knowledge to join our team for a 12 month, fixed term contract (maternity cover).

About us

At bandstand, we use the power of creativity to solve business problems. Breaking barriers, simplifying the complex, and flipping the narrative, we use our approach of rebellious inquiry + creative collaboration to ignite change for ambitious brands and challenge traditions with intent.

Fiercely independent, bold, and sharp-minded, we blend strategic insight with creative execution across brand, design, advertising, and content; we create work that drives meaningful change for brands ready to make an impact.

We’re sector agnostic, although we do have greater depth of experience in place & destination, travel, energy & utilities, infrastructure, education & students.

What we’re looking for

The Creative Services Manager will manage workflow, resources and elements of production in our busy multi-disciplinary studio, working with the Senior Management Team to ensure consistent and excellent delivery of projects across all platforms.

You will drive the agency process, always looking ahead and ensuring that we meet deadlines, to help produce outstanding work within budget.

You will have in-depth knowledge of workflow systems and will have no qualms championing this within the studio. Excellent project management skills are a must, as is the ability to be calm under pressure. This role is a linchpin within the studio team; the ability to problem solve, to know when to be flexible (and when not to be), and to keep a sense of humour at all times is essential.

You’re passionate, organised, flexible with the drive and energy to help drive this busy agency.

You will have previous agency experience, ideally with a project management background, where you will have demonstrated an ability to manage workflow and resources effectively. You will be experienced resourcing for a max range of projects including strategy, design, art direction and stills/ film productions.

The role includes:

• Being the guardian of time within the studio team
• Ensuring all briefs are accurate, approved and briefed in to the creative department
• Maintaining a workflow structure across all departments
• Compiling, reviewing and driving the daily work schedules of the studio
• Being proactive and aware of project changes across the studio taking action if necessary
• Working with the client services team on forward planning on projects
• Being solution oriented
• Ensuring quality control of all work produced
• Reviewing in advance any holiday clashes for deadlines, kick offs, workshops etc. and bringing in necessary resource or managing workflow to ensure Business As Usual is not affected
• Supporting the production team with initial proposals and budget creation.
• Assisting with new business when required
• Studio on-boarding and administration
• Licence renewals
• 3rd party supplier liaison and management (where appropriate)

Third Parties

• Freelance management: liaising with direct contacts to book them in for pre-approved jobs. Only using recruiters where necessary
• Meeting suppliers
• Liaising with and negotiating third party availability and rates (freelancers, illustrators, photographers et al)
• Tracking the booking, and keeping log of all costs, sharing with Directors and Account Team on a weekly basis
• Approving timesheets
• Using our online system ‘People HR’ to record absences and work with ‘Heads of Dept’ on approving holidays
• Assist with general office administration as and when needed
• Essential Skills and Experience
• 7+ years’ experience in a Senior Creative Services or Project Management role within an agency setting, including experience of film and still production projects
• Efficient verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Proven leadership skills and ability to meet deadlines in a stressful environment
• Motivating a team with a wide variety of skill sets
• Have meticulous attention to detail and possess problem-solving skills
• Extensive knowledge of an integrated agency

Benefits

From day one:

• Summer & Christmas parties: We get together a lot, but in the summer and at Christmas, we do something extra special. It’s always different and we’ll give you plenty of notice so that as many people can attend as possible.
• Art passes: National Gallery, both Tates, V&A all for your perusal. Borrow a bandstand membership to gain access to ticketed exhibitions and members’ areas.
• Employee Assistance Programme: bandstand belongs to an Employee Assistance Programme with Axa Health. Amongst other things all employees qualify for unlimited video or telephone consultations with an online, private GP and confidential support and counselling, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Finance surgeries: bandstand retains the services of St James Place – once a year you are welcome to book a session with a financial advisor. These meetings are entirely confidential and without obligation, it's merely an opportunity for you to ask any finance flavoured questions relating to your personal circumstances.

After 3 months:

• Pension scheme: We have a contributory Group Pension Scheme where we will match up to 4.5% salary.
• Cycle scheme: We’re part of the Government Cycle Scheme - bandstand will front the cost of a new bike, with you spreading the repayments over 12 months from pre-tax salary.
• Season ticket loan: We’ll pay for your annual season ticket. All you have to do is pay us back within 12 months in easy monthly instalments, interest free.
• Lunchtime boxing: For those who need an outlet, come and punch the hell out of a bag with us as often as you like for only £8 a month, bandstand will pay the rest.
• The gym: For those who fancy joining Everyone Active on Marshall Street, we will pay half of your monthly membership.
• Unlimited massage: If you would like to ease weary muscles, pay a visit to a local salon where we have an account.
• Nurseries: Spawn? bandstand have partnered with YellowNest – a workplace Salary Exchange benefit that helps working parents save an average of £550/month on childcare fees.