Creative Designer, Associate

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Designer, Associate
Company: BlackRock (Preqin)
Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Creative Design / GTM Operations Support
Date Posted: October 1, 2025
Experience Level: Associate (0-2 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the development of compelling visual concepts and designs that align with BlackRock's overarching brand identity and Preqin's specific market positioning.
• Execute high-quality artwork across a diverse range of marketing and communication assets, including digital campaigns, print collateral, and event materials, ensuring brand consistency.
• Collaborate effectively within a multi-disciplinary creative team, contributing to brainstorming sessions and the shaping of creative ideas to meet project objectives.
• Maintain meticulous attention to detail in typography, layout, and precision, ensuring all deliverables adhere to stringent brand guidelines and quality standards.
• Act as a key liaison between design execution and client/stakeholder feedback, translating requirements into impactful visual solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while primarily focused on creative design, plays a crucial supporting role in Go-To-Market (GTM) operations by ensuring that all external-facing materials are on-brand, visually appealing, and effectively communicate key messages. The emphasis on collaboration, project management, and adherence to brand guidelines directly contributes to the operational efficiency and effectiveness of marketing and sales initiatives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute visual concepts and designs for a wide array of brand assets, including brochures, reports, presentations, paid media advertisements, social media graphics, and event collateral.
• Collaborate closely with Senior Designers and other creative team members to ensure visual identity and key campaigns are impactful, on-brand, and strategically aligned with business objectives.
• Work directly with internal clients and stakeholders to understand project briefs, gather feedback, and iterate on designs to meet specific messaging and image requirements.
• Present design options and rationale to stakeholders, effectively articulating creative choices and incorporating feedback for revisions.
• Manage multiple design projects concurrently, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring timely delivery of all creative assets while maintaining exceptional quality and accuracy.
• Ensure all final artwork is meticulously prepared for various production channels, adhering to technical specifications and brand guidelines.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and workflows within the creative team, identifying opportunities for greater efficiency and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and project management within a defined operational framework. The emphasis on "meeting deadlines," "managing multiple projects," and "ensuring high standards of quality and accuracy" underscores the operational rigor expected, even within a creative function. This role requires strong organizational skills to support consistent GTM execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Communication Design, or a related field is preferred, demonstrating a foundational understanding of design principles and theory.

Experience:

• 0-2 years of experience in a Creative Designer, Artworker, or similar visual design role, with a demonstrated track record of producing high-quality design work.
• Proven experience working within a team environment, contributing to collaborative projects and responding to constructive feedback.

Required Skills:

• Creative Design: Strong conceptualization skills to develop original visual ideas and translate briefs into compelling designs.
• Artwork Skills: Proficiency in creating polished, production-ready artwork across various media (print and digital).
• Typography & Layout: Excellent understanding of typographic principles, layout composition, and visual hierarchy to create aesthetically pleasing and effective designs.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within a team, share ideas, and contribute to a positive and productive creative environment.
• Project Management: Capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines consistently.
• Brand Adherence: Keen eye for detail and a strong commitment to upholding brand guidelines and visual identity standards.
• Software Proficiency: Expertise in industry-standard design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

Preferred Skills:

