City Centre Graphic Designer and Planner

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: City Centre Graphic Designer and Planner

Company: Auckland Council

Location: Auckland Wide, NZ, 1010

Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing / Government & Public Sector

Date Posted: 2026-08-31T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role involves managing and creating design for high-profile city centre campaigns and experiences, requiring a blend of creative execution and strategic planning.

• The position demands ownership of projects from brief to delivery, balancing artistic vision with brand integrity and overall impact on Auckland's city centre.

• You will be an integral part of a collaborative in-house Brand and Creative team, contributing to the vibrancy and visibility of the city.

• This is a unique opportunity to combine hands-on graphic design with client liaison, project leadership, and studio workflow management within the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland context.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly for a "City Centre Graphic Designer and Planner," indicating a dual focus on creative output and operational planning/management within a specific urban environment. The description emphasizes hands-on design alongside project leadership and workflow management, suggesting a mid-to-senior level position where strategic thinking and execution are equally important.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design and creative development for major city centre campaigns, events, and activations, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and strategic objectives.

• Manage the end-to-end project lifecycle for city centre design initiatives, from initial brief intake and concept development through to final production and delivery.

• Collaborate closely with city centre marketing teams, internal stakeholders, external agencies, and freelancers to translate ideas into compelling visual solutions.

• Oversee and contribute to the creation of diverse design assets, including out-of-home advertising, digital campaigns, signage, wayfinding, publications, exhibitions, and marketing collateral.

• Work with the Studio Manager to effectively manage workflow and resource allocation within the internal design team and with external creative suppliers, ensuring efficient project execution and timely delivery.

• Act as a brand guardian, providing guidance and ensuring consistency, distinctiveness, and high-quality application of Auckland Council's visual identities across all city centre initiatives.

• Develop creative concepts and art direction across multiple channels and platforms, demonstrating strong design judgment and an understanding of emerging trends.

• Manage client relationships from initial brief to final delivery, ensuring clear communication and stakeholder satisfaction throughout the design process.

• Champion smart, practical design solutions and maintain a high standard of creative output in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate a hybrid role: "Graphic Designer" implies hands-on creation, while "Planner" suggests oversight of project timelines, resource allocation, and client interactions. The emphasis on "high-profile city centre campaigns" and "vibrancy and visibility" points to a role with significant public-facing impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A tertiary qualification in Graphic Design or a related discipline is ideally required, demonstrating foundational knowledge and formal training in design principles. Experience:

• A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience is required, with a strong emphasis on delivering high-quality graphic design and creative solutions.

• Demonstrated experience in managing workflows, client relationships, and meeting deadlines with consistent, quality outputs is essential.

• Proven ability to manage multiple briefs and competing deadlines pragmatically and efficiently without compromising work quality. Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency across the Adobe Creative Suite, with particular expertise in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

• Strong experience in developing creative concepts and providing art direction across various channels and platforms.

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to present and champion creative concepts to diverse audiences.

• Superior project, workflow, and time-management skills, with a proven ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, crucial for effective collaboration and client liaison.

• Experience in managing client relationships from initial brief through to final delivery.

• A collaborative approach, essential for thriving within a fast-paced, dynamic creative studio environment.

• Demonstrated ability to manage workflows and deliver quality design outcomes. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with After Effects and motion graphics is considered an advantage, indicating a desire for broader multimedia capabilities.

• Experience working with internal and external designers, freelancers, agencies, and creative suppliers, highlighting a need for strong vendor management and team collaboration skills.

• Familiarity with emerging creative and design trends, showcasing a commitment to staying current and innovative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 7+ years of experience, coupled with advanced Adobe Creative Suite skills and project/workflow management, positions this role as a senior or lead designer with planning responsibilities. The preference for After Effects and motion graphics suggests a forward-thinking approach to creative execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of seven years of design experience, with a strong emphasis on high-profile campaigns and city centre-related projects.

• Demonstrations of end-to-end project ownership, from initial brief and concept development through to final delivery and execution across multiple channels.

• Examples of workflow management, client relationship management, and successful delivery of multiple projects under deadline pressure.

• Evidence of creative concept development, art direction, and the ability to produce compelling visual solutions for diverse platforms (print, digital, OOH, signage, events, etc.).

• Visual examples of brand consistency and guardianship, showcasing how brand identity has been maintained and enhanced across various applications. Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how you have managed project workflows, from brief intake to final delivery, including any systems or methodologies used for organization and tracking.

• Provide case studies or examples that illustrate your approach to client liaison and stakeholder management, demonstrating effective communication and relationship building throughout project lifecycles.

• Include evidence of your process for developing creative concepts and art direction, detailing how you translate ideas into impactful visual designs.

