Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer Company: GoCardless Location: Lisbon, Portugal Job Type: Full-Time Category: Marketing Operations / Brand & Creative Operations Date Posted: August 12, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive brand evolution and execute impactful marketing campaigns through exceptional visual design and strategic art direction.
• Develop and maintain scalable brand design systems leveraging tools like Figma, optimizing for automation and efficiency in creative operations.
• Integrate AI tools into the design workflow to enhance asset generation, expedite processes, and foster innovation in creative output.
• Translate complex business and product concepts into clear, user-centric designs that strengthen brand perception and user engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core responsibilities align with a Brand Designer role, the emphasis on "design systems that optimise for scale and automation," "AI," and "design operations" indicates a strong connection to operational efficiency within the creative function, positioning this role within the broader Marketing Operations or Creative Operations spectrum.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the visual identity and brand expression across all GoCardless marketing and communication channels, ensuring consistency and impact.
• Design and produce high-quality creative assets for global marketing campaigns, including digital ads, landing pages, email nurtures, and event collateral.
• Collaborate with marketing, product, and engineering teams to ensure brand alignment and effective visual communication for product launches and feature updates.
• Develop and manage brand guidelines, ensuring adherence across all internal and external touchpoints and providing clear direction for design implementation.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and workflows, identifying opportunities for greater efficiency and innovation within the creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description highlights responsibilities that extend beyond traditional brand design, including "optimizing how we work" (design operations) and leveraging AI for process acceleration. This suggests the role requires a strong operational mindset within the creative function, focusing on scalable and efficient design practices.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional design experience, preferably within a technology company or a reputable branding agency, with a proven track record of impactful brand design.

Required Skills:

• Figma Proficiency: Native fluency in Figma for interface design, prototyping, and building scalable design systems.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Strong command of InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop for asset creation, production, and preparing files for various outputs.
• AI in Design: Familiarity and enthusiasm for utilizing AI tools (e.g., Midjourney, Runway) to generate assets, expedite workflows, and explore new creative possibilities.
• Art Direction & Visual Taste: Discerning visual judgment to apply across diverse campaign types, ensuring high aesthetic quality and brand consistency.
• Brand System Development: Experience in creating and implementing design systems that support brand scalability and operational efficiency.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design Tools: Experience with After Effects, Jitter, or Rive for creating micro-animations and interactive elements.
• Emerging Design Tools: Curiosity and willingness to explore and adopt new design technologies and workflows (e.g., ChatGPT, Spline, Figma Make).
• User-Centric Design Principles: Ability to translate complex concepts into simple, user-friendly designs that enhance customer experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, AI tools, and the desire for candidates "excited about building brand design systems that optimise for scale and automation" strongly suggests a need for skills in operationalizing design processes, which is a key aspect of revenue and marketing operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating a high level of design craft and strategic thinking across a variety of channels and media types.
• Brand System Examples: Include examples of how you have built or contributed to design systems, highlighting their scalability and impact on workflow efficiency.
• AI Integration: Present projects where AI tools were used to enhance the design process or output, explaining the methodology and results.
• Problem/Solution Focus: Clearly articulate the design challenge, your process, and the measurable impact of your solutions, particularly in relation to business objectives or user experience improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how to document design processes, including asset handoff procedures, style guide creation, and version control for design assets.
• Showcase examples of workflow optimization, such as templating, automation, or streamlined asset production that contribute to operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on scalability, automation, and design operations, a portfolio that explicitly demonstrates an understanding of process efficiency and the application of systematic approaches to design challenges will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €32,800 - €49,200 annually. This range is determined by factors including geography, experience level, interview performance, and internal pay equity.

Benefits:

• Wellbeing Support: Dedicated resources and medical cover to support employee health and wellness.
• Work Away Scheme: Flexibility to work remotely from anywhere for up to 90 days within a 12-month period.
• Hybrid Working Model: A structured hybrid approach with in-office days coordinated by the team, fostering collaboration and flexibility.
• Equity: Participation in the company's success through employee equity grants.
• Parental Leave: Comprehensive and tailored leave policies to support new parents.
• Generous Time Off: Annual allowance for holidays, volunteer days, and wellness days.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to Portugal, reflecting local market conditions for a mid-level designer. The benefits package emphasizes flexibility and employee well-being, common in tech companies with a focus on operational efficiency and talent retention.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (FinTech), focusing on bank payments and direct debit solutions. GoCardless processes over US$130bn in payments annually across 30+ countries, utilizing AI-powered solutions and open banking connectivity. Company Size: GoCardless is a significant player in the FinTech space, with a substantial global presence and over 100,000 business customers. The company has offices in the UK, Australia, France, Ireland, Latvia, Portugal, and the United States. While the exact employee count isn't specified, its scale implies a structured operational environment. Founded: GoCardless was founded with a mission to simplify bank payments for businesses, growing into a global leader through technological innovation and customer focus. This history suggests a culture that values innovation, efficiency, and user experience.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Designer will join the design team, which is part of a larger marketing or product organization. This team likely collaborates closely with product management, engineering, and marketing functions.
• Reporting structure will likely be to a Head of Design, Creative Director, or a Marketing Lead, with opportunities for collaboration across various departments.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, involving close work with marketing campaign managers, product marketers, content strategists, and potentially sales enablement teams to ensure cohesive brand messaging.

