Based in the heart of London, New York and LA, Once Upon a Time is an integrated marketing agency that builds brands and creates end-to-end campaigns for our clients. We know how to speak to the people that can't wait to indulge in movies, drinks, music, and destinations. We're much more than an external agency, we're part of our clients' teams.
From procurement, to creative, to production, to media, we handle it all, because modern marketers want more of the tangible. We conceive it. We design it. We make it. We place it.
As experts, we get directly to the point. We sweat the small stuff and the big stuff, across sector and craft, to deliver more of the world-class content everyone loves.
About the role
We're looking for a highly driven, hands‑on Associate Creative Director to help lead and shape outstanding creative output across a fast‑paced agency environment. This role sits at the intersection of design excellence, strategic thinking, and team leadership someone who can elevate ideas, inspire teams, and confidently represent the agency to clients.
You'll play a key role in delivering best‑in‑class work across Retail, FMCG, Experiential, Branding, OOH, and fully integrated 360 campaigns – spanning some of the most recognisable entertainment and consumer brands.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the creative development of projects from concept through to execution across multiple IPs.
- Maintain exceptional design standards across all outputs.
- Oversee and sign off creative work, ensuring quality, consistency, and brand alignment.
- Work closely with Creative Directors to push creative boundaries and deliver award‑winning work.
- Liaise and develop relationships across teams from Accounts, Production, Digital, Structural and Strategy. (Across Agency)
Team Management
- Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of 5 designers.
- Provide clear direction, feedback, and development support.
- Foster a collaborative, high‑performing team culture.
- Ensure workload is effectively distributed and delivered to a high standard.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a confident, client‑facing creative lead.
- Present ideas and creative work with clarity and impact.
- Build strong relationships with clients and internal account teams.
- Translate client needs into compelling creative solutions.
- Be part of the Creative Director leadership team to help shape the overall design culture and direction.
Pitching & Presentations
- Lead and contribute to new business pitches.
- Develop and deliver persuasive, insight‑led presentations.
- Bring energy, storytelling, and clarity to every pitch moment.
Project & Creative Oversight
- Oversee multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment.
- Ensure timelines, quality, and creative vision are consistently met.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally with strategy, account, production, and artwork teams.
- Exceptional design craft and creative thinking.
- Strong leadership and team management experience.
- Confident communicator both internally and externally.
- Proven ability to present and sell creative ideas.
- Extensive experience working with global entertainment brands and major IP‑led franchises.
- Experience working on brands with rich worlds, characters, and storytelling at their core.
- Background in Health & Beauty.
- Deep understanding of retail environments and shopper behaviour, particularly with licensed and collectible driven categories.
- Experience across FMCG / consumer brands.
- Proven work in experiential, OOH, and 360 integrated campaigns.
- Strong branding and brand guardianship experience.
- Confident working within established brand worlds, balancing creative innovation with strict guidelines.
- On the pulse of current trends, such as shopper / retail.
- High level of design proficiency across relevant tools (Adobe Suite, Cinema 4D).
- Strong project management and organisational skills.
- Experience in creative quality control and sign‑off processes.
- Ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
What we’re looking for
- A hands‑on creative leader who leads by example.
- Someone comfortable balancing big ideas with detailed execution.
- A natural collaborator who builds strong internal and external relationships.
- A proactive thinker who thrives in a fast‑paced, ever‑evolving environment.
- Passion for delivering impactful, culturally relevant work.
- An ACD who needs to be hands on with the day‑to‑day designing.
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