Brand Designer (9 month FTC)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer (9 month FTC)

Company: GoCardless

Location: Leeds, UK

Job Type: Temporary

Category: Brand Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-10T05:04:55

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive organic sign-ups by creating engaging paid and organic social media assets for the Global Growth team.

• Contribute to the evolution and enhancement of the GoCardless brand identity across various channels.

• Collaborate with marketing and content stakeholders to develop compelling acquisition and lifecycle marketing campaigns.

• Play a key role in product launch campaigns and design operations to optimize team workflows.

• Leverage AI tools to enhance design processes, generate assets, and act as a force multiplier in creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is for a Brand Designer, its placement within the Global Growth team and focus on acquisition campaigns suggests a strong overlap with Marketing Operations and a need for understanding GTM strategies. The emphasis on AI and design systems also points towards a forward-thinking approach to operationalizing creative processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute creative concepts for paid and organic social media campaigns, ensuring brand consistency and alignment with growth objectives.

• Design high-impact visual assets for digital advertising, landing pages, email marketing, and other acquisition channels.

• Collaborate with product marketing and content teams to translate complex product features and benefits into clear, user-centric designs.

• Create engaging visuals for product launch campaigns, events, and bespoke direct mail initiatives.

• Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of the GoCardless brand guidelines and design systems.

• Streamline design workflows and processes through automation, AI integration, and efficient asset management within the design operations function.

• Prepare and deliver production-ready assets for various media, ensuring quality and adherence to technical specifications.

• Maintain a keen eye for visual craft and attention to detail, consistently elevating designs to a high standard.

• Proactively identify opportunities for design innovation and process improvement within the Global Growth team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and operational efficiency, aligning with the need for a designer who can not only create but also optimize the design process, particularly within a growth-focused marketing context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific educational requirements are not detailed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for this experience level.

Experience: 2+ years of experience in brand design, graphic design, or a similar creative role, preferably within a fast-paced technology or VC-backed company, or a respected branding agency.

Required Skills:

• Figma Proficiency: Native-level expertise in Figma is essential for design creation, prototyping, and collaboration.

• System Design Thinking: Demonstrated ability to build and optimize design systems for scale, automation, and efficiency.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Strong command of InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop for asset creation and production preparation.

• AI in Design: Familiarity and enthusiasm for utilizing AI tools for asset generation, process acceleration, and creative exploration.

• Art Direction & Visual Taste: Discerning visual judgment and the ability to apply it across diverse channels and campaign types (social media, email, digital ads, events).

• Asset Production: Proficiency in preparing and delivering assets for various production needs.

• Brand Development: Experience in evolving and maintaining brand identity and guidelines.

• Growth Marketing Understanding: Ability to design assets that drive user acquisition and engagement.

• Collaboration & Communication: Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders effectively, with strong interpersonal skills.

• Business Acumen: Understanding of balancing creative execution with business objectives and user needs.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design Tools: Experience with After Effects, Jitter, Cavalry, Rive, or similar tools for creating micro-animations and interactive elements.

• Emerging Design Tools: Curiosity and willingness to explore and adopt new design technologies and workflows.

• UI/UX Principles: Understanding of user experience and interface design conventions.

• Fintech/SaaS Experience: Previous exposure to the financial technology or Software-as-a-Service industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and design systems, coupled with AI integration, suggests the company is looking for a designer who can contribute to the operationalization of creative processes, not just execution. The "2-5 years" experience level inferred from the description aligns with a designer who is proficient but still growing, capable of taking on significant responsibility.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Include at least 2-3 detailed case studies that showcase your process and impact, particularly focusing on brand evolution, acquisition campaigns, or digital product design.

• Figma & Design Systems: Demonstrate your proficiency in Figma and your approach to building or contributing to design systems, highlighting efficiency gains.

• AI Integration: Showcase examples of how you've used AI tools to enhance design processes or outcomes.

• Cross-Channel Experience: Show versatility in designing for a range of media, including social media, digital ads, landing pages, and potentially motion graphics.

• Visual Craft: Ensure your portfolio consistently demonstrates a high level of visual quality, attention to detail, and strong art direction.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Optimization: Examples of how you've identified and improved design workflows for greater efficiency, potentially using automation or AI.

