The Creative Conceptor plays an important supporting role within the Creative Direction team, helping to shape future creative thinking through culturally informed research, insight gathering and creative exploration.
Working as part of the wider Creative team, this role supports the identification and exploration of emerging creative, cultural, social and business movements that can inform future opportunities and creative direction. Combining strong research skills with creative curiosity and cultural awareness, the Creative Conceptor will contribute to the wider brand vision, purpose and creative ambition of Selfridges.
This role sits at the intersection of creativity, culture and innovation. The Creative Conceptor will support the development of future-facing concepts, brand narratives and creative thinking that contribute to Selfridges’ position as a benchmark-setting retail and cultural brand. Through both independent research and collaborative ideation, they will help inform creative schemes, campaigns, customer experiences and broader business thinking.
Operating across a broad spectrum of research and creative development projects, this role requires a highly curious, culturally connected and creatively minded individual with strong visual communication and storytelling skills. They will support the creation of compelling research narratives and presentations that help inspire creative thinking and inform decision making across the business.
The role will also contribute to how insight and research are shared across the wider Creative function — supporting collaborative ways of working that encourage knowledge sharing, innovation and creative excellence across teams.
Role Scope & Responsibilities
RESEARCH & STRATEGIC INSIGHT
- Support the planning and coordination of the Creative Direction team’s research outputs and communication across the wider business.
- Research and analyse emerging creative, cultural, social, technological and business trends relevant to Selfridges and the wider retail landscape.
- Identify future opportunities, risks and shifts in customer behaviour that could impact the brand, business and customer experience.
- Conduct extensive research through online resources, publications, field research, competitor benchmarking, exhibitions, events and international cultural exploration.
- Translate research findings into clear insight, creative opportunities and engaging presentations.
- Support longer-term future vision projects as well as shorter-term creative and business priorities.
CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT & IDEATION
- Support the development of innovative creative concepts, narratives and future-facing brand thinking.
- Support the evolution of Selfridges’ brand vision, purpose and creative direction through insight-led ideation.
- Contribute ideas and creative thinking that help evolve the brand and business.
- Support workshops, brainstorm sessions and collaborative ideation exercises across multidisciplinary teams.
- Support concept steering and creative development across campaigns, experiences and strategic projects.
- Help build relationships with external creative partners, cultural contributors and industry networks.
PRESENTATION & COMMUNICATION
- Create visually compelling and well-structured research decks and presentations.
- Support the presentation of research findings, concepts and creative recommendations to senior stakeholders where required.
- Structure information and storytelling in a logical, engaging and impactful way.
- Maintain a high standard of visual literacy, creative taste level and presentation quality across all outputs.
- Drive clarity, engagement and accessibility in how research and insight are shared across the business.
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION & OPERATIONS
- Work collaboratively with wider business functions including Brand Partnerships, Buying and Creative teams.
- Support creative vision sessions and workshops when required.
- Assist in coordinating freelance contributors and external research or creative projects where appropriate.
- Contribute to maintaining high standards of professionalism, organisation and sustainable ways of working.
- Operate effectively within a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
Skills & Experience
- Experience within a creative agency, strategy, research or similar creative environment is beneficial.
- Strong understanding of contemporary culture, design, fashion, media, social anthropology and emerging creative movements.
- Exceptional research, storytelling and presentation-building skills.
- Strong visual literacy and ability to communicate complex ideas in an inspiring and accessible way.
- Confident communicating and presenting ideas clearly within team and stakeholder settings.
- Interest in creative strategy, future thinking and culturally relevant storytelling.
- Comfortable facilitating workshops, leading collaborative sessions and influencing multidisciplinary teams.
- Excellent organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
- Highly proficient in PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite and Mac-based presentation tools.
- Digitally and culturally savvy with awareness of evolving retail, e-commerce and customer experience landscapes.
- Confident working independently while also contributing positively within collaborative team environments.
- Professional, proactive and highly organised with strong attention to detail.
- A trusted and respected colleague who embodies the values of Selfridges.