Head of Commercial Content and Design

Who we are

Evening Standard Ltd. is a media owner that provides Culture & News for Londoners everywhere.

Through our story-first digital centric publishing, we deliver content across digital, audio, video, and social platforms and we have a brand new weekly print product, The London Standard.

We are based in Finsbury Square, London.

About you

A highly experienced team leader with a strategic mindset and a proven ability to drive successful teams. Excel in fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and results oriented outcomes.

Demonstrate a track record of managing large, multi-platform campaigns and working effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders, including editorial, brand marketing directors, and senior media agency planners.

Skills and experience

• Industry Background: Extensive experience in commercial content creation, design, or related fields, preferably within a media or advertising agency environment.
• Team Leadership: Proven experience in leading and managing creative teams.
• Project Portfolio: Demonstrated track record of delivering successful commercial content campaigns.
• Digital Proficiency: Experience with digital content platforms, social media, and emerging content trends.
• Creative Leadership: Ability to inspire and lead a creative team, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong ability to conceptualise and implement strategic content solutions that meet client goals.
• Design Expertise: Proficiency in graphic design, typography, and visual storytelling, with a keen eye for detail and aesthetics. (We appreciate this may from part of the management of the team rather than having specific skills).
• Video Production experience: Experience with overseeing shoots, and ensuring content aligns with client goals and platform specifications
• Content Creation: Skilled in creating various forms of content, including written, visual, and multimedia.
• Agile Project Management: Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously. And the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative concepts and strategies to clients and internal stakeholders.

The team

Reporting to the Chief Commercial Content Officer, this position plays a lead role within the commercial department as part of The Standard Studio commercial content team.

Working closely and collaborating with the Head of Content Solutions and Campaign Management, Chief Client Officer, and Editorial leads.

Key reports include Special Projects Editor and Senior Lifestyle and Social Media Editor.

The Standard Studio has three strategic focuses:

1. Drive optimum revenue performance and profit for the business
2. Build a reputation of great service and return on investment for clients
3. Creativity. Producing content that is additive to The Standard brand that our audiences love to spend time with

Role purpose

The Head of Commercial Content and Design will lead the creative and strategic content direction of The Standard Studio, The Standard’s commercial content division. This pivotal role will ensure the delivery of innovative, multi platform campaigns that resonate with audiences and achieve client objectives, while maintaining the brand’s editorial integrity.

Key responsibilities include:

• Content and Design Strategy: Help shape the commercial content strategy, ensuring alignment with client goals and The Standard’s valuable audience.
• Creative Leadership: Oversee the ideation and production of impactful, high-quality campaigns that reflect cutting-edge creativity, that deliver on campaign objectives.
• Collaboration with Editorial and Sales: Work closely with editorial and sales teams to develop content strategies that balance commercial and editorial priorities.
• Client and Agency Engagement: Support the sales team in fostering strong relationships with clients and agencies, contributing as a trusted partner to develop and deliver innovative content strategies.
• Thought Leadership: Represent The Standard Studio and The Evening Standard externally, sharing expertise and offering guidance on how best to collaborate with the brand. Provide insights into what works in branded content, what doesn’t, and emerging trends in this space. This may be on panels, industry events or with clients and agencies.
• Team Leadership: Inspire and guide cross functional teams, fostering collaboration and excellence across content and design.

This role demands a strategic thinker with strong creative vision, capable of driving The Standard Studio’s reputation as a leading provider of premium, results driven content solutions.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

• Team Management: Oversee the Standard Studio creative team, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance management.
• Content Strategy: Develop and implement content strategies that effectively communicate client messages and resonate with target audiences.
• Client Collaboration: Work closely with clients to understand their needs, present creative concepts, and refine deliverables based on feedback.
• Creative Direction: Lead the creative vision and direction for all commercial content and design projects, ensuring alignment with client objectives and brand guidelines.
• Project Oversight: Manage the end-to-end production of commercial content, from concept development to activation.
• Quality Assurance: Maintain the highest standards of quality and creativity across all content and design outputs.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including sales, client, and editorial teams, to ensure cohesive and integrated content strategies for campaigns and to pitch.
• Innovation and trend spotting: A proactive approach to researching and integrating new tools and techniques into campaigns. Networking within the industry to stay informed about innovations and audience shifts.
• Budget Management: Oversee key budgets for content creation, working closely with the Head of Content Solutions and Campaign management, ensuring efficient use of resources and adherence to financial targets.
• Performance Analysis & Data Driven decision making: Analyse the performance of commercial content campaigns, providing insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.

The Head of Commercial Content and Design will be instrumental in elevating The Standard's commercial content offerings, driving innovation, and ensuring the delivery of impactful and engaging content that meets the needs of our clients and audience.

Expected behaviours

• Continuous improvement: works in a smart, flexible, and focused way, is curious, open to change, and suggests ideas for improvements to the way things are done.

• Collaboration: builds and maintains positive and supportive working relationships with colleagues. Helps to create an inclusive and professional work environment.

• Building capability: keeps own knowledge and skill set current and evolving and looks for ways to continue learning to support the achievement of business objectives.

• Responsive delivery: works to agreed business goals and objectives and deals with challenges constructively and responsively. Takes personal responsibility for the quality of outputs.

• Performance management: Constant awareness of cost management, evaluating and deciding on the best outcome for the business.

• Always showing awareness of cultural diversity, and respect for others.

• Show awareness of the importance of health and safety in the workplace, acts if there are matters of concern.

The Standard Values

Trust

Fair. Honest. Accurate. From our reporting to how we conduct our relationships, trust is in our DNA.

Diversity

We are London – the most diverse city in the world. Our commitment is to represent our city with a team and through content that reflects our readers.

Innovation

Ideas are our currency. In a city that is always evolving we embrace and drive change across all our platforms, within our team and as a business.

Collaboration

We’re in this together – as colleagues, stakeholders, and citizens of our great capital. Teamwork is key to our success – inside and outside of the building.

Resilience

Through many of history’s landmark moments The Standard has responded and delivered. We’re proud to be a news brand with a powerful legacy – and a focus on the future

Diversity Statement: our commitment to diversity and inclusion

At The Standard our ambition is to represent our city with a team and through content that reflects our audience. We want to attract those voices previously underrepresented in media, offering a rewarding career and opportunities for all. Teamwork is key to our success. We want all our people to feel like they belong and that their voices matter. If you need any assistance or adjustments during the process, please contact us.