• System Implementation: Showcase contributions to or management of design systems, including how they ensure consistency and scalability.

• Performance Metrics: If possible, include metrics demonstrating the impact of your designs on campaign performance (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates).

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on efficiency, AI, and design systems, a portfolio that clearly articulates the "how" and "why" behind design decisions, with a focus on process and measurable outcomes, will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £43,200 - £64,800 per annum.

• Note: The final salary will be determined by factors such as geographic location, level of experience, interview assessment, and internal pay parity. Offers may not reach the upper limit of the stated range.

Benefits:

• Wellbeing: Dedicated support and medical cover.

• Work Away Scheme: Ability to work remotely from anywhere for up to 90 days per year.

• Hybrid Working: Flexible model with in-office days determined by the team.

• Equity: All permanently employed individuals receive company equity.

• Parental Leave: Tailored leave packages.

• Time Off: Annual holiday leave (location-based), supplemented by 3 volunteer days and 4 wellness days.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is typical for a Brand Designer with 2-5 years of experience in a major UK city like Leeds, considering the cost of living and industry benchmarks for tech companies. The blend of benefits emphasizes a modern, flexible, and supportive work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (Fintech), specifically focusing on global bank payments, direct debit, real-time payments, and open banking solutions. GoCardless operates in a highly regulated and competitive market, emphasizing trust, reliability, and innovation.

Company Size: GoCardless is a significant player in the fintech space, processing over US$130bn annually and employing a substantial number of people across multiple international offices. This scale suggests a company with established processes but also room for growth and individual impact.

Founded: GoCardless was founded with a mission to simplify payments for businesses globally, evolving from its early days to become a leader in open banking and direct debit solutions. This history indicates a company built on innovation and a commitment to solving complex financial challenges.

Team Structure:

• Global Growth Team: This role sits within the Global Growth team, indicating a focus on customer acquisition, retention, and overall business expansion.

• Design Team: The designer will be part of a broader design team, suggesting opportunities for collaboration with other designers (e.g., Product Designers, UX Designers) and access to shared design knowledge and resources.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role explicitly mentions close collaboration with content and marketing stakeholders, highlighting the importance of cross-functional teamwork in achieving GTM objectives.

Methodology:

• Product-Led Growth: GoCardless is described as a product-led company, meaning the product itself is a key driver of customer acquisition and retention. Design plays a crucial role in shaping this experience.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The mention of AI-powered solutions and optimizing payment success suggests a data-informed approach to business and product development. Designs are likely expected to be measurable and impactful.

• Agile & Iterative Processes: In a fast-paced tech environment, design processes are likely agile and iterative, with a focus on continuous improvement and adaptation.

Company Website: https://gocardless.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: GoCardless's position in the fintech sector means that brand perception, trust, and security are paramount. Designers must understand this context and ensure their work reflects these core values. The company's growth trajectory suggests opportunities for designers to shape brand narratives and visual strategies for a global audience.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Brand Designer with a Fixed-Term Contract (FTC) for 9 months, suitable for an individual with 2-5 years of experience. It offers a significant opportunity to contribute to a growing brand and gain exposure to a fast-paced fintech environment. The responsibilities suggest a designer who can work autonomously on key growth initiatives.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Design within the broader design team, while working closely with stakeholders in the Global Growth and Marketing departments. This structure allows for creative guidance and strategic alignment.

Operations Impact: The Brand Designer's impact is directly tied to the company's growth objectives. By creating compelling visual assets for acquisition and lifecycle marketing campaigns, the designer directly influences customer acquisition rates, brand perception, and ultimately, revenue. Contributions to design operations also improve the efficiency and scalability of the entire creative function.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI-driven design, motion graphics, and design system development. Exposure to various campaign types (acquisition, lifecycle, product launches) will broaden design experience.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining valuable experience in the thriving fintech sector, understanding its unique design challenges and opportunities.

• Portfolio Enhancement: The FTC nature allows for concentrated project work, leading to strong case studies for future roles. The opportunity to work on a global brand with significant scale provides substantial portfolio material.

