Creative Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Graphic Designer

Company: IMG

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-04-15

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end creative development, from ideation through to delivery, for The R&A's digital channels and content portfolio.

• Produce innovative graphic designs, social videos, and digital campaign assets that enhance storytelling across governance, sustainability, rules, and handicapping in golf.

• Collaborate closely with the content team and account managers, bringing a proactive, 'producer mindset' to creatively drive engagement and deliver high-quality visual treatments.

• Maintain brand continuity across various amateur sports brands and support the broader marketing and brand functions as needed, ensuring alignment with current design trends and AI integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically tailored for a Graphic Designer with a strong emphasis on digital content creation and a proactive approach to creative ideation, rather than just execution. The integration of AI tools and a background in sports, particularly golf, are key differentiators.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the entire creative development process, from initial concept ideation to final delivery of visual assets for digital platforms.

• Support the R&A content team by creating innovative graphics, digital campaign elements, and hygiene graphics that align with strategic objectives.

• Collaborate with content teams and account managers to ideate and develop compelling creative concepts that resonate with target audiences.

• Act as a creative producer, actively exploring and implementing novel ways to enhance audience engagement across digital channels.

• Produce high-quality, engaging designs, graphic elements, and visual treatments that elevate the R&A's brand presence.

• Work closely with the content team to ensure briefs are clear, concise, and accurately aligned with project goals, managing timelines effectively for on-time delivery.

• Communicate effectively with project leads, demonstrating strong upward management skills and the ability to articulate creative rationale.

• Ensure consistent brand identity and visual continuity across all amateur brand content and digital communications.

• Provide support to the wider marketing and brand functions as required, contributing to overall campaign success.

• Be available to work occasional weekends and extended hours, especially during peak event periods like The Open and amateur events, requiring full availability during specified weeks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for someone who can manage the full creative lifecycle and proactively contribute ideas, not just respond to briefs. The emphasis on "producer mindset" and "driving engagement" points to a role that requires strategic thinking beyond pure design execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 2-5 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a proven track record in digital content creation and campaign development.

• Demonstrated experience in driving end-to-end creative projects, from conceptualization to final delivery, within a marketing or brand context.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level skills in Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and After Effects are essential for creating a wide range of digital assets.

• Creative Ideation & Development: Proven ability to generate innovative design concepts and translate them into compelling visual content.

• Digital Content Production: Experience creating graphics, visual treatments, and campaign elements for social media, websites, and email communications.

• Brand Continuity Management: Skill in maintaining brand consistency across various digital platforms and channels.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and visual communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design ideas and present concepts to internal stakeholders and account managers.

• Time Management & Prioritization: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, conflicting deadlines, and prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design & Video Editing: Basic ability and interest in motion design (e.g., animation, kinetic typography) and editing short-form vertical video content for social platforms.

• AI Tools Integration: Working knowledge of AI tools and their application in design workflows to support content delivery and enhance efficiency.

• Sports Industry Interest/Experience: A genuine interest in the sports industry, particularly golf, and an understanding of its design trends and audience engagement strategies.

• Live Graphics Design: Understanding of the live graphics design process and implementation, especially relevant for event coverage.

• PowerPoint Proficiency: Familiarity with PowerPoint for presentations and internal communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite, particularly After Effects, along with motion design and AI integration, suggests a need for a modern digital designer. The preference for sports industry background and golf-specific knowledge indicates a desire for specialized domain expertise.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a high level of creativity and a diverse range of design projects, with a strong emphasis on digital content.

• Examples demonstrating end-to-end creative development, including concept ideation, design execution, and final delivery across various digital channels (social media, web, email).

• Visual case studies that highlight your contribution to driving engagement and achieving specific campaign objectives.

• Work that illustrates your ability to experiment with design, develop authentic creative outputs, and resolve design challenges effectively.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of your process for concept development, including brainstorming techniques, mood board creation, and initial sketching.

• Examples of how you manage project timelines, collaborate with stakeholders (e.g., content teams, account managers), and ensure timely delivery of assets.

• Illustrations of your approach to problem-solving and adapting to feedback, showcasing your ability to refine designs based on constructive criticism.

