D&AD
CEO Job Description Closing date: 3 November 2025 "Stimulation not congratulation" D&AD is a registered charity whose mission is to stimulate, celebrate and enable excellence in commercial creativity, in the belief that this creates better outcomes for all concerned - commercially, culturally, socially, politically and environmentally; and to campaign for a fairer, more diverse, better gender-balanced industry. Our main areas of activity are awards, events and education and we serve a global community of creative practitioners from our headquarters in Shoreditch. The money D&AD makes from its commercial activities - Awards, Masterclasses and Partnerships - is channeled back into the industry we serve, mainly via the New Blood program, which provides a conveyor belt of talent into the industry, and which is comprised of, inter alia, the New Blood Awards, the New Blood Festival, the Academy, Shift - a twelve week night school for people without qualifications who have the talent and desire to enter the industry - and Shift Studio. Reporting The CEO reports to a Board of Trustees, who are in the main awarded and senior creative practitioners, and a Chair. They lead a team of around 40 people. The senior management team at D&AD is experienced and well-established, comprised of a COO (Donal Keenan) and five directors. Industry challenges and primary responsibilities The awards industry is overpopulated and the competition is stiff. D&AD's reputation as the most prestigious award in the sector is based on the degree of difficulty involved in winning a Pencil, its British heritage and the integrity of its jurors and judging process. This reputation is by far our greatest asset. It follows that the first responsibility of D&AD's CEO is to act as the guardian of the brand's reputation, mission, values, and behaviour. Like many industries the advertising and design sector has gone through unprecedented changes in recent years and continues to do so. The pandemic accelerated some of these and created a confused situation. AI and other digital developments have made the future of the conventional parts of the advertising and design sector uncertain. Plotting a future course is therefore challenging. But adapting to the changing landscape in order to stay relevant by providing valuable leadership, advice, support, products and services to our global creative community - wherever it is situated - is crucial. However, the area of D&AD's activities that perhaps best defines us, differentiates us from our main competitors and signals our value to the industry is our commitment to creative training and education for creative practitioners, and the nurturing and development of young talent. Whatever else happens it's likely that these programs and activities will need to be amplified in the future. Detailed role definition The CEO must love and cherish D&AD's purpose, mission and values, and the community we serve. They must be capable of looking beyond current confusion and boldly plotting a course that gives D&AD a leading role in the industry of the future. The CEO will lead from the front as the main visible face of D&AD (alongside the President, Trustees and other senior staff), being/becoming an expert on the industry, a spokesperson for it and a go-to speaker, advisor, influencer and commentator. The CEO will be capable of writing and speaking on important industry topics and, as such, have/earn the respect of senior industry practitioners, clients, D&AD partners and other stakeholders. The CEO will, in promoting creative excellence, fairness and diversity, believe in, exemplify and live the values of the Organisation. The CEO will have extensive commercial and managerial experience. Leadership and delegation Beyond these key qualities the CEO will lead the team on all key management functions, delegating appropriately and clearly setting expectations, goals, targets and performance metrics for the organisation overall and the senior management team. Performance The CEO will be responsible for performance as measured against the goals outlined above and, of course, financially; as well as in terms of setting a strategic course that future-proofs the organisation, in as much as that is possible in the current environment. Creating culture The CEO will take the lead on creating an appropriately dynamic and richly creative culture - one that attracts talent and optimises performance. D&AD is a springboard to other things for many of our people and there is a large and influential D&AD diaspora. So an important aspect of this in 2025 is to encourage D&AD's people to enjoy the environment and to take advantage of the stimulating and educational experiences on offer, to broaden and develop professionally, and to enjoy and value their D&AD experience. Personal style They will have a confident personal style - open, flexible, non-hierarchical, accessible, personally unselfish, keen to promote the interests of talented colleagues and ultimately ambitious for the organisation rather than themselves. They are likely to have had experience in leading an organisation in or adjacent to the creative industries. Time commitment D&AD is open to discussion when it comes to the amount of time needed to fulfil the role - previous incumbents have worked a flexible three day week. As such, it might well suit someone looking to make a lifestyle change; or someone returning to the industry after a break. Finally Affection and respect for the community we serve and an evident interest in creativity in all its forms and its practitioners are vital requisites. D&AD is a very special organisation and leading it is a very special privilege. Salary package and benefits On application and by negotiation. D&AD is committed to diversity, equality, equity, inclusion and respect for all. Providing a work environment in which all employees are treated with fairness, respect and dignity and which is free of discrimination, victimisation, bullying and harassment. At D&AD we are interested in every individual bringing their 'Whole Self' to work and this includes you! Please email to let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments to be made for any part of the recruitment process. In order to comply with the Prevention of Illegal Working, Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act, you will need to provide appropriate documentation that proves that you are eligible to work in the UK. Due to the number of applications we receive, we regret that you will not be contacted unless you are shortlisted for an interview. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date of your application you should assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. Our privacy statement can be viewed on the D&AD careers page.