• Animation/Video Skills: Experience with motion graphics (e.g., After Effects) or video editing is a significant advantage, enabling broader creative output.
• Client Communication: Ability to effectively present design concepts and communicate rationale to internal clients and stakeholders.
• Digital Design: Familiarity with design for digital platforms, including web, social media, and paid media.
• Report/Brochure Design: Specific experience in designing complex collateral such as financial reports or detailed brochures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Associate" title and 0-2 years of experience suggest a focus on foundational design skills and a strong capacity for learning and execution under guidance. The preference for animation/video skills indicates a desire for versatility, which is increasingly valuable in modern GTM operations for dynamic content creation. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is a non-negotiable operational requirement for design output.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Visual Execution: Showcase a diverse range of design projects demonstrating strong conceptual thinking, aesthetic appeal, and technical execution across print and digital mediums.
• Brand Consistency: Include examples that clearly illustrate your ability to adhere to and creatively apply brand guidelines for different clients or projects.
• Process Documentation: Briefly describe your design process for 1-2 key projects, highlighting how you approached the brief, ideation, execution, and revision stages.
• Impact & Results: Where possible, provide context on the intended impact or outcome of the designs, even if specific metrics are unavailable for an associate role.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their design workflow, from brief interpretation and concept development through to final asset delivery and stakeholder feedback integration.
• Understanding of file management best practices for design assets and version control is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an Associate Designer role, the portfolio's primary function is to assess raw talent, technical skill, and the potential to learn and adapt within a structured creative and operational environment. While deep process documentation is less critical than for senior roles, demonstrating an understanding of a structured design approach and the ability to follow established workflows is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for an Associate Creative Designer in London with 0-2 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is approximately £30,000 - £40,000. This is an estimate and may vary based on the candidate's specific qualifications, interview performance, and BlackRock's internal compensation bands.

Benefits:

• Retirement Investment: Access to retirement savings plans and investment tools to support long-term financial well-being.
• Education Reimbursement: Opportunities for professional development and continued learning through subsidized educational programs.
• Health & Well-being: Comprehensive resources dedicated to supporting physical and emotional health.
• Family Support Programs: Programs designed to assist employees with family-related needs and responsibilities.
• Flexible Time Off (FTO): A generous policy allowing employees to take time off for rest, recharge, and personal needs, promoting work-life balance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected to be approximately 40 hours per week, with the hybrid model allowing for flexibility in how these hours are structured around the required in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation for London based on typical market rates for an Associate Creative Designer. BlackRock's comprehensive benefits package, particularly the focus on financial well-being, education, and work-life balance (FTO), aligns with attracting and retaining talent in competitive fields. The hybrid work model's structure is a key component of the employee value proposition.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services & Investment Management (with a focus on Private Markets Data & Technology via Preqin). BlackRock is a global leader, and Preqin is a key player in revolutionizing private markets data and technology. Company Size: BlackRock is a very large, global organization, employing tens of thousands of people worldwide. Preqin, as part of BlackRock, benefits from this scale while maintaining its specialized focus. Founded: BlackRock was founded in 1988. Preqin was founded in 2003, acquired by BlackRock in 2022. This history signifies a blend of established financial expertise and dynamic growth in the data and technology sector.

Team Structure:

• The role is within Preqin's multi-disciplinary creative team, which collaborates closely with other functions within Preqin and potentially broader BlackRock marketing and technology teams.
• Reporting likely sits within a creative leadership structure, with close collaboration with Senior Designers and project managers.
• Expect close cross-functional engagement with marketing, product, sales, and technology teams to ensure design deliverables meet strategic and operational needs.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: Designs are expected to be informed by brand strategy, market insights, and an understanding of client needs within the private markets.
• Agile Collaboration: The team likely employs agile methodologies for project management, facilitating iterative design processes and rapid response to evolving requirements.
• Brand Stewardship: A strong emphasis on maintaining and evolving a consistent and impactful visual identity across all touchpoints.

Company Website: https://www.blackrock.com/ | https://www.preqin.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding BlackRock's mission ("to help more and more people experience financial well-being") and Preqin's specific role in private markets technology is crucial. The "hybrid work model" description emphasizes collaboration and apprenticeship, suggesting a culture that values in-person interaction for knowledge transfer and team cohesion, which is important for an Associate role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Associate Creative Designer. This level indicates a focus on executing established creative briefs and developing foundational design skills under mentorship. The role is positioned to learn and grow into more complex design challenges and potentially take on greater ownership of smaller projects or specific asset types.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Creative Lead, Senior Artworker, or Design Manager within the Preqin creative team. This provides direct guidance and feedback necessary for skill development.

