Creative Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Designer

Company: NALA

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-21

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-4+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the visual identity and brand consistency for NALA's marketing output across website, social media, paid advertising, and CRM platforms.

• Transform product launches into impactful, on-brand campaigns by developing compelling narratives and creative assets that drive reach and engagement.

• Master social media trends and adapt creative content for over 25 social pages and approximately 20 diverse international markets.

• Direct end-to-end video production, including storyboarding, visual style, typography, motion graphics, and pacing, leveraging AI tools for efficiency.

• Develop a comprehensive library of visual assets, including icons, illustrations, characters, backgrounds, and 3D elements, to elevate brand perception and performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for NALA's Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy, focusing on translating product innovation into a strong, recognizable brand. The emphasis on paid assets, multi-market adaptation, and measurable growth metrics indicates a strong connection to performance marketing operations and GTM execution, requiring a designer with a data-informed approach.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and maintain brand consistency across all marketing collateral, including the company website, social media profiles, paid ad campaigns, and CRM communications.

• Develop and execute creative strategies for product launches, defining campaign narratives, visual hooks, and overall storytelling to maximize impact and resonance.

• Design and iterate on paid advertising assets for approximately 20 different markets, with a focus on performance metrics and conversion optimization.

• Adapt creative content to suit diverse cultural nuances and audience preferences in key markets such as Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, and the Philippines.

• Lead video production from concept to final delivery, encompassing storyboarding, visual direction, typography, motion design, and pacing, with an emphasis on AI-assisted creation and editing.

• Create a wide range of illustration and visual assets, including icons, custom illustrations, character designs, backgrounds, and 3D graphics, to support marketing initiatives.

• Produce print-ready artwork for large-format applications, managing the brief for printers, proofing, and ensuring clean file delivery.

• Respond rapidly to design requests, aiming for same-day turnaround on small tasks and campaign deliverables within days.

• Review and provide brand alignment feedback on assets created by other internal teams to ensure cohesive brand representation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Turn requests around fast: small asks same day, campaigns in days" highlights a need for efficient workflow management and prioritization skills, crucial in a fast-paced fintech environment. This implies a need for strong project management capabilities within the design function, akin to operations support for marketing.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, or a related field is typically expected for roles requiring 3-4+ years of experience.

Experience: Minimum of 3-4 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a significant focus on marketing, branding, and paid advertising.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing 3-4 years of work, with specific examples of paid advertising campaigns and branding projects.

• Design Software Proficiency: Fluent in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro).

• AI Design Tools: Demonstrated experience with AI design tools such as Higgsfield, OpenArt, or similar platforms, with a focus on prompt engineering skills.

• Video Creation & Editing: Proven ability to create and edit video content, including AI-assisted video production.

• Social Media Native: Deep understanding of social media platforms, trends, and virality; ability to analyze successful content and adapt it for NALA's brand and markets.

• Proactiveness & Initiative: Ability to identify opportunities, create solutions without explicit direction, and take ownership of tasks.

• Feedback Integration: Receptive to constructive criticism, capable of sharing work early and iterating based on feedback without defensiveness.

• Communication & Detail Orientation: Sharp communication skills, high attention to detail, and the ability to translate data insights into creative decisions.

• Speed & Efficiency: Proven ability to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines.

Preferred Skills:

• Demonstrated content that has gone viral or driven measurable growth in previous roles.

• A genuine passion for the creative process, including exploring new ideas, experimenting with formats, and being willing to fail publicly.

• Proactive exploration and testing of new design tools and AI models in personal time.

• Experience designing for diverse African and Asian audiences, with an understanding of cultural humor and native social media trends in these regions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI design tools and prompt engineering suggests NALA is at the forefront of adopting new technologies. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and experimentation with AI in their creative process, demonstrating adaptability and a forward-thinking mindset.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Branding Work: Showcase examples of brand identity development, including style guides, logo usage, and consistent application across various touchpoints.

• Paid Advertising Assets: Present a range of paid ad creatives (static, motion, video) for different platforms (e.g., Meta, Google), demonstrating an understanding of conversion-focused design.

• Campaign Case Studies: Detail 2-3 significant marketing campaigns, outlining the brief, creative strategy, execution, and measurable results (e.g., reach, engagement, conversions).

• Social Media Content: Include examples of social media posts or campaigns that demonstrate an understanding of platform nuances and audience engagement.

• AI-Assisted Work: If applicable, highlight projects where AI tools were integral to the creative process, showcasing innovative application.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Be prepared to discuss your personal design workflow, including how you manage multiple requests, prioritize tasks, and collaborate with stakeholders.

