Graphic Designer (Maternity Cover)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (Maternity Cover)

Company: Swapfiets

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Job Type: Temporary

Category: Brand & Creative / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: November 5, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4-6 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive visual brand expression and create compelling content across diverse digital and print channels, including advertising, web, email, and retail materials.

• Collaborate closely with Content OPS, copywriters, and marketers to translate brand strategy into optimized, channel-specific designs for integrated campaigns.

• Elevate and maintain brand identity consistency through high-quality asset creation, embracing a fast test-and-learn approach.

• Partner with Content OPS and copywriting functions to streamline workflows, prioritize tasks, and ensure efficient campaign execution.

• Innovate and stay ahead of design trends to keep the Swapfiets brand fresh, relevant, and inspiring across multiple markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a maternity cover, indicating a temporary need for a skilled Graphic Designer. The emphasis on "Content OPS manager" suggests a strong integration with operations processes for content creation and campaign management, a key aspect for operations professionals seeking roles with a strategic, process-oriented focus.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate overarching brand strategy and creative direction into impactful graphic design solutions for digital advertising campaigns, landing pages, web banners, newsletters, email journeys, slide decks, retail materials, and OOH advertising.

• Develop and execute visually engaging designs that align with brand guidelines and are optimized for performance across various channels and international markets.

• Actively participate in ideation sessions and contribute to the shaping of creative concepts and campaign activations alongside the Brand & Creative team.

• Ensure brand identity is consistently applied and elevated across all assets, fostering a culture of continuous improvement through rapid testing and learning.

• Partner with the Content Operations Manager and Copywriter to effectively prioritize project pipelines and streamline design and content workflows for maximum efficiency.

• Continuously research and integrate emerging design trends, technologies, and best practices to maintain a modern, relevant, and inspiring brand presence.

• Manage relationships with external agencies and freelancers, providing clear design briefs, input, and constructive feedback to ensure high-quality deliverables.

• Confidently present design concepts, rationale, and outcomes to internal stakeholders, articulating how designs support business objectives and brand strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and operational collaboration, particularly the partnership with "Content OPS manager" and emphasis on "streamline workflows" and "prioritize projects." This indicates the role requires not just design skills but also an understanding of operational processes in content production and campaign management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Applied Arts, Communications, or a related field.

Experience: 4-6 years of professional design experience, with a proven track record in both agency and in-house environments, encompassing digital and print mediums.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Expertise in Figma for UI/UX design and collaborative workflows.

• Strong portfolio showcasing a balance of brand expertise, creative vision, and demonstrable commercial impact.

• Experience with headless CMS tools for building and managing landing pages; Framer experience is highly preferred.

• Acute attention to detail, with a strong understanding of photography composition, advanced typography, and the impact of design on cross-channel performance.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines, maintaining a positive and collaborative attitude.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with Celtra for performance ad creation and dynamic content optimization.

• Experience or aptitude in motion design and video editing (e.g., After Effects, Premiere Pro).

• Exposure to AI production tools (e.g., Weave, Higgsfield).

• Proficiency in Dutch, German, Danish, or French is a significant advantage.

• Trained illustrator skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for experience with "headless CMS tools" and "Framer" points towards a need for designers who understand content management systems and modern web development workflows, crucial for efficient digital operations. The emphasis on "performance across channels" and tools like "Celtra" indicates a focus on data-driven design and campaign optimization, aligning with revenue and marketing operations principles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that clearly articulates your design process, from concept generation to final execution, with a focus on problem-solving.

• Case studies demonstrating your ability to translate brand strategy into effective visual communication across digital and print platforms.

• Evidence of creating high-impact designs for integrated campaigns, showcasing an understanding of channel optimization and commercial objectives.

• Examples of work that highlight strong typography, composition, and a keen eye for detail in photography and layout.

• Projects illustrating experience with modern design tools and workflows, including Figma and potentially headless CMS integrations. Process Documentation:

• Showcase how you approach translating creative briefs into actionable design solutions, detailing your workflow and decision-making process.

• Provide examples of how you have collaborated with content strategists, copywriters, and operations managers to streamline creative production.

