Business Development Associate/ Graphic Designer Harare 2026

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Business Development Associate / Graphic Designer

Company: EY

Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Business Development & Graphic Design

Date Posted: 2026-11-02T00:00:00

Experience Level: 0-2 years

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a hybrid position blending Business Development support with core Graphic Design responsibilities, focusing on enhancing client deliverables and business proposals through strategic visual communication.

• The Business Development Associate will be instrumental in supporting EY's market leadership strategy by creating compelling visual assets that align with and reinforce the firm's brand and corporate identity.

• A key aspect of this role involves interpreting client business and communication needs to develop creative, strategically sound concepts for proposals and campaigns, ensuring effective brand representation.

• The position demands a proactive approach to client engagement, requiring persuasive communication, presentation skills, and the ability to manage projects from conceptualization to production, often working independently with external vendors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Business Development Associate/ Graphic Designer" indicates a dual focus. While listed under a general job board, the description emphasizes strategic business development support through design, suggesting this role is critical for client-facing proposals and market initiatives within EY's service lines. The operations context is derived from the need for efficient, high-quality visual output that directly impacts business development outcomes and brand consistency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual designs and innovative visual ideas for client deliverables, including proposals, presentations, and marketing collateral, ensuring strategic alignment with business objectives.

• Create strategically sound communication campaigns and winning business proposals by translating client needs and objectives into impactful visual solutions that adhere to EY's brand guidelines.

• Execute design concepts with strong typography, appropriate color palettes, and comprehensive layouts, demonstrating a keen understanding of visual hierarchy and brand identity.

• Interpret client requirements and objectives to conceptualize and develop design solutions that meet specific business and communication needs, acting as a bridge between creative execution and strategic goals.

• Liaise with clients to present design concepts, gather feedback, and communicate progress, ensuring persuasive and diplomatic engagement throughout project lifecycles.

• Maintain awareness of current design trends, techniques, and best practices within the creative community to ensure innovative and effective visual outputs.

• Manage the preparation of all design work for production, including preparing files and working independently with external vendors for printing and other production needs.

• Practice effective and timely communication with internal stakeholders and clients, ensuring clarity and managing expectations throughout project execution.

• Demonstrate exceptional attention to detail in all design work, from initial concept to final output, ensuring accuracy and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for both creative design skills and business acumen. The "Business Development" aspect implies a focus on client-facing materials that directly contribute to winning business and supporting sales efforts, which is a key function within GTM Operations. The emphasis on client liaison and proposal development suggests this role plays a part in the revenue generation process.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related discipline.

Experience: 1-2 years of work experience, with agency experience being an added advantage.

Required Skills:

• Superior knowledge and application of design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint) for document creation and presentation integration.

• Strong conceptualization and design skills, with the ability to translate abstract ideas into compelling visual narratives.

• Excellent command of typography, layout design, and color theory to create aesthetically pleasing and effective designs.

• Demonstrated understanding of printing processes and pre-press preparation.

• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and quality in all deliverables.

• Effective work ethic and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously.

• Speed and accuracy in design execution are crucial. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in developing design concepts for business proposals and client pitches.

• Familiarity with brand identity development and corporate identity guidelines.

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clients and stakeholders at all levels.

• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills for articulating design concepts and strategies.

• Sound business acumen and understanding of client needs and objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, coupled with a strong portfolio and client-facing responsibilities, points to a role that supports Go-To-Market (GTM) functions by producing high-impact collateral. The "business development" aspect suggests a need to understand the strategic intent behind the design requests, aligning with operations roles that bridge creative output with business objectives.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong, well-curated portfolio showcasing a range of design projects, demonstrating conceptual thinking, strategic execution, and technical proficiency.

• Portfolio should include examples of work related to business proposals, presentations, marketing collateral, and brand identity projects.

• Demonstrate the ability to interpret client briefs and develop innovative visual solutions that meet specific business objectives.

• Include case studies or descriptions that highlight the strategic thinking behind design choices and their impact on project outcomes. Process Documentation:

• Showcase understanding of the design process from brief interpretation and concept development to final production and delivery.

• Examples of how design concepts were refined based on feedback and client requirements.

• Demonstrate familiarity with preparing files for various production methods (print, digital).

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, emphasizing the need to showcase not just aesthetic skill but also strategic application of design principles to achieve business goals. This aligns with operations roles that require demonstrable project success and process-oriented thinking.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• For a Business Development Associate/Graphic Designer with 0-2 years of experience in Harare, Zimbabwe, the estimated annual salary range would typically fall between ZWL 180,000 to ZWL 360,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for entry-level creative and business support roles in the Zimbabwean market, considering the cost of living and typical compensation structures for professional services firms like EY. Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.

