Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Dalcour Maclaren

Location: Bicester, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: May 07, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is instrumental in enhancing Dalcour Maclaren's brand presence through compelling visual communication across all platforms.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for the end-to-end creative production of digital and print assets, ensuring brand consistency.

• A key focus will be on supporting marketing, events, and internal communications with high-quality, on-brand visual content.

• The position involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams to translate business objectives into effective design solutions that drive engagement and support strategic goals within the Utilities and Infrastructure sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input describes a "Graphic Designer," for the purpose of this operations-focused enhancement, the role is framed within "Marketing & Design Operations." This reflects how design functions support broader GTM and operational strategies, especially in ensuring consistent brand messaging, supporting marketing campaigns, and facilitating internal communications which are critical operational functions for a company of Dalcour Maclaren's nature.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Digital & Print Asset Creation: Produce a wide range of digital graphics, social media assets, PowerPoint presentations, and print-ready artwork that adhere strictly to company branding guidelines.

• Brand Consistency Management: Ensure all visual outputs – from reports and brochures to exhibition graphics and signage – are consistent with Dalcour Maclaren's brand identity and messaging.

• Print Production Oversight: Manage the design and preparation of artwork for large-scale exhibition materials, banners, posters, and signage, including liaising with professional printers, managing proofs, and ensuring final sign-off.

• Digital Platform Content Development: Create and format engaging content for digital platforms such as Foleon, SharePoint pages, and other CMS tools, focusing on effective layout, hierarchy, accessibility, and brand alignment.

• Template Design & Maintenance: Develop, update, and maintain standardized templates for Microsoft 365 applications (PowerPoint, Word) and other corporate documents, ensuring consistent application of brand elements.

• Motion Graphics & Animation: Utilize Adobe After Effects to create simple animations, internal communication videos, and dynamic digital assets for campaigns and presentations as required.

• Event Branding Support: Develop and apply cohesive visual themes and branding materials for company events, ensuring a unified brand experience across all touchpoints.

• Asset Management: Organize, store, and manage shared design assets effectively, ensuring easy access and proper usage by relevant teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities have been detailed to reflect the operational aspects of a Graphic Designer role. This includes emphasizing process management (print production oversight, template maintenance), cross-functional collaboration (event branding support, digital platform content development), and brand governance (consistency management, asset management), which are crucial for operational efficiency and brand integrity.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is typically expected for this level of responsibility.

Experience:

• 2-5 years of proven experience in graphic design, with a strong portfolio showcasing work across both digital and print mediums.

• Demonstrated experience in preparing artwork for professional printing and managing relationships with print vendors.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Adobe InDesign (reports, brochures, print layouts), Adobe Illustrator (vector artwork, icons, exhibition graphics), and Adobe Photoshop (image editing, retouching, asset creation).

• Print Production Expertise: Deep understanding of print processes, file preparation for commercial printing (bleed, crop marks, color profiles), and managing print vendor relationships.

• Digital Design & Asset Creation: Proven ability to design engaging digital graphics, social media assets, and web content.

• Microsoft 365 Suite: Strong working knowledge of PowerPoint for template creation and presentation design, along with proficiency in Word, SharePoint, and OneDrive.

• Content Management System (CMS) Familiarity: Experience with platforms like SharePoint, Foleon, or any general CMS for content formatting and page layout.

• Brand Management: Ability to understand and rigorously apply brand guidelines to all design outputs.

Preferred Skills:

• Adobe After Effects: Experience in creating simple animations and motion graphics for digital assets and videos.

• Foleon or Similar Authoring Tools: Specific experience with Foleon or similar interactive content creation platforms.

• Web Design Principles: Basic understanding of web design principles, UX/UI considerations, and accessibility standards for digital content.

• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines effectively.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" and "Preferred Skills" sections have been expanded to include specific software functionalities and operational aspects (e.g., "Print Production Expertise," "CMS Familiarity," "Brand Management") that are critical for a Graphic Designer supporting a business's operational and marketing functions. The experience level is inferred from the typical requirements for a role involving independent production and template management.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Cross-Platform Design Showcase: Your portfolio should feature a diverse range of projects demonstrating proficiency in both digital (social media, web graphics, presentations) and print (brochures, reports, exhibition materials) design.

• Brand Adherence Examples: Include case studies or examples that specifically highlight your ability to interpret and consistently apply brand guidelines, showcasing how you maintained brand integrity across different assets.

• Print Production Workflow: Present examples of print projects where you managed the process from design to final print-ready artwork, ideally including any challenges or specific technical considerations you navigated.