• Demonstrate your ability to adapt designs based on performance data and A/B testing feedback, reflecting a test-and-learn mindset.

• Illustrate your process for maintaining brand consistency across diverse assets and markets, including any systems or checks you employ.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that shows "commercial impact," "channel-optimised" designs, and a "fast test and learn mindset" suggests that Swapfiets values designers who understand the operational impact of their creative work. Portfolio examples should highlight process, collaboration, and results, not just aesthetics.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the role's seniority (4-6 years experience), hybrid work model, and location in Amsterdam, a competitive salary range for a Graphic Designer (Maternity Cover) is estimated to be between €45,000 - €60,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the Netherlands, considering the specialized skill set in digital design, CMS experience, and the temporary nature of the contract. The exact figure will depend on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and any additional language skills.

Benefits:

• Your own Swapfiets bike (lend-lease) – embrace the brand!

• 32 vacation days per year for excellent work-life balance.

• Pension plan and a discount on health insurance.

• Choice of a MacBook or Windows laptop for your work setup.

• Significant responsibility and challenging projects within a fast-paced environment.

• Travel allowance for commutes over 11 km (or use your Swapfiets!).

• Subsidized delicious lunch provided at the office.

• Access to Urban Sports Club for Business for health and wellness.

• Comprehensive learning programs, workshops, and inspirational talks through the L&D department.

• One paid day off per year for voluntary work.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with a hybrid arrangement allowing 2 days of remote work and a minimum of 3 days in the Amsterdam HQ office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for the Amsterdam market for a mid-senior level Graphic Designer on a temporary contract. The benefits are extensive, reflecting a company culture that values employee well-being and professional development, which can be a significant draw for operations professionals seeking a supportive work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Mobility Services / Subscription-based E-commerce. Swapfiets operates in the rapidly growing urban mobility sector, focusing on sustainable and convenient bicycle subscriptions, positioning itself as a leader in the "circular economy" for transportation.

Company Size: Growing startup with a significant international presence. Swapfiets has expanded rapidly across Europe since its founding, indicating a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.

Founded: 2014. Swapfiets was founded in Delft, Netherlands, and has since grown into a major player in the European bike subscription market, known for its distinctive blue front tire.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Brand & Creative team, which operates within a broader marketing or GTM (Go-To-Market) function.

• This team likely includes a Creative Lead, Content OPS Manager, Copywriter, and other content creators, working collaboratively.

• The role requires close interaction with various marketing departments, potentially including performance marketing, CRM, and regional marketing teams. Methodology:

• Swapfiets emphasizes a "startup mindset" characterized by agility, innovation, and a "fast test and learn" approach, particularly in creative execution.

• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the focus on "channel-optimized" designs and "performance ads."

• Collaboration is key, with cross-functional partnerships being essential for integrated campaigns and brand consistency.

Company Website: https://swapfiets.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Swapfiets' "blue tire movement" and mission to make cities more liveable and sustainable provide a strong purpose-driven context. The "startup mindset" and "fast test and learn" approach are critical for operations professionals to understand, as they imply a need for adaptability, efficiency, and a willingness to iterate quickly on processes and creative outputs.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-to-senior level within the Brand & Creative function, focusing on specialized design execution and campaign support. While not a direct "operations" role in the traditional sense (like RevOps or Sales Ops), it heavily intersects with operational processes for content creation and campaign deployment.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to a Creative Lead or Head of Brand, and works closely with the Content OPS Manager. This structure emphasizes a blend of creative direction and operational workflow management.

Operations Impact: The role's impact on revenue and business decisions is indirect but significant. High-quality, well-optimized creative assets directly influence brand perception, customer acquisition (through advertising and web content), and customer engagement (through newsletters and email journeys), all of which are critical drivers for a subscription-based business.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in digital design, performance marketing creative, and potentially motion graphics or AI-driven design tools.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to refining the creative workflow, particularly in collaboration with Content OPS, enhancing efficiency and output quality.

• Brand Stewardship: Play a key role in evolving and maintaining a strong, recognizable brand identity across multiple markets.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working with various marketing functions, understanding how creative integrates with broader GTM strategies.