• If applicable, demonstrate experience in managing external creative resources (freelancers, agencies) and integrating their work into a cohesive project outcome.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Planner" aspect of the role and the emphasis on project ownership and workflow management, the portfolio should not only showcase design excellence but also demonstrate a structured approach to project execution, client management, and resource coordination.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• While no specific salary range is provided, roles at Auckland Council for experienced professionals in design and planning typically fall within the range of NZD $75,000 - $110,000 per annum, depending on the exact scope of responsibilities and candidate experience.

• This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar positions in New Zealand's public sector and private creative agencies, considering the specified experience level and location. Benefits:

• Discounted financial services

• Insurance discounts

• Entertainment discounts

• Lifestyle discounts

• Access to a range of other benefits and discounts available through the Auckland Council Group.

• Opportunity to work on highly visible projects that contribute to the visual experience of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

• Membership in a talented and supportive Brand and Creative team.

• Diverse portfolio of city centre campaigns, events, activations, and experiences. Working Hours:

• The standard working hours for this role are 40 hours per week, reflecting a typical full-time commitment.

• While the role is on-site, the fast-paced nature of campaign delivery may require flexibility and occasional work outside standard hours to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the location (Auckland, NZ), the employer (Auckland Council), the experience level (5-10 years), and the nature of the role (Graphic Designer & Planner), a salary range has been estimated. The provided benefits are directly from the input data.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government & Public Sector / Marketing & Advertising / Urban Development. Auckland Council, through its entity Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, plays a crucial role in the economic development, cultural enrichment, and vibrant public life of Auckland, New Zealand. This involves strategic planning, marketing, and creative initiatives to enhance the city's appeal and functionality.

Company Size: Auckland Council is a very large organization, employing thousands of people across various departments and entities. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, as its economic development agency, also operates with a significant workforce. This size offers stability, resources, and opportunities for collaboration across a broad spectrum of functions.

Founded: Auckland Council was established in 2010 through the amalgamation of eight local government bodies. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited was formed more recently through the integration of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and Regional Facilities Auckland. This history suggests a dynamic environment that values both established public service principles and agile, forward-thinking strategies for city development.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Brand and Creative team at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, which is part of the Auckland Council Group. This team is described as small and high-performing, suggesting an agile and focused unit.

• The Graphic Designer and Planner will work closely with a Studio Manager and other internal designers, implying a collaborative and supportive structure.

• Collaboration is expected with city centre marketing teams and potentially other departments involved in city centre development and promotion.

• The team operates as an in-house creative studio, indicating a direct impact on organizational outputs and a close working relationship with internal clients. Methodology:

• The team champions brands and visual identities, providing guidance to internal teams, agencies, suppliers, and partners to ensure consistency and quality.

• The approach involves taking briefs and transforming them into compelling, on-brand visual solutions across diverse channels.

• There's an emphasis on balancing creativity with brand integrity and impact, and knowing when to design in-house, when to collaborate, and when to bring in external expertise.

• The role requires pragmatic, smart, and practical solutions to design challenges, driven by a passion for great design and its contribution to the city's identity.

• Data-driven insights are implied through the focus on campaigns and city centre visibility, though not explicitly detailed as a core methodology.

Company Website: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ (Primary), https://aucklandunlimited.com/ (Tātaki Auckland Unlimited)

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Auckland Council's role as a public sector entity and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited's mandate for economic development and city vibrancy is key. The "small, high-performing" team structure suggests a dynamic, collaborative, and results-oriented environment where individual contributions are highly visible.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-to-senior level position, indicated by the requirement for 7+ years of experience and the dual responsibility of hands-on design ("Graphic Designer") and strategic oversight ("Planner"). It is suitable for experienced professionals looking to lead creative projects within a public sector context, influence city branding, and manage complex workflows. The role offers a blend of creative execution and operational management, providing a well-rounded experience.

Reporting Structure: The role reports within the Brand and Creative team, likely to the Studio Manager. Collaboration is expected with city centre marketing teams and other internal stakeholders. This structure facilitates direct contribution to visible city initiatives and offers exposure to various departmental needs.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer and Planner will have a direct and tangible impact on the visual experience and perceived vibrancy of Auckland's city centre. Their work will shape public perception, guide visitors through wayfinding and signage, and enhance the effectiveness of marketing campaigns for city centre events and activations. This role is critical for establishing and maintaining a strong, consistent, and appealing brand identity for the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in urban branding, public space design, and large-scale campaign management.

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a senior design lead, creative director, or Studio Manager role within Tātaki Auckland Unlimited or other Auckland Council entities, managing teams and larger strategic projects.