• Opportunities for professional development and training programs.

• Retirement savings plan contributions.

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Access to EY's global network and resources. Working Hours:

• Typically 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

• Flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines and client demands, potentially involving occasional overtime.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on general market data for entry-level positions in Zimbabwe, acknowledging that specific compensation will be determined by EY's internal pay scales and the candidate's qualifications. Benefits are standard for a large professional services firm.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Services (Assurance, Consulting, Strategy and Transactions, Tax Services). EY operates within a highly competitive global professional services market, requiring innovation, client focus, and a commitment to quality.

Company Size: EY is a large, global organization, part of the "Big Four" accounting and consulting firms, employing over 300,000 people worldwide. This size offers significant resources, diverse opportunities, and a structured professional environment.

Founded: Ernst & Young was formed in 1989 through the merger of Ernst & Whinney and Arthur Young. Its legacy dates back much further, with roots tracing to the early 20th century. This long history signifies stability, extensive experience, and established methodologies.

Team Structure:

• The Business Development and Design team likely operates as a support function, collaborating closely with client-facing service lines (e.g., Consulting, Strategy and Transactions) to develop winning proposals and marketing materials.

• The team structure would involve reporting to a Business Development Manager or a Creative Lead, with close interaction with account managers and subject matter experts within EY.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, requiring seamless integration with project teams to understand client needs and translate them into effective visual communications that support EY's overall market strategy. Methodology:

• EY emphasizes a data-driven approach to business development, using insights to tailor strategies and proposals.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key to ensuring efficient delivery of client projects and internal initiatives, especially within tight deadlines.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely employed where possible, though creative roles often require a human touch for conceptualization and strategic thinking.

Company Website: https://www.ey.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: EY's "All in" strategy and tagline "Shape the future with confidence" suggest a culture that values collaboration, innovation, and empowering employees. For operations professionals, this means opportunities to work on diverse, high-impact projects within a structured, globally recognized framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an entry-level (0-2 years of experience), suitable for recent graduates or individuals early in their design and business development careers. It serves as a foundational role within EY's support functions.

Reporting Structure: The Business Development Associate will likely report to a Business Development Manager or a Creative Director, working within a team that supports various service lines. This structure allows for mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the success of business development efforts by creating visually persuasive proposals and collateral that influence client decision-making. High-quality design and strategic communication are critical for winning new business and reinforcing EY's brand reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in graphic design software, learn new design techniques, and gain experience in proposal development and business communication strategies.

• Specialization: Potential to specialize in areas like proposal design, digital marketing collateral, or brand management within EY's global framework.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and experience, career progression could lead to roles such as Senior Graphic Designer, Proposal Manager, or Business Development Specialist.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Exposure to various EY service lines provides a broad understanding of the professional services industry and potential career paths within the firm.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory from this role emphasizes continuous learning and skill development in both creative and strategic business areas. For operations professionals, this means building a versatile skill set applicable to GTM, marketing, and client engagement functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based in an office environment, likely within EY's Harare office. The work environment is expected to be professional, collaborative, and fast-paced, typical of a global professional services firm.

Office Location(s): Harare, Zimbabwe. The specific office location will offer access to EY's facilities, including collaborative workspaces and necessary technological infrastructure.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will facilitate collaboration with internal teams, including business development managers, consultants, and other creative professionals.

• Access to up-to-date design software and hardware is expected to support the creation of high-quality visual assets.

• Opportunities for team interaction and knowledge sharing are likely, fostering a supportive learning environment.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely Monday to Friday, approximately 40 hours per week. However, given the client-facing nature of business development and design, flexibility may be required to meet critical project deadlines, which could involve occasional overtime.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site work arrangement in Harare emphasizes the need for local presence, facilitating in-person collaboration crucial for dynamic business development and design projects.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and creative output.

• Technical Assessment: A practical design exercise or case study may be administered to evaluate design skills, software proficiency, and problem-solving abilities under timed conditions.

• Behavioral Interview: Discussion focused on interpersonal skills, work ethic, ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, client interaction experience, and alignment with EY's values.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present and discuss key pieces from their portfolio, explaining their strategic approach, design choices, and the impact of their work.

• Final Interview: With hiring manager or senior leadership to discuss role fit, career aspirations, and finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your ability to meet the role's requirements: strategic thinking, client needs interpretation, brand adherence, and versatility across different design needs (proposals, presentations, etc.).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges, your design process, the solution, and the outcome or impact. Use concise, impactful language.

• Highlight Business Acumen: If possible, include examples where your design directly contributed to business success (e.g., a proposal that won, a campaign that increased engagement).