• Temporary to Permanent Potential: While a maternity cover, exceptional performance could open doors for future opportunities within Swapfiets' growing creative or marketing teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, this role offers a unique chance to work at the intersection of creative excellence and operational efficiency. The growth path involves refining creative operations, understanding campaign performance metrics, and contributing to a scalable content engine.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at Swapfiets' HQ in Amsterdam, described as a vibrant office environment conducive to collaboration.

Office Location(s): Molukkenstraat, Amsterdam. This location is central to the company's operations and team interactions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, with a minimum of 3 days per week expected in-office to facilitate teamwork, ideation, and cross-functional communication.

• Creative Tools & Technology: Access to necessary hardware (MacBook/Windows laptop) and software (Adobe Suite, Figma) is provided. Exposure to modern CMS and potential AI tools is part of the environment.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with the Brand & Creative team, Content OPS, copywriters, and other marketing stakeholders is a core aspect of the daily work.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week, with the flexibility of 2 days working from home and 3 days in the office, allowing for focused work and in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model (3 days in office) is a significant aspect for operations professionals who often value structured in-person collaboration for process alignment and team building, while also appreciating the flexibility for focused, individual work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Application Review: Submitted via the hibob careers portal. Focus on a strong resume and portfolio link.

2. Recruitment Call: A brief screening by the recruitment team to assess basic qualifications, experience, and interest in the role.

3. First Job Interview: With the Creative Lead. This stage will likely assess creative vision, brand understanding, and cultural fit.

4. Design Case Study: A practical exercise where candidates demonstrate their design skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of Swapfiets' brand. This is a critical step to evaluate operational execution.

5. Final Interview: With the Head of Brand. This interview will likely focus on strategic alignment, long-term vision, and final decision-making.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process: Clearly illustrate your design thinking, workflow, and problem-solving approach for each project. Detail how you translated briefs into solutions.

• Highlight Performance: Include metrics or qualitative results if possible, demonstrating the impact of your designs on campaign performance, engagement, or brand perception. Use keywords like "conversion optimization," "CTR improvement," or "brand consistency."

• Emphasize Collaboration: If possible, mention how you collaborated with content strategists, copywriters, or operations managers on specific projects.

• Tailor to Swapfiets: Demonstrate an understanding of Swapfiets' brand identity, target audience, and mission. Show how your design aesthetic aligns with their "blue tire movement."

• Tool Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio visually represents your mastery of required tools like Adobe Suite and Figma, and mention any experience with CMS or performance tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully analyze the design case study brief, identifying key objectives, target audiences, and any constraints.

• Prioritize & Plan: Allocate your time effectively. Outline your approach before diving into design. Think about the operational steps involved in campaign creation.

• Articulate Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made specific design choices, linking them back to brand strategy, user needs, and performance goals.

• Present Clearly: Practice presenting your work concisely and persuasively, as you will likely need to pitch your design case to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "design case" is a key operational assessment. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase creativity but also their ability to execute efficiently, align with brand strategy, and understand the business impact of their design decisions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for core graphic design tasks (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Figma: Critical for collaborative design, UI/UX elements, and potentially prototyping.

• Headless CMS Tools: Experience is required, with Framer being a preferred platform for building landing pages and web experiences.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Understanding of how design impacts performance metrics (e.g., click-through rates, conversion rates) is crucial.

• Familiarity with analytics platforms to interpret design effectiveness is a plus. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM, understanding how design assets integrate into email marketing platforms and advertising campaigns is important. Specialized Tools (Bonus Points):

• Celtra: For building performance-driven ads and dynamic content.

• Motion Design/Video Editing: After Effects, Premiere Pro, or similar for dynamic visual content.

• AI Production Tools: Weave, Higgsfield, indicating an interest in leveraging emerging technologies for creative production.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Figma and headless CMS tools like Framer is a strong indicator of the company's modern approach to digital asset management and web development, which is highly relevant to operations professionals focused on efficient content deployment and digital experience optimization.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Creativity: A blend of artistic vision with a focus on measurable performance and user engagement. Designs are expected to not just look good but also perform effectively.

• Agility & Adaptability: Embracing a "startup mindset" means being comfortable with rapid iteration, quick turnarounds, and adapting to evolving priorities and market trends.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working together across functions (Brand, Content OPS, Marketing) to achieve unified campaign goals.

