Creative Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Designer

Company: Leightons Opticians & The Hearing Care Partnership

Location: Farnham, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-06-08T14:06:05

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (1 day remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute visually compelling, innovative designs across a multi-channel marketing landscape, including print, POS, local marketing, animation, digital, and advertising, aligning with overarching business objectives.

• Translate and evolve the company's brand identity into unique, impactful concepts, ensuring all creative outputs maintain brand consistency and resonate with target audiences.

• Drive integrated campaign ideas with a mobile and social-first approach, creating engaging photography and videography content in collaboration with the wider marketing and creative teams.

• Manage multiple design projects concurrently, from concept development through to delivery, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines and business goals.

• Present creative concepts and campaign results to stakeholders, articulating the strategic rationale and expected impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong blend of creative execution and strategic thinking, focusing on how design directly supports business objectives and consumer engagement. The emphasis on a "mobile and social-first approach" indicates a need for modern, adaptable design skills relevant to current digital marketing trends.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design innovative visual assets for diverse marketing channels, including print collateral, Point of Sale (POS) materials, local advertising, digital banners, social media graphics, and animated content.

• Develop and refine brand and visual guidelines to ensure consistency and reinforce brand identity across all creative outputs.

• Collaborate closely with marketing, creative, and sales teams to develop cohesive, integrated campaign strategies and execute visual content plans.

• Work with external agencies and partners to manage creative projects, ensuring quality and alignment with brand standards.

• Manage the end-to-end project lifecycle for creative requests, including briefing, concept development, design execution, stakeholder review, and final delivery.

• Conduct market research to identify emerging consumer trends and analyze competitor activity to inform creative strategy and campaign development.

• Stay abreast of the latest media trends, design tools, and techniques to continuously enhance creative output and drive innovation.

• Implement and refine a formal briefing and approval process for visual requests across the business to improve marketing efficiencies and streamline workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a proactive designer who can not only create visually appealing assets but also contribute to strategic campaign planning, process improvement, and market analysis. The mention of "marketing efficiencies" and "briefing and approval process" suggests involvement in operational aspects of the creative workflow.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Illustration, Marketing Communication, or a related creative field.

• Professional certifications, such as those from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), are advantageous. Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of proven experience in a Graphic Designer role or a similar creative position.

• A strong, diverse portfolio is essential, showcasing a wide range of design skills, creativity, and successful project outcomes across various media. Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in graphic design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects).

• Strong expertise in video editing, motion design, and animation techniques.

• Deep understanding of digital design principles, typography, color theory, and core branding concepts.

• Solid knowledge of HTML and CSS for digital asset creation and web integration.

• Familiarity with UX (User Experience) and UI (User Interface) principles to inform design decisions.

• Experience with Content Management System (CMS) platforms for content uploading and management.

• Proficiency with email marketing software for designing and deploying email campaigns.

• Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.

• Experience in developing and implementing content strategies. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within the optical or hearing care industry.

• Familiarity with mobile and social-first design approaches and platform-specific creative best practices.

• Experience in developing and presenting creative concepts to diverse stakeholder groups.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of traditional graphic design skills with advanced digital and motion graphics capabilities. The requirement for HTML/CSS, UX/UI, and CMS experience indicates a role that bridges creative design with digital execution and content management, typical of a modern GTM operations function.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a minimum of 5 years of professional design experience, showcasing a breadth of work across print, digital, motion graphics, and animation.

• Case studies that highlight creative problem-solving, detailing the design process from initial brief to final execution and demonstrating how design solutions met specific business objectives.

• Examples of developed brand and visual guidelines, illustrating an understanding of brand consistency and its application.

• Demonstrations of proficiency in creating integrated campaign materials that align with a mobile and social-first strategy.

• Evidence of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams and effective communication of design concepts to stakeholders. Process Documentation:

• Ability to document and articulate the design process, including briefing protocols, concept development methodologies, and feedback loops.

• Experience in implementing and refining workflow processes for visual requests, aiming to improve efficiency and clarity.

• Examples of how design processes have been adapted to accommodate new media trends, tools, and techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role with operational leanings, the portfolio should not just showcase aesthetics but also the strategic thinking, process adherence, and problem-solving capabilities. The emphasis on "marketing efficiencies" and "briefing and approval processes" means candidates should be prepared to discuss how they streamline creative operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Creative Designer with 5-10 years of experience in the South East of England, a salary range of £40,000 - £55,000 GBP per annum is estimated. This range accounts for the hybrid work arrangement, the breadth of technical skills required (including motion graphics and web technologies), and the responsibilities associated with brand guardianship and campaign integration. Benefits:

• Investment in professional growth and development opportunities.

• A friendly, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture.

• Opportunities to contribute to a company with a strong family heritage and commitment to customer care.

• Potential for involvement in diverse marketing initiatives across a well-established brand. Working Hours:

• Full-time, permanent position.

• Standard working hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, totaling 38 hours per week.