• Creative Brief Interpretation: Demonstrate how you interpret and execute creative briefs, ensuring alignment with campaign objectives and brand guidelines.

• Iteration & Feedback: Illustrate your process for incorporating feedback and iterating on designs to achieve optimal outcomes.

• Performance Analysis Integration: Explain how you use data and performance metrics to inform your creative decisions and optimize future assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio that includes "paid ads and branding work" and the interview focus on "creative work and the thinking behind it" indicates that NALA values not just aesthetic output but also the strategic rationale and performance impact of design. Candidates should be ready to articulate the "why" behind their creative choices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry standards for a Creative Designer with 3-4+ years of experience in London, the estimated annual salary range is between £40,000 and £55,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in London, the fintech industry's competitive compensation, and the role's significant responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Private Medical Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage provided by a leading UK provider.

• Life Insurance: Coverage equivalent to 3x annual salary for financial security.

• Generous Time Off: 27 days of annual leave plus UK bank holidays.

• Birthday Leave: An additional day off to be taken within your birthday month.

• Enhanced Parental Leave: 16 weeks of full pay for primary caregivers and 4 weeks of full pay for secondary caregivers (post-probationary period).

• Enhanced Pension Scheme: Salary sacrifice pension option through Penfold, offering flexibility and tax benefits.

• Global Workspace Access: Access to WeWork locations worldwide for flexible working options.

• Learning Budget: An annual budget of $1000 for professional development, courses, and training.

• Team Building & Culture: Themed snacks, Friday lunches, and monthly social events designed to foster strong working relationships and team cohesion.

• Free Coffee: Access to barista-style coffee.

Working Hours:

The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, reflecting a typical full-time role. However, the emphasis on speed and fast turnaround times suggests a dynamic environment where flexibility may be required, balanced by the generous time-off benefits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inclusion of a "Learning Budget" and "Global Workspace Access" indicates NALA's commitment to employee growth and flexibility, even for an on-site role. The comprehensive benefits package, particularly enhanced parental leave and pension, points to a company that values employee well-being and long-term commitment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech, focused on cross-border payments and financial infrastructure for emerging markets. NALA is disrupting traditional payment systems with innovative technology.

Company Size: 150+ employees, indicating a rapidly scaling startup environment with established processes but still agile enough for significant impact.

Founded: 2022, making it a relatively young company but one that has achieved substantial growth (120x business growth, $50M+ raised) and recognition (Forbes Fintech 50 in 2025 & 2026).

Team Structure:

• The marketing team is responsible for translating NALA's fast-moving product into a trusted brand.

• The design function is integral to this, ensuring brand consistency and impactful creative output across numerous channels and markets.

• The team is composed of experienced professionals, with alumni from prominent fintech companies like Wise, Stripe, Monzo, Revolut, and CashApp.

• Expect a collaborative environment where individuals take ownership and act with urgency. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: Design decisions are informed by data, with a focus on what converts and drives measurable reach and engagement.

• Agile Execution: Rapid iteration and fast turnaround times are essential, reflecting the pace of a high-growth startup.

• Customer-Centricity: A strong emphasis on putting customers first, reflected in the product offerings and marketing messaging.

• Global Mindset: Designing for diverse international audiences requires cultural sensitivity and adaptability.

Company Website: https://nala.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: NALA's rapid growth and recognition in Forbes highlight its significant market traction and ambitious vision. The company culture appears to value urgency, deep thinking, customer focus, and ownership, which are common traits in successful fintech startups aiming for global impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Creative Designer. It offers significant ownership and the opportunity to shape the brand's visual identity across multiple markets and platforms. It's a step beyond junior design roles, requiring strategic thinking and independent execution.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Head of Marketing. They will work closely with product marketing, content, and GTM teams.

Operations Impact: The Creative Designer's work directly impacts NALA's market perception, customer acquisition, and engagement rates. By creating compelling visuals and consistent branding, they contribute significantly to the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and overall business growth, aligning directly with GTM objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, video production, or performance creative.

• Leadership: Progress into a Senior Creative Designer or Art Director role, leading creative projects and potentially managing junior designers.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience in product marketing, performance marketing operations, and GTM strategy through close collaboration.