• Potential for Full-Time Conversion: While an FTC, strong performance could lead to opportunities for full-time roles within GoCardless as the company continues to grow and evolve its brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an FTC role, the emphasis is on delivering tangible results and demonstrating adaptability. While it's a fixed term, the experience gained in a company like GoCardless, especially within a growth-focused team, is highly valuable for long-term career progression in design and marketing operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: GoCardless operates a hybrid working model. This means a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration. Specific in-office days will be determined by the team, suggesting a structured approach to hybrid work that prioritizes team cohesion and collaboration.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Leeds, UK. GoCardless also has offices in London, UK, and internationally in Australia, France, Ireland, Latvia, Portugal, and the United States. The Leeds office likely serves as a key hub for local teams.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional collaboration suggest an environment where team members work together on projects, share ideas, and provide feedback, whether in person or remotely.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Suite) and potentially emerging AI design tools will be available. The company's investment in technology for payments and operations suggests a modern tech stack for all departments.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with marketing, content, and other design team members, fostering a supportive and dynamic creative atmosphere.

Work Schedule: The role is approximately 40 hours per week, with the flexibility offered by the hybrid model. This allows for focused work periods, whether at home or in the office, and integration with personal life.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Leeds is designed to balance flexibility with the benefits of in-person collaboration, crucial for creative teams. Candidates should be prepared to work effectively both independently and as part of a team in a shared office space and remotely.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio by the Talent Partner to assess alignment with the role requirements. Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they don't meet every criterion.

• First Interview: Likely with a hiring manager or senior member of the design/marketing team. This will focus on your experience, design approach, understanding of brand strategy, and how you've used key tools like Figma and AI. Portfolio walkthroughs are common here.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a short design exercise or present a more in-depth case study from your portfolio, demonstrating your problem-solving skills, creative process, and ability to translate complex briefs into effective designs. This might involve a hypothetical scenario related to GoCardless's growth objectives.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a wider panel including cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., marketing leads) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and overall strategic thinking.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best align with the job description's requirements, especially focusing on brand evolution, acquisition campaigns, and your use of Figma and AI.

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each case study – from brief understanding and research to ideation, execution, and iteration. Explain the "why" behind your decisions.

• Showcase AI & Systems: Specifically call out how you've leveraged AI tools or contributed to design systems, detailing the benefits and outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics or evidence of your design's success (e.g., engagement rates, conversion improvements, brand consistency achieved).

• Visual Quality: Ensure your portfolio is visually polished, well-organized, and easy to navigate. Pay attention to presentation details.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand GoCardless: Research GoCardless's mission, values, target audience, and current marketing efforts. Understand their position in the fintech market.

• Anticipate Growth Challenges: Think about how design can support a company focused on organic sign-ups and global expansion.

• Prepare AI & Figma Examples: Be ready to discuss your experience with AI in design and demonstrate your Figma skills, possibly through a live exercise or detailed walkthrough.

• Articulate Your Value: Be prepared to explain how your skills and experience can directly contribute to the Global Growth team's objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI and design systems in the job description suggests that interviewers will be looking for candidates who can demonstrate not only creative talent but also a strategic, process-oriented approach to design that drives efficiency and scalability.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool for UI/UX, prototyping, and collaboration. Expect to use it extensively for creating assets and managing design systems.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and icon creation.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and creating raster-based assets.
  • InDesign: For layout design, preparing print-ready assets, and potentially more complex document design.

• AI Design Tools: A broad category, but candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with tools for:

  • Asset Generation: e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion.
  • Process Acceleration: AI-powered features within existing design tools or specialized plugins.
  • Workflow Automation: Tools that integrate AI to streamline repetitive tasks.

Analytics & Reporting (Indirect Relevance):

CRM & Automation (Indirect Relevance):

• Familiarity with marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) or CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) can help designers understand campaign contexts and create assets that integrate seamlessly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and AI tools indicates a modern design stack. Proficiency in these areas, along with a willingness to explore emerging technologies, is crucial. The company's fintech focus implies a need for precision and reliability in all digital assets.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Start with Why: Designs should always be grounded in understanding the business objective and user need, ensuring alignment with GoCardless's mission.

• Make It Happen: A proactive, results-oriented approach is expected, with a focus on delivering high-quality assets efficiently and taking personal accountability for outcomes.

• Act with Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in design, ensuring brand messaging is honest and transparent, and respecting user data privacy.