• Demonstration of how you integrate new tools and technologies, such as AI, into your design workflow to improve efficiency and output quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly requests a portfolio demonstrating creativity and experience. This section infers the specific types of content and process documentation that would best represent the candidate's capabilities for this role, focusing on the end-to-end creative process and digital execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Permanent Position: Offers job security and long-term career potential within a leading global sports marketing agency.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance, potentially including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement Savings: Contribution to a pension scheme or equivalent retirement savings plan.

• Paid Time Off: Generous annual leave allowance, public holidays, and potential for sick leave.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and access to learning resources, including AI tools and motion design, to enhance skills.

• Employee Assistance Program: Support services for personal and professional well-being.

• Event Access: Potential for opportunities to attend and be involved in major sporting events.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, totaling 37.5 hours per week (assuming a standard 30-minute lunch break).

• Flexibility is required for occasional unsocial hours, including weekends and extra hours, particularly during major events like The Open and other amateur events, necessitating full availability during these specific periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on London market rates for similar roles and experience levels, considering the specific technical and creative demands. Benefits are inferred based on standard offerings for full-time positions at reputable companies of IMG's caliber. Working hours highlight both the standard schedule and the crucial need for flexibility during peak event seasons.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports Marketing & Entertainment. IMG operates as a leading global sports marketing agency, specializing in media rights, content production, brand partnerships, and events management. It is a subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings, Inc., which owns major properties like UFC and WWE. This context implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment driven by major sporting and entertainment events.

Company Size: IMG is part of TKO Group Holdings, a large entity. IMG itself is a significant global organization with a substantial employee base across numerous locations. This size suggests access to extensive resources, diverse career opportunities, and established corporate structures, while also requiring adaptability within specific teams.

Founded: IMG was founded in 1960, giving it a long history and deep expertise in the sports industry. TKO Group Holdings was formed more recently in 2023 through the merger of WWE and Endeavor's sports and entertainment businesses. This blend of established legacy and current strategic alignment creates a unique operational landscape.

Team Structure:

• The Creative Graphic Designer will likely be part of The R&A's content and marketing team, which functions under IMG's broader umbrella. This team is expected to be collaborative, with designers working alongside content creators, marketers, and account managers.

• The reporting structure will involve reporting to a lead within the content or marketing department, with direct communication and collaboration with project leads and account managers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: While not explicitly stated for this creative role, IMG and TKO emphasize data in their operations. The R&A content team likely uses performance metrics from digital channels to inform creative strategies and measure the impact of designs.

• Workflow Optimization: The role requires driving "end-to-end creative development," suggesting a focus on efficient workflow processes from ideation to delivery to meet tight deadlines, especially during events.

• Creative Excellence & Innovation: The company culture prioritizes "innovative and inspiring work" and encourages "creative ideation and inspiration," emphasizing a forward-thinking and proactive approach to content creation and design.

Company Website: https://www.img.com/ and https://www.tkogrp.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context paints a picture of a large, globally recognized organization with deep roots in sports and entertainment. The R&A's specific focus within IMG adds a layer of specialization, particularly in golf. The team structure emphasizes collaboration and a results-oriented approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level, typically requiring 2-5 years of dedicated experience. It offers significant responsibility for end-to-end creative project management, demanding a blend of technical design proficiency and creative strategic thinking. Success in this role can lead to senior designer positions or specialized roles in areas like motion graphics or campaign art direction within IMG or The R&A.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a manager or lead within The R&A's content or marketing team. This structure implies direct oversight and regular feedback, with opportunities to manage upwards by effectively communicating creative strategies and project status. Collaboration with account managers and project leads is also a key aspect of the reporting dynamic.

Operations Impact: While this is a creative role, its impact is directly tied to revenue and business decisions through effective marketing and brand building. High-quality, engaging content drives fan engagement, supports sponsorship value, promotes event attendance, and ultimately contributes to The R&A's revenue streams and its mission. The designer's work influences brand perception, audience growth, and the success of digital campaigns.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas like motion design for social media, AI-assisted design workflows, or live event graphics production, aligning with industry trends.

• Leadership: Progress to a Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director role, leading creative projects, mentoring junior designers, and contributing more significantly to creative strategy.