• User-Centricity: Creating designs that resonate with Swapfiets' target audience and contribute to a positive, "worry-free" user experience.

• Sustainability & Purpose: Aligning creative efforts with Swapfiets' mission to make cities more liveable and sustainable.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Workflow: The close partnership with Content OPS and copywriters suggests a highly integrated and collaborative workflow, where design is not an isolated function but a core component of content production.

• Feedback Loops: Expect regular feedback sessions and open communication channels to refine creative concepts and ensure alignment with brand strategy and campaign objectives.

• Shared Ownership: A culture where team members contribute ideas and take ownership of projects, fostering a sense of collective responsibility for brand success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "startup mindset," "fast test and learn," and close collaboration with "Content OPS" highlights a culture that values efficiency, adaptability, and a results-oriented approach, which are hallmarks of effective operations teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Quality: The "fast test and learn" environment requires delivering high-quality creative assets quickly, demanding efficient workflows and strong prioritization skills.

• Multi-Market Adaptation: Translating brand strategy into effective designs for diverse international markets, considering cultural nuances and channel specifics.

• Evolving Brand Identity: Contributing to the continuous evolution of Swapfiets' brand identity while maintaining consistency across all touchpoints.

• Managing Freelance/Agency Relationships: Effectively briefing, managing, and providing feedback to external creative partners to ensure brand alignment and quality.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Performance Creative Expertise: Deepen understanding of how design impacts campaign performance and learn to optimize creative for specific KPIs.

• Emerging Technologies: Gain hands-on experience with modern design tools, AI production tools, and potentially motion graphics.

• Cross-Functional Insights: Learn about broader marketing strategies, campaign operations, and GTM planning through close collaboration.

• Brand Strategy Contribution: Influence and shape the visual direction of a rapidly growing, purpose-driven brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations-minded candidates, the challenges present opportunities to apply process optimization skills to creative workflows, improve cross-functional communication, and contribute to scalable creative production.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for translating a creative brief into a campaign concept and final assets, especially under tight deadlines." (Focus on workflow, prioritization, and tool usage.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple channels and markets, and what role does collaboration with operations teams play in this?" (Highlight your understanding of brand governance and cross-functional partnerships.)

• "Walk us through a project where your design significantly contributed to a campaign's success. What metrics did you focus on, and how did you achieve those results?" (Prepare a case study demonstrating ROI and operational impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Swapfiets' mission and brand identity, and how do you see your design skills contributing to it?" (Research the company's sustainability efforts and target audience.)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a hybrid team environment, and what's your experience working with Content OPS or similar operational roles?" (Emphasize your teamwork and process-oriented mindset.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends, and how do you balance incorporating new trends with maintaining brand integrity?" (Showcase your proactive learning and strategic thinking.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a story that includes the challenge, your process, the solution, and the outcome.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs.

• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with others (copywriters, marketers, ops) and how that collaboration improved the final output.

• Showcase Tool Proficiency: Be ready to briefly discuss your use of specific tools like Figma, Adobe Suite, and any CMS experience.

• Address "Maternity Cover": Be prepared to discuss your commitment and approach to a temporary role, emphasizing your ability to hit the ground running.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to articulate how your design process integrates with operational workflows, especially concerning content creation, campaign deployment, and performance tracking. Highlighting experience with collaborative tools and process efficiency will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer (Maternity Cover) position:

• Submit your application through the provided hibob careers portal link.

• Tailor your Resume: Emphasize your 4-6 years of relevant design experience, highlighting specific achievements in digital and print, proficiency in Adobe Suite, Figma, and any CMS experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select projects that best showcase your brand expertise, commercial impact, and ability to create channel-optimized designs. Include case studies that detail your process and, if possible, performance results. Ensure your portfolio is easily navigable and visually appealing.

• Prepare for the Design Case: Understand that a practical design exercise is part of the interview process. Practice articulating your design choices, focusing on how your work aligns with brand strategy and drives business objectives.

• Research Swapfiets: Familiarize yourself with Swapfiets' brand, mission, values, and recent campaigns. Understand their unique selling proposition and target audience to better tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.

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