Content Designer (Social-first)(m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Content Designer (Social-first)(m/w/d)

Company: Prematch

Location: Köln, Germany

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing / Brand Operations

Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-6 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive visual brand storytelling and execution across social media platforms with a strong social-first content design approach.

• Design, edit, and produce daily social-first content, including Reels and TikToks, from ideation through publication.

• Develop and implement reusable brand systems, guidelines, and creative principles that scale across channels and brands.

• Manage organic and paid social media content planning, publishing rhythms, and performance analysis to inform creative decisions.

• Collaborate with growth/advertising teams to create high-performing visual assets for paid social campaigns and optimize through rapid testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Social Brand Designer" rather than a traditional Social Media Manager, emphasizing hands-on creative production and strategic brand development across social channels. The focus is on visual execution and content creation that brings the brand to life, with a deep understanding of the amateur football community and modern social trends.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, edit, and produce daily social-first content (Reels, TikToks, Visuals) from initial concept to final cut and publication.

• Sharpen and consistently evolve the brand's image through design, tonality, and storytelling.

• Build a scalable, reusable brand system including guidelines, templates, and creative principles that span across channels and brands.

• Establish recognizable content series and recurring formats that engage the target audience consistently.

• Take ownership of content planning and publishing schedules across key social media channels.

• Lead or creatively direct the production of social-media-first content (video, static visuals, short-form series) with a strong emphasis on engaging openings, compelling copy, and effective editing.

• Collaborate closely with the growth and advertising teams to develop high-performing visual assets for paid campaigns and iterate rapidly through testing cycles.

• Translate performance data into actionable creative decisions, identifying content to amplify, reduce, or test next.

• Develop and execute cooperation concepts with creators, communities, and local partners.

• Create streamlined partner packages (materials, briefs, formats) to facilitate easy content creation and sharing.

• Identify scalable distribution levers to increase reach without diluting brand integrity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on creative execution and strategic brand building within the social media landscape. The emphasis on data-driven decision-making and collaboration with growth teams indicates a performance-oriented approach to content design, crucial for a startup environment aiming for rapid growth.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not specified, but a creative background is strongly implied.

Experience: 2-6 years of creative experience with a portfolio demonstrating a strong social-first orientation.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to build brands sustainably through content, beyond individual campaigns.

• Excellent visual taste and comfort with on-camera presence (design, editing; motion basics are a plus).

• Strong creative strategy skills, including positioning, format/series development, channel thinking, and an advanced distribution mindset.

• Data-comfortable, with an understanding of key social and paid creative performance metrics and the ability to derive smart learnings.

• Hands-on mentality with a focus on rapid, pragmatic execution while elevating creative standards.

• Proficient copywriting skills for hooks, captions, and series framing.

• Expertise in short-form storytelling with clear narrative flow and editing.

• Experience in creator briefing and direction for efficient content production.

• Deep understanding of sports/football culture, tonality, and matchday dynamics.

• Proficiency in social-first design and packaging, including format setup, thumbnails/title cards, and brand recognizability.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in D2C or agency environments with clear outcome-based results.

• Motion design or animation skills (template-based, fast, and scalable).

• Experience with paid social creatives, including performance creatives, ad variants, and hook testing.

• Experience in on-ground activation at events/matchdays, local partner activations, and on-site content creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of creative talent, strategic thinking, and analytical capability, crucial for a social-first content role in a fast-paced startup. The "hands-on mentality" and "data-comfy" requirements suggest a need for a self-starter who can both create and measure impact effectively.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a strong social-first orientation with clear examples of content designed specifically for platforms like Reels, TikTok, and other short-form video formats.

• Demonstrate brand-building capabilities through content, highlighting consistency and long-term strategy rather than isolated campaigns.

• Include examples of visual taste and creative execution, showcasing design skills, editing proficiency, and an understanding of visual storytelling.

• Present case studies or examples of creative strategy implementation, including positioning, format development, and channel-specific thinking.

• Provide evidence of data literacy, illustrating how performance metrics informed creative decisions and led to measurable improvements.

