Creative & Studio Manager in Blackburn - Forward Role

Job Title: Creative & Studio Manager

Location: Lancashire (Hybrid, 3 days onsite)

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000

Domain Experience: FMCG / consumer goods preferred

About the Company

Our client is a well-established, UK-based manufacturer operating within the consumer goods sector, supplying a broad portfolio of products across both domestic and international markets.

With a long-standing heritage and a diverse product range, the business operates across multiple channels including retail, e-commerce and international distribution. The organisation has experienced significant growth in recent years through both acquisition and organic expansion and continues to invest in its people, infrastructure and brand development.

The marketing function is evolving, with a growing team covering brand, digital, innovation and creative. This role sits at the centre of that transformation, offering the opportunity to shape the future of the creative function within a collaborative and ambitious environment.

The Role

This is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing the creative function, combining strategic direction with hands-on delivery.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team and take ownership of the full creative lifecycle, from concept through to final execution. The role requires a balance of creative vision, operational management and commercial awareness, ensuring all outputs align with brand objectives while being delivered efficiently and to a high standard.

Alongside leading the team, you will play a key role in developing internal creative capabilities, improving processes and reducing reliance on external agencies over time.

Key Responsibilities

Creative Leadership

• Define and deliver creative direction across all brand outputs
• Ensure all work aligns with brand guidelines and maintains high quality standards
• Translate strategic objectives into compelling visual and campaign assets
• Act as the final approver for all creative output

Production & Delivery

• Oversee the full production lifecycle including concept development, shoot execution and post-production
• Lead photography and video shoots, maintaining creative vision throughout
• Ensure all assets meet technical and broadcast-ready standards

Operational Management

• Develop and refine creative workflows to improve efficiency and output quality
• Manage project timelines, budgets and resource allocation
• Oversee asset management systems and creative processes

Team Leadership

• Manage and develop a team of creative professionals
• Lead recruitment, performance reviews and development planning
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative team environment

Stakeholder & Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with brand, digital and marketing teams on campaign delivery
• Build strong relationships across the wider business
• Influence stakeholders and ensure alignment on creative direction

Brand & Campaign Activity

• Lead creative direction for events, campaigns and brand activations
• Oversee delivery across digital, print and motion channels
• Support brand storytelling and consistency across all touchpoints

Key Skills & Experience

• Minimum 7+ years' experience in a senior creative or studio management role
• Strong background in creative production across digital, print and motion
• Experience delivering end-to-end campaigns (ATL and BTL)
• Proven ability to lead and develop creative teams
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and resources
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Experience improving workflows and implementing efficient creative processes
• Knowledge of packaging design and artwork processes is beneficial
• Experience within FMCG or consumer goods environments preferred
• Interest in emerging technologies, including AI tools for creative workflows

What's on Offer

• Salary of £45,000 - £50,000 depending on experience
• Hybrid working model with flexibility
• 25 days holiday plus additional benefits
• Pension scheme
• Staff discounts and product benefits
• Opportunity to shape and grow a creative function within a scaling business

As an industry leading, nationwide Marketing, Digital, Analytics, IT and Design recruitment agency, we are continually receiving new assignments to work on, so keep a close eye on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages for a full list of current permanent and interim opportunities as well as marketplace news and fun stuff.
Forward Role is operating as an employment agency.