Graphic Designer (freelance/contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (Freelance/Contract)

Company: Spotlight Sports Group

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Temporary

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-06-24

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

Remote Status: Hybrid (with potential for remote work)

🚀 Role Summary

• This hybrid Graphic Designer role focuses on creating compelling visual assets for a leading media and technology company within the sports betting and racing industry.

• The position requires a versatile designer adept at producing both print and digital content, including newspaper visuals and dynamic motion graphics for social channels.

• A key aspect of the role involves maintaining and applying stringent company brand guidelines across all creative output to ensure brand consistency.

• Collaboration with senior stakeholders across various business units is essential, demanding strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title specifies "freelance/contract" and "temporary," the description emphasizes working closely with senior stakeholders and maintaining brand guidelines, suggesting a need for an integrated, though temporary, team member rather than a purely external, project-based freelancer. The "hybrid" nature also implies some on-site presence, likely for team collaboration and stakeholder meetings in London.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute creative design concepts for a wide array of print and digital materials, supporting the evolving needs of Spotlight Sports Group's business units.

• Produce high-quality, error-free design work at a rapid pace, ensuring strict adherence to established brand guidelines and the company's tone of voice.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, effectively balancing competing priorities and stakeholder expectations in a fast-paced environment.

• Design engaging visuals for daily newspaper publications, catering to editorial team requirements and readership engagement.

• Create dynamic motion graphics and visual content for social media channels, supporting marketing campaigns and audience engagement initiatives.

• Collaborate closely with editorial, marketing, and other internal teams to translate project briefs into visually impactful designs.

• Maintain a strong understanding of current design trends and best practices within the media and sports betting industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The prompt's core responsibilities are expanded to reflect the typical duties of a mid-level graphic designer within a media company, emphasizing the dual nature of print and digital output, stakeholder management, and brand consistency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating formal design training or equivalent practical experience is essential.

Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience, preferably within a business or agency environment, with a demonstrated ability to produce high-quality print and digital assets.

Required Skills:

• Expert Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Demonstrable advanced skills in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe After Effects.

• Motion Graphics Expertise: Proven ability to create engaging and professional motion graphics for digital platforms.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Strong capability to work within and maintain established brand styles and guidelines across diverse projects.

• Typography & Artworking Skills: Excellent typographic skills and high-level artworking abilities for meticulous final output.

• Print & Digital Design Acumen: Versatility in designing for both print mediums (e.g., newspapers) and digital platforms (e.g., social media, web).

• Time Management & Organization: Solid planning and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced setting.

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, essential for collaborating with stakeholders and understanding project briefs.

• Proactive & Creative Mindset: A confident, can-do attitude with a natural creative flair and the ability to generate strong, innovative design ideas.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the horseracing or sports betting industry.

• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS).

• Basic video editing skills beyond motion graphics.

• Understanding of UI/UX principles for digital asset creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are derived directly from the job description's "Key accountabilities" and "Requirements" sections, with "Motion Graphics" and specific Adobe Suite components highlighted as critical. Experience level is inferred from the "graphic design experience working in a business environment" and the need for stakeholder management.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a diverse range of high-quality print and digital design projects, demonstrating versatility and technical skill.

• Specific examples of work that adheres to strict brand guidelines and maintains a consistent tone of voice.

• Demonstrations of motion graphics projects, highlighting creative storytelling and technical execution for social media or digital campaigns.

• Case studies or examples of projects where the designer successfully managed multiple stakeholder expectations and delivered on time.

• Evidence of strong typographic and artworking skills through meticulously crafted final designs. Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly requested, candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, from brief interpretation and conceptualization to final delivery and revision cycles.

• Ability to articulate how they approach project management, time allocation, and stakeholder communication within a design workflow.

• Examples of how they ensure accuracy and error-free output in their design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a design role, the portfolio is paramount. The enhancement focuses on the types of projects and skills that should be represented in the portfolio based on the job description's requirements, emphasizing both technical execution and process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a temporary, freelance/contract role, compensation will likely be on an hourly or daily rate basis. Based on industry standards for experienced freelance graphic designers in London with expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and motion graphics, an estimated range could be £25 - £45 per hour, depending on experience and the specific scope of work.

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid model allowing for a mix of remote and on-site work in London.

• Project Variety: Opportunity to work on a diverse range of print and digital content for a leading media company.

• Industry Exposure: Gain experience within the dynamic horseracing and sports betting industry.

• Potential for Extension: The initial 2-month contract may be extended based on performance and business needs.