• Feature examples of hands-on execution, showcasing the ability to take an idea from concept to final deliverable efficiently.

Process Documentation:

• Highlight the process for developing and implementing a reusable brand system, including guidelines, templates, and creative principles.

• Document the workflow for daily social-first content creation, from ideation and design to editing, production, and publication.

• Showcase methods for translating performance data into actionable creative strategies and iterating on content based on insights.

• Illustrate the process for collaborating with growth/advertising teams on paid social creative development and testing.

• Detail how creator briefing and direction are managed to ensure efficient and high-quality content production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily focused on demonstrating practical application of social-first content creation, brand building, and data-informed iteration. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their end-to-end content creation process and strategic thinking behind their visual work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on the experience level (2-6 years) and location (Cologne, Germany), and considering the startup environment with potential VSOP, a competitive salary range would typically fall between €45,000 - €65,000 annually. This estimate considers the need for experienced creative talent in a growing tech/sports platform.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary.

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (VSOP), offering direct participation in the company's success.

• Access to three cool offices in Cologne, Berlin, and London, fostering a startup vibe.

• Hybrid work model with 1-3 days per week in the office, depending on proximity, with flexible remote days.

• Partial remote work from outside the primary residence is possible (e.g., for a week abroad or visiting family).

• Modern IT equipment provided to ensure productivity.

• 27 vacation days per year, with a special arrangement for parents to better balance family and rest.

• Regular team events (after-work gatherings, etc.) in Cologne, Berlin, and London.

• Annual team offsites (four days) for team building, ideation, and collaboration.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for a Content Designer with mid-level experience in Germany, incorporating startup-specific compensation structures like VSOP. The benefits highlight a strong focus on flexibility, employee ownership, and team cohesion.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports Technology / Digital Media (focus on amateur football).

Company Size: Prematch is a dynamic startup, likely in the growth phase, with a team spread across Cologne, Berlin, and London for marketing/business, and remote across Europe for tech/product. This indicates a lean, agile, and rapidly evolving organizational structure.

Founded: 2021, indicating a relatively young company with a modern approach and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

Team Structure:

• The Marketing & Business team is based in Cologne, Berlin, and London.

• The Tech & Product team is distributed remotely across Europe.

• This structure suggests cross-functional collaboration, with the Content Designer likely working closely with marketing, brand, and growth teams, while also interacting with product and tech for content integration.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core operational approach, particularly for content performance and optimization.

• Agile and iterative processes are likely employed, especially in content creation and testing cycles.

• A strong emphasis on community engagement and understanding user dynamics within amateur football.

• Focus on building scalable systems and processes, such as reusable brand assets and content series.

Company Website: https://prematch.notion.site/Prematch-auf-einen-Blick-b7158d037c414dd0b19e7a6b97e8fdbe

📝 Enhancement Note: Prematch operates in a fast-paced startup environment focused on revolutionizing amateur football through technology and innovative digital experiences. The culture likely values agility, creativity, data-informed strategies, and a deep connection to their target community.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Mid-Level, functioning as a hands-on Social Brand Designer. It requires significant creative autonomy and the ability to drive visual brand strategy on social media. The role is crucial for developing Prematch's visual identity and engagement strategy within the amateur football community.

Reporting Structure: The Content Designer will report to a manager within the Marketing & Brand team. Collaboration will be extensive with growth, advertising, and potentially product teams.

Operations Impact: The Content Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, community engagement, user acquisition, and retention on social media platforms. Successful content creation and strategy will drive organic growth, support paid advertising effectiveness, and strengthen brand loyalty among the target audience. The role is instrumental in translating the company's vision into compelling visual narratives that resonate with amateur footballers and fans.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in social-first content strategy, short-form video production, and performance-driven creative.