• Skill Expansion: Gain experience in diverse areas like motion graphics (if not already proficient), event design, and integrated marketing communications for public initiatives.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Opportunities to work on projects with economic development, tourism, and cultural teams, broadening understanding of city planning and management.

• Public Sector Expertise: Develop a strong understanding of public sector procurement, governance, and community engagement within a large municipal organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a unique blend of creative and planning responsibilities within the public sector, providing a distinct career path. Growth opportunities are tied to increasing strategic influence, team leadership, and specialized knowledge within urban branding and public engagement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office-based work environment within Auckland Council's facilities. The "City Centre Graphic Designer and Planner" title suggests the primary work location will be in or near the Auckland CBD.

Office Location(s): The job is listed for "Auckland Wide, NZ, 1010," with the specific address being within the city centre. This means the designer will be immersed in the urban environment they are helping to shape, with potential access to city centre events and spaces relevant to their work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role is part of a "small, high-performing in-house Brand and Creative team," emphasizing close collaboration, idea-sharing, and mutual support.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and likely other project management and communication tools used by Auckland Council.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with the Studio Manager, fellow designers, marketing teams, and external partners, fostering a dynamic and communicative workspace.

• Inspiration: Being based in the city centre provides direct exposure to the impact of the design work, offering a unique source of inspiration and context.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, indicative of a full-time position. As it's an on-site role with project-based responsibilities, there might be an expectation for flexibility to meet campaign deadlines, especially during peak event or activation periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is crucial for this role, as it likely involves direct collaboration, access to specific on-site resources, and immersion in the city centre environment. The description of the team as "small, high-performing" suggests an energetic and focused workspace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submit a cover letter, CV, and portfolio. The cover letter should highlight key skills and enthusiasm for the role.

• Portfolio Review: Expect a thorough review of your portfolio, focusing on the breadth and quality of your design work, project management capabilities, and experience with similar campaigns and stakeholders.

• First Interview: Likely a discussion with the hiring manager (e.g., Studio Manager) and potentially a member of the Brand and Creative team. This will assess your experience, technical skills (especially in Adobe Creative Suite), understanding of brand management, and ability to handle client briefs.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise may be involved, potentially requiring you to respond to a brief or present a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates your process, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills related to city centre initiatives.

• Second Interview/Panel: A more in-depth conversation with senior stakeholders, possibly including marketing leads or department heads, to assess strategic thinking, stakeholder management skills, cultural fit, and overall potential impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best align with the job description. Prioritize work that demonstrates experience in city centre campaigns, public-facing initiatives, brand guardianship, and end-to-end project management.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the creative process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the final outcome. Emphasize your "planning" aspects – how you managed timelines, resources, and stakeholders.

• Showcase Versatility: Include examples across different media (digital, print, OOH, signage, events) to demonstrate your range.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While difficult in design, try to include any metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrates the success or impact of your work on the city centre experience or campaign objectives.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate (e.g., a well-structured PDF or a professional online portfolio).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Client: Research Auckland Council, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and their current city centre initiatives, branding, and strategic goals.

• Review City Centre Context: Familiarize yourself with Auckland's city centre challenges and opportunities, its key precincts, and recent developments.

• Practice Brief Response: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a typical brief for a city centre campaign or activation, focusing on creative concept, brand application, and project planning.

• Articulate Your Value: Clearly articulate how your unique blend of design expertise and planning skills can benefit Auckland Council and enhance the city centre experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Planner" alongside "Graphic Designer" means the interview and portfolio review will scrutinize not just visual output but also project management, client handling, and strategic thinking. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process and impact beyond just aesthetics.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency is mandatory, specifically:

  • InDesign: For layout, publications, and collateral design.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.

• After Effects: Experience is a preferred advantage for motion graphics and animated content.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with analytics platforms for digital campaigns (e.g., Google Analytics, social media insights) may be beneficial for understanding campaign performance and informing design decisions.

• Proficiency in creating reports or presentations that summarize design project status and outcomes. CRM & Automation:

• Experience with project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) or internal workflow management systems used by Auckland Council would be advantageous for managing projects and studio workflow.

• Familiarity with digital asset management (DAM) systems could also be helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is advanced Adobe Creative Suite skills. The "Planner" aspect suggests familiarity with project management tools would be highly beneficial, even if not explicitly listed as a primary tool.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A strong passion for great design and finding smart, practical solutions to creative challenges is paramount. Staying close to emerging creative and design trends is encouraged.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: The role is within a "small, high-performing in-house Brand and Creative team," emphasizing a collaborative approach and the ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.

• Brand Guardianship & Quality: A commitment to championing brands and visual identities, ensuring consistency, distinctiveness, and best-in-class creative work.

