Senior Graphic Designer (m/w/d) at Ströer SE & Co. KGaA (Ströer Gruppe)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer (m/w/d)

Company: Ströer SE & Co. KGaA (Ströer Gruppe)

Location: Hamburg, Germany

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Graphic Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-16

Experience Level: 3-5 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🎨 Role Summary

Lead the evolution and application of the corporate design for a major out-of-home media company, focusing on large-format advertising and digital screens.
Drive the conceptualization and execution of diverse marketing and sales collateral, including brochures, presentations, videos, and digital assets.
Apply advanced skills in image manipulation, photomontage, and final artwork creation to produce high-impact visuals for large-scale media.
Collaborate with national and international teams, providing creative direction and design solutions that align with global brand standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: Inferred that the role requires a strong understanding of large-format design principles and the ability to adapt creative concepts for both physical and digital out-of-home media, given the company's focus. The international aspect suggests a need for cultural sensitivity in design execution.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

Serve as a brand ambassador, ensuring consistent and impactful application of the corporate design across all media and materials.
Conceive, design, and produce a range of sales and marketing materials, including print collateral, digital mailouts, presentations, and promotional videos.
Perform expert image retouching, complex photomontages, and precise final artwork for diverse advertising formats.
Manage and archive campaign photos, ensuring high-quality documentation and availability for future use.
Create engaging after-sales videos that effectively showcase campaign success and brand impact.
Provide creative support and design expertise to national and international teams, ensuring global brand alignment.
Actively contribute to the refinement of graphic design workflows, implementing innovative solutions for efficiency and modern design standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the "Senior" level and the responsibilities, inferred that this role involves not just execution but also strategic thinking around brand application and process improvement within the design team. The emphasis on video production suggests a need for motion graphics or video editing skills beyond static design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Media Design, or a comparable qualification.

Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in a media, creative, or advertising agency environment, with a strong portfolio showcasing diverse graphic design projects, including large-format or advertising-related work.

Required Skills:

Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro.
Strong understanding of corporate design principles and brand management across various channels.
Proven ability in visual communication, layout, typography, and color theory.
Experience in image retouching, photo editing, and creating final artwork for print and digital.
Proficiency in creating and editing video content for marketing purposes.
Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong team collaboration and communication skills.
Business fluency in both German and English.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with large-format printing and digital out-of-home (DOOH) design considerations.
Knowledge of motion graphics or animation software (e.g., After Effects).
Familiarity with project management tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Assumed a Bachelor's degree or equivalent based on the Senior level requirement. Specified relevant Adobe Creative Suite programs and emphasized the need for experience in an agency setting to align with the fast-paced, client-focused nature of advertising. Added preferred skills relevant to the company's industry and media types.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design projects, including examples of corporate design application, marketing collateral, and potentially large-format or out-of-home advertising designs.
Case studies that clearly articulate your design process, from initial concept and research through iteration and final execution.
High-quality visual presentation of your work, demonstrating attention to detail and aesthetic sensibility.
Include examples of image retouching, photomontage, and final artwork to demonstrate technical proficiency.

Process Documentation:

Document your approach to understanding project briefs and conducting initial research relevant to the design challenge.
Showcase your ideation process, including sketches, wireframes, or mood boards, and explain your iterative design methods.
Describe how you incorporate feedback and validate design decisions throughout the project lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: Inferred the need for a strong portfolio with process documentation, which is standard for Senior-level design roles. Emphasized case studies and process to demonstrate strategic thinking and problem-solving skills beyond just visual execution. Highlighted the relevance of large-format or advertising examples.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on research for Senior Graphic Designer salaries in Hamburg, Germany, with 3-5 years of experience, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between €50,000 and €70,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Hamburg, the Senior level of the role, and typical compensation standards in the German advertising and media industry. Actual salary may vary based on experience, specific skills, and negotiation.

Benefits:

Attractive salary package commensurate with experience and the Senior level of the role.
Flexible working hours to support work-life balance and creative workflow.
Hybrid work model offering a mix of home office and in-office work.
30 days of paid vacation annually, with the option for unpaid leave if needed.
Comprehensive onboarding process to ensure a smooth integration into the team and company culture.
Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning through the Ströer Academy.
Modern work equipment to support efficient and effective design work.
Participation in team events and activities that foster a strong team spirit.
Access to corporate benefits available to employees of the larger Ströer Group.
Workation opportunities (working from a location outside of the primary office for a temporary period).

