Head of Agency and Creative Operations

Description

The Estée Lauder Companies is seeking an inspiring and commercially minded Head of Creative Operations to lead the transformation of our UK&I content ecosystem. Reporting to the VP, Enterprise Marketing & Data, you will translate our new Global Operating Model into a clear, connected and future-focused UK&I content strategy and operating model.

You will bring together internal creative capabilities, strategic agency partners, freelancers and global-to-local content delivery into one cohesive model—ensuring the right work is prioritised, delivered in the right way and supported by the right investment.

This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of our UK&I business. You will work closely with Brand Leadership, Finance, Procurement, Legal, Data and Media teams to establish an effective, scalable and high-performing content ecosystem that supports our commercial priorities and brings our brands to life with creativity, consistency and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the transformation of the UK&I content operating model, translating global principles into a clear and locally relevant approach.
• Define and implement a cohesive UK&I content strategy aligned to business, brand and commercial priorities.
• Establish how content work is prioritised, commissioned, delivered and resourced across the UK&I ecosystem.
• Align content demand, investment and capacity to the areas of greatest commercial opportunity.
• Make clear and commercially informed trade-offs when demand exceeds available resources.
• Provide senior leadership across internal creative capabilities, agency partners and freelancers.
• Build strong, collaborative partnerships with Brand Leadership, Finance, Procurement, Legal, Data and Media teams.
• Create effective ways of working, governance and decision-making across the content ecosystem.
• Champion continuous improvement across quality, effectiveness, efficiency and innovation.
• Ensure the operating model remains scalable, flexible and future-focused as business and consumer needs evolve.

Qualifications

What You’ll Need to Be Successful

• Significant experience leading creative operations, content transformation or a similar function within a complex, multi-brand or matrixed organisation.
• A strong understanding of the UK&I commercial landscape, brand strategy and integrated marketing priorities.
• Demonstrable experience designing and implementing operating models that connect people, partners, processes and investment.
• The ability to translate strategic ambition into practical, measurable ways of working.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with confidence in prioritising investment and making informed resource allocation decisions.
• Proven experience leading and influencing senior stakeholders across multiple functions.
• A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to build trust and create clarity in complex environments.
• Experience managing internal creative teams and external agency or freelance partnerships.
• Strong judgement, decision-making skills and the confidence to make difficult trade-offs.
• A passion for creativity, innovation and operational excellence, with a focus on delivering meaningful impact for our brands and consumers.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to inspire teams and bring people with you through change.
• Join The Estée Lauder Companies and help shape the future of content across the UK&I—connecting creativity, collaboration and commercial impact to create meaningful experiences for our consumers.