• Digital Content & Template Examples: Showcase examples of digital content created for platforms like SharePoint or Foleon, along with any custom-designed templates for PowerPoint or Word, demonstrating layout and user experience considerations.

• Process Improvement Contributions (Optional but Recommended): If possible, include a project where your design work directly supported a process improvement or efficiency gain for a previous employer, quantifying the impact if feasible.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss your personal design workflow, from brief interpretation to final delivery, and how you optimize this process for efficiency and quality.

• Collaboration & Feedback Integration: Demonstrate how you integrate feedback from stakeholders (marketing, technical teams, management) into your design process and manage revisions effectively.

• Systematic Asset Management: Explain your approach to organizing and archiving design files and assets to ensure consistency and ease of retrieval for yourself and your team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is crucial for operations roles. It frames the graphic designer's output as tangible processes and deliverables. The emphasis is on demonstrating a systematic approach to design, consistent application of brand standards, and the ability to manage projects from concept to execution, mirroring operational rigor.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in the UK, particularly in regions like Oxfordshire, the estimated annual salary range is between £28,000 and £38,000. This estimation considers the required proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, experience with print and digital media, and the hybrid work model.

Benefits:

• Performance-Based Incentives: Annual bonus scheme, reflecting a commitment to rewarding employee contributions.

• Generous Leave Allowance: 25 days of annual leave plus an additional day for your birthday, promoting work-life balance.

• Comprehensive Health & Wellbeing: Vitality Health Membership offering private healthcare, subsidized gym access, and various discounts. Includes an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and broader mental health support.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: "Flexible Advantage" policy designed to support working families and promote a healthy work-life balance.

• Retirement Planning: Pension Scheme via The Peoples Pension.

• Financial Security: Life insurance coverage equivalent to 4x base salary.

• Commuting & Lifestyle Perks: Free on-site parking (at non-city centre offices), Cycle to Work scheme, and BHN Extras for discounted retailer gift cards.

• Family Support: Extended paid leave for maternity (26 weeks) and paternity (4 weeks).

• Long-Term Incentives: Sabbatical policy effective after 3 years of service.

• Professional Growth: Paid study leave for continuous professional development.

• Specialized Leave: Military service paid leave (7.5 days per year).

• Sustainable Commuting: Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme available after one year of service.

• Social Engagement: Two company-wide events annually, plus regular office social gatherings.

Working Hours:

The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on UK market data for this role and location. The benefits list has been extracted and organized for clarity, highlighting those particularly relevant to work-life balance and employee well-being, which are key considerations for operations professionals seeking sustainable employment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Dalcour Maclaren operates within the Utilities and Infrastructure sector, a critical industry focused on delivering Net Zero objectives for the UK and Ireland. This context means the company is involved in essential projects related to energy, environmental services, and geospatial mapping, requiring precision, reliability, and a forward-thinking approach.

Company Size: Dalcour Maclaren is likely a medium to large enterprise, indicated by the extensive benefits package and the structured nature of their operations, suggesting a professional environment with established processes.

Founded: Founded in 2003, Dalcour Maclaren has over two decades of experience, indicating a stable and established company with a deep understanding of its market and a proven track record.

Team Structure:

• Marketing & Communications: The Graphic Designer will likely integrate into a Marketing or Communications department, working alongside marketing specialists, content creators, and event coordinators.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close ties will exist with technical teams (Land, Environmental, Geospatial) to ensure design outputs accurately represent complex project information and support their objectives.

• Reporting: The role typically reports to a Marketing Manager, Head of Communications, or a Creative Lead, who oversees brand consistency and strategic messaging.

Methodology:

• Brand Governance: A strong emphasis on adhering to established brand guidelines and maintaining visual consistency across all company communications.

• Project-Based Workflow: Design projects are often initiated by specific briefs from marketing campaigns, events, or technical departments, requiring a structured workflow from concept to delivery.

• Efficiency & Automation: Utilizing tools like Microsoft 365 and CMS platforms to streamline content creation and management, reflecting an operational focus on efficiency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: This section contextualizes the Graphic Designer role within Dalcour Maclaren's industry and operational framework. It highlights the importance of brand governance, cross-functional collaboration, and efficiency, all of which are core tenets of operations management. The company's focus on Net Zero and infrastructure projects implies a need for clear, impactful visual communication to support complex initiatives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Graphic Designer role is positioned at a mid-level, typically requiring 2-5 years of experience. It involves independent execution of design tasks, managing multiple projects, and contributing to broader marketing and communication strategies. The role is beyond entry-level support, demanding a degree of autonomy and problem-solving.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Head of Communications. This structure suggests opportunities to learn about strategic marketing planning, campaign development, and brand management from a leadership perspective.

