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Salaries And Costs
Creative pay in Edinburgh covers a wide span, with agency and client side bands that reflect size, sector, and hybrid working patterns. Marketing managers sit near £40,000 in many teams, senior brackets reach the mid £50,000s, and experienced UX or product designers can command higher ranges in lean markets. Graphic designers show a broad spread from the low £20,000s into the high £30,000s. Day rates for freelance creatives start near £200 and can rise to £450 for senior art direction, UX, or motion. Temp agencies quote margins on top of pay rates, while permanent hires are charged through recruitment fees, typically 15% to 25% of basic salary, with executive search rising above that. Budget for software ready contractors, such as Adobe CC or Figma users, and for kit heavy roles like content production. Agency costs scale with urgency, scarcity, and multi stage portfolios, so set clear briefs and agree stage gates before interviews.
Common Roles Agencies Recruit For
Recruiters and employment firms in the city place brand marketing, digital marketing, content, PR, copywriting, social, design, UX and UI, motion, video, studio management, production, and traffic. Games and interactive teams lean on concept artists, environment artists, technical artists, and producers. In house marketing at universities, cultural venues, and scaleups draws on marketing executives, CRM specialists, email and automation talent, and analytics hires. Recruitment consultants can supply creative services teams on temporary, permanent, and contract work, and will flag hard to fill roles such as senior UX, performance marketing, and integrated account leadership.
Contract, Temp, And Freelance Patterns
Edinburgh’s job market blends steady permanent headcount with spikes in contract work tied to campaigns, product sprints, and festival periods. Temp agencies cover sickness, parental leave, and studio crunch, while payroll partners can host workers on PAYE for short runs. Contractors often work inside or outside IR35, so hiring managers should agree the status early, set deliverables, and keep clean documentation. Freelancers register with recruitment agencies and staffing agencies for quick starts, and many pick up repeat bookings via retained studios once trust is built.
Qualifications And Training
Hiring managers look for CIM marketing certificates, CIPR for PR, IPA courses for agency craft, and Google Analytics skills for reporting. Designers benefit from Adobe and Figma proficiency, with motion roles leaning on After Effects and Premiere. UX candidates with research depth, prototyping, accessibility knowledge, and testing skills stand out. Production roles value budgeting, rights clearances, and vendor management, while project managers often bring Agile or Prince2. For junior pipelines, university portfolios and live briefs from local courses matter, so ask candidates for links and short reels, not just static PDFs.
Local Hiring Challenges
The labour market is tight at mid to senior level, with design leads, performance marketers, and experienced producers in short supply. Hybrid policies vary by employer, and some candidates weigh office location against tram or rail access. Retention improves when teams set clear creative ownership, fair pay bands, and progression routes. Agency side turnover can rise during pitch heavy quarters, so plan handover and shadowing to protect delivery. Recruiters can widen reach to nearby commuter towns, while keeping interviews flexible for portfolio walk throughs over video.
Regional And Geographic Notes
Leith and the Shore draw indie studios and content shops, the West End and New Town hold brand and financial services marketing teams, and Quartermile and Fountainbridge mix agencies with tech firms. Edinburgh Park offers modern space with tram and train links to the airport and city centre, handy for clients and shoots. Waverley and Haymarket connect to Fife, West Lothian, Midlothian, East Lothian, and the Borders, which helps when local employers want to widen the talent pool without relocating staff.
Key Sectors And Employers In The City
The city blends heritage brands, universities, cultural institutions, and high growth tech. Games has global pull, with well known studios anchored in the centre. Public bodies and arts organisations hire communications and content staff, while travel and fintech names build design and product squads. During busy quarters, recruitment agencies in Edinburgh work across these clusters, matching studio culture with candidates who can handle pace, stakeholders, and brand guardianship.
Seasonal Trends
Summer brings a lift in event production, content capture, and social scheduling linked to the festivals, with knock on demand for producers, videographers, photographers, copywriters, and PR support. Winter campaign peaks create short contract briefs in retail, visitor attractions, and hospitality marketing. Studios often pre book contractors two to four weeks ahead of these surges, so early conversations with recruiters can keep pipelines warm.
Regulatory And Compliance Checkpoints
Right to work checks sit with the employer or the temp agency that pays the worker. IR35 matters for limited company contractors, so use a consistent status assessment and keep scope tight. GDPR touches most marketing roles that handle data, so confirm training or experience with consent, segmentation, and retention policies. Some posts in education and public settings may need Disclosure checks, and video teams should log permits for public shoots where required.
Quick FAQs
Do recruitment agencies cover both studio and client side hiring?
Yes, many recruiters place across agencies, brands, and the public sector, and will present shortlists that reflect your setting.
Can local businesses hire on a short notice temp basis?
Yes, temp desks can supply same week creatives, with clear briefs, rates, and software needs set in advance.
What should candidates bring to an agency registration?
Bring an updated CV, a live portfolio link, and clear availability. State day rates or salary bands, software, and sectors you prefer.
How do recruitment fees and agency costs work?
Permanent hires are billed as a percentage of salary, often 15% to 25%. Temp and contract roles carry a margin on top of pay, plus any payroll charges.
Can jobseekers find remote or hybrid roles through recruiters?
Yes, hybrid remains common, with two or three office days. Some teams hire fully remote for specialist skills when the fit is strong.
How can local employers improve retention in creative teams?
Set fair pay rates, give space for craft, and map progression with training. Regular portfolio reviews and clear feedback keep teams engaged.
How To Use This Page
Local employers can scan creative recruitment agencies in Edinburgh, compare recruiters by niche, and start a search that fits budget and timing. Candidates and jobseekers can register with an agency, share portfolios, and get briefed on live roles. Whether you need to hire staff fast or plan headcount for next quarter, this page helps you speak with the right people, agree fees upfront, and secure a smooth start.