Graphic Designer (Mid-Weight, 12-month contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (Mid-Weight, 12-month contract)

Company: Southern Cross Austereo (SCA)

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Job Type: Contract

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: April 21, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation of high-volume, brand-aligned creative assets across digital and print mediums to support SCA's leading media platforms, including Triple M, HIT networks, and the LiSTNR podcast network.

• Execute finished art and design solutions for a diverse range of projects, from social media graphics and signage to presentations, brochures, and video assets, ensuring visual consistency and quality.

• Collaborate within a fast-paced Sydney-based Creative Services team, working closely with senior creatives, marketers, and stakeholders to translate briefs into impactful creative outcomes.

• Contribute to brainstorming sessions and deliver innovative design solutions that align with creative and technical specifications, demonstrating strong attention to detail and production understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a 12-month contract position, requiring candidates to be comfortable with a fixed-term engagement. The emphasis on "high volume creative output" suggests a need for efficiency and speed in production, typical of a fast-paced media environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and produce a variety of creative assets, including social media graphics, digital banners, signage, presentations, brochures, and basic video assets, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines.

• Execute high-quality finished art for both digital and print channels, ensuring precision in layout, typography, and imagery.

• Collaborate with designers, marketers, and other stakeholders to understand project requirements and deliver creative solutions that meet brief objectives.

• Participate in creative brainstorming sessions, contributing fresh ideas and design concepts for campaigns and projects.

• Conduct quality checks on all creative outputs to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to technical specifications before final delivery.

• Learn and apply knowledge of digital, print, and video production processes within a media context.

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic, collaborative environment, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description implies a need for versatility across different asset types and mediums. Candidates should be prepared to work on a wide range of deliverables, showcasing adaptability and a broad skill set in graphic design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Demonstrated experience in creating digital assets for social media, web, and other online platforms.

• Proven ability to produce high-quality finished art for print collateral (e.g., brochures, signage).

• Strong understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, polished work.

• Ability to take direction from creative and technical briefs and translate them into design solutions.

• Strong collaborative and communication skills for effective teamwork.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects) for basic video asset creation.

• Familiarity with presentation design software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides).

• Knowledge of media industry trends and creative best practices.

• Experience working within a large media organization or with similar high-volume creative demands.

• Understanding of brand management principles and their application in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: While tertiary qualifications are preferred, the emphasis is strongly on practical experience (3+ years) and a demonstrable portfolio showcasing high-volume output. Candidates with strong practical skills and a portfolio that highlights their ability to produce diverse assets quickly will be highly competitive.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design work, with a specific emphasis on digital and print assets.

• Examples demonstrating experience in creating social media graphics, signage, brochures, and presentations.

• Case studies or examples of projects where attention to detail and quality control were critical.

• Visuals that illustrate the ability to work with established brand guidelines and maintain brand consistency.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to follow creative briefs and technical specifications accurately.

• Demonstrated process for quality assurance and final artwork checks.

• Willingness to learn and adapt to new production workflows and technologies within the Creative Services team.

• Understanding of how design assets integrate into broader marketing and campaign strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a portfolio that clearly demonstrates the candidate's ability to execute diverse design tasks efficiently and to a high standard, reflecting the "high volume creative output" mentioned. The ability to present and articulate the design process behind portfolio pieces will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• 9 Day Fortnight Trial: Offers a compressed work schedule, providing an extra day off every two weeks.

• SCA GIGs: Access to an internal talent development program designed for cross-skilling and career growth within SCA.

• Paid Parental Leave: 20 weeks of gender-neutral leave.

• Wellbeing Perks: Includes birthday leave, volunteering leave, and access to free and discounted concert and footy tickets.

• Free Coffee and Treats: Provided in the office.

• Salary Packaging: Opportunities for novated leasing and exclusive discounts.

Working Hours:

• Full-time, with a potential trial of a 9-day fortnight, suggesting flexibility and a focus on work-life balance. Standard office hours are expected, likely aligning with the Sydney business day.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical market rates for this role in Sydney, Australia. The benefits package is comprehensive, with several unique offerings like the 9-day fortnight trial and extensive wellbeing perks, which can be a significant draw for candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Entertainment (Audio Dominant)

SCA is a leading Australian media company, specializing in audio content through its Triple M and HIT networks, and its #1 podcast network, LiSTNR. This context means the company operates in a dynamic, fast-paced environment driven by content creation, audience engagement, and advertising revenue. The Creative Services team plays a vital role in supporting these efforts through compelling visual communication.