Methodology:

• GoCardless emphasizes a data-driven approach, using insights to improve payment success rates and reduce fraud. This ethos likely extends to the design team's use of analytics and user feedback in their creative process.
• Workflow planning and optimization are critical, especially with the mention of "design operations" and the need for scalable design systems.
• The company embraces automation and efficiency, actively integrating AI tools to enhance productivity and innovation.

Company Website: https://gocardless.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on FinTech, global reach, and technological innovation (AI, open banking) suggests a dynamic environment where operational efficiency, data utilization, and strategic execution are highly valued. The brand designer will operate within this framework, contributing to GoCardless's growth and market positioning.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Brand Designer role is positioned as a mid-level contributor (2-5 years of experience). It offers the opportunity to significantly impact brand perception and marketing effectiveness at a company that has achieved substantial scale. The role involves autonomy and the ability to innovate, suggesting it's a key contributor within the creative operations function. Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a senior member of the design or marketing team, such as a Design Lead or Creative Director. They will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product, and sales, requiring strong stakeholder management skills. Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on GoCardless's market presence and customer acquisition/retention efforts. By creating compelling brand assets and campaigns, the designer influences brand perception, drives engagement, and supports business objectives related to growth and market expansion. The focus on "design operations" also implies an impact on the efficiency and scalability of the creative function itself.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in brand systems, AI-driven design, and potentially motion graphics through hands-on project work and company-provided learning resources.
• Career Progression: Potential to move into senior designer roles, specialize in areas like brand systems management, or transition into leadership positions within the design or marketing operations teams as the company grows.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working across various departments, understanding the broader GoCardless business strategy and how design contributes to overall success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a blend of creative contribution and operational focus, providing a solid foundation for career growth in brand management, creative operations, or even marketing strategy within the FinTech sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: GoCardless operates a hybrid working model. This model balances the benefits of in-office collaboration and team synergy with the flexibility of remote work. Specific in-office days are determined by the team, suggesting a structured yet adaptable approach to workplace organization. Office Location(s): While the primary location for this role is Lisbon, Portugal, GoCardless has a global presence with offices in other key regions, indicating a company with a broad operational footprint and diverse talent pool.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is designed to foster collaboration, with teams coordinating in-office days to facilitate brainstorming, feedback sessions, and team cohesion.
• Access to essential design tools and technologies, including Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and potentially emerging AI and motion design software, will be available to support creative output.
• Opportunities for interaction with colleagues across various disciplines are frequent, enabling designers to gain insights into different business functions and contribute to cross-functional projects.

Work Schedule: The role typically involves a standard 40-hour work week, aligning with typical full-time employment. The hybrid model allows for flexibility in structuring the work week, accommodating personal needs while ensuring team alignment and project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model, coupled with the company's global presence, suggests a modern and flexible work environment that values both individual autonomy and team collaboration, crucial for efficient operations and creative output.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements. Be prepared to highlight specific projects that demonstrate your proficiency in Figma, AI integration, and brand system development.
• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A session where you'll present your portfolio, discuss your design process, and potentially tackle a small design exercise. Focus on articulating your decision-making, problem-solving skills, and how you approach operational efficiency in design.
• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Discussions about your experience, working style, cultural fit, and how you align with GoCardless's values. Prepare to talk about your experience with AI in design and your understanding of design operations.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader, focusing on strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: Go beyond showcasing final visuals. Explain the "why" behind your design decisions, your research methodology, and how you addressed specific challenges.
• Highlight Operations: Explicitly mention how you've contributed to process efficiency, used design systems, or leveraged tools for automation. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., "reduced asset creation time by X%").
• AI Integration: Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've used AI in your workflow, the benefits gained, and any challenges encountered.
• Brand Consistency: Demonstrate your ability to maintain brand integrity across different channels and campaigns, showing a strong understanding of brand guidelines.

