Graphic Designer at We Are Social

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: We Are Social

Location: Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-09-04

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Develop and execute creative concepts for visual assets across various media channels, with a strong emphasis on digital and social platforms.
Contribute to the definition and evolution of client visual identities and brand guidelines, ensuring consistency and impact.
Collaborate within a cross-functional creative and editorial team to deliver high-quality content aligned with client briefs and editorial strategies.
Manage design execution and quality control throughout the creative production lifecycle, ensuring adherence to brand standards and project timelines.
Support the Art Direction team in creating engaging content formats and activations for client editorial plans.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is distinctly focused on the practical, hands-on creation of visual assets for social media and digital campaigns. While requiring creative conceptualization, the emphasis is on execution and quality control within established client brand frameworks, rather than purely strategic brand development. The explicit mention of "football" and the "Trigoria" location suggests a specialized client focus, likely within the sports industry, requiring a deep understanding of that domain's visual language and audience.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Conceptualize and execute compelling visual designs and graphic assets in response to client briefs.
Develop and art direct ongoing content, formats, and activations for client editorial plans, ensuring alignment with brand strategy.
Oversee the execution and quality control of creative output during the production phase, maintaining high standards.
Study, develop, and implement visual identities and brand guidelines for key clients.
Participate in defining and evolving editorial strategies, focusing on visual language, formats, and platform-specific best practices.
Maintain constant alignment with Creative, Client Service, and other relevant stakeholders.
Contribute to the creation of visual concepts and their detailed crafting for various client projects.
Ensure designs are optimized for diverse media channels, with a particular focus on social media platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative ideation and meticulous execution, emphasizing the need for a designer who can translate strategic briefs into tangible, high-quality visual assets. The inclusion of "editorial strategy" suggests a role that goes beyond individual asset creation, requiring an understanding of content cadence and thematic planning.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Degree in Art Direction, Graphic Design, or equivalent fields. Experience:
2-5 years of experience in creative agencies is highly appreciated. Required Skills:
Excellent knowledge and extensive experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro – depending on specific output needs).
Proven ability to develop creative concepts and translate them into engaging visual assets.
Competence and mastery across different media, formats, tools, and techniques of visual communication.
High affinity and passion for social media platforms and their evolving visual trends.
Strong intuition for current design trends and developments within the digital and social media landscape.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively within extended and complex teams, fostering collaboration.
Excellent understanding of visual identity and brand development principles. Preferred Skills:
A good knowledge of English is a desirable asset for international collaboration and understanding global trends.
Strong passion for football, indicating potential specialization for a sports-focused client.
High flexibility and adaptability to changing project requirements and client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" experience level suggests a mid-level designer who can work independently on execution while still benefiting from senior guidance. The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite is standard, but the breadth of "different media, formats, tools, and techniques" implies a need for versatility beyond just static graphics, potentially including motion graphics or basic video editing. The "football" passion is a critical differentiator for this specific role, pointing towards a client specialization.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Showcase a diverse range of graphic design projects, with a strong emphasis on digital and social media content.
Include examples of visual identity development and brand guideline application for various clients.
Demonstrate the ability to create compelling visual concepts and execute them across different formats.
Highlight projects that required adaptation to specific client briefs and editorial strategies.
Present case studies that illustrate problem-solving within design challenges and the impact of design choices.
Include examples of work produced within a team environment and collaborative projects. Process Documentation:
Articulate the process followed for concept development, from brief interpretation to final asset delivery.
Detail workflow management for multiple projects and clients simultaneously.
Explain methods used for quality control and ensuring brand consistency across all outputs.
Describe how feedback from senior designers, art directors, and clients is incorporated into the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Graphic Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. The emphasis should be on showing how the candidate thinks and executes, not just the final output. Demonstrating adaptability to client-specific needs (like football) and the ability to work within a structured agency process will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Designers with 2-5 years of experience in Rome, Italy, the estimated salary range is €28,000 - €40,000 per annum. This estimation considers the cost of living in Rome, the typical compensation for creative roles in Italian agencies, and the specific experience level required. Benefits:
Career Path Design: Quarterly check-in moments and annual evaluations to discuss professional growth within We Are Social.
WAS Passport: Opportunity to work for two weeks per year in any of the agency's global offices, fostering international experience and networking.
Professional Training: Access to both "Bottom Up" (employee-driven) and "Top Down" (management-directed) professional development programs.
Mental Health Support: Initiatives and resources dedicated to supporting employee well-being.
CSR Activities: Involvement in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, aligning with company values.
Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives: Active participation in programs promoting an inclusive and equitable workplace.