• A hybrid work model is in place, allowing for 1 day of remote work per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is derived from UK market data for experienced creative professionals in hybrid roles, considering the specific technical skill set requested (motion graphics, web technologies). The benefits listed are directly from the provided company information, highlighting aspects attractive to professionals seeking a supportive and growth-oriented environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Opticians & Hearing Care) with a strong service orientation.

Company Size: Leightons Opticians is part of a larger group, but the specific team size for this creative role is not detailed. However, the description implies an established organization with over 90 years of history.

Founded: Leightons Opticians has over 90 years of family heritage, indicating a long-standing presence and established values.

Team Structure:

• The Creative Designer will likely be part of a Marketing or Brand team, working closely with marketing managers, content creators, and potentially sales teams.

• Collaboration is expected with cross-functional teams, external agencies, and partners, suggesting a networked and communicative team environment.

• The role involves presenting ideas to the "wider team," indicating a culture that values input and communication across departments. Methodology:

• Emphasis on developing "visually compelling and innovative designs" and translating brand identity into "unique concepts."

• A "mobile and social-first approach" is central to campaign development.

• Collaboration is key, with a focus on taking "wider teams on the journey" and building "relationships" with internal and external stakeholders.

• A structured approach to project management and a commitment to implementing "marketing efficiencies" through defined processes.

Company Website: https://leightons.co.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a blend of tradition and innovation, with a strong emphasis on customer care and a supportive internal environment. For a creative role, this suggests a place where established brand values are respected, but there's also room for modern, digital-first creative expression.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an experienced creative professional, likely mid-level to senior, given the 5+ years of experience requirement and the responsibility for developing concepts and brand guidelines. It bridges creative execution with strategic marketing support.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Designer will report into a Marketing Manager or Head of Marketing, with close collaboration with other marketing specialists and cross-functional teams.

Operations Impact: The Creative Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, customer engagement, and ultimately, revenue generation through compelling visuals that drive action. By implementing efficient creative processes, they also contribute to operational effectiveness within the marketing department.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in motion graphics, animation, UX/UI, and digital marketing technologies.

• Strategic Contribution: Potential to influence broader marketing strategies and campaign development beyond pure design execution.

• Process Improvement: Chance to lead initiatives in optimizing creative workflows and briefing processes for greater efficiency.

• Leadership Potential: With proven success and strategic input, potential to move into a Senior Creative Designer role or a Creative Lead position within the marketing team.

📝 Enhancement Note: While primarily a creative role, its integration with marketing operations (briefing, approvals, efficiencies) presents unique growth avenues. Candidates should highlight their ability to contribute to both the creative output and the operational effectiveness of the marketing function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at Clarendon House, Farnham, Surrey, with a hybrid work arrangement allowing for 1 day remote per week. This suggests a professional office environment combined with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): Clarendon House, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7PH, United Kingdom.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as "close-knit, supportive" and "friendly, inclusive," fostering a positive workplace culture.

• As a hybrid role, there will be opportunities for both focused individual work (remote) and collaborative team interaction (in-office).

• The company emphasizes investing in employee growth, suggesting access to resources and tools necessary for creative development. Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (9:00 AM to 5:30 PM) provide a structured work week.

• The hybrid model offers a degree of flexibility, balancing in-office collaboration with remote productivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect of the work environment, requiring candidates to be self-motivated and effective in both remote and in-office settings. The company's emphasis on a supportive culture is a strong indicator of team dynamics.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of CV and portfolio by the hiring team to assess creative skills, technical proficiency, and relevant experience.

• Creative Challenge/Task: Candidates may be asked to complete a design task or present a case study from their portfolio that demonstrates their approach to a specific design problem relevant to the company's needs (e.g., developing a concept for a new campaign, revising existing brand materials).

• Interview(s): This will involve discussions about design philosophy, technical skills, project management experience, collaboration style, and understanding of brand strategy. Interviewers will likely assess how well the candidate aligns with the company's values and the team's working methods.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 of your strongest projects that showcase a range of skills relevant to the job description (print, digital, motion, animation, branding).

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the design process, challenges faced, your solutions, and the final outcome. Use visuals to illustrate key stages.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., increased engagement, improved click-through rates, successful campaign launch).

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples that show adaptability across different media and with a "mobile and social-first approach."

• Brand Consistency Focus: Showcase projects where you successfully developed or adhered to brand guidelines.

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly communicates your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, motion design tools, and any relevant web technologies.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design task is set, understand the brief thoroughly. Ask clarifying questions if needed.

• Focus on delivering a solution that is creative, strategically sound, and aligned with the brand.

• Be prepared to articulate your design choices and the rationale behind them.

• Practice presenting your work concisely and effectively, highlighting key achievements and learnings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio showcasing design skills and creativity" and the mention of "communicating results" and "presenting ideas" mean candidates should prepare to not only show their work but also explain the strategic thinking and operational considerations behind it.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator.