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Content Designer or Social Media Lead role, managing a small team or overseeing specific content verticals.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunities to develop skills in motion graphics, advanced paid creative strategies, or community management, leveraging the company's growth and diverse projects.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working closely with product, marketing, and business development teams on integrated campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for a creative professional to shape the visual identity and social presence of a rapidly growing startup in the sports tech space. Growth potential is tied to individual impact and the company's expansion, with clear pathways for specialization and increased responsibility.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Prematch offers access to "cool offices" in Cologne, Berlin, and London. These are likely modern, collaborative co-working spaces or dedicated startup offices designed to foster creativity and teamwork. The hybrid model allows for flexibility between these hubs and remote work.

Office Location(s):

• Cologne, Germany

• Berlin, Germany

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages in-person collaboration for team events and offsites, fostering strong team connections. Office spaces are designed for creativity and teamwork.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Candidates will work with modern IT equipment. Proficiency with design and editing software (Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro, etc.) and social media management tools will be essential, supported by the company's tech stack.

• Team Interaction: Regular interactions with marketing, brand, and growth teams, as well as potential touchpoints with product and tech. Virtual office tools will ensure connectivity for remote team members.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. The hybrid model allows for flexibility, with 1-3 days in the office and the remainder remote, accommodating individual work preferences and optimizing productivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is designed to balance the flexibility of remote work with the benefits of in-person collaboration. The office locations offer vibrant startup hubs, and the company's investment in modern IT and virtual tools supports a connected and productive team, regardless of location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening (CV & Portfolio Review): A review of your CV and, crucially, your portfolio to assess creative skills, social-first focus, and alignment with brand needs.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with Lisa (Hiring Manager) to discuss your background, motivations, and how your skills match the role requirements. Expect questions about your creative process and experience.

• Creative Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a small creative task or present a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates your ability to design social-first content, develop brand strategies, or interpret performance data.

• Team/Stakeholder Interview: An opportunity to meet with other members of the marketing or brand team to assess cultural fit and collaborative potential.

• Final Interview: Potentially a discussion with a senior leader to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Social-First Examples: Prioritize work that clearly demonstrates your ability to create engaging content for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, etc. Show your end-to-end process.

• Highlight Brand Building: Include examples where you've contributed to building or evolving a brand's visual identity and tone on social media.

• Showcase Data-Informed Decisions: If possible, present case studies where you used performance data to inform creative choices and achieve specific objectives. Quantify results where possible.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include a range of content types (video, static visuals, motion graphics if applicable) and demonstrate your understanding of different social media formats.

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentation to tell a story about your creative journey, problem-solving approach, and impact. Explain the "why" behind your creative choices.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Prematch's Brand: Research Prematch's current social media presence, target audience, and brand voice.

• Focus on "Social-First": If given a challenge, ensure your solution is optimized for social media platforms, considering engagement, shareability, and platform-specific features.

• Showcase Process: Be ready to articulate your thought process, from understanding the brief to ideation, execution, and potential measurement.

• Visual Execution: Prepare to demonstrate your design and editing skills, as this is a core requirement of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes a strong portfolio that showcases practical, social-first creative skills and strategic thinking. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate their ability to execute and iterate on content in a data-informed manner, aligning with the startup's growth objectives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects), potentially Figma for social-first packaging and templates.

• Video Editing Software: Proficiency in short-form video editing tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or CapCut.

• Social Media Management Platforms: Experience with tools for scheduling, publishing, and monitoring content (e.g., Later, Buffer, Hootsuite, Sprout Social).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Social Media Analytics: Native platform analytics (Instagram Insights, TikTok Analytics), Google Analytics for website traffic attribution from social.

• Paid Social Performance Tools: Familiarity with ad managers for platforms like Facebook/Instagram Ads Manager, TikTok Ads Manager, and tools for analyzing creative performance.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how social content drives leads or engagement tracked in CRM systems (like Salesforce, HubSpot) may be beneficial for understanding campaign impact.

• Workflow automation tools might be used for content approval processes or cross-platform publishing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack focuses on creative production and social media management tools. A strong command of design and video editing software, coupled with an understanding of social media analytics and performance metrics, is critical for success in this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A drive to constantly explore new visual ideas and content formats that resonate with the amateur football community.