Working Hours: Full-time position with flexible working hours, allowing for adaptation to project needs and personal schedules while maintaining a balance between office presence and remote work. Based on standard German full-time employment, this typically equates to approximately 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: Provided an estimated salary range based on market research for similar roles in Hamburg, Germany, considering experience level and industry. Detailed the provided benefits, highlighting those particularly relevant to design professionals like flexible work arrangements and professional development.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Advertising Services, specifically focusing on Out-of-Home (OOH) and Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) media. The industry is dynamic, driven by creative trends and technological advancements in large-format advertising.

Company Size: Part of Ströer SE & Co. KGaA, a large organization with over 11,500 employees globally.blowUP media itself operates internationally with a focused team size.

Founded: blowUP media has been an international expert in large-format outdoor advertising for over 30 years, bringing significant experience and presence in the market.

Team Structure:

The role is within the Graphic Design team at blowUP media in Hamburg.
The team collaborates closely with national and international colleagues.
Expect cross-functional interaction with sales, marketing, and potentially technical teams.

Methodology:

The design process likely involves understanding marketing objectives and translating them into impactful visual concepts for large formats.
Collaboration and feedback loops are crucial for developing effective advertising materials.
Emphasis on creating designs that are unmissable and serve as effective branding platforms.

Company Website: https://www.blowup-media.de/

📝 Enhancement Note: Provided context on the company's industry and its position within the larger Ströer Group. Inferred aspects of the design methodology based on the company's focus on large-format advertising and the need for strong brand representation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This is a Senior-level Graphic Designer role. It involves taking significant ownership of design projects, contributing to the evolution of the corporate design, and mentoring or guiding less experienced designers (though not explicitly stated, it's common at the senior level).

Reporting Structure: The role is part of the Graphic Design team, likely reporting to a Design Lead, Creative Director, or Marketing Manager, depending on the team structure within blowUP media.

Design Impact: Design plays a critical role in blowUP media's business, as the visual representation of brands on their large-format media is the core product. This role directly impacts the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and the overall brand perception of both blowUP media and its clients.

Growth Opportunities:

Potential for advancement to a Lead Graphic Designer or Creative Lead role within blowUP media or the larger Ströer Group.
Opportunities to specialize in specific areas like DOOH design, motion graphics for large screens, or advanced visual storytelling.
Development of leadership skills through guiding projects and potentially mentoring team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: Analyzed the career trajectory based on the "Senior" title and the responsibilities outlined. Inferred potential reporting structures and highlighted the significant impact design has in an out-of-home advertising company. Suggested realistic growth paths within the design field and the larger organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: The role is based in the Hamburg office, adopting a hybrid work model that combines in-office presence with remote work. The office environment is likely designed to facilitate creative collaboration and team interaction.

Office Location(s): Kehrwieder 8, 20457 Hamburg, Germany. Located in a central area of Hamburg, likely with good accessibility.

Design Workspace Context:

The office environment is expected to be conducive to creative work, potentially offering dedicated design workspaces and meeting rooms for collaboration.
Access to necessary hardware and software for high-level graphic design work.
Opportunities for spontaneous collaboration and feedback exchange with team members.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are offered, allowing designers to manage their schedules and creative flow effectively while ensuring coverage for team collaboration and project deadlines. The hybrid model provides flexibility regarding work location.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the hybrid model and the nature of design work, assumed the office environment is designed to support creative tasks and collaboration. Highlighted the benefits of flexible hours for a design role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

Initial application review focusing on resume, cover letter, and relevance of the design portfolio to the role requirements.
Potential initial screening call to discuss experience and interest.
One or more interviews with members of the design team, hiring manager, and potentially cross-functional stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your design process, specific projects from your portfolio, and how you approach creative challenges.
A design challenge or case study presentation may be required to assess practical skills and problem-solving abilities.
Final interview focusing on cultural fit, team dynamics, and long-term career goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate your portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to the responsibilities listed, especially those involving corporate design, marketing materials, and potentially large-format visuals.
For each project, clearly explain the problem you were solving, your role, your design process, the tools used, and the outcome or impact. Use the STAR method where applicable.
Showcase your technical skills in image editing, photomontage, and final artwork through specific examples.
If you have experience with video production or motion graphics, include examples of your work in this area.

Challenge Preparation:

Review the company's brand guidelines and recent campaigns on their website.
Understand the typical challenges in designing for large-format and out-of-home media.
Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale clearly and concisely.
Be prepared to discuss your approach to incorporating feedback and iterating on designs.

ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Corporate Design, Brand Management, Visual Communication, Marketing Materials, Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Image Retouching, Photo Editing, Final Artwork, Video Production, Team Collaboration, Creative Concept Development, Workflow Optimization, Large Format Design, Out-of-Home Advertising, DOOH, Hamburg, Germany, Senior Graphic Designer, Hybrid Work, Flexible Hours, Portfolio, Case Study, Design Process, Typography, Layout, Color Theory.

📝 Enhancement Note: Provided a standard design interview process and tailored portfolio review tips to the specific requirements of the role and company, emphasizing elements like corporate design and large-format experience. Included preparation tips for potential design challenges. Compiled a comprehensive list of relevant ATS keywords.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

Adobe Photoshop: Essential for image manipulation, retouching, and photo editing. Expect to use advanced features for high-quality visual output.
Adobe InDesign: Crucial for layout and production of marketing materials like brochures, presentations, and potentially large-format print files.
Adobe Illustrator: Used for creating vector graphics, illustrations, and logos, essential for scalable designs for large formats.
Adobe Premiere Pro: Required for editing and producing marketing and after-sales videos.

Collaboration & Handoff:

While not explicitly stated, industry-standard collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar platforms are likely used for team communication.
File sharing and version control systems are expected for managing design assets.

Research & Testing:

Specific tools for design research or user testing were not mentioned but may be utilized depending on project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Detailed the specific Adobe Creative Suite tools mentioned and provided context for their use in this type of role. Made reasonable assumptions about the use of standard collaboration tools based on typical agency/corporate environments.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

Emphasis on creating "unmissable" designs that stand out on large-format media.
Focus on transforming creative visions into strong brand identities.
Value placed on creativity, organization, and teamwork.
Commitment to continuous improvement and innovative solutions in graphic design processes.

Collaboration Style:

A dynamic team that values mutual appreciation and communication at eye level.
Strong team spirit with a willingness to go the "extra mile."
Openness to creative freedom and the ability to shape design approaches.
Regular interaction within the graphic design team and with national/international colleagues.

📝 Enhancement Note: Extracted key aspects of the company and team culture from the job description, focusing on values and collaboration styles relevant to a design role. Interpreted phrases like "unmissable" in the context of large-format advertising.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

Adapting designs effectively for a wide range of large-format physical and digital media, each with unique specifications and viewing distances.
Maintaining brand consistency across national and international campaigns while accommodating regional nuances.
Staying ahead of creative trends in the fast-paced advertising industry.
Optimizing design workflows for increased efficiency and incorporating new technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Opportunities to work with major brands and contribute to high-profile advertising campaigns.
Access to the Ströer Academy for professional development and staying updated on industry trends.
Exposure to international design projects and collaboration with diverse teams.
Potential for growth into leadership or specialized design roles within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identified potential design challenges based on the company's business model (large-format, international advertising). Linked these challenges to opportunities for skill development and growth within the role and company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

Be prepared to walk through your design process for a complex project from your portfolio, explaining your approach to concept development, iteration, and finalization.
Discuss how you ensure brand consistency and apply corporate design guidelines to diverse materials.
Explain your experience with image retouching and creating final artwork for print production.

Company Culture Questions:

Research recent blowUP media campaigns and be prepared to discuss what you find compelling about their visual communication.
Ask questions about the design team structure, collaboration methods, and how feedback is incorporated.
Inquire about the company's approach to sustainability in design and production, given their stated commitment.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Select 3-4 key projects from your portfolio that best demonstrate your skills in corporate design, marketing materials, and potentially large-format or video work.
Structure your presentation as case studies, clearly outlining the challenge, your process, key decisions, and the outcome.
Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your work, especially related to preparing files for large-format output or video.

📝 Enhancement Note: Provided targeted interview preparation advice, focusing on questions related to the core responsibilities and the company's specific focus on large-format advertising. Advised on portfolio presentation strategy tailored to showcase relevant skills and process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

Submit your application through this link
Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in graphic design, particularly with corporate design, marketing materials, and relevant Adobe Creative Suite tools. Use keywords from the ATS list provided.
Prepare your design portfolio, ensuring it includes relevant projects and clearly documents your design process through case studies.
Research blowUP media and Ströer Group to understand their business, brand, and recent work, which will be helpful for interviews.

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

Senior Graphic Designer (m/w/d)