Graphic Designer - Clay Hospitality

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Clay Hospitality

Company: Clay Hospitality

Location: Hoofddorp, North Holland, Netherlands

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: July 27, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive visual brand consistency and creative campaign execution across multiple hospitality and lifestyle brands.

• Develop compelling visual assets for digital, social media, and print marketing initiatives, ensuring alignment with brand identity and marketing objectives.

• Manage the end-to-end design process, from conceptualization and briefing to final production, including print-ready artwork.

• Collaborate closely with the marketing department and external partners, such as photographers, to translate brand stories into impactful visual narratives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job title is "Graphic Designer," the company's industry (hospitality & lifestyle) and the nature of the responsibilities suggest a strong integration with marketing and brand development functions. This role is positioned as a key contributor to the marketing department, requiring not just design execution but also strategic input on visual branding and campaign effectiveness. The emphasis on "bringing brands to life" and "developing strong campaigns" indicates a need for a designer with a strategic mindset, not just a technical skillset.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Maintain and evolve the house style for all Clay Hospitality brands, while proactively suggesting innovative design concepts.

• Translate creative briefs into powerful and detailed designs, ensuring meticulous attention to every element.

• Oversee all visual communications for the company's brands, ensuring a cohesive and appealing aesthetic.

• Craft visually engaging content that effectively communicates brand stories and resonates with target audiences.

• Manage the complete design lifecycle for projects, from initial concept development through to final print production.

• Contribute to brainstorming sessions for new concepts and collaborate effectively with photographers and other creative professionals.

• Design and produce a wide range of materials, including campaign visuals, social media content, digital advertisements, menus, and branding collateral.

• Ensure that all visual outputs are aligned with the strategic goals of the marketing department and the overall business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original description highlights "responsible for all visual expressions of our brands" and "translate our stories into strong visual material." These are expanded to emphasize strategic alignment with marketing objectives and detailed management of the entire design lifecycle, reflecting a senior or highly accountable role within the marketing function. The inclusion of specific output types like "digital advertisements" and "menus" adds concrete examples of design deliverables.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A completed degree in Graphic Design, Communication & Multimedia Design, or a comparable field. Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional work experience in graphic design.

• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple brand identities simultaneously. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Canva for quick and effective content creation.

• Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Proven ability to design for both online (digital advertisements, social media) and offline (print materials, menus) mediums.

• Strong understanding of branding principles and the ability to maintain brand consistency across diverse platforms.

• Excellent eye for detail, composition, and visual storytelling.

• Structured approach to work and ability to manage multiple projects efficiently. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the hospitality or lifestyle industry.

• Familiarity with basic motion graphics or video editing for social media content.

• Understanding of UI/UX principles for digital design elements.

• Experience collaborating with marketing teams on campaign development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original requirements mentioned "minimum 2 years relevant work experience" and "knowledge of Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud." These have been elaborated to specify the required software proficiency, the need for experience in both online and offline design, and the critical skill of managing multiple brand identities, which is crucial for a company with several distinct brands. The education requirement has been interpreted to include "bachelor degree" as a common standard for such roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of design projects, including branding, campaign materials, social media content, and print collateral.

• Demonstrated ability to translate creative briefs into visually compelling designs that meet specific objectives.

• Evidence of managing design projects from concept to completion, highlighting problem-solving and execution skills.

• Examples of how designs have contributed to brand recognition or marketing campaign success. Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of your design process, illustrating how you approach:

  • Initial concept development and mood board creation.

  • Iterative design refinement based on feedback.

  • Pre-press preparation for print projects.

  • Adaptation of designs for different platforms (e.g., social media aspect ratios, digital ad sizes).

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role, a strong portfolio is paramount. This section details what should be included, focusing on the breadth of work, the design process, and the impact of the designs. It emphasizes demonstrating the ability to handle diverse projects and manage the entire workflow, which is directly inferred from the responsibility of managing "the entire process, from scratch to print."

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: EUR 2,900 - EUR 3,678 per month (pro-rated based on hours worked, for a 38-hour week basis)

Note on Salary: The provided salary range is based on the input data, which indicates a monthly salary for a 38-hour work week. For this specific role, which is 16-32 hours per week, the actual salary will be calculated proportionally. For example, at 32 hours per week, the monthly salary would be approximately EUR 2,453 - EUR 3,075. This range is benchmarked against the Horeca CAO Function Group 7, which is typical for hospitality roles in the Netherlands.

Benefits:

• Salary in accordance with Function Group 7 of the Horeca CAO, adjusted proportionally for the weekly hours.

• Premium-free pension scheme facilitated by Zwitserleven, with the company covering contributions.

• Travel allowance of EUR 0.23 per kilometer for distances over 7.5 km one-way, capped at EUR 205.83 per month.