• Data-Driven Impact: Valuing insights derived from performance data to inform creative decisions and optimize content for maximum effectiveness.

• Community Focus: A deep appreciation for and understanding of the amateur football culture, aiming to build authentic connections with the user base.

• Agility & Speed: Embracing a fast-paced startup environment where quick execution and adaptation are key to success.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for the visual brand's success on social media and driving initiatives from concept to completion.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within the marketing team and across departments to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with marketing, brand, and growth teams to ensure cohesive campaign execution and alignment with overall business objectives.

• Feedback Exchange: An open culture for giving and receiving constructive feedback on creative work to continuously improve quality and impact.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share best practices, creative insights, and learnings from content performance with the team to foster collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture at Prematch likely embodies the dynamic and community-centric ethos of a startup in the sports tech sector. Values are geared towards creative excellence, measurable impact, and a genuine connection with their target audience.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapidly Evolving Social Landscape: Staying ahead of new trends, platform updates, and algorithm changes to maintain content relevance and effectiveness.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Performance Metrics: Ensuring that creative output is not only aesthetically strong and brand-aligned but also drives measurable engagement and growth.

• Scaling Content Production: Developing efficient workflows and systems to consistently produce high-quality social-first content at the pace required by a growing startup.

• Differentiating in a Crowded Market: Capturing the attention of the amateur football community amidst a sea of sports content from larger entities.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive brand identity across diverse social platforms and content formats, especially with a hybrid remote/office team.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Social Content Strategy: Gaining deeper insights into platform-specific content optimization, audience segmentation, and viral content mechanics.

• Motion Graphics & Animation: Developing skills in motion design tools to create more dynamic and engaging visual content.

• Paid Social Creative Optimization: Learning advanced techniques for testing and optimizing creative assets for paid advertising campaigns to maximize ROI.

• Brand Development: Contributing to the strategic evolution of Prematch's brand identity and visual language across all touchpoints.

• Cross-functional Project Leadership: Opportunities to lead creative aspects of larger marketing campaigns or collaborations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a fast-paced, digital-first startup environment, offering significant opportunities for professional development. Growth is tied to adapting to industry changes and leveraging new creative and analytical skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a social-first content strategy for a brand like Prematch. How would you ensure it aligns with our amateur football community focus?"

• "How do you balance creative vision with the need to meet specific performance metrics (e.g., engagement rate, click-through rate) on social media?"

• "Walk me through a time you had to rapidly iterate on content based on performance data. What was the situation, your approach, and the outcome?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Prematch's mission and its focus on amateur football?"

• "How do you see your role contributing to Prematch's growth and brand development in the next 1-2 years?"

• "Describe your ideal team environment. How do you prefer to collaborate with designers, marketers, and other stakeholders?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each piece or project in your portfolio, explain the objective, your creative process, the challenges you faced, and the results achieved.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your work. Highlight improvements in engagement, reach, or conversions.

• Showcase "Social-First" Thinking: Clearly articulate why your designs and content are optimized for social platforms, considering native features, audience behavior, and platform algorithms.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Be ready to discuss your skills across different content formats (video, static, motion) and your adaptability to various creative briefs.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, mention how you collaborated with team members, clients, or stakeholders on projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of social-first content strategy, creative execution, data-driven iteration, and cultural fit within a dynamic startup. The portfolio is the primary tool for showcasing these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Content Designer position:

• Submit your current CV through the application link provided on join.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest social-first content examples, specifically highlighting work relevant to sports, community engagement, or short-form video. Tailor your presentation to showcase your creative process and measurable results.

• Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to emphasize your 2-6 years of creative experience, highlighting accomplishments in social media content design, brand building, video editing, and data-informed strategy. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your passion for football culture, your understanding of Prematch's mission, and how your unique skills as a "Social Brand Designer" will drive their visual brand forward. Practice presenting your portfolio and discussing your creative process.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Prematch's current social media presence, brand messaging, target audience, and recent campaigns. Understand their competitive landscape and identify opportunities for creative impact.

⚠️ 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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