• Showcase Software Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio visually communicates mastery of the required design tools.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether digital or physical.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for design challenges that test your ability to quickly interpret a brief, brainstorm concepts, and execute a design solution within a limited timeframe.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, explaining your design decisions and how they address the stated objectives.

• Familiarize yourself with EY's brand guidelines and recent work to understand their aesthetic and strategic communication style.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio and potential design challenges highlights the practical, results-oriented nature of this role, common in operations functions that require demonstrable output and problem-solving skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design tasks, including Photoshop for image manipulation, Illustrator for vector graphics, and InDesign for layout and desktop publishing.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Critical for integrating designs into business documents, presentations (PowerPoint), and reports (Word). Proficiency in PowerPoint for creating visually engaging business presentations is particularly important.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates for digital collateral, proposal win rates) would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with how designs are integrated into CRM-managed proposals or marketing automation platforms could be an advantage, though not explicitly required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office underscores the technical requirements for design execution, aligning with operations roles that rely on specific software proficiency for task completion and efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams to achieve common business development goals.

• Innovation: Bringing creative and strategic ideas to enhance client deliverables and proposals.

• Client Focus: Understanding and meeting client needs through impactful visual communication.

• Excellence: Maintaining high standards of quality, accuracy, and attention to detail in all design work.

• Integrity: Upholding EY's brand standards and professional ethics in all interactions and deliverables.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a collaborative environment where design professionals work closely with business development managers, client service teams, and subject matter experts to produce tailored solutions.

• Open communication and feedback exchange are crucial for refining designs and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.

• Knowledge sharing within the design and business development community at EY is encouraged to foster continuous improvement and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: EY's culture, as described by their tagline "Shape the future with confidence," emphasizes a proactive, forward-thinking, and collaborative approach. For operations roles, this translates to an environment that values initiative, strategic thinking, and teamwork.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity and Strategy: Effectively translating complex business objectives and client needs into visually compelling designs that adhere to strict brand guidelines.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Managing multiple projects with competing deadlines in a dynamic professional services setting.

• Client Communication: Effectively presenting and defending design concepts to clients at various levels, managing feedback and revisions diplomatically.

• Staying Current: Keeping pace with evolving design trends, software updates, and best practices in visual communication and business development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Access to training on new design software features, techniques, and emerging creative technologies.

• Business Acumen Development: Opportunities to learn about EY's service lines, client industries, and business development strategies through project involvement.

• Presentation & Communication Skills: Development programs focused on enhancing verbal communication, presentation delivery, and client engagement techniques.

• Industry Exposure: Working on diverse projects for various clients and service lines provides broad industry exposure and a deep understanding of the professional services landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities are characteristic of roles that bridge creative execution with strategic business objectives, offering significant learning potential for individuals seeking to develop a career in creative business support.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance creative vision with strict brand guidelines. How did you approach it?" (Focus on your process for adhering to constraints while maintaining creativity).

• "How would you approach designing a proposal for a client in the [specific industry EY serves] sector?" (Demonstrate your ability to research, understand client needs, and tailor design strategy).

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio that you're particularly proud of. What was the objective, your role, and the outcome?" (Prepare a concise, impactful case study highlighting strategic thinking and results). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about EY and our services? How do you see design supporting our business development efforts?" (Research EY's services, recent campaigns, and understand the strategic role of design).

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?" (Emphasize adaptability and a willingness to iterate based on feedback).

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. How do you prioritize your tasks?" (Highlight time management, organization, and ability to perform under pressure). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, perhaps by project type or complexity. Start with a summary of your overall capabilities.

• Narrative: For each project, tell a compelling story that includes the client's challenge, your strategic approach, your creative solution, and the tangible results or impact.

• Visuals: Use high-quality images of your work. Be prepared to zoom in on specific details that demonstrate your technical skill or strategic thinking.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on the most relevant projects and key takeaways.

• Engagement: Be ready to answer questions about your process, tools, and decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative talent, strategic thinking, and professional communication skills, aligning with EY's values and the demands of a business development support role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Business Development Associate/Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the EY Careers portal. Ensure your resume is tailored to highlight relevant design skills, business development support experience, and proficiency with the required software.

• Prepare a strong, professional portfolio that showcases your best work, with a focus on projects relevant to business proposals, presentations, and brand identity. Be ready to discuss your process and strategic thinking for each piece.

• Research EY's services, recent projects, and brand guidelines. Understand how design contributes to their overall business development strategy and client engagement.

• Practice articulating your design concepts, problem-solving approach, and client communication skills. Be ready to discuss your experience working under pressure and in collaborative environments.

• Anticipate a potential design challenge and prepare to demonstrate your ability to quickly interpret a brief and deliver a creative, strategic solution.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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