Associate Manager - Creative

Job Summary

Aldar Education, the leading education group in Abu Dhabi, is seeking an Associate Manager - Creative. In this role you will develop and deliver creative and brand visual strategies across assigned schools or portfolios, lead the rollout of HQ‑led creative frameworks and brand initiatives at the school level, own end‑to‑end creative direction, act as custodian of the brand visual identity, and ensure all creative output is grounded in insight, research and data to drive impact, consistency and excellence across all touchpoints.

We provide inclusive and innovative learning that inspires and empowers communities. Our purpose is to empower the next generation to shape our future, directly supporting the educational goals of Abu Dhabi’s government and the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. Aldar Education is a “Great Place To Work” and employs over 1,400 teachers delivering the English National Curriculum, the highly regarded American Massachusetts State Curriculum, and the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

• Develop and own creative and brand visual identity strategies aligned with brand, marketing and enrolment objectives.
• Act as custodian of brand visual identity, ensuring consistency, quality and evolution across all schools and platforms.
• Lead the delivery of creative programmes from concept through execution across digital, video, motion, print and on‑ground environments.
• Lead, manage and develop a team of Creative Officers supporting school‑level and HQ‑led initiatives.
• Lead the localisation, adaptation and rollout of HQ‑led brand identities, creative frameworks and campaigns across schools.
• Ensure creative strategy and execution are informed by research, insights and performance data.
• Drive creative excellence, governance and continuous improvement across all assigned activity.
• Develop and evolve brand visual identities, sub‑brands and creative systems grounded in research, insight and data.
• Own and maintain brand guidelines, toolkits and visual standards, ensuring clarity and consistent adoption.
• Lead creative ideation, concept development and storytelling across campaigns, launches and key initiatives.
• Oversee video development, motion graphics, animation and multimedia storytelling across platforms.
• Lead the development of HTML banners, dynamic creative assets and digital ad formats in collaboration with digital teams.
• Oversee the development and rollout of creative assets including digital content, social assets, print collateral, OOH, event branding and school environments.
• Translate HQ‑led creative frameworks and campaigns into effective, high‑quality school‑level executions.
• Provide creative direction, quality control and performance feedback to Creative Officers.
• Brief, manage and quality‑control external creative agencies and production partners as required.
• Partner closely with Brand, Digital and Communications teams to ensure integrated execution and alignment.
• Support creative delivery for open days, enrolment campaigns, launches and key school milestones.
• Identify opportunities to elevate creative quality, storytelling and innovation across schools and platforms.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Creative Arts, Marketing or a related discipline.
• Formal training or certifications in design, branding, motion or digital creative disciplines are desirable.

Minimum experience

• 6–10+ years’ experience in creative, brand or design leadership roles.
• Proven experience developing and owning brand visual identities and creative systems.
• Strong track record delivering integrated creative campaigns across digital, video, motion, print and physical environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading creative teams and managing direct reports.
• Experience rolling out HQ‑led brand identities and creative frameworks across multiple brands or locations.
• Experience working in multi‑brand, portfolio or complex organisational environments.
• Experience with in education, hospitality or premium service‑led brands is preferred.

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent English language skills, written and oral.
• Ability to work in…