Company Size: Large (Likely 1000+ employees, based on industry norms for major media networks)

A large company size indicates a structured organization with established processes, multiple departments, and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration. For a Graphic Designer, this means working within a defined brand framework, interacting with various marketing and content teams, and potentially contributing to large-scale campaigns.

Founded: Southern Cross Austereo has a history dating back to the 1980s through its predecessor companies, evolving into the current entity through mergers and acquisitions. This history suggests a stable, established company with a deep understanding of the Australian media landscape.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Sydney-based Creative Services team.

• This team likely includes senior creatives, potentially art directors, and other designers, working collaboratively.

• The role involves close collaboration with marketing teams and other stakeholders across the business.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on brand-aligned campaigns and cohesive visual outcomes.

• Creative production processes involve translating briefs into finished art across various mediums.

• Collaboration is key, with a focus on turning ideas into high-quality creative results.

• A fast-paced environment necessitates efficient workflow and production.

Company Website: https://www.southerncrossaustereo.com.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on audio and its leading position in the podcast network (LiSTNR) suggests that while the role is graphic design, an understanding of how visual elements support audio content and brand storytelling would be beneficial.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Weight Designer

This level indicates a need for independent execution of design tasks, requiring minimal supervision for day-to-day activities. The role involves contributing to projects, supporting senior team members, and developing finished art with a strong understanding of production requirements. It's a stepping stone towards senior design roles.

Reporting Structure:

The Graphic Designer will report to a manager or senior creative within the Creative Services team in Sydney. They will collaborate closely with internal clients, such as marketing managers, content creators, and brand specialists, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills to manage stakeholder expectations and feedback.

Operations Impact:

The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts SCA's brand perception, campaign effectiveness, and overall visual communication. By creating compelling and brand-aligned assets, they contribute to audience engagement, promotional efforts for radio shows and podcasts, and the professional presentation of the company in digital and print spaces. Their work is crucial for translating brand identity into tangible creative outputs.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in digital and print design, potentially learning new software or techniques relevant to media production.

• Specialization: Potential to specialize in specific areas like social media design, motion graphics (if video asset creation expands), or finished art for large-scale print.

• Leadership Potential: While this is a contract role, strong performance could lead to opportunities for more senior or permanent positions within SCA's Creative Services or broader marketing departments. The "SCA GIGs" program also offers internal development pathways.

• Industry Exposure: Working within a leading media company provides exposure to the fast-paced media and advertising landscape, enhancing career prospects in the creative field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The contract nature of the role presents a unique growth dynamic. While immediate opportunities for long-term career progression might be limited, the experience gained in a high-volume, dynamic media environment is highly valuable for future roles in design, marketing, or creative production.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in Sydney.

The description highlights a modern office located in World Square, Sydney, emphasizing its proximity to public transport (Town Hall station) and amenities like cafes and dining spots. This suggests a professional, well-equipped, and convenient work environment designed for collaboration.

Office Location(s):

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The office is situated in the World Square precinct, a central business district location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role explicitly mentions collaborating closely with senior creatives, designers, marketers, and stakeholders. This indicates an open and interactive workspace designed to foster teamwork and idea exchange.

• Operations Tools & Technology: While specific tools aren't listed here, candidates can expect access to standard design software and hardware within a professional creative studio setting. The mention of digital, print, and video asset creation implies a need for robust creative technology.

• Team Interaction: The environment encourages hands-on involvement across various projects, facilitating regular interaction with team members and cross-functional colleagues.

Work Schedule:

The standard work schedule is likely full-time, aligning with typical business hours in Sydney. The mention of a "9 Day fortnight trial" suggests a progressive approach to work-life balance, where employees might work longer hours over 9 days to achieve an extra day off every two weeks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a modern office and collaborative environment suggests that candidates who thrive in team settings and enjoy a dynamic, amenity-rich urban workspace will be well-suited.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

The interview process will likely involve several stages to assess creative skills, technical proficiency, cultural fit, and suitability for a contract role.

• Initial Screening: Review of resume, cover letter, and portfolio link.

• Creative Assessment/Technical Interview: This may involve a discussion about portfolio pieces, a design test or challenge (e.g., a quick design task or problem-solving scenario), and assessment of technical skills in design software.

• Stakeholder/Team Interview: Meeting with members of the Creative Services team and potentially key marketing stakeholders to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with team dynamics.

• Contractual/HR Discussion: Final discussions regarding the 12-month contract terms, expectations, and benefits.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your best work that aligns with the job description, prioritizing digital and print assets, social media graphics, and finished art.

• Highlight Process: For each piece, briefly explain the brief, your creative process, the tools used, and the outcome. Emphasize how you met the project's objectives.