Working Hours:

Typically 40 hours per week, aligned with full-time employment expectations. The role is on-site, requiring presence at the Rome office in Trigoria.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical market rates for Rome and the specified experience level for a Graphic Designer. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific skills, portfolio, and negotiation. The benefits package is quite comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on global mobility and professional development, which are attractive perks for creative professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Global Creative Agency, specializing in social insights and creative campaigns for leading brands.

Company Size: Over 1000 employees globally, with 200+ in the Milan office, indicating a substantial international presence and a significant local team. This size suggests established processes and opportunities for varied projects.

Founded: While the founding date isn't provided, the agency's global reach and established client base imply significant experience and a mature operational structure.

Team Structure:

The Art Direction team is part of the broader Creative and Editorial department.
This role reports to a Creative Supervisor, Head of Art, or Creative Director, indicating a clear hierarchy and mentorship structure.
The team is responsible for visual identity across all social media channels for clients.
Collaboration is expected within the design and creative team, as well as with Client Service references. Methodology:
Data-Driven Insights: Campaigns are based on social insights, suggesting a strategic approach to creative development.
Teamwork and Respect: Emphasis on collaborative efforts and valuing individual contributions.
Flexibility and Adaptability: A core characteristic for navigating changes and seizing opportunities.
Continuous Improvement: A proactive attitude towards seeking new challenges and exceeding expectations.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: We Are Social is a well-regarded global agency known for its focus on social media marketing and creative strategy. The company culture appears to value collaboration, adaptability, and continuous learning. The mention of "social insights" suggests a data-informed approach to creative work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer, often referred to as a "Designer" or "Junior Art Director" in some agencies. It requires foundational skills and experience, with the capacity to execute independently under senior guidance. The focus is on hands-on creation and quality control rather than high-level strategic planning.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to a Creative Supervisor, Head of Art, or Creative Director. This structure provides clear lines of communication for creative direction, feedback, and project oversight. It also implies opportunities for mentorship from experienced creative leaders.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role in the sense of process optimization or revenue operations, this Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the client's brand perception, engagement rates, and overall campaign effectiveness on social media. High-quality visual assets are critical for achieving marketing objectives and maintaining client satisfaction, thereby contributing indirectly to the agency's revenue and reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of graphic design, motion graphics, or digital art direction relevant to social media.
Client Leadership: Progress to managing specific client accounts or projects, taking on more responsibility for visual strategy and execution.
Creative Leadership: Advance to Senior Designer, Art Director, or Creative Director roles, leading creative teams and shaping campaign concepts.
Global Mobility: Leverage the "WAS Passport" program to gain international experience and exposure to different markets and creative approaches.
Continuous Learning: Benefit from "Bottom Up & Top Down" professional training to acquire new skills and stay abreast of industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a graphic designer in an agency typically involves moving up the creative ladder, from junior to senior roles, and eventually into art direction or creative leadership. The agency's emphasis on training and global mobility offers structured avenues for skill development and career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as "On-site" with the workplace located in Trigoria, Rome. This suggests a dedicated office space designed for creative collaboration.