• Motion Design & Animation Software: Strong knowledge of tools like After Effects is crucial.

• Video Editing Software: Proficiency in editing tools for content creation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated as a primary responsibility for the designer, understanding how to interpret basic analytics for digital content (e.g., social media engagement, email open rates) would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• CMS Platforms: Experience with content uploading and management is required.

• Email Marketing Software: Familiarity with platforms for designing and deploying email campaigns.

• HTML & CSS: Good understanding for web integration and digital asset creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tool stack is heavily focused on creative production but extends into digital execution and content management. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and motion graphics is paramount, complemented by an understanding of web technologies and content platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Care and Trust: As a company with a 90-year heritage, these are likely core values, translating into a focus on quality, reliability, and customer-centricity in all creative output.

• Personal Service: This ethos should be reflected in how creative solutions are tailored to specific campaign needs and target audiences.

• Growth and Development: The company invests in employee growth, suggesting a culture that encourages continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• Inclusivity: Commitment to promoting equal opportunities and fostering a diverse and respectful workplace.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires working closely with marketing, creative, and sales teams, as well as external agencies. This implies a collaborative, team-oriented approach.

• Communication of Results: The expectation to "present ideas to the wider team" highlights a culture that values clear communication and stakeholder buy-in.

• Brand Stewardship: A shared responsibility for maintaining and evolving the brand identity, requiring alignment and feedback loops across teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on heritage, care, and personal service, combined with a forward-looking approach to growth and inclusivity, suggests a culture that values both tradition and modern marketing practices. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of how creative work supports these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Developing fresh, engaging creative concepts while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines and visual identity.

• Multi-Channel Demands: Effectively designing for a diverse range of platforms (print, digital, social, POS, animation) with varying technical requirements and audience expectations.

• Project Prioritization: Managing a high volume of diverse creative requests simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery without compromising quality.

• Keeping Pace with Trends: Continuously updating skills and knowledge to incorporate the latest design software, techniques, and media trends, especially in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

• Implementing Process Efficiencies: Successfully introducing and managing a formal briefing and approval process for visual requests across a business, requiring change management and stakeholder buy-in.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Motion Graphics & Animation: Deepening expertise in specialized software and techniques.

• UX/UI and Digital Strategy: Expanding knowledge in user experience design and its impact on digital marketing effectiveness.

• Content Strategy Development: Contributing to the strategic planning of content creation and distribution.

• Project Management Methodologies: Enhancing skills in managing complex creative projects and workflows.

• Industry Trends & Tools: Staying updated on emerging design tools, platforms, and marketing technologies through training and continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents challenges that are common in integrated marketing environments, particularly around managing diverse creative demands and implementing efficient workflows. The growth opportunities are clearly tied to skill expansion within creative technology and strategic marketing contributions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a creative concept for a new marketing campaign, from brief to final delivery. How do you ensure it aligns with business objectives and brand guidelines?" (Focus on your structured approach, ideation techniques, and stakeholder alignment.)

• "How do you approach creating designs with a 'mobile and social-first' mindset? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight your understanding of platform-specific design constraints and user behavior.)

• "Walk us through a project where you had to manage multiple design requests with competing deadlines. How did you prioritize and ensure timely delivery?" (Emphasize your project management and organizational skills.)

• "How do you stay updated with the latest design trends, tools, and techniques? Can you give an example of how you've incorporated a new trend or tool into your work?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning and innovation.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What appeals to you about Leightons Opticians & The Hearing Care Partnership, and how do you see your creative skills contributing to our brand and values?" (Research the company's history, values, and recent campaigns.)

• "Describe your experience working collaboratively with marketing, sales, and other teams. How do you ensure effective communication and buy-in for your creative ideas?" (Use examples of cross-functional collaboration.)

• "How would you approach implementing a new briefing and approval process for visual requests within our business?" (Demonstrate your understanding of process improvement and change management.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by the impact achieved.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the problem, your solution, your role, your process, and the results. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Highlight Versatility: Showcase your ability to work across different media (print, digital, motion) and your understanding of mobile/social-first design.

• Demonstrate Technical Skills: Point out specific software usage and technical approaches.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., engagement rates, conversion improvements).

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges, and how your work aligns with business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also strategic thinking, process management, and collaborative skills. Candidates should be ready to discuss how their design work directly contributes to business objectives and operational efficiency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Leightons teamtailor portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating proficiency in graphic design, motion graphics, animation, and digital design, with a clear emphasis on mobile/social-first approaches and brand guideline adherence.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of experience, specific software proficiencies (Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects), and any experience with CMS, HTML/CSS, or process implementation. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, creative rationale, and project management experience. Be ready to discuss how you contribute to marketing efficiencies and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Leightons Opticians & The Hearing Care Partnership's brand, values, and recent marketing activities to better align your responses with their mission and culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Leightons Opticians & The Hearing Care Partnership during the application process.