• Bicycle lease plan available through Lease a Bike after the probationary period.

• Employee discounts at Element by Marriott Amsterdam Hotel, Papa’s Beach House, Papa’s Loft House, and Courtyard by Marriott Amsterdam Airport.

• Complimentary fruit available in the office.

• Regular team activities, including an annual staff party, end-of-season BBQs, and other social events.

• Discounted overnight stays at all Marriott-branded hotels worldwide, a significant perk for travel enthusiasts.

Working Hours: 16-32 hours per week, with flexibility in distributing hours across the week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range has been explicitly stated and a note added to clarify how it's calculated based on the weekly hours. The benefits are listed as provided, with added context where necessary (e.g., proportionality of salary). The working hours have been clearly defined as per the job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Hospitality & Lifestyle. Clay Hospitality operates unique venues and lifestyle brands, focusing on inspiring guests to enjoy life sustainably. This industry context means a culture that values experience, customer engagement, and a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Company Size: The company operates multiple brands (Papa's Houses, Element by Marriott Amsterdam Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Amsterdam Airport), suggesting a medium-sized organization with distinct operational units. This size often allows for a close-knit team feel while having the resources to execute significant projects.

Founded: Not specified, but the company's focus on developing and managing brands implies a growth-oriented and entrepreneurial spirit.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing department, working closely with marketing managers and potentially brand managers.

• Collaboration is expected across different brand teams within Clay Hospitality, requiring the ability to adapt design styles for distinct brand personalities.

• The role likely involves direct interaction with operations teams at the various hotel and restaurant locations for specific design needs. Methodology:

• Emphasis on creating strong campaigns and developing new concepts, indicating a proactive and innovative approach to marketing.

• A "hands-on mentality" is a core value, suggesting a culture where team members are encouraged to be involved and contribute across various aspects.

• The company values a passion for hospitality, unique experiences, travel, and active lifestyles, which will likely be reflected in team activities and internal communications.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers company culture and team structure based on the company's industry, the number of brands it operates, and the stated values. The emphasis on "hospitality & lifestyle" and "developing and managing brands" points to a dynamic and experience-driven culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer, requiring 2+ years of experience and the ability to manage multiple brands and projects independently. It's a hands-on creative role with significant responsibility for visual brand representation.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to the Marketing department. This suggests a hierarchical structure within marketing, with potential for leadership roles in design or marketing coordination as experience grows.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, customer engagement, and the overall success of marketing campaigns. High-quality visual design is crucial for attracting guests, building brand loyalty, and differentiating Clay Hospitality's offerings in a competitive market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design areas such as digital marketing design, branding, or print production.

• Brand Management: Potential to take on more responsibility for the visual direction of specific brands within the portfolio.

• Creative Leadership: As experience grows, there may be opportunities to lead design projects or mentor junior designers within the marketing team.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Working across different hospitality brands provides broad exposure to various operational and marketing challenges within the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the career trajectory for a graphic designer within a hospitality group. It defines the current role's level, its impact on the business, and potential paths for advancement, emphasizing skill development and increased responsibility.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the company's office in Hoofddorp. The description mentions "free fruit in the office" and "activities with the team," suggesting a comfortable and collaborative office setting.

Office Location(s): Bosweg 15, 2131LX Hoofddorp, North Holland, Netherlands. This location is accessible for commuting within the region.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is likely dynamic, reflecting the fast-paced nature of the hospitality industry.

• Collaboration with the marketing team is a key aspect, implying an open and interactive workspace.

• Access to necessary design tools (Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva) and potentially modern office amenities is expected.

• The "hands-on mentality" suggests a team that is engaged and works together to achieve common goals.

Work Schedule: Flexible distribution of hours across the week, allowing for a good work-life balance, which is a significant advantage for creative professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the work environment is built upon the provided location and the general tone of the job posting, inferring a collaborative and dynamic office culture conducive to creative work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess suitability for the role.

• Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present your portfolio, discussing your design process, key projects, and how your skills align with Clay Hospitality's brands. Be prepared to explain your creative choices and problem-solving approaches.

• Skills Assessment: A practical design exercise or a case study might be part of the process to evaluate your technical skills and creative thinking under pressure.

• Cultural Fit Interview: An interview with the marketing team and potentially other stakeholders to assess your personality, work ethic, and alignment with the company's values and culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Effectively: Select your strongest and most relevant work. Showcase a variety of projects, including those that demonstrate your ability to manage multiple brand styles.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges you faced, and the outcome. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "design contributed to X% increase in engagement").

• Highlight Brand Adaptability: Clearly demonstrate your ability to adapt designs for different brands within the Clay Hospitality portfolio.

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly shows proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brands: Familiarize yourself with Clay Hospitality's brands (Papa's Houses, Element by Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott) and their current visual identity.