Office Location(s):

Rome, Italy (Trigoria): Working closely with a specific client, implying a potentially co-located or highly integrated client-agency environment. This location might offer a focused work setting.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Environment: The agency's culture emphasizes teamwork, suggesting an open and interactive workspace designed to facilitate communication and idea exchange among designers, art directors, and client service teams.
Creative Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant design software and hardware is implied.
Client Proximity: The specific mention of working closely with a client at the Trigoria location may offer unique insights into client operations and direct feedback loops, enhancing the design process.

Work Schedule: Full-time, likely adhering to standard office hours, but with an understanding of the creative industry's occasional need for flexibility to meet project deadlines and client demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement and specific location in Trigoria suggest a role deeply integrated with a particular client's operations, potentially even having a dedicated client-facing space. This offers a unique work dynamic compared to a general agency setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and creative output.
Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing their creative process, concept development, and execution for key projects. Expect questions about their approach to specific client briefs and their understanding of social media trends.
Skills Assessment: A practical design challenge or task may be given to evaluate immediate design skills, problem-solving abilities, and proficiency with relevant tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite).
Team/Culture Fit Interview: Meeting with potential team members or hiring managers to assess collaboration style, adaptability, and alignment with We Are Social's company values (teamwork, flexibility, continuous improvement).
Final Interview: Potentially with senior creative leadership to discuss strategic thinking, career aspirations, and overall fit for the role and agency.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate Selectively: Showcase your strongest, most relevant work. Prioritize digital and social media campaigns, visual identity projects, and any work related to football or sports if applicable.
Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the impact of your design. Use visuals effectively.
Highlight Process: Demonstrate how you approach a brief, brainstorm ideas, refine concepts, and execute final assets. Show sketches, mood boards, or iterative design stages if possible.
Showcase Versatility: Include a range of formats and styles to demonstrate your adaptability.
Quantify Impact (if possible): If your designs contributed to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, brand recognition), present these metrics clearly.
Tailor to the Role: Emphasize any work that aligns with the specific client focus (football) or the agency's social-first approach.

Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on Adobe Suite: Be prepared for tasks that require quick execution in Photoshop, Illustrator, or other relevant software.
Understand Social Media Trends: Be ready to discuss current visual trends, effective content formats, and how to create engaging social media assets.
Think Client-Centric: Practice framing your design solutions in terms of client objectives and brand guidelines.
Demonstrate Adaptability: Be ready to tackle a brief that might be outside your usual comfort zone or requires rapid iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a creative role heavily relies on the portfolio. Candidates should be prepared to defend their creative choices and articulate their process clearly. A practical design challenge is common to assess real-time skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Adobe Creative Suite: Essential and expected proficiency across key applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Depending on the role's output, knowledge of After Effects (for motion graphics) and Premiere Pro (for video editing) would be highly advantageous.
Design Software: Familiarity with other design or prototyping tools may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

While not a primary focus for this role, an understanding of how design impacts social media analytics (engagement rates, click-through rates) is crucial. Familiarity with social media analytics dashboards (e.g., native platform analytics, third-party tools like Sprout Social or Hootsuite) could be a plus. CRM & Automation:
Not directly applicable to the core design function, but understanding how design assets are managed and deployed within client workflows or agency project management systems (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) is useful.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite. While this is a creative role, an awareness of performance metrics and digital asset management within client/agency workflows enhances a candidate's value.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Teamwork and Respect: A foundational value, emphasizing collaborative contribution and mutual respect within the creative department and across client teams.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Essential for navigating the dynamic nature of client projects and the social media landscape. This means being open to change and pivoting strategies as needed.
Proactive Challenge-Seeking: A drive to constantly look for new challenges and go beyond the expected, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Social Insight-Driven Creativity: A commitment to basing creative campaigns on data-informed social insights, ensuring relevance and impact.
Inclusivity: A strong commitment to creating a culture where people from all backgrounds feel included, accepted, and valued, as outlined in their "CODE."

