Chanel Head of Creative Studio

About Chanel

Chanel is one of the world’s most revered luxury houses, founded by Gabrielle Chanel and distinguished by an enduring vision of elegance, freedom, and modernity. As an employer, the House brings together métiers ranging from haute couture, fashion and leather goods to fragrance, beauty, watches, and fine jewelry, offering employees the opportunity to contribute to a legacy defined by exceptional craftsmanship and creative audacity. Chanel values excellence, discretion, collaboration, and long-term development, fostering an environment where talent is nurtured and heritage is continually reinterpreted for contemporary clients. Its teams are united by a commitment to quality, innovation, and the timeless spirit of the brand.

Role & Responsibilities

• Set Japan’s visual communication and creative strategy to luxury standards, aligned with Chanel’s brand values and business strategy.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize online and offline campaigns, tracking current and emerging technology, UX/UI, and omnichannel design trends.
• Develop a forward-looking local point of view and share Japan-specific insights and best practices with the Global Artistic Direction team.
• Develop interactive and phygital experiences for customers in Japan in partnership with Architecture and Visual Merchandising.
• Improve creative workflow efficiency through best practices and innovative tools.
• Manage and develop the project management team in creative timeline development, production scheduling, and resource planning.
• Improve communication, creative review, and project management efficiency within the department.
• Guide project managers in facilitating creative meetings, leading status updates, and resolving production challenges.
• Ensure high execution standards from initial creative concept through final delivery.
• Oversee development of 2D, 3D, digital, social media, video, podcast, and point-of-sale content, including copywriting across platforms.
• Partner with Marketing, Retail, Digital/E-business, division Event, and Visual Merchandising/Architecture stakeholders to deliver campaigns and contribute ideas in brainstorms and creative kick-offs.
• Lead production from concept to execution, ensuring seamless collaboration between teams.
• Curate and oversee Art and Culture special projects that reinforce Chanel’s leadership in cultural storytelling.
• Lead creative concepts for special events, including launches, VIP experiences, press and media events, and seasonal activations.
• Own event concept development and storytelling across digital, print, in-store, and media touchpoints.
• Adapt and elevate global event concepts for the Japan market and advocate for local requirements with international teams.
• Coordinate closely with Visual Merchandising and Orchestration teams on project management; physical production, including architecture, build, and on-the-ground campaign orchestration, sits with those teams.
• Source and contract photographers, directors, artists, writers, and production partners aligned with Chanel’s artistic and financial objectives.
• Manage financial negotiations, legal approvals, and procurement coordination for creative production initiatives.
• Support creative teams during shoots, ensuring brand-standard alignment and operational efficiency.
• Build relationships with global Artistic Direction leaders to support creative synergy and knowledge sharing.
• Work with the Global Artistic Direction team to validate and implement campaign adaptations in line with global creative guidelines and material requests.
• Advocate for the Japan creative team’s recognition as a leader in producing globally and locally relevant campaigns.
• Partner with international counterparts to adapt and localize global creative initiatives for regional market needs.
• Train and oversee project management teams in synchronizing creative processes and delivering assets on time across global markets.
• Ensure comprehensive execution of 360° campaigns.
• Work with Brand Communication and Global Image teams, including Fragrance & Beauty Artistic Direction and WFJ Image, to align content strategies.
• Lead cross-functional teams in developing and executing consistent campaigns across platforms.
• Oversee department budgets, production costs, and headcount allocation; track and report Japan digital and creative project budgets and deliverables.
• Partner with the Head of Artistic Direction on annual financial planning for creative and production needs.
• Ensure teams follow budget-tracking and financial-reporting best practices.
• Explore cost-effective production solutions while maintaining high artistic standards.
• Lead, mentor, and develop project managers, content creators, copywriters, digital/UX creatives, and producers.
• Develop team capabilities across digital and print, shaping processes and ways of working.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Establish clear KPIs and professional development plans to support team growth.
• Champion change management and continuous process improvement, with a focus on each team member’s development.
• Travel within and outside Japan, including to Paris.

Qualifications

• University graduate.
• At least 15 years of experience in creative operations and/or digital creative leadership, including UX/UI, web/mobile, and omnichannel design.
• Demonstrated experience in luxury creative production across content, digital, and campaign execution, with direct or close experience in the Japan market.
• Full understanding of omnichannel design, digital and social media design, copywriting, and digital production, together with strong project management and creative operations expertise.
• Strong business acumen and ability to translate business requirements into elegant, innovative creative solutions that protect and elevate brand image.
• Proven people leadership, including experience managing and developing creative, digital, and production teams.
• Fluent Japanese and excellent English proficiency; French is a plus.
• Experience working within a corporate, matrixed global structure; international living or work experience is an advantage.

Skills

Experience

At least 15 years in creative operations and/or digital creative leadership, including UX/UI, web/mobile, and omnichannel design.

Education

University graduate.

Culture

Chanel fosters a culture of timeless creativity, exacting craftsmanship, and quiet excellence, where employees are encouraged to uphold the house’s heritage while contributing to its continued innovation. The workplace environment is refined, collaborative, and deeply committed to quality, offering professionals the opportunity to grow within a globally respected maison that values discretion, artistry, and long-term vision.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.