• Anticipate Design Tasks: Be ready for tasks that might involve creating social media graphics, a simple advertisement, or adapting existing designs.

• Focus on Brand Alignment: When undertaking any design challenge, prioritize consistency with the brand's established style and messaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, outlining a typical interview process for a design role and offering specific tips for portfolio presentation and challenge preparation, tailored to a hospitality context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential suite for professional graphic design, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Advanced proficiency is expected for creating detailed graphics, layouts, and branding assets.

• Canva: Required for efficient creation of social media content and other quick-turnaround visual assets. Familiarity with its collaborative features and templates is beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary tool for this role, an understanding of how visual content performs on digital platforms (e.g., through social media analytics, website engagement metrics) can be beneficial for informing design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core graphic design responsibilities, but awareness of how visual assets are deployed in marketing automation platforms might be useful for optimizing digital ad creative.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details the specific software tools mentioned in the job description, highlighting their importance and typical usage within a graphic design role, especially in a marketing context.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Passion for Hospitality: A genuine enthusiasm for creating exceptional guest experiences and contributing to a welcoming environment.

• Unique Experiences: A commitment to innovation and creativity in developing distinctive brand offerings and marketing campaigns.

• Sustainable Enjoyment: An appreciation for lifestyle and leisure that aligns with responsible practices.

• Hands-on Mentality: A proactive, engaged, and collaborative approach to work, where team members are willing to contribute beyond their immediate tasks.

• Teamwork: Valuing collaboration and shared passion among colleagues with similar interests (e.g., travel, sports, active lifestyle).

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with the marketing department, likely involving regular meetings and feedback sessions.

• Brand Alignment: Working with various brand teams to ensure design consistency and effectiveness across all communication channels.

• Creative Exchange: An environment that encourages sharing ideas, constructive feedback, and a collective effort to elevate the brands visually.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section synthesizes the company's stated values and implied collaboration style, translating them into specific expectations for a team member in this graphic design role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Multiple Brand Identities: Successfully maintaining distinct visual styles for different brands while ensuring overall consistency within the Clay Hospitality umbrella.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to the dynamic demands of the hospitality industry, which may require quick turnaround times for design requests.

• Translating Abstract Concepts: Effectively visualizing and communicating brand stories and lifestyle concepts through design.

• Balancing Creativity and Brand Guidelines: Finding innovative design solutions that adhere strictly to established brand guidelines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to refine skills in specific Adobe Creative Cloud applications or explore new design software.

• Brand Strategy Exposure: Learning how visual design contributes to broader marketing and brand development strategies within the hospitality sector.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of the latest design trends, particularly those relevant to hospitality, lifestyle, and digital marketing.

• Project Management: Developing skills in managing multiple design projects with varying deadlines and stakeholder requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges specific to the role and the industry, and outlines concrete learning and development opportunities that align with a graphic designer's career path.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to manage multiple brand identities simultaneously. How did you ensure consistency and distinctiveness?" (Focus on your process for brand guideline adherence and creative adaptation.)

• "Walk us through a campaign you designed from concept to completion. What was the brief, your approach, and the outcome?" (Prepare a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates your end-to-end process and impact.)

• "How do you approach translating a creative brief into a visual concept, especially for a lifestyle brand?" (Discuss your ideation process, research methods, and how you interpret subjective briefs.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about working in the hospitality and lifestyle industry, and specifically for Clay Hospitality?" (Research the company's brands and values. Connect your passion to their mission.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends, and how would you apply them to our brands?" (Show awareness of current aesthetics and how they can serve the hospitality sector.)

• "Describe your ideal work environment and collaboration style." (Align your response with the company's emphasis on teamwork and a hands-on mentality.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Storytelling: For each project, focus on the "why" and "how" – the objective, your creative strategy, and the results.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is visually clean and professional, reflecting your design skills.

• Brand Relevance: Highlight projects that demonstrate your understanding of branding and your ability to work with diverse brand aesthetics.

• Interactive Elements: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your design choices and be open to feedback or hypothetical design scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides tailored interview preparation advice, including specific question types, strategic approaches to answering them, and tips for presenting a portfolio, all aligned with the graphic design role and hospitality context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Clay Hospitality careers portal: https://clay.recruitee.com/o/graphic-designer-clay-hospitality.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to showcase work relevant to the hospitality and lifestyle industry. Highlight projects demonstrating brand consistency, campaign development, and digital/print design versatility.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly details your years of experience, proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva, and any experience managing multiple brands. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio and be ready to discuss your design process, creative problem-solving, and how your skills align with Clay Hospitality's brands and culture.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Clay Hospitality and its brands (Papa's Houses, Element by Marriott Amsterdam Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Amsterdam Airport) to understand their aesthetic, target audience, and values.

⚠️ 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.