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with Creative Supervisors, Head of Art, Creative Directors, and Client Service teams to ensure alignment on creative direction and client objectives.
Feedback Exchange: An open environment for constructive feedback, both giving and receiving, to refine creative output and foster professional growth.
Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of ideas, trends, and best practices within the design and broader creative team to elevate collective output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The agency's emphasis on teamwork, flexibility, and a proactive approach to challenges strongly shapes the collaborative environment. The explicit mention of "CODE" for diversity and inclusion highlights a commitment to building an equitable workplace.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Balancing Creative Vision with Client Demands: Effectively translating client briefs and brand guidelines into innovative yet compliant visual assets.
Adapting to Rapidly Evolving Social Media Trends: Staying ahead of the curve in visual styles, platform features, and audience expectations on social media.
Managing Multiple Projects and Deadlines: Juggling various client projects simultaneously, each with its own requirements and timelines, in a fast-paced agency environment.
Specialized Client Focus (Football): Developing a deep understanding of the visual language and audience nuances within the football industry to create authentic and impactful content.
Working in a Large Global Agency: Navigating the processes and communication channels within a large, international organization.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Skill Advancement in Digital Design: Opportunities to hone skills in motion graphics, UI/UX for social platforms, or advanced digital illustration.
Industry Conference and Workshop Participation: Access to events and training sessions to stay current with design trends and technologies.
Mentorship from Senior Creatives: Learning from experienced Art Directors and Creative Directors, gaining insights into strategic thinking and creative leadership.
Global Exposure through WAS Passport: Gaining diverse perspectives by working in different international offices, broadening creative horizons.
Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Understanding the broader marketing and strategy aspects of campaigns through collaboration with other departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a creative role in a large agency, with a specific emphasis on the dynamic nature of social media and the potential niche of sports marketing. The growth opportunities are well-defined, focusing on both technical skill enhancement and broader career progression within the agency.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"Describe your process for developing a visual concept from a client brief, especially when working with a brand you're not intimately familiar with." (Focus on: brief analysis, research, ideation techniques, concept refinement).
"How do you stay updated with the latest graphic design trends and social media visual styles? Can you give an example of a recent trend you’ve incorporated into your work?" (Focus on: proactive learning, trend analysis, application).
"Imagine a client brief for a major football match campaign. What initial visual ideas would you explore, and what platforms would you prioritize for your designs?" (Focus on: creative ideation, platform-specific thinking, understanding of sports marketing). Company & Culture Questions:
"What attracted you to We Are Social, and how do you see yourself contributing to our collaborative and adaptive culture?" (Focus on: alignment with agency values, understanding of company mission).
"How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs from senior team members or clients?" (Focus on: adaptability, receptiveness to feedback, problem-solving).
"Can you share an example of a time you had to work with a tight deadline or a challenging project scope? How did you manage it?" (Focus on: time management, resilience, problem-solving under pressure). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenge, your approach, the solution, and the outcome.
Highlight Relevance: Emphasize projects that showcase your skills in social media design, brand identity, and any experience with sports or football clients.
Showcase Your Process: Don't just show the final images; explain your thinking, sketches, mood boards, and iterations. This demonstrates your problem-solving approach.
Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Expect questions about your software proficiency and how you achieved specific visual effects.
Engage and Converse: Treat it as a discussion, not just a presentation. Be ready to answer follow-up questions and elaborate on your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design skill but also strategic thinking, adaptability, and a passion for social media and the specific client industry. The portfolio is the primary tool for showcasing these attributes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

Submit your application through the Workable application link provided.
Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features relevant work, especially digital/social media graphics and any sports-related design. Tailor your presentation to highlight your ability to create compelling visual concepts and execute them within brand guidelines.
Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly list your years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any specific achievements in creative agencies or relevant design projects. Use keywords from the job description.
Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, creative decision-making, and how you handle feedback. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving.
Company Research: Familiarize yourself with We Are Social's work, client roster, and company values. Understand their approach to social insights and creative campaigns. Research current trends in football marketing and social media visual communication.

⚠️ 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.

Graphic Designer