• Networking Opportunities: Collaboration with senior stakeholders across different business functions.

Working Hours: Full-time, five days a week. The role will involve some weekend and evening work as part of a rota, reflecting the fast-paced nature of media production. The initial contract duration is 2 months, with potential for extension.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on typical freelance rates for similar roles in London, considering the required skills and experience level. Benefits are extrapolated from the job description's mention of hybrid work and contract length.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Technology, specifically focused on Horseracing and Sports Betting. Spotlight Sports Group positions itself as a global leader dedicated to creating trusted, customer-driven experiences.

Company Size: Over 400 employees worldwide, indicating a significant, established organization with multiple brands and departments.

Founded: Over 40 years of heritage, suggesting a company with deep roots and expertise in its sector, now focused on bold innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the graphics team, working closely with senior designers and potentially a creative lead.

• Collaboration will extend across various departments, including editorial, marketing, and potentially product teams, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• The role implies working within a structured creative department that upholds company-wide brand standards. Methodology:

• Data-Informed Creativity: While not explicitly stated for design, the company's mission suggests that design decisions may be informed by audience engagement data and performance metrics, especially for digital content.

• Workflow Optimization: The emphasis on producing work "at pace" and managing "various stakeholders’ expectations" points to a structured workflow and project management approach within the creative team.

• Brand Consistency Focus: A core methodology will be the rigorous application and maintenance of company brand guidelines across all creative outputs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context is derived from the provided description, emphasizing its industry, size, and heritage, and inferring how these factors shape the team and its operational methodologies for a graphic designer.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Level (2-5 years of experience). It's a contract position, so it's not a traditional linear career path within the company but offers significant project-based experience.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Senior Graphic Designer, Creative Lead, or potentially a Head of Creative/Marketing Manager, depending on the specific team structure. They will also take direction from various senior stakeholders across different departments for project-specific needs.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts the company's brand perception, audience engagement, and the clarity/effectiveness of its content across print and digital platforms. High-quality visuals are crucial for attracting and retaining users in the competitive sports media landscape.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Diversification: Opportunity to expand a portfolio with diverse content types (print, social motion graphics) and potentially new media formats.

• Industry Specialization: Deepen expertise within the niche and fast-paced horseracing and sports betting industry.

• Professional Network: Build relationships with senior professionals and stakeholders within a prominent media group.

• Potential for Future Contracts: Strong performance could lead to extensions or future freelance/contract opportunities with Spotlight Sports Group or its sister companies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth analysis focuses on the unique aspects of a contract role: skill expansion through project variety and industry exposure, rather than traditional internal promotions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This implies a mix of remote work and on-site presence at the London office. The on-site component is likely for team collaboration, stakeholder meetings, and access to specific office resources.

Office Location(s): London, England, United Kingdom. Specific office address details are not provided but would be relevant for understanding commute and local amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and the need to work with senior stakeholders suggest a collaborative atmosphere where communication and team interaction are valued, even when not co-located.

• Technology-Rich: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially company-specific digital asset management systems.

• Fast-Paced Media Setting: The role operates within a dynamic media environment, requiring adaptability and quick turnaround times.

Work Schedule: Standard five days a week, but with flexibility built-in to accommodate potential weekend and evening work on a rota basis. This suggests a need for designers who can manage their time effectively to meet demanding publication and campaign schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" work arrangement is a key detail, and the description elaborates on what this typically means for a creative professional in terms of collaboration and resource access.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of CV and portfolio for essential skills and experience.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: A more in-depth discussion of the candidate's portfolio, focusing on specific projects, design process, and technical proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and motion graphics. This may include practical design exercises or a short creative brief.

• Stakeholder/Team Interview: Meeting with the hiring manager and potentially other senior stakeholders to assess cultural fit, communication skills, and ability to manage expectations in a fast-paced environment.

• Technical/Briefing Session: A final discussion or task to gauge understanding of brand guidelines and ability to execute on specific project types relevant to Spotlight Sports Group.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize those demonstrating print and digital design, motion graphics, and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Showcase Process: For key projects, briefly explain your thought process, problem-solving approach, and how you incorporated stakeholder feedback.

• Highlight Impact: If possible, quantify the impact of your designs (e.g., increased engagement on social media, successful campaign metrics).

• Demonstrate Versatility: Ensure your portfolio clearly shows your range of skills, from detailed artworking to dynamic motion graphics.

• Keep it Concise: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most impactful elements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Brand Guideline Exercise: Be ready to discuss how you interpret and apply brand guidelines. You might be given a small exercise or asked to critique existing company materials.