Operations Impact: While not a direct revenue operations role, the Creative Designer's work is critical for GTM operations. High-quality, on-brand creative assets directly support marketing campaigns, sales enablement materials, and client communications, all of which are essential for driving lead generation, customer acquisition, and client retention. The efficiency and effectiveness of design output directly impact the speed and quality of GTM initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas or gain proficiency in new tools (e.g., animation, UI design principles).
• Project Ownership: Gradual increase in responsibility, moving from executing specific tasks to owning the design for smaller campaigns or asset types.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Work with various internal teams, gaining a broader understanding of business objectives and how design contributes to overall GTM strategy.
• Mentorship: Benefit from guidance from Senior Designers and creative leadership, fostering professional development and career progression within BlackRock's creative functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for an Associate Designer is typically about mastering core skills and becoming a reliable contributor. The "apprenticeship" aspect of the hybrid model suggests a structured approach to developing talent, which is a significant growth opportunity for early-career professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: BlackRock operates a modern, professional office environment designed to foster collaboration and innovation. The hybrid model is central to this, balancing focused individual work with team interaction.

Office Location(s): London, England, United Kingdom. Specific office details would be provided upon inquiry or offer, but it's expected to be a well-equipped, central London location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Access to meeting rooms, breakout areas, and shared workspaces designed for team collaboration, brainstorming, and client presentations.
• Technology & Tools: Provided with necessary hardware, software licenses (Adobe Creative Suite), and access to internal systems required for design and project management.
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to interact with fellow designers, project managers, and stakeholders, facilitating knowledge sharing and a strong team dynamic.

