Creative Director Beauty

We’re looking for a beauty-obsessed Creative Director. Someone with a clear point of view on the category, deep understanding of beauty culture, and the confidence to lead brave, experience-first creative work.

This role is about creative authority. You will own and shape the creative direction of N2O’s beauty offering, setting the standard for ideas, craft and thinking across experiential, retail, digital and social.

Working in close partnership with the Executive Creative Director, Head of Creative and our Beauty Strategist, you’ll lead ideas from initial ideas to final execution, creating work that pushes beauty culture forward and delivers measurable business impact.

You’ll also be a leader of people and clients: inspiring and helping teams, challenging briefs, and building trusted relationships that unlock bolder, more ambitious creative work.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Champion insight‑led creativity, working closely with strategy to turn cultural, consumer and category insights into powerful ideas.
• Review and elevate creative briefs, ensuring they are inspiring, focused and strategically on point.
• Lead the development of big ideas across experiential, digital, social and retail environments.
• Build compelling presentation narratives that bring ideas to life and excite clients using AI, visualising and 3D to bring these to life in polished and impactful ways.
• Confidently present bold, inspiring creative work to senior clients and in pitch environments.
• Lead and Inspire, mentor and develop creative talent, particularly more junior team members.
• Partner with the Executive Creative Director and Client Development teams to grow and strengthen beauty client relationships.
• Understand and manage creative budgets, time allocation and resource planning.

Why N2O?

At N2O, creativity is taken seriously but never too seriously. You’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing beauty offering, work with ambitious brands, and create work that genuinely moves culture and drives results. If you’re passionate about beauty, obsessed with craft, and ready to make your mark, we’d love to hear from you.

Who are N2O?

N2O is an award-winning creative brand experience agency and part of Globe Groupe, an international network of agencies delivering integrated marketing solutions across retail and experiential channels.

With 26 years of trading history, N2O is trusted by the world’s most successful brands to build powerful brand experiences. We craft insight-led, relevant, engaging and measurable campaigns that deliver results — at home, in-store, out of home and online.

Specialising in retail, experiential and influencer marketing, we partner with ambitious brands across FMCG, health & beauty, luxury, retail and technology. Our longevity is built on creativity, commercial rigour and first-class client service.

Our headquarters is in Maidenhead, with additional sites in Welwyn Garden City, Hook, and Bedford.

• A deep, genuine obsession with beauty, from brands and products to culture, trends and consumer behaviours.
• Experience in experiential, activation or brand experience work.
• Minimum 2 years in a senior creative leadership role (e.g. Associate Creative Director) and 8+ years agency experience or equivalent.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual leadership, craft and innovation — ideally within beauty.
• Proven experience working with world‑class beauty brands as well as challenger brands.
• Exceptional presentation and storytelling skills.
• Use of AI to sell in and visualise your ideas in the most compelling ways.
• The ability to lead multiple projects and teams simultaneously, balancing creativity, budgets and timelines.
• A collaborative mindset with the confidence to lead and inspire.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.

• Salary range up to £75 - 85,000 gross per annum depending on experience
• Hybrid working opportuntities
• 23 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising each year (capped at 30 plus opportunity to buy / sell holiday scheme)
• Life assurance - to support the financial security of your loved ones
• Day one access to Digital GP service 24/7 - we know getting hold of a GP can sometimes be difficult (plus free private medical healthcare after 2 years' service)
• Retail discounts scheme - save money on lots of everyday high street, online purchases as well as treats and experiences
• Employee Assist Programme 24/7 - support when you need it on a range of practical, financial, health and legal issues
• Our head office location has multiple perks including an onsite gym, free breakfasts, free carparking and onsite café
• Regular company socials from BBQs to festive celebrations
• Quarterly and annual recognition award schemes
• Salary sacrifice scheme to help with your commute costs whether you travel by car or bicycle
• And not to forget free onsite car parking plus a free shuttle service from the local train station!