• Cross-Functional Movement: With a strong understanding of sports marketing and content, potential exists to move into roles focused on campaign management, digital marketing strategy, or brand management within IMG or TKO Group Holdings.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning opportunities through internal training, external workshops, and access to industry conferences, focusing on new design software, AI tools, and emerging digital content formats.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on how a creative role like Graphic Designer contributes to the broader operational and revenue goals of a sports marketing organization. It highlights clear pathways for career progression and skill enhancement within the company's structure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at Chiswick Park, London, which is known for its modern office environment designed to foster collaboration and well-being. This suggests a professional, contemporary workspace.

Office Location(s): Chiswick Park, London, UK. This location offers good transport links and a vibrant business park setting. The role may also require occasional travel to other IMG buildings or event locations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The Chiswick Park setting is designed to encourage interaction, suggesting opportunities to work alongside colleagues from various departments and contribute to a dynamic team atmosphere.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially other digital tools and emerging technologies, including AI applications relevant to design.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with the content team, marketing functions, and account managers, fostering a collaborative approach to creative projects and ensuring alignment on objectives. The role also requires independent work over diverse design aspects.

Work Schedule: The standard schedule is Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, the role demands flexibility, with occasional requirements for weekend work and extra hours, particularly during major sporting events like The Open and other amateur events. This necessitates a commitment to being available during critical periods to support live operations and event coverage.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details the physical work environment and schedule, emphasizing the blend of standard office work with the critical need for flexibility during high-stakes events, a common characteristic in the sports and events industry.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio by the recruitment team or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and creative fit. Be prepared to highlight relevant design experience and your interest in sports.

• Portfolio Presentation/Technical Interview: This stage likely involves presenting your portfolio to the hiring team. Be ready to discuss your creative process, rationale behind specific design choices, your experience with the required software (Adobe Creative Suite), and how you've driven engagement or achieved objectives with past work. Expect questions about your experience with motion design, video editing, and AI tools.

• Creative Challenge/Test: A practical exercise may be given, such as designing a graphic for a specific campaign or creating a short animation. This assesses your ability to apply your skills under timed conditions and align with brand guidelines.

• Cultural Fit & Team Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential team members and discuss your collaborative style, problem-solving approach, and how you handle feedback. Understanding of the sports industry and The R&A's mission will be valuable here.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your strongest, most relevant work that demonstrates proficiency in Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and After Effects. Prioritize projects that highlight digital content creation, social media graphics, and campaign development.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your creative process, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the measurable impact or outcome of your design. Use case study format with clear headings.

• Showcase Versatility: Include examples of different types of design work, demonstrating your ability to adapt to various styles and platforms. If you have sports-related or golf-specific design work, highlight it prominently.

• Highlight Motion & AI: If you have experience with motion graphics, video editing, or AI tools in design, ensure these examples are clearly presented and explained.

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

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Research The R&A's current branding, recent campaigns, and its mission regarding golf governance, sustainability, and growth.

• Focus on Digital & Engagement: Anticipate challenges that require creating engaging digital assets for social media or web platforms. Consider how to tell a story visually within these constraints.

• Emphasize Process: Be ready to explain your thought process, not just the final output. How would you approach a brief for a sustainability campaign or a new rule announcement?

• Tool Proficiency: Be confident in discussing your workflow using Adobe Creative Suite and any AI tools you might mention.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, focusing on how to best present their qualifications and prepare for the specific stages of the interview process, with an emphasis on portfolio content and creative problem-solving relevant to this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Advanced Proficiency):

  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, digital painting, and graphic creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and complex illustrations.
  • InDesign: For layout design, digital publications, brochures, and interactive PDFs.
  • After Effects: Essential for motion graphics, animation, visual effects, and dynamic content creation for digital platforms.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: For presentations, internal communications, and potentially creating visual decks.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities, but understanding how design assets are used within marketing automation platforms or CRM-driven campaigns could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details the critical software tools required for the role, emphasizing advanced proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly After Effects, and mentioning AI tools as a preferred skill. It also acknowledges the potential benefit of understanding analytics for data-informed design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A core value that encourages pushing creative boundaries, exploring new design approaches, and generating fresh ideas for content and campaigns.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working effectively within the content and marketing teams, fostering open communication, and supporting colleagues to achieve shared goals.