Work Schedule: The hybrid model requires employees to be in the office at least 4 days per week, with 1 day for remote work. This structure is designed to optimize both in-person collaboration and focused individual work, supporting the demands of design projects that require both deep concentration and iterative team feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on the hybrid model (4 days in-office) is a key differentiator. For an Associate role, this structure is particularly beneficial for learning through observation, receiving immediate feedback, and participating actively in team discussions and brainstorming sessions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and creative output.
• Technical/Creative Interview: Discussion with hiring manager and/or Senior Designer to evaluate design skills, conceptual thinking, and understanding of design principles. This may include a portfolio walkthrough.
• Team/Stakeholder Interview: Meeting with other team members and potentially internal clients to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit within the creative team and wider organization.
• Potential Design Challenge: A small, timed design exercise or case study may be presented to assess problem-solving skills and ability to respond to a brief under pressure. This is common for assessing practical application of skills.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 5-7 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills for this role. Prioritize quality over quantity.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, your creative process, the challenges faced, and the final outcome. Use concise text and compelling visuals.
• Highlight Brand Application: Include at least one project that demonstrates your ability to work within established brand guidelines.
• Showcase Versatility: Include a mix of print and digital work if possible. If you have animation/video, make sure it's prominently featured.
• Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually polished. PDF format or a dedicated portfolio website is ideal.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and dissect any design challenge brief, identifying key objectives, target audience, and constraints.
• Time Management: Allocate time wisely for concepting, execution, and refining your response.
• Articulate Your Process: Be prepared to explain your design choices and rationale, even for a short exercise. Focus on clarity and strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for an Associate role will heavily weigh potential and foundational skills. The portfolio review is paramount. Demonstrating a structured approach to design, even if less complex than a senior role, and a clear ability to collaborate and take direction will be key assessment criteria.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and detailed illustrations.
  • InDesign: For layout and design of multi-page documents like brochures, reports, and presentations.
• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira for task tracking and workflow management is beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly responsible for analytics, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates for digital ads, readability of reports) is advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• Basic understanding of how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms or CRM systems (e.g., email templates) is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite is the core technical requirement. While advanced operations tools are not specified, an awareness of how design assets are utilized in broader GTM operations (via marketing automation or CRM) indicates a more integrated and operationally aware designer.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to producing high-quality, accurate, and impactful creative work that meets or exceeds expectations.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing shared ideas, constructive feedback, and collective problem-solving to achieve common goals.
• Brand Stewardship: A deep respect for and dedication to maintaining the integrity and consistency of BlackRock's and Preqin's visual identity.
• Client Focus: Understanding and responding to the needs of internal clients and stakeholders to deliver designs that effectively communicate messages and achieve business objectives.
• Continuous Improvement: An openness to learning new skills, exploring innovative design approaches, and refining processes for greater efficiency.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively participates in team discussions, shares design concepts, and contributes to collective brainstorming sessions.
• Feedback Culture: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback in a professional and supportive manner, fostering mutual growth.
• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share insights, techniques, and best practices with team members to elevate the overall skill level of the department.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of creative rigor and operational discipline. For an Associate, demonstrating a willingness to learn, contribute positively to team dynamics, and respect established processes and brand standards will be key indicators of cultural fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Effectively managing workload and prioritizing tasks when faced with numerous competing deadlines and creative demands.
• Interpreting Diverse Briefs: Accurately translating varied client needs and strategic objectives into creative visual solutions.
• Adhering to Strict Brand Guidelines: Creatively problem-solving within established brand constraints to produce fresh and engaging designs.
• Receiving and Implementing Feedback: Navigating constructive criticism and making necessary revisions while maintaining design integrity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Pursue training in advanced design techniques, motion graphics, or UI/UX principles.
• Industry Exposure: Attend design webinars, workshops, or industry events to stay abreast of current trends and best practices.
• Mentorship Programs: Engage with senior designers for guidance, career advice, and skill development.
• Cross-departmental Understanding: Gain insights into how design supports broader business functions like marketing, sales, and product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for an Associate Designer, focusing on execution and adaptation. The growth opportunities are geared towards building a strong foundation and expanding capabilities, preparing the individual for future advancement within BlackRock's creative or broader GTM operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you had to work within strict brand guidelines. How did you ensure your design was both compliant and creative?" (Focus on your process for understanding constraints and finding creative solutions within them.)
• "Describe a project where you received critical feedback. How did you incorporate it, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your ability to handle feedback constructively and improve your work.)
• "How do you approach managing multiple design projects with competing deadlines?" (Emphasize your organizational skills, prioritization methods, and communication strategies.)
• "What are your favorite design tools and why?" (Be prepared to discuss your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and any emerging tools you're exploring.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about BlackRock and specifically the Preqin team?" (Research BlackRock's mission and Preqin's role in private markets. Connect your skills to their objectives.)
• "How do you see yourself contributing to a collaborative creative team?" (Discuss your teamwork style, communication approach, and willingness to share ideas.)
• "What are your career aspirations in design over the next 2-3 years?" (Align your goals with potential growth paths within the company.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Storytelling: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, your creative process, and the result. Keep explanations brief and impactful.
• Visual Focus: Let your designs speak for themselves. Ensure high-quality images and clear presentation.
• Highlight Brand Adherence: Be ready to specifically point out projects where you successfully applied brand guidelines.
• Demonstrate Process: Briefly walk through your workflow for a key project, showing how you moved from brief to final asset.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, technical execution, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an Associate role, interviewers are assessing not just technical skill but also potential, attitude, and cultural fit. Demonstrating enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and a clear understanding of how design supports business objectives will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features work that aligns with financial services branding, corporate collateral (reports, presentations), and digital marketing assets. Tailor your presentation to highlight your understanding of brand adherence and visual communication.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly list your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and any experience with animation or video editing. Quantify achievements where possible, even if it's about efficiency in delivering assets or positive feedback received.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to collaboration, and your understanding of brand consistency. Be ready to discuss your portfolio projects in detail.
• Research BlackRock & Preqin: Understand their respective missions, values, and recent activities. Familiarize yourself with their existing visual identities to demonstrate genuine interest and insight.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. Salary ranges are estimates and actual compensation will be determined by BlackRock. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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