CEO Job Description Closing date: 3 November 2025 "Stimulation not congratulation" D&AD is a registered charity whose mission is to stimulate, celebrate and enable excellence in commercial creativity, in the belief that this creates better outcomes for all concerned - commercially, culturally, socially, politically and environmentally; and to campaign for a fairer, more diverse, better gender-balanced industry. Our main areas of activity are awards, events and education and we serve a global community of creative practitioners from our headquarters in Shoreditch. The money D&AD makes from its commercial activities - Awards, Masterclasses and Partnerships - is channeled back into the industry we serve, mainly via the New Blood program, which provides a conveyor belt of talent into the industry, and which is comprised of, inter alia, the New Blood Awards, the New Blood Festival, the Academy, Shift - a twelve week night school for people without qualifications who have the talent and desire to enter the industry - and Shift Studio. Reporting The CEO reports to a Board of Trustees, who are in the main awarded and senior creative practitioners, and a Chair. They lead a team of around 40 people. The senior management team at D&AD is experienced and well-established, comprised of a COO (Donal Keenan) and five directors. Industry challenges and primary responsibilities The awards industry is overpopulated and the competition is stiff. D&AD's reputation as the most prestigious award in the sector is based on the degree of difficulty involved in winning a Pencil, its British heritage and the integrity of its jurors and judging process. This reputation is by far our greatest asset. It follows that the first responsibility of D&AD's CEO is to act as the guardian of the brand's reputation, mission, values, and behaviour. Like many industries the advertising and design sector has gone through unprecedented changes in recent years and continues to do so. The pandemic accelerated some of these and created a confused situation. AI and other digital developments have made the future of the conventional parts of the advertising and design sector uncertain. Plotting a future course is therefore challenging. But adapting to the changing landscape in order to stay relevant by providing valuable leadership, advice, support, products and services to our global creative community - wherever it is situated - is crucial. However, the area of D&AD's activities that perhaps best defines us, differentiates us from our main competitors and signals our value to the industry is our commitment to creative training and education for creative practitioners, and the nurturing and development of young talent. Whatever else happens it's likely that these programs and activities will need to be amplified in the future. Detailed role definition The CEO must love and cherish D&AD's purpose, mission and values, and the community we serve. They must be capable of looking beyond current confusion and boldly plotting a course that gives D&AD a leading role in the industry of the future. The CEO will lead from the front as the main visible face of D&AD (alongside the President, Trustees and other senior staff), being/becoming an expert on the industry, a spokesperson for it and a go-to speaker, advisor, influencer and commentator. The CEO will be capable of writing and speaking on important industry topics and, as such, have/earn the respect of senior industry practitioners, clients, D&AD partners and other stakeholders. The CEO will, in promoting creative excellence, fairness and diversity, believe in, exemplify and live the values of the Organisation. The CEO will have extensive commercial and managerial experience. Leadership and delegation Beyond these key qualities the CEO will lead the team on all key management functions, delegating appropriately and clearly setting expectations, goals, targets and performance metrics for the organisation overall and the senior management team. Performance The CEO will be responsible for performance as measured against the goals outlined above and, of course, financially; as well as in terms of setting a strategic course that future-proofs the organisation, in as much as that is possible in the current environment. Creating culture The CEO will take the lead on creating an appropriately dynamic and richly creative culture - one that attracts talent and optimises performance. D&AD is a springboard to other things for many of our people and there is a large and influential D&AD diaspora. So an important aspect of this in 2025 is to encourage D&AD's people to enjoy the environment and to take advantage of the stimulating and educational experiences on offer, to broaden and develop professionally, and to enjoy and value their D&AD experience. Personal style They will have a confident personal style - open, flexible, non-hierarchical, accessible, personally unselfish, keen to promote the interests of talented colleagues and ultimately ambitious for the organisation rather than themselves. They are likely to have had experience in leading an organisation in or adjacent to the creative industries. Time commitment D&AD is open to discussion when it comes to the amount of time needed to fulfil the role - previous incumbents have worked a flexible three day week. As such, it might well suit someone looking to make a lifestyle change; or someone returning to the industry after a break. Finally Affection and respect for the community we serve and an evident interest in creativity in all its forms and its practitioners are vital requisites. D&AD is a very special organisation and leading it is a very special privilege. Salary package and benefits On application and by negotiation. D&AD is committed to diversity, equality, equity, inclusion and respect for all. Providing a work environment in which all employees are treated with fairness, respect and dignity and which is free of discrimination, victimisation, bullying and harassment. At D&AD we are interested in every individual bringing their 'Whole Self' to work and this includes you! Please email to let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments to be made for any part of the recruitment process. In order to comply with the Prevention of Illegal Working, Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act, you will need to provide appropriate documentation that proves that you are eligible to work in the UK. Due to the number of applications we receive, we regret that you will not be contacted unless you are shortlisted for an interview. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date of your application you should assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. Our privacy statement can be viewed on the D&AD careers page.