• Skill Development: Utilize the learning budget and exposure to cutting-edge tools (AI) to continuously enhance skills and stay ahead of industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The success metrics provided (e.g., "Downloads from organic content up on baseline, with zero spend behind it") clearly indicate that NALA expects its Creative Designer to drive tangible business outcomes, not just aesthetic appeal. This role offers a pathway to more strategic creative leadership within a high-growth fintech company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers access to WeWork locations worldwide, suggesting a blend of in-office collaboration and potential for flexible working arrangements, although this specific role is listed as "On-site" in London. This implies the London office is a primary hub for creative and marketing teams.

Office Location(s): London, England, United Kingdom. Specific office details would typically be provided upon engagement, but WeWork locations generally offer modern, collaborative workspaces.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Working within a fast-paced fintech startup means frequent collaboration with marketing, product, and potentially engineering teams.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) and cutting-edge AI design tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to connect with a diverse, experienced team through monthly socials, Friday lunches, and daily work interactions. The "Sarabi" initiative suggests a deliberate effort to build relationships.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time (40 hours/week). While deadlines are tight, the company culture and benefits suggest an understanding of work-life balance, with ample leave and opportunities for de-stressing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "Sarabi: Themed snacks and Friday lunch focused on building great working relationships" and "Monthly Socials" indicates a company that actively invests in building a positive and connected team culture, which is crucial for collaboration and employee retention in a demanding environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Talent Team Interview (30 mins): Focus on understanding your motivations for applying to NALA and this specific role. Preparation: Thoroughly review your application and be ready to articulate why you are a good fit for NALA and the Creative Designer position, referencing the company's mission and your career aspirations.

2. Hiring Manager Interview (1 hour): In-depth discussion about your creative work and the strategic thinking behind it. Preparation: Be ready to walk through your portfolio, explaining the context, challenges, creative process, and outcomes of key projects, especially those related to branding and paid ads.

3. Assessment & Review: A short, practical exercise based on a hypothetical brief relevant to the role. Preparation: Approach the exercise systematically, demonstrating your problem-solving skills, creative instincts, and ability to execute within constraints. Be prepared to present your work and defend your creative choices to the Hiring Manager.

4. Leadership Interview (45 mins): Conversation with a member of NALA's leadership team, focusing on your motivation, cultural fit, and understanding of the business. Preparation: Research NALA's mission, values, and recent achievements. Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's vision, culture, and future growth.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 strong projects that best align with the role requirements: branding, paid ads, and campaign execution.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the creative process, key decisions, and measurable results. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Highlight ROI: Where possible, showcase how your design work directly contributed to business objectives (e.g., increased engagement, conversions, brand awareness).

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples that show your ability to work across different mediums (digital, print, video) and adapt to diverse markets.

• Showcase AI Proficiency: If AI was used, clearly explain its application and the benefits it brought to the project.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Read the hypothetical brief carefully and ask clarifying questions if needed.

• Focus on Strategy: Demonstrate how your creative solution addresses the core objectives of the brief.

• Showcase Process: Be ready to explain your thought process, tool choices, and any assumptions made.

• Visual Presentation: Ensure your submission is well-designed, clear, and easy to understand.

• Concise Communication: Practice presenting your work and insights concisely and effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess not only creative skill but also strategic thinking, problem-solving ability, cultural fit, and alignment with NALA's fast-paced, data-driven environment. The portfolio review and assessment are critical components, requiring candidates to demonstrate tangible impact and a deep understanding of marketing objectives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative UI/UX design, prototyping, and maintaining design systems. Proficiency is critical for teamwork and efficient asset creation.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and creating detailed graphics.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • After Effects: For motion graphics, animation, and video effects.
  • Premiere Pro: For video editing, sequencing, and final delivery.

• AI Design Tools: Proficiency in tools like Higgsfield, OpenArt, or similar AI-powered platforms for generating images, concepts, and potentially assisting in video creation. Strong prompt engineering skills are highly valued.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct responsibility, understanding how to interpret data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics dashboards) is crucial for informing creative decisions and demonstrating campaign effectiveness. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation tools (e.g., Mailchimp, Braze) is beneficial for understanding how creative assets are deployed and tracked within customer journeys. Integration:

• Understanding how design assets integrate with web platforms (CMS like WordPress) and advertising platforms (Meta Ads Manager, Google Ads) is important for workflow efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of AI design tools and prompt engineering highlights NALA's forward-thinking approach. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and experimentation with these tools, demonstrating an ability to leverage emerging technologies for creative advantage and efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Urgency: A commitment to acting quickly and efficiently to meet business objectives and market demands.

• Deep Thinking: Encouraging thoughtful analysis and strategic decision-making rather than superficial solutions.

• Customer First: Prioritizing the needs and experiences of NALA's users in all aspects of work.

