London, UK
Creative project director
at 59 Productions
59 Productions is hiring a creative project director to join its team in London or New York.
Contract type
Freelance contracts and fixed term and permanent PAYE contracts available – to be discussed with the applicant as part of the interview and appointment. 59 have a broad portfolio – we are interested to hear from people looking to join the core team or work with us on specific projects in a freelance capacity or as part of an existing entity/studio.
Reports to: CEO
Salary: £53,500 to £75,000+
Annual leave: 23 days plus eight bank holidays with one additional day for each full year with the company (up to ten days)
Key relationships: art directors, senior designers, head of studio, technical designers, producers and across all areas of the business
Benefits include:
- workplace pension, season ticket loan scheme
- cycle to work scheme
- monthly cultural allowance of £50
- weekly yoga and more
- benefits can be discussed further at any point in the application process
Location: 59’s studio in either London or New York with options for hybrid working with three to four day per week in-studio
Key dates: application deadline: 9am, Monday 30 September 2024
Interviews
- round one – Thursday 10 October 2024
- round two – Thursday 17 October 2024
First interview: with 59’s head of design or head of studio, chief operating officer and other members of the team.
Second interview: with 59’s head of design or head of studio, chief operating officer and other members of the team.
We like to meet new collaborators across multiple conversations to explore how we might work together. Our interviews are built as two-way conversations to better understand each other’s work and aspirations, this may include an interview task to better understand the candidate’s process.
We operate equal opportunity interviews and typically share the opening interview questions in advance with candidates. Interviews are held in person at our London studio in order for candidates to meet some of the team, however they can be arranged online if there are geographical considerations.
Recruitment information webinar
Tuesday 17 September, 1.30pm. The link to the webinar can be found here.
Join us to hear more about the company’s portfolio of projects and insights about the role itself across our ambitious projects, with the opportunity to post questions to the panel. All attendees will be anonymous, therefore all questions posted will be anonymous.
Overall purpose of the job
We are looking for a brilliant creative project director to lead multiple projects from within the 59 studio, with experience across one (or ideally several) of our areas of work:
- conception, direction (and/or creative direction) of major interdisciplinary design projects
- set, lighting, video and sound design for the stage, events and/or ceremonies
- architecture, installation and exhibition design for temporary, semi-permanent and permanent buildings
- integrated design processes involving complex or new technology
The creative project director will creatively conceive, develop, define, communicate and deliver projects as part of our portfolio of work, which traverses multiple industries and is presented across the globe – they will work with both internal teams and external partners to realise these projects. They will lead project teams in the delivery of ambitious, multidisciplinary creative projects, working closely with project’s producers, art directors, designers, technical and production teams. Experience of collaboration, stakeholder management and working with interdisciplinary teams are key to this role.
We are seeking someone creatively inspiring, with significant, transferable experience and a great portfolio of work. We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds to apply for this role. We believe a diverse range of voices, experiences and skills will help to inform, enrich and develop our working practices.
A full overview of the day-to-day responsibilities can be found here.
Person specification
Essential:
- approximately ten years leading complex projects across a range of creative disciplines, working to the highest possible standards
- extensive experience of storytelling and creating narrative experiences in a range of mediums
- a proven track record in any number of creative fields such as writing, directing, theatre-making, production design, film-making, animation or architecture – with the ability to work in multiple disciplines
- demonstrable skill and experience in creative leadership of projects – drawing together multiple creative disciplines, an instinct for when and how to make crucial decisions
- the artistic finesse to take a concept or brief and to develop it with key stakeholders in mind to create exceptional work
- knowledge of creating work in different cultural territories, with a portfolio that demonstrates a range of settings, scales and art forms
- experience in building and managing relationships with clients and collaborators
- experience in leading projects with an eye on both the creative and the budget
- an ability to multitask effectively and handle multiple workflows at any one time
- an ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- an ability and willingness to collaborate with a range of creatives and work as part of a team
- strong communication skills – an ability to communicate complex ideas in clear and concise ways
- experience of instilling company values into projects including the areas of sustainability, universal design, accessibility and belonging and inclusion
Desirable:
- a demonstrable understanding of recent key themes and industry shifts within live events, performances and exhibitions
- experience line managing interdisciplinary creatives earlier in their careers with considered professional development and training opportunities
- an existing network of relationships with commissioning organisations and potential clients to connect with 59
Please note: this is not a company director, executive or board level position.
The creative director (projects) of a 59 project is most often the leader of the projects that they work on, but other project structures are also sometimes used (e.g. in which the creative project director takes a more dramaturgical role, with a designer or producer leading the project).
The creative director (projects) will report to a company director (allocated on a project-by-project basis) and will have their time allocated as part of the studio planning process by the head of studio.
How to apply
To apply for this role, please send us the following details:
- a portfolio and/or showreel
- a comprehensive CV
- a cover letter or up to three minutes of audio/video which tells us about how your previous experience meets the person specification and why you want to work with the 59 team
If you would like to arrange a chat with the COO, to discuss the role in more detail in advance of applying, please contact us at [email protected] – we’re very happy to facilitate this.
Applicants should provide contact details for two references. We will seek your permission before making direct contact with any referees.
All applicants must be eligible to work within the UK.
59’s Recruitment approach
You can find out more about our approach to recruitment here.
Please submit your application via the ‘apply for job’ button below.