• Brand Integrity: A commitment to maintaining the highest standards of brand consistency and quality across all visual outputs, ensuring The R&A's reputation is upheld.

• Proactivity & Initiative: A culture that values individuals who take initiative, offer creative solutions beyond basic briefs, and drive projects forward independently.

• Impact-Driven: A focus on creating designs that not only look good but also achieve specific objectives, such as increasing engagement, driving awareness, or supporting revenue-generating activities.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with content creators, marketers, and account managers, acting as a key partner in the campaign development process.

• Feedback & Iteration: An open and constructive approach to feedback is crucial, with designers encouraged to be receptive to critique and iterate on designs to achieve optimal results.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that supports sharing insights on design trends, new tools, and successful creative strategies within the team to foster collective growth and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers the likely cultural values and collaboration styles based on the job description's emphasis on creativity, proactivity, teamwork, and brand standards within a sports marketing context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Guidelines: Consistently delivering innovative designs while adhering strictly to The R&A's established brand identity and style guides.

• Managing Conflicting Deadlines: Effectively prioritizing and managing multiple projects with tight turnaround times, especially during major event periods.

• Adapting to Evolving Digital Trends: Staying current with rapidly changing design trends, social media platform features, and content formats to ensure designs remain relevant and engaging.

• Integrating New Technologies: Learning and effectively incorporating new tools, such as AI in design, into established workflows to enhance productivity and creative output.

• Remote Collaboration Support: If hybrid work is ever introduced, adapting to remote collaboration tools and maintaining team cohesion.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in After Effects, motion graphics, and potentially explore other relevant design software.

• AI in Design Workshops: Training sessions focused on leveraging AI tools for concept generation, asset creation, and workflow optimization.

• Sports Marketing Design Trends: Access to industry insights, webinars, or conferences focusing on design best practices within the sports and entertainment sectors.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior designers or creative leads within IMG, gaining insights into career progression and advanced creative strategies.

• Project Diversity: Exposure to a wide range of projects across different aspects of golf and sports marketing, broadening design experience and portfolio breadth.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section anticipates potential challenges inherent in the role and highlights specific growth avenues, aligning with the dynamic nature of creative roles in the sports industry and the company's forward-looking approach.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a creative concept from a brief for a digital campaign, focusing on how you ensure it aligns with brand guidelines and drives engagement." (Prepare a case study of a past campaign.)

• "How do you approach managing multiple design projects with competing deadlines? Can you give an example of a time you successfully navigated a high-pressure situation?" (Focus on time management and prioritization techniques.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with The R&A and within the sports industry, particularly golf?" (Research The R&A's mission and recent initiatives.)

• "Describe a time you received constructive feedback on your design work. How did you incorporate it, and what was the result?" (Demonstrate receptiveness to feedback and a growth mindset.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenge, your solution (design process, tools used), and the outcome (engagement metrics, impact).

• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your presentation explicitly demonstrates your proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and especially After Effects. Show examples of motion graphics and any AI-assisted work.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Aim for clarity and impact. Use visuals effectively and avoid jargon where possible, but be prepared to explain technical aspects.

• Demonstrate Brand Awareness: Show how you can adapt your style while respecting brand guidelines, referencing your ability to maintain brand continuity.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure smooth delivery, confident articulation of your creative rationale, and effective time management.

📝 Enhancement Note: This preparation guide focuses on anticipating interview questions and strategies relevant to a creative role in sports marketing, emphasizing portfolio content, process explanation, and alignment with company values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your most relevant work, focusing on digital content creation, social media graphics, and motion design. Showcase projects that demonstrate your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects) and any experience with AI tools in design.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, specific software proficiencies, and any relevant achievements in driving creative development and engagement. Use keywords from the job description such as "creative ideation," "digital campaigns," "brand continuity," and "motion design."

• Prepare for Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, be ready to discuss your creative process for specific projects, and articulate how your work aligns with The R&A's objectives and brand. Prepare examples of how you've managed deadlines and collaborated effectively.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with IMG, TKO Group Holdings, and specifically The R&A's mission, recent campaigns, and their presence in the golf and sports landscape. Understand their brand aesthetic and communication style.

⚠️ 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.