Head of Creative Operations

Job Description About The National College

At The National College, we empower education professionals to transform children’s lives. Our all-in-one platform helps schools, trusts, and nurseries stay compliant, raise standards, and reduce staff workload through intuitive, impactful technology. If educators need it, we build it. We’ve created a unique platform that combines the world’s largest CPD and policy library with innovative software tools, developed in collaboration with thousands of schools and more than 1,000 education experts.

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head of Creative Operations to lead our Brand & Content function. This is a senior, hands‑on leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering high‑performing creative output across the marketing team — from conversion‑focused digital campaigns and commercial copy to thought leadership content and brand development. You will lead a four‑person creative team (two thought‑leadership copywriters and two graphic designers), manage agency and contractor relationships, and act as the senior creative lead across all digital channels.

Your focus will be on delivering purposeful, high‑quality creative work that supports commercial objectives, strengthens brand positioning, and drives customer engagement across the funnel. This role sits at the intersection of creative leadership, project management, and digital marketing execution. You will set the creative standard across the business, ensuring every asset is on‑brand, audience‑focused, and performance‑driven. As a hands‑on leader, you will also contribute directly to creative delivery when required — whether writing commercial copy, developing creative briefs, or supporting campaign asset production.

• 5+ years’ experience leading a creative, brand, or content team in a fast‑paced commercial environment.
• Proven experience managing copywriters, designers, and external creative partners to deliver high‑quality work at pace.
• Strong hands‑on design capability, with confidence using tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or Figma.
• Excellent commercial copywriting skills, with experience creating high‑converting content across web, email, paid media, landing pages, and social.
• Demonstrable experience managing creative workflows, production pipelines, and asset management systems.
• Strong understanding of digital marketing channels including website, email, paid social, organic social, SEO, and content marketing.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to evaluate creative work through a performance and conversion lens.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.

• Experience producing or managing video and motion graphics.
• Experience in a B2B SaaS or EdTech environment.
• Knowledge of SEO strategy and content optimisation.
• Experience working closely with CRM, Paid Media, and CRO teams.

• Degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Portfolio demonstrating strong commercial creative work, including campaign content, copywriting, and design output.
• Familiarity with project management tools such as Asana, , or Notion.

• Own and evolve The National College brand, ensuring consistency across brand guidelines, tone of voice, and creative standards across all channels.
• Lead, manage, and develop a team of four, providing clear direction, coaching, and accountability for high‑quality output.
• Act as the senior creative reviewer across major campaigns, launches, and always‑on content, maintaining a high creative and commercial standard.
• Manage external freelancers, agencies, and creative partners, ensuring quality and consistency of delivery.

• Lead the creation and review of high‑performing digital content across website, email, landing pages, paid media, in‑platform messaging, and social channels.
• Shape messaging strategy for campaign launches,…