• Pragmatism & Efficiency: A highly organized, pragmatic approach to juggling multiple briefs and deadlines without compromising quality, essential for managing workflow and project delivery.

• Impact & Contribution: A genuine understanding of how strong creative work can contribute to the experience and identity of a city, reflecting a purpose-driven approach to design.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with city centre marketing teams, internal departments, and external partners is a core aspect of the role.

• Process Review & Feedback: The "high-performing" nature of the team suggests an environment where feedback is exchanged constructively to improve creative outputs and workflow efficiency.

• Knowledge Sharing: As part of an in-house studio, sharing expertise, best practices, and insights on design trends and project management is likely encouraged.

• Client-Centric Approach: A strong focus on understanding and meeting the needs of internal clients (marketing teams, city centre stakeholders) through effective communication and delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture values both creative excellence and operational efficiency, with a strong emphasis on collaborative problem-solving and achieving tangible results for the city centre.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Dual Roles: Effectively managing the demands of both hands-on graphic design creation and project planning/client liaison simultaneously can be challenging.

• High-Profile Visibility: Working on city centre campaigns means projects are highly visible, requiring a high degree of polish and strategic thinking to meet public expectations and organizational goals.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Juggling multiple competing deadlines and briefs in a dynamic creative studio requires excellent prioritization and resilience.

• Stakeholder Management: Navigating diverse stakeholder needs and feedback from various departments and external partners can be complex.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring consistent application of brand guidelines across a wide range of diverse campaign materials and channels requires meticulous attention to detail.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in specific areas like motion graphics, complex layout design, or specialized campaign creative.

• Project & Workflow Mastery: Developing expertise in managing large-scale public projects, optimizing studio workflows, and potentially gaining exposure to project management methodologies.

• Urban Branding & Placemaking: Deepening understanding of how design contributes to urban development, city identity, and public experience.

• Public Sector Operations: Gaining valuable experience and insights into the operational nuances and strategic drivers of a large municipal organization.

• Creative Leadership: Potential for career progression into more senior design or creative management roles, leading teams and strategic creative direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents challenges that are also opportunities for significant professional growth, particularly in integrating creative talent with strategic operational planning within a public sector context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a high-profile city centre campaign you designed and managed from brief to delivery. What were the key objectives, your creative approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on process, creativity, and impact)

• "How do you balance creative vision with strict brand guidelines and organizational objectives? Provide an example." (Tests understanding of brand guardianship and strategic alignment)

• "Walk us through your process for managing multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How do you prioritize and ensure quality?" (Assesses planning, workflow management, and time management skills)

• "How would you approach developing creative concepts for a new city centre activation or event, considering different audience segments and media channels?" (Tests creative thinking and strategic application) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about working for Auckland Council and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, specifically in shaping the visual experience of Tāmaki Makaurau's city centre?" (Assesses motivation and cultural fit)

• "How do you collaborate with internal teams and external partners like freelancers or agencies? Describe a challenging collaboration and how you resolved it." (Evaluates teamwork and stakeholder management)

• "How do you stay current with design trends, and how do you apply them pragmatically to your work?" (Gauges industry awareness and practical application) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a clear story: the problem (brief), your solution (creative concept/design), your process (planning, collaboration), and the result (impact/outcome).

• Highlight Dual Skills: Explicitly point out how you demonstrated both graphic design expertise and planning/management capabilities in each project.

• Focus on City Centre Relevance: Emphasize any projects that directly relate to urban environments, public spaces, events, or community engagement.

• Showcase Adobe Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your specific use of InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator in your projects, and how you leverage their features.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, problem-solving approaches, and how you handled challenges. Be ready to discuss your preferred workflow and tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only their design prowess but also their ability to manage projects, collaborate effectively, and understand the strategic importance of design within a public sector context aimed at enhancing urban life.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Auckland Council careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects that demonstrate your experience in campaign management, brand guardianship, and end-to-end project delivery, with a focus on urban or public-facing initiatives. Tailor your project selection to highlight your "planner" capabilities alongside your design skills.

• Resume Optimization: Update your CV to clearly articulate your 7+ years of relevant experience, highlighting achievements in project management, client liaison, workflow optimization, and advanced Adobe Creative Suite proficiency. Use keywords from the job description like "campaigns," "city centre," "workflow management," and "stakeholder management."

• Cover Letter Crafting: Write a compelling cover letter that directly addresses how your unique blend of graphic design and planning skills makes you the ideal candidate to shape Auckland's city centre experience. Express your passion for the role and the organization.

• Thorough Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Auckland Council's mission, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited's objectives, and their ongoing city centre development and marketing strategies. Understand their brand guidelines and design aesthetic.

⚠️ 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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