Challenge Preparation:

• Figma & System Thinking: Be prepared for exercises that test your ability to work efficiently in Figma and think systematically about design components and scalability.
• AI Application: Anticipate questions or tasks related to how you would leverage AI for specific design challenges.
• Brand Application: Practice applying brand guidelines and demonstrating your art direction skills in a simulated scenario.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI, design systems, and "design operations" means your portfolio and interview responses should clearly articulate your understanding of efficient, scalable, and technology-driven creative processes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI/UX design, prototyping, and building collaborative design systems. Proficiency is critical for optimizing design workflows and ensuring scalability.
• Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and complex illustrations.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • InDesign: For layout design, print collateral, and document creation, ensuring assets are prepared for production.
• AI Design Tools: Familiarity with tools like Midjourney, Runway, ChatGPT, and potential for integration with Figma via plugins or workflows.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for this role, understanding how design impacts metrics and user engagement is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics or product analytics tools can help in understanding campaign performance. CRM & Automation: Basic understanding of how design assets are used within CRM platforms or marketing automation tools (e.g., email marketing software) is advantageous for campaign execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirements highlight a strong emphasis on Figma and the creative suite, with a significant nod towards AI tools. This indicates a forward-thinking approach to design operations, where efficiency and innovation through technology are paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• "Start with Why": A commitment to understanding the strategic purpose behind design projects, ensuring alignment with company mission and objectives.
• "Make it Happen": A proactive and results-oriented approach, demonstrating urgency and taking ownership of design deliverables and process improvements.
• "Act with Integrity": Upholding ethical standards and transparency in all design work and collaborations.
• "Care Deeply": A genuine passion for user experience, brand quality, and contributing to the team's success.
• "Be Humble": Maintaining a collaborative and open mindset, valuing feedback and teamwork throughout the design process.

Collaboration Style:

• The team fosters cross-functional integration, working closely with marketing, product, and other departments to ensure cohesive brand messaging and effective campaign execution.
• A culture of continuous improvement and feedback exchange is encouraged, valuing constructive critiques to elevate design quality and operational efficiency.
• Knowledge sharing practices are supported, encouraging team members to explore and share insights on new tools, techniques, and best practices in design and creative operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: GoCardless's values are deeply embedded in their operational philosophy, emphasizing strategic thinking, execution, integrity, user care, and humility. A candidate who embodies these values will likely thrive in this collaborative and results-driven environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Brand Consistency: Maintaining a cohesive brand identity across a rapidly growing company and diverse range of marketing initiatives requires robust systems and clear processes.
• Integrating Emerging Technologies: Staying ahead of the curve with AI and new design tools requires continuous learning and adaptation to optimize workflows and creative output.
• Balancing Creativity with Business Needs: Effectively translating complex financial product features and business objectives into compelling, user-friendly designs requires strong strategic thinking and communication.
• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Juggling requests and feedback from various internal teams while ensuring brand integrity and project timelines requires excellent organizational and communication skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to specialize in design operations, brand system management, and explore the strategic application of AI in creative processes.
• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend design conferences, workshops, and engage with online learning platforms to stay current with industry trends and tools.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Possibility of receiving mentorship from senior designers and leaders, and developing leadership skills through project ownership and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in a fast-growing FinTech company offer significant opportunities for professional development, particularly in areas related to operationalizing creative processes and leveraging technology for efficiency and innovation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Brand Strategy: "How would you approach evolving the GoCardless brand identity for a new market segment? What steps would you take to ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints?" (Focus on process, research, and system thinking).
• AI Integration: "Describe a project where you used AI in your design workflow. What were the benefits, and what were the challenges?" (Be ready to discuss specific tools and outcomes).
• Process Optimization: "How do you approach building or maintaining a design system to ensure scalability and efficiency? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight your understanding of design operations).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about GoCardless's mission and its position in the FinTech industry?" (Research company values and recent achievements).
• "How do you approach collaboration with non-design teams, such as marketing or product?" (Prepare examples of successful cross-functional projects).
• "How do you measure the success of your design work, particularly in relation to business objectives?" (Focus on metrics, user feedback, and campaign performance).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation with a clear beginning (problem), middle (process and solutions), and end (results and impact).
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user engagement, reduced design cycle times).
• Showcase Process: Clearly explain your thought process, decision-making, and how you leveraged tools like Figma and AI to achieve efficient and effective outcomes.
• Enthusiasm for Operations: Emphasize your interest in design systems, automation, and making creative processes more efficient.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing to articulate your understanding of design operations, AI integration, and the strategic impact of design will be key to demonstrating your suitability for this role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the GoCardless careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight experience with Figma, AI in design, brand systems, and any "design operations" aspects of your previous roles. Showcase projects that demonstrate efficiency and scalability.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists relevant design tools and technologies, with quantifiable achievements related to design impact and process improvement.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your experience with AI tools, and your understanding of how design contributes to business operations and brand strategy. Prepare to walk through your portfolio with a focus on process and impact.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research GoCardless's brand, mission, values, and recent news. Understand their products and how design supports their go-to-market strategy and operational goals.

⚠️ 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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