• Care Deeply: Demonstrating a genuine care for the user experience, the quality of the work, and the success of the team and company.

• Be Humble: A collaborative and open attitude, willing to learn from others, accept feedback, and contribute to team success without ego.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close partnership with marketing, content, and other design teams is essential. This involves active listening, clear communication, and a willingness to find common ground.

• Feedback-Driven: An environment where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged to improve designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and new techniques, particularly around AI and design systems, to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

• Efficiency-Focused: A collective drive to optimize workflows and leverage tools (like AI and design systems) to maximize output and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: GoCardless's values are deeply embedded in their culture. Demonstrating an understanding and embodiment of these values, particularly "Make it Happen," "Care Deeply," and "Be Humble," will be key to cultural fit. The emphasis on efficiency and AI suggests a team that values innovation and smart working.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Quality: As a Brand Designer on a growth team, you'll need to produce high-quality work quickly to meet campaign deadlines, requiring efficient workflows and strong prioritization skills.

• Evolving AI Landscape: Keeping pace with the rapid advancements in AI design tools and integrating them effectively and ethically into the design process can be challenging.

• Brand Consistency Across Channels: Ensuring a cohesive brand experience across diverse marketing channels and campaigns requires meticulous attention to detail and robust design systems.

• Stakeholder Management: Effectively managing expectations and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders with potentially different priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Deepen your expertise in AI tools and their application in branding and marketing, potentially becoming a go-to resource within the team.

• Design Systems Mastery: Gain hands-on experience in building, maintaining, and scaling design systems for a growing global brand.

• Growth Marketing Insights: Develop a stronger understanding of growth marketing strategies, campaign optimization, and how design contributes directly to business objectives.

• Fintech Industry Knowledge: Acquire valuable insights into the unique design considerations and challenges within the fintech sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The FTC nature of the role means that challenges are often framed as opportunities for rapid learning and contribution. Candidates who are adaptable and eager to learn will thrive. The company's commitment to innovation, particularly with AI, provides a fertile ground for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a brand campaign from initial brief to final asset production, focusing on efficiency and impact." (Prepare to discuss your workflow, tool usage, and how you ensure strategic alignment.)

• "How have you used AI tools in your design process, and what were the results? What are your thoughts on the future of AI in brand design?" (Be ready to share specific examples and demonstrate enthusiasm for AI's potential.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple channels and campaigns, especially when working under tight deadlines?" (Discuss your approach to brand guidelines, asset libraries, and design systems.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about GoCardless and our mission in the fintech space?" (Research their values, products, and recent news.)

• "How do you align your design decisions with business objectives and user needs?" (Connect your work to tangible outcomes and GoCardless's goals.)

• "Describe a time you had to manage multiple projects and stakeholders with competing priorities. How did you handle it?" (Prepare an example showcasing your project and stakeholder management skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as narratives – problem, solution, outcome. Clearly articulate the challenge, your role, your process, and the measurable results.

• Focus on Relevance: Highlight projects that directly address the requirements of this Brand Designer role (growth campaigns, social media assets, AI usage, design systems).

• Demonstrate Tools: Be ready to show your Figma files, demonstrating your proficiency and organizational skills. If discussing AI, show examples of generated assets or explain the workflow.

• Visual Polish: Ensure your presentation itself is visually appealing and reflects your design sensibility.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice presenting your key projects within a set timeframe (e.g., 15-20 minutes).

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a designer who is not only creatively skilled but also process-oriented, adaptable, and understands how design contributes to business growth. Demonstrating your strategic thinking and collaborative spirit will be as important as showcasing your visual craft.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer (9 month FTC) position:

• Submit your application through the GoCardless careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your experience in brand development, acquisition campaigns, social media asset creation, and your proficiency with Figma and AI tools. Ensure case studies clearly articulate your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize relevant experience, skills (Figma, Adobe Suite, AI), and achievements that align with the job description, particularly any experience in fast-paced tech environments or with growth-focused marketing.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, showcasing your portfolio with confidence, and preparing answers to common interview questions about strategy, collaboration, and your approach to using AI in design.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research GoCardless, its mission, values, products, and recent marketing initiatives. Understand their position in the fintech industry and the specific goals of the Global Growth team.

⚠️ 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.