D&AD
Job Description Job title: Finance Executive Reporting to: Finance Manager Team: Finance Operations Salary: £26 - £36k depending on experience per annum, plus discretionary bonus Benefits: For full details of the great benefits go to our website and the careers page Hours: Full time role hybrid working ideally 3 days a week in the office based in Shoreditch, Central London 9:30 - 5:30 pm About us: Stimulation not congratulation D&AD is a registered charity whose main remit is to stimulate, celebrate and enable excellence in commercial creativity, in the belief that this creates better outcomes for all concerned; and for the same reasons to campaign for a fairer, more diverse, better industry. Its main areas of activity are awards, events and education and it serves a global community of creative practitioners from its headquarters in Shoreditch. The money D&AD makes from its commercial activities is channelled through the D&AD Foundation back into the industry we serve, mainly via the New Blood program, which provides a conveyor belt of talent into the industry, and which is comprised of, inter alia, the New Blood Awards, the New Blood Festival, the Academy and Shift - a twelve week night school for people without qualifications who have the talent and desire to enter the industry. Job Objective: The Finance Executive is responsible for providing financial and accounting support to the Finance Manager across all aspects of the finance function. Including but not limited to, day to day accounting, P&L and balance sheet reporting, managing the cash and bank, accounts receivable and accounts payable, credit control, and systems and processes. It's an excellent opportunity to learn all aspects of the finance and accounting function Job Responsibilities Accounts receivable: To include generating sales invoices across all our products and services some of which are fully automated across our technology platforms To reconcile the accounts receivable control account with the debtors listing Ensuring that output VAT is correctly accounted for Ensuring also that all outstanding invoices are collected on a timely basis to preserve cash flow management, by managing the invoicing and collections process and following up on all late payments and outstanding invoices, including liaising with the Sales Teams with a view to taking appropriate actions to recover monies Setting up vendor portals to ensure timely receipt of monies owing Accounts payable: Assisting in the implementation of a Purchase order process Manage and process all payments including supplier invoices, ensuring accurate coding allocation to nominal ledgers, departments and costs centres is applied and to execute payments in a timely manner To reconcile the accounts payable control account with the supplier listing Ensuring that input VAT is correctly accounted for Managing the company credit cards and staff expenses ensuring timely accounting and receipt reconciliation ensuring all Vat is correctly accounted for in the correct Vat period Assisting in the implementation of an expenses / credit card management system Cash and bank: Manage the bank account and other payment portals such as world pay and stream as examples. This includes reconciling the bank accounts on a timely basis ensuring they are fully reconciled and agrees with the bank control account Petty cash management where appropriate Financial management: Supporting the Finance Manager and CFO to ensure accurate and timely data entry of all financial transactions onto the Company's financial systems Assisting with the analysis of financial data and reports for management reporting and reporting to the board of Trustees Assisting with company secretarial duties Assisting with budgeting, month end, year end and the annual audit process Assisting in prepayment and Accrual calculations Maintain fixed asset register including with the monthly depreciation calculations and postings to the ledger Assisting with any ad hoc work that may be required from time to time. Working with the Finance Manager/CFO on new systems integrations and API's to improve operational efficiencies within the finance function. Skills, Experience & Qualifications: 2 years' + experience in a similar role Educated to degree level or equivalent vocational qualification within accounting Ideally on route to taking a formal finance qualification such as AAT, ACCA or CIMA. Hunger to learn and develop all core sets of finance skills under the guidance of the Finance Manager and CFO. Experience with accounting packages- we are currently using XERO but may look to migrate to another platform in 2023/24. Mac/PC literate with good Zoom/Teams and MS Office skills (MS Excel) or Google suite. D&AD is mainly a MAC environment. Ability to perform multiple activities simultaneously, to use own initiative and work independently Ability to work under pressure and the flexibility and emotional intelligence to manage priorities to meet changing business demands Able to grow and thrive in a dynamic and changing environment, with the desire and ambition to learn and develop further professionally. Attention to detail Excellent written and oral communication skills to communicate across all business functions. D&AD is committed to diversity, equality, equity, inclusion and respect for all.