• Ownership: Empowering individuals to take responsibility for their work and drive outcomes.

• Impact: Focusing on measurable results and contributing directly to the company's growth and mission.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with marketing, product, and GTM teams, requiring clear communication and shared understanding of goals.

• Feedback-Driven: An open culture where feedback is actively sought and given, fostering continuous improvement.

• Proactive Communication: Encouraging team members to communicate early and often, sharing progress, challenges, and insights.

• Experimentation: A willingness to try new approaches, test untested formats, and learn from both successes and failures.

📝 Enhancement Note: NALA's values emphasize a high-performance, collaborative, and impact-oriented culture. The ideal candidate will be proactive, data-informed, and comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where rapid iteration and continuous learning are key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace of Innovation: Keeping up with the rapid pace of product development and market changes in the fintech space.

• Global Market Adaptation: Effectively tailoring creative content for diverse cultural contexts across ~20 markets, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Delivering high-quality creative output rapidly to meet tight deadlines.

• Leveraging AI Effectively: Integrating AI tools seamlessly into the creative workflow to enhance efficiency and output without compromising brand integrity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to become an expert in AI-driven design, performance creative, and multi-market campaign execution.

• Industry Exposure: Working within the rapidly evolving fintech sector, gaining insights into global payment systems and emerging market needs.

• Cross-functional Learning: Collaborating with experienced professionals in marketing, product, and GTM, broadening understanding of business operations.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success, opportunities to grow into senior creative roles, potentially leading projects or teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a high-growth fintech startup. NALA appears to frame these challenges as opportunities for growth, encouraging candidates to be adaptable, curious, and driven to learn and innovate.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach creating a brand campaign for a new NALA feature launch targeting the Kenyan market, considering local social media trends and cultural nuances?" Preparation: Research current Kenyan social media trends, identify key platforms, and brainstorm creative concepts that resonate with the local audience while maintaining NALA's global brand identity.

• "Describe a time you had to quickly adapt creative assets for a new market or platform. What was your process, and what were the results?" Preparation: Prepare a specific example using the STAR method, highlighting your problem-solving skills, speed, and ability to deliver effective results under pressure.

• "How do you use data and performance metrics to inform your design decisions for paid advertising?" Preparation: Be ready to discuss specific metrics (e.g., CTR, conversion rates, engagement rates) and how you translate them into actionable creative adjustments. Reference examples from your portfolio. Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why NALA? What specifically about our mission and products excites you?" Preparation: Research NALA's mission ("Payments for the Next Billion"), its products (consumer app, Rafiki B2B infrastructure), and its recent achievements (funding, Forbes recognition). Connect your personal values and career goals to NALA's vision.

• "How do you handle constructive feedback on your creative work, especially when you disagree with it?" Preparation: Emphasize your openness to feedback, your process for understanding different perspectives, and your ability to iterate constructively. Highlight your focus on achieving the best outcome for the project.

• "How do you see your role contributing to NALA's growth and success?" Preparation: Connect your skills and experience to NALA's business objectives, highlighting how your creative output will drive measurable results in reach, engagement, and conversions. Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each portfolio piece, clearly state the objective, your role, the creative solution, and the measurable outcome (e.g., "Increased engagement by X%", "Drove Y downloads").

• Showcase Process: Briefly explain your thought process, the tools used (especially AI), and any key decisions made.

• Tailor to NALA: Highlight examples that demonstrate experience with branding, paid ads, social media, and ideally, international markets.

• Be Concise: Practice presenting your portfolio within the allotted interview time, ensuring clarity and focus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a blend of creative skill, strategic thinking, cultural fit, and an understanding of business impact. Candidates should prepare to discuss their work in the context of business objectives and demonstrate adaptability and a proactive mindset.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Workable ATS link provided. Ensure all required fields are completed accurately.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your experience in branding, paid advertising, and campaign execution. Be prepared to discuss the "why" behind your creative choices and their measurable impact.

• Optimize your resume: Highlight keywords relevant to creative design, marketing operations, social media, AI tools, and campaign management. Quantify achievements wherever possible (e.g., "Increased engagement by 25%").

• Prepare for interviews: Practice articulating your motivations for joining NALA, walking through your portfolio, and discussing your approach to design challenges and feedback. Research NALA's mission and values thoroughly.

• Research NALA's markets: Gain a basic understanding of the cultural contexts and social media landscapes in key NALA markets like Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria to better inform your creative approach during discussions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with NALA through their official application process. The focus on operations and GTM strategy reflects the role's critical function in driving business growth through impactful creative execution.