Creative Lead EMEA and APAC
Likely
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer has issued visas recently
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£46,000
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2494 (85% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £46,000, and TikTok is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
In 2025, TikTok assigned 6 or more Certificates of Sponsorship for SOC 2494 jobs, according to the Home Office.
This could also be SOC 1132 (Marketing, sales and advertising directors) or SOC 1255 (Managers and directors in the creative industries). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2494 Advertising accounts managers and creative directors Most likely code | £33,400 | £36,800 | £41,400 | £46,000 |
1132 Marketing, sales and advertising directors Also possible | £61,100 | £69,800 | £78,600 | £87,300 |
1255 Managers and directors in the creative industries Also possible | £33,400 | £44,900 | £44,900 | £44,900 |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
The team is comprised of 5 senior creative leads (directors) of high caliber and experience. Half are focused on EMEA the others on APAC. There is a high level of autonomy and the quality of work is consistently excellent. Each lead manages all aspects of creative development, production, post-production and delivery with or without agencies. Excellent judgment, taste and communication skills are required. A strong background or direct experience with how business is done in diverse cultures is helpful. The team works well together. There is collective support from one member of the team for the other, there are no rivalries. Several members of the team will benefit from mentoring. This high performing team will have strong expectations of their leader and will be watching vigilantly.
Responsibilities
- Create a sustainable, motivated and efficient environment for exceptional creative development. Demonstrate creative thought leadership, keeping ahead of trends and providing proactive inspiration and recommendations.
- Lead and collaborate with extraordinary creatives, copywriters, designers, innovators and strategists.
- Provide the in-house creatives with a clear creative direction and ownership over their projects. Continually raise the bar for creative excellence.
- Work closely with world class advertising agencies across EMEA nd APAC in guiding the work effectively for creative excellence. Be a fiscal guardian working in the best interests of the company.
- Demonstrate brand guardianship and proactively identify areas to improve on the creative
- Work collaboratively to develop compelling creative solutions with the team, that align with the strategic brief
- Partner closely with both global and local marketing teams to develop breakthrough creative work that balances commercial needs with innovation and longer-term brand building.
- Manage creativity within the parameters of project allocation and resources.
Qualifications
- Extensive work experience as a CD, ECD, Creative lead or related position
- Team leadership experience
- Previous experience of leading and delivering a broad range of creative projects including brand campaigns, activations, creative partnership solutions etc
Preferred qualifications
- Strong knowledge of the EMEA and APAC regions and grasp on culture, with a keen understanding of what is relevant, and an eye for upcoming trends
- Demonstrate keen knowledge of TikTok and the TikTok community.
- Demonstrate proactive thinking and examples of your entrepreneurialism (in work or out of work).
- Ability to manage team bandwidth and delivery timelines.
- Must be dependable, positive, and open-minded, and be able to clearly communicate both verbally and visually.
- Ability to pitch creative solutions in response to marketing strategies.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills. Ability to read a room and pivot accordingly.
- Portfolio of work
About TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Why Join Us
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.
We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
Diversity & Inclusion
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mi
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with TikTok, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Advertising accounts managers and creative directors (SOC 2494) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~33k in sample- Middle half £39,936–63,596
- Median £48,152
- Going rate £46,000
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £33,400–41,400
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About sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. TikTok holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. In 2025, TikTok assigned 6 or more Certificates of Sponsorship for SOC 2494 jobs, according to the Home Office. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2494 going rate of £46,000. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.