Studio Operations Director

We're looking for a Studio Operations Director to lead, redesign and evolve how our creative studio operates across a fastmoving, versatile agency environment.

This role is not about directing creative output. It is about partnering with the Executive Creative Director to create the conditions for creative work to excel.

We're looking for a leader who can combine operational excellence with vision, influence and transformational thinking. Someone who can shape the future of the studio by building smart systems, scalable workflows, effective resource models and a high-performing culture that enables creative teams to use their strengths.

This role goes beyond optimisation. We are not looking for someone to simply maintain existing ways of working. We are looking for someone who can challenge the status quo, bring fresh thinking and lead meaningful change.

You will establish clear, scalable operating models that improve visibility, accountability and efficiency, while creating an environment where creativity can flourish.

Partnering with Executive Creative Director and senior leadership team, you will help define what the next generation of our studio looks like. This includes identifying opportunities to leverage emerging technologies, AI and automation, embedding new ways of working, and ensuring the studio is equipped to meet the evolving needs of our clients and creative teams.

Success in this role will require strong leadership presence, sound judgement and the ability to influence and align stakeholders with differing priorities. You will be comfortable making difficult decisions, driving momentum and leading teams through periods of change, while bringing people with you on the journey.

We're looking for someone who is equally comfortable discussing creative workflows, operational performance, commercial realities and future opportunities. A leader who can translate strategy into action and turn vision into sustainable operational excellence.

You'll report into the Director of Operations.

What will you do...

• Lead the daily operations of a diverse creative studio
• Create clarity and visibility across how work flows from early concept through to delivery
• Design and implement new workflows and operating models that allow seamless collaboration across studio, client engagement, production and delivery teams
• Promote a proactive, data-informed approach to resourcing, forecasting and utilisation
• Line manage a team of studio/operations managers
• Reduce friction across the creative process by improving tools, systems and ways of working
• Embed clear briefing, planning and handoff practices across the business
• Help teams understand how to engage the studio-and define what "good" looks like at every stage
• Be an important operational partner to creative leadership, balancing the needs of creative teams with commercial priorities
• Play a central role in shaping the future of our creative capability-including how AI and emerging technologies are integrated into day-to-day studio practice

What do you need to have...

• Experience influencing and building credibility with senior creative stakeholders, including Executive Creative Directors and Creative Directors, while driving decisions and maintaining alignment.
• Experience building high-performing operational cultures where creativity can succeed through clarity, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Experience leading operational, organisational or cultural transformation, with the ability to bring vision, clarity and momentum to change, helping teams embrace new ways of working with confidence.
• Experience implementing tools and capabilities that improve studio performance, creative delivery and operational effectiveness and a genuine interest for innovation, latest technologies and AI.
• Experience operating at leadership level and act as a trusted partner to both creative and operational leaders.
• Experience leading studio or creative operations in an integrated agency or similarly complex environment
• Understanding of how multidisciplinary creative teams operate across different formats and outputs
• Commercial experience, including experience with utilisation, forecasting and resource planning

Just a few of our benefits...

• Competitive salary
• 25 days' annual leave plus public holidays, company closure over Christmas plus a personal day
• 3 days volunteering leave
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Pension Scheme
• Hybrid working
• Group Income Protection

A bit about us...

Engage XD is an unusually shaped communications group that creates experiences that inspire lasting change. We partner with clients to provide employee engagement, learning and training solutions, scientific engagement and capability building, all underpinned by applied behavioural science. We engage internal and external audiences through the creation and delivery of live and virtual experiences, film, digital, and immersive content.

Our family of brands is made up of: Emota, Forty1 and Nazarѐ.

We believe in our values: We empower everyone | We rise to the challenge | We work as one | We ask what if | We do the right thing and we will ask you how your personal values align to our values

#LIML

This is a hybrid remote/in-office role.

Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role, but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others.