Job Description Job title: Finance Executive Reporting to: Finance Manager Team: Finance Operations Salary: £26 - £36k depending on experience per annum, plus discretionary bonus Benefits: For full details of the great benefits go to our website and the careers page Hours: Full time role hybrid working ideally 3 days a week in the office based in Shoreditch, Central London 9:30 - 5:30 pm About us: Stimulation not congratulation D&AD is a registered charity whose main remit is to stimulate, celebrate and enable excellence in commercial creativity, in the belief that this creates better outcomes for all concerned; and for the same reasons to campaign for a fairer, more diverse, better industry. Its main areas of activity are awards, events and education and it serves a global community of creative practitioners from its headquarters in Shoreditch. The money D&AD makes from its commercial activities is channelled through the D&AD Foundation back into the industry we serve, mainly via the New Blood program, which provides a conveyor belt of talent into the industry, and which is comprised of, inter alia, the New Blood Awards, the New Blood Festival, the Academy and Shift - a twelve week night school for people without qualifications who have the talent and desire to enter the industry. Job Objective: The Finance Executive is responsible for providing financial and accounting support to the Finance Manager across all aspects of the finance function. Including but not limited to, day to day accounting, P&L and balance sheet reporting, managing the cash and bank, accounts receivable and accounts payable, credit control, and systems and processes. It's an excellent opportunity to learn all aspects of the finance and accounting function Job Responsibilities Accounts receivable: To include generating sales invoices across all our products and services some of which are fully automated across our technology platforms To reconcile the accounts receivable control account with the debtors listing Ensuring that output VAT is correctly accounted for Ensuring also that all outstanding invoices are collected on a timely basis to preserve cash flow management, by managing the invoicing and collections process and following up on all late payments and outstanding invoices, including liaising with the Sales Teams with a view to taking appropriate actions to recover monies Setting up vendor portals to ensure timely receipt of monies owing Accounts payable: Assisting in the implementation of a Purchase order process Manage and process all payments including supplier invoices, ensuring accurate coding allocation to nominal ledgers, departments and costs centres is applied and to execute payments in a timely manner To reconcile the accounts payable control account with the supplier listing Ensuring that input VAT is correctly accounted for Managing the company credit cards and staff expenses ensuring timely accounting and receipt reconciliation ensuring all Vat is correctly accounted for in the correct Vat period Assisting in the implementation of an expenses / credit card management system Cash and bank: Manage the bank account and other payment portals such as world pay and stream as examples. This includes reconciling the bank accounts on a timely basis ensuring they are fully reconciled and agrees with the bank control account Petty cash management where appropriate Financial management: Supporting the Finance Manager and CFO to ensure accurate and timely data entry of all financial transactions onto the Company's financial systems Assisting with the analysis of financial data and reports for management reporting and reporting to the board of Trustees Assisting with company secretarial duties Assisting with budgeting, month end, year end and the annual audit process Assisting in prepayment and Accrual calculations Maintain fixed asset register including with the monthly depreciation calculations and postings to the ledger Assisting with any ad hoc work that may be required from time to time. Working with the Finance Manager/CFO on new systems integrations and API's to improve operational efficiencies within the finance function. Skills, Experience & Qualifications: 2 years' + experience in a similar role Educated to degree level or equivalent vocational qualification within accounting Ideally on route to taking a formal finance qualification such as AAT, ACCA or CIMA. Hunger to learn and develop all core sets of finance skills under the guidance of the Finance Manager and CFO. Experience with accounting packages- we are currently using XERO but may look to migrate to another platform in 2023/24. Mac/PC literate with good Zoom/Teams and MS Office skills (MS Excel) or Google suite. D&AD is mainly a MAC environment. Ability to perform multiple activities simultaneously, to use own initiative and work independently Ability to work under pressure and the flexibility and emotional intelligence to manage priorities to meet changing business demands Able to grow and thrive in a dynamic and changing environment, with the desire and ambition to learn and develop further professionally. Attention to detail Excellent written and oral communication skills to communicate across all business functions. D&AD is committed to diversity, equality, equity, inclusion and respect for all.