Operations Impact: The work of the Graphic Designer directly impacts Dalcour Maclaren's external perception and internal cohesion. High-quality visuals enhance brand credibility, support marketing campaign effectiveness, improve the clarity of technical information for clients and stakeholders, and contribute to a professional internal working environment. This visual communication is a vital operational component for client engagement and project success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in Motion Graphics: With experience in After Effects, there's potential to deepen expertise in animation and motion graphics, a growing area in digital marketing and corporate communications.

• Broader Marketing & Communications Exposure: Working closely with marketing and events teams can lead to opportunities to develop skills in campaign management, content strategy, and digital marketing operations.

• Brand Strategy Development: As experience grows, the designer may have opportunities to contribute to evolving brand guidelines and visual identity strategies.

• Leadership in Design: With significant experience, potential exists to move into a Senior Graphic Designer role or a Design Lead position, mentoring junior designers and overseeing larger creative projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the Graphic Designer role as a strategic operational function, emphasizing its contribution to business objectives. Growth opportunities are linked to developing specialized skills and increasing strategic input, aligning with typical career progression in design and operations roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Dalcour Maclaren offers a hybrid work environment, indicating a balance between remote work flexibility and in-office collaboration. This setup suggests modern office facilities designed to foster teamwork and idea exchange.

Office Location(s): The primary location mentioned is Bicester, United Kingdom. This location likely offers amenities and accessibility conducive to a professional work environment. The company also operates across the UK and Ireland, suggesting potential for interaction with colleagues in various offices.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office is likely equipped with meeting rooms and informal collaboration areas to facilitate teamwork on design projects and cross-functional initiatives.

• Technology & Tools: Access to necessary hardware and software, including the full Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft 365, is expected. This ensures designers have the tools required for efficient and high-quality output.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for face-to-face interaction with marketing, communications, and other relevant teams, promoting a connected and supportive work atmosphere.

Work Schedule:

The role is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid model allows for flexibility in structuring the work week, balancing remote tasks with in-office collaboration days. This flexibility is beneficial for managing complex design processes and ensuring availability for team meetings and project discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description is tailored to highlight aspects relevant to an operations professional, focusing on the structure of work (hybrid), the availability of resources (technology), and the emphasis on collaborative efficiency within the office setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess suitability for the role, focusing on relevant experience and design quality.

• First Interview (Hiring Manager/HR): A discussion about your background, experience, motivations, and understanding of the Graphic Designer role within a company like Dalcour Maclaren. Expect questions on your approach to design briefs and collaboration.

• Skills Assessment / Practical Exercise: You may be asked to complete a short design task or present a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates your skills in areas like print preparation, digital asset creation, or brand application.

• Second Interview (Team/Department Heads): Further discussion, potentially with team members or department heads, to assess cultural fit, teamwork capabilities, and how your design approach aligns with the company's strategic objectives.

• Final Offer: Following successful interviews and assessments.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills required for this role (digital, print, brand consistency, template design).

• Showcase Process & Problem-Solving: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Highlight your problem-solving skills.

• Quantify Impact (If Possible): If your design work contributed to measurable outcomes (e.g., increased engagement on social media, improved event attendance), present these results.

• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: Include a project that clearly shows your ability to follow and apply brand guidelines meticulously.

• Prepare for Presentation: Be ready to walk through your portfolio, articulating your design choices and their strategic rationale.

• Tailor to Dalcour Maclaren: If possible, include a speculative piece or mention how your skills could benefit Dalcour Maclaren's specific industry and brand.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Brief Interpretation: Practice analyzing design briefs to extract key requirements, target audience, and desired outcomes.

• Brand Application: Be ready to apply Dalcour Maclaren's branding to a given scenario or asset.

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure you can articulate your technical skills in Adobe Creative Suite and your understanding of print production requirements.

• Workflow Explanation: Be prepared to explain your typical design workflow and how you manage time and revisions efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, focusing on how to present their qualifications and demonstrate their operational capabilities through their portfolio and interview responses. The emphasis is on strategic curation and articulating process, which are key in operations-focused roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • InDesign: Essential for layout design of reports, brochures, documents, and print materials. Proficiency in advanced features for professional publishing is expected.
  • Illustrator: Crucial for creating vector graphics, icons, logos, and large-scale exhibition graphics. Understanding of vector scalability and file optimization is key.
  • Photoshop: Required for image editing, retouching, creating digital assets, and manipulating photographs. Expertise in layer management and non-destructive editing is beneficial.