• Demonstrate Volume & Speed: Include examples that showcase your ability to produce creative work efficiently, reflecting the "high volume creative output" requirement.

• Brand Consistency: Ensure your portfolio includes examples where you have successfully worked within brand guidelines.

• Clarity and Navigation: Make sure your portfolio is easy to navigate, well-organized, and mobile-friendly if online.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Task Simulation: Practice creating various assets (e.g., a social media post, a simple brochure layout) under timed conditions.

• Brand Application: Be prepared to apply a given brand identity to a new concept or asset.

• Problem-Solving: Think about how you would approach common design challenges, such as tight deadlines, client feedback, or technical production issues.

• Brief Interpretation: Practice breaking down creative briefs to identify key requirements and constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of a "link to your folio" in the application instructions underscores the critical importance of a strong, well-presented portfolio. The tip about downloading and signing up for LiSTNR suggests that interviewers may inquire about personal listening habits and an understanding of the company's core product.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Adobe Photoshop: Essential for image manipulation, digital asset creation, and photo editing.
  • Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • Adobe InDesign: Key for layout design of brochures, presentations, and other print collateral.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the Graphic Designer role, but understanding how marketing campaigns are managed might be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Any experience with video editing or presentation software would be a valuable addition.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A drive to produce fresh, impactful design solutions that capture attention.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, sharing ideas, and working effectively with diverse teams.

• Quality & Detail: A commitment to producing polished, accurate, and brand-aligned work.

• Efficiency: The capacity to deliver high-volume creative output within fast-paced timelines.

• Adaptability: Willingness to learn new processes and tackle a variety of design challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role involves working closely with marketing, senior creatives, and other stakeholders, requiring clear communication and the ability to integrate design feedback into projects.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture of constructive feedback is implied, as designers will be taking direction from briefs and senior team members.

• Knowledge Sharing: The "SCA GIGs" program suggests a company culture that values internal development and skill-sharing, which likely extends to team interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: SCA emphasizes a culture that balances creative output with a supportive and collaborative work environment. Candidates should highlight their ability to work both independently on design tasks and effectively as part of a larger creative team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High Volume Production: The need to consistently produce a large quantity of creative assets within tight deadlines can be demanding.

• Diverse Project Scope: Managing a wide range of design deliverables across different mediums requires versatility and quick adaptation.

• Stakeholder Management: Balancing feedback and requirements from various stakeholders can be complex.

• Contractual Nature: Working on a 12-month contract requires adaptability and a focus on delivering immediate value.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunity to refine skills in digital and print design, potentially gaining experience with new types of assets or production techniques.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining hands-on experience in the fast-paced Australian media industry.

• Professional Network: Building connections within SCA's Creative Services and marketing teams.

• Internal Development: Access to the "SCA GIGs" program for cross-skilling and potential future career pathways within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they manage pressure, prioritize tasks, and maintain quality under tight deadlines. Highlighting a proactive approach to learning and development will be beneficial.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to produce a high volume of creative assets under a tight deadline. How did you manage your time and ensure quality?"

• "How do you approach translating a creative brief into a finished design, especially when dealing with multiple stakeholders and feedback?"

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio that required significant attention to detail. What was your process for ensuring accuracy?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for SCA, and what do you know about our brands like Triple M, HIT, and LiSTNR?"

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially when working on shared projects?"

• "What are your thoughts on the importance of brand consistency across different media channels?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each portfolio piece, tell a brief story: the challenge, your solution, your role, and the outcome.

• Metrics & Impact: Where possible, quantify the impact of your design (e.g., engagement rates for social graphics, successful campaign execution).

• Process Clarity: Clearly articulate your design process, from brief interpretation to final delivery.

• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss the software and techniques you used.

• Enthusiasm for SCA: Show genuine interest in SCA's brands and the media industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with Adobe Creative Suite in detail and to articulate your understanding of branding and visual communication within the media landscape. The mention of LiSTNR is a strong hint that personal engagement with the company's products will be a topic of discussion.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided careers page link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and cover letter clearly highlight your 3+ years of relevant experience and your ability to produce high-volume creative output. Tailor your cover letter to SCA and the specific requirements of this contract role.

• Portfolio Curation & Link: Prepare a strong portfolio that showcases your best digital and print design work, especially social media graphics, signage, presentations, and brochures. Ensure the portfolio link is prominently displayed and accessible.

• LiSTNR Engagement: Download and explore the LiSTNR app. Be ready to discuss your experience and impressions during the interview process.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Southern Cross Austereo, its brands (Triple M, HIT, LiSTNR), and its position in the Australian media market. Understanding their visual identity and campaign styles will be beneficial.

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