• Motion Graphics Sample: Prepare to talk through a motion graphics piece, explaining your creative choices and technical approach.

• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Think about how you handle conflicting feedback or tight deadlines from different stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a graphic design role, focusing on portfolio presentation, technical skills, and the kind of challenges a candidate might face in a media company interview process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency is mandatory.

  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, illustrations, and print layout elements.
  • Adobe After Effects: For motion graphics, animation, and visual effects.

• Other Adobe Tools: Familiarity with Adobe Premiere Pro (for video editing) and Adobe InDesign (for print layout) would be highly beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary requirement for the designer, an understanding of how design performance is measured (e.g., social media engagement rates, click-through rates for digital ads) can be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary tools are explicitly mentioned in the job description. Other Adobe products are included as likely beneficial due to the nature of the work.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A drive to produce fresh, engaging visual content that stands out.

• Collaboration & Communication: Working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders, sharing ideas, and providing clear updates.

• Quality & Precision: A commitment to delivering error-free, high-quality work that upholds brand standards.

• Adaptability & Pace: Ability to thrive in a fast-moving media environment, managing multiple projects and delivering under pressure.

• Customer-Centricity: Creating designs that resonate with the target audience of racing and sports betting fans.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The designer will be a key collaborator with editorial, marketing, and potentially other teams, requiring active participation in project discussions and feedback loops.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: Openness to receiving and acting on constructive feedback from stakeholders to refine designs.

• Shared Creative Vision: Contributing to and aligning with the overall creative direction and brand messaging of Spotlight Sports Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: Values and collaboration style are inferred from the company's mission statement, the role's responsibilities (stakeholder management, brand consistency), and the general demands of a creative role in a media company.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Environment: Meeting tight deadlines for daily publications and ongoing campaigns requires efficient workflow and time management.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Juggling requests and feedback from multiple senior stakeholders with potentially differing priorities.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Applying brand guidelines accurately across a wide variety of content types and platforms.

• Adapting to Industry Trends: Staying current with design trends, particularly in the rapidly evolving sports media and betting landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Immersion: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the horseracing and sports betting market, its audience, and its visual language.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Adding diverse and high-impact projects to a professional portfolio.

• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Understanding the needs and workflows of editorial and marketing teams.

• Mentorship (Informal): Learning from senior creative professionals and stakeholders within a reputable media organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are derived from the job description's emphasis on pace, stakeholder management, and brand adherence. Growth opportunities are framed around the unique benefits of a contract role in a specialized industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Can you walk us through a project in your portfolio where you had to strictly adhere to brand guidelines, and how you ensured consistency across different media?" (Focus on brand adherence, process)

• "Describe a time you received conflicting feedback from multiple stakeholders on a design. How did you manage this and arrive at a final solution?" (Focus on stakeholder management, problem-solving)

• "How do you approach creating motion graphics for social media to maximize audience engagement?" (Focus on creative strategy, technical application)

• "Given our focus on horseracing and sports betting, what visual elements do you think are most important for engaging this audience?" (Focus on industry understanding, creative insight) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Spotlight Sports Group and our brands like Racing Post?" (Demonstrate research, interest)

• "How do you see your creative style fitting into our brand and the fast-paced media environment?" (Assess cultural fit, adaptability)

• "What are your expectations regarding collaboration and feedback in a hybrid work setting?" (Assess communication, team orientation) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with your most relevant and impressive projects (print, digital, motion graphics).

• Tell the Story: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges, and the outcome.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Be ready to discuss the software and techniques used, especially for motion graphics.

• Emphasize Brand Adherence: Show examples where you successfully applied specific brand guidelines.

• Be Prepared for a Quick Task: Have a concept or rough idea ready if asked to briefly sketch out a response to a hypothetical brief.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are designed to probe the core requirements of the role: technical skills, brand management, stakeholder interaction, and industry relevance, with specific advice for portfolio presentation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this graphic design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples of print design, digital content creation, and motion graphics. Tailor any accompanying case studies to highlight your ability to work within brand guidelines and manage project timelines.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects. Quantify your experience where possible (e.g., "5 years of experience in digital content design"). Highlight any experience in media, sports, or betting industries.

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your portfolio projects, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and how you handle feedback and deadlines. Be ready to articulate your understanding of the company and its brand.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Spotlight Sports Group's brands (e.g., Racing Post, Pickswise) and understand their target audience and current visual identity. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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