• Adobe After Effects: Used for creating simple animations, motion graphics, and video assets for campaigns and presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Microsoft 365 Suite:

  • PowerPoint: Critical for creating and maintaining company templates, designing presentations, and producing visual content for internal and external use.
  • Word: For creating and formatting corporate documents and templates.
  • SharePoint: Used for content management, page creation, and hosting shared design assets. Familiarity with its design and layout capabilities is important.
  • OneDrive: For file storage and sharing.

• Content Management Systems (CMS):

  • Foleon: Experience with this specific platform for creating interactive digital content is advantageous.
  • Craft CMS: General experience with any CMS for web content formatting and layout is considered suitable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are specific to graphic design but are framed within an operational context, emphasizing their role in producing consistent, efficient, and on-brand outputs. The inclusion of Microsoft 365 and CMS tools highlights the integration of design into broader digital operations and content management workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Commitment to Quality: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished, and error-free design work that upholds the company's professional image.

• Brand Integrity: A strong sense of responsibility for maintaining and reinforcing Dalcour Maclaren's brand identity across all visual communications.

• Collaboration & Support: A willingness to work collaboratively with colleagues across various departments, offering design support and sharing expertise to achieve common goals.

• Efficiency & Proactivity: An approach that values efficient workflow management, proactive problem-solving, and timely delivery of design assets.

• Continuous Improvement: An openness to learning new design techniques, staying updated on industry trends, and seeking ways to enhance design processes and outputs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Working closely with Marketing, Events, Communications, and Technical teams, understanding their needs and translating them into effective visual solutions.

• Feedback Integration: Actively seeking and incorporating feedback from stakeholders to refine designs and ensure they meet project objectives.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a culture of shared knowledge by organizing design assets and potentially offering basic design guidance to colleagues who may not have formal design training.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture and values section is interpreted through an operations lens, emphasizing structured collaboration, adherence to standards (brand integrity, quality), and efficiency. This helps candidates understand how their role contributes to the company's operational success and professional image.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Briefs: Managing a diverse workload with competing deadlines from various departments, requiring strong prioritization and time management skills.

• Translating Technical Concepts: Effectively visualizing complex information from the Utilities and Infrastructure sector into clear, accessible, and engaging graphics for different audiences.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring strict adherence to evolving brand guidelines across a wide array of digital and print applications.

• Adapting to New Technologies: Keeping pace with advancements in design software and digital platforms (e.g., new CMS features, animation trends).

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Motion Graphics Training: Developing expertise in Adobe After Effects for more sophisticated animation and video production.

• Digital Marketing Integration: Gaining deeper insights into digital marketing strategies, SEO considerations for visual content, and web analytics to inform design decisions.

• UX/UI Principles: Learning about user experience and user interface design to create more intuitive and effective digital assets and web pages.

• Contribution to Brand Strategy: Opportunities to provide input on the evolution of Dalcour Maclaren's visual identity and brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed as opportunities for skill development and operational refinement. Growth opportunities are aligned with industry trends and career progression within design and marketing operations, encouraging continuous learning and specialization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a design brief from initial concept to final delivery, especially when working with technical or complex subject matter." (Focus on your workflow, communication, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across various platforms and materials? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and meticulous execution.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Dalcour Maclaren and our work in the Utilities and Infrastructure sector?" (Research the company's mission, projects, and commitment to Net Zero.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers, such as engineers or marketing managers?" (Emphasize communication, active listening, and translating needs.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative is Key: For each selected project, tell a story: the challenge, your solution, the tools used, and the outcome.

• Focus on Relevance: Highlight projects that best match the requirements of this role (print production, digital assets, template design, brand application).

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your software expertise and any technical considerations in your print-ready artwork.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Explain how you addressed any design challenges or client feedback effectively.

• Engage and Discuss: Treat it as a conversation. Be open to questions and discuss your design rationale confidently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation is geared towards highlighting operational competencies, such as process management, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration, alongside core design skills. This approach helps candidates position themselves as valuable operational assets.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Apply directly through the provided Workday careers portal link.

• Tailor Your CV: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 2-5 years of relevant graphic design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, print production, digital asset creation, and experience with CMS/Microsoft 365. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 4-6 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prepare a brief narrative for each, focusing on the brief, your process, challenges, and outcomes. Ensure it showcases digital, print, and brand consistency skills.

• Prepare for a Practical Task: Be ready to potentially undertake a short design exercise or present a detailed case study from your portfolio during the interview process.

• Research Dalcour Maclaren: Understand their company mission, industry focus (Utilities, Infrastructure, Net Zero), and recent projects to effectively articulate your interest and how your skills align with their strategic goals.

⚠️ 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.