Creative Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Designer Company: ICON plc Location: Dublin, Leinster, Ireland Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services Date Posted: September 24, 2025 Experience Level: 0-2 years

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop highly engaging and professional PowerPoint presentations that effectively communicate complex clinical trial strategies and scientific data to diverse stakeholders, including sponsors and internal teams.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (scientific, clinical, regulatory) to ensure all presentation content is scientifically accurate, data-driven, and aligned with organizational branding and style guidelines.
• Tailor presentation designs and content delivery to meet the specific needs of various client types within the clinical research industry, including biotech, large pharma, and functional service providers.
• Translate intricate clinical data into clear, digestible, and impactful visual representations, utilizing charts, graphs, and imagery to enhance audience comprehension and engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Creative Designer," the core responsibilities and context strongly indicate a focus on operations-level presentation design within the clinical research sector. This role requires not just aesthetic skills but also a deep understanding of communicating complex, data-heavy information accurately and effectively to business and scientific audiences. The emphasis on "clinical research industry" and "stakeholders and sponsors" points to a GTM (Go-To-Market) support function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Presentation Development & Execution: Create visually compelling, professional, and error-free PowerPoint presentations that clearly articulate clinical research strategies, data, and proposals, ensuring scientific accuracy and adherence to corporate branding.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with scientific, clinical, regulatory, and business development teams to gather content requirements, understand data nuances, and ensure all presentation materials accurately reflect project objectives and findings.
• Client-Specific Customization: Adapt presentation templates and content to suit the unique needs and expectations of different client segments (e.g., biotech startups, large pharmaceutical companies, functional service providers) and internal business units.
• Data Visualization & Simplification: Transform complex scientific data, statistical findings, and clinical trial results into easily understandable charts, graphs, infographics, and other visual aids that enhance comprehension and impact.
• Brand & Style Consistency: Maintain and enforce corporate branding, style guides, and formatting standards across all presentation materials to ensure a cohesive and professional image for ICON plc.
• Content Quality Assurance: Conduct thorough proofreading and editing of all presentation content to ensure accuracy, clarity, conciseness, and freedom from grammatical or formatting errors.
• Project Management & Timeliness: Manage multiple presentation projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and respond promptly to urgent requests and last-minute changes.
• Best Practice Guidance: Provide ad-hoc training and support to internal team members on PowerPoint best practices, design principles, and effective data visualization techniques to elevate overall presentation quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can operate within a structured, data-intensive environment, rather than a purely conceptual or purely marketing design role. The emphasis on scientific accuracy, data visualization, and collaboration with technical teams is key.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Communications, Marketing, Life Sciences, or a closely related field. Experience: 1-3 years of proven experience in designing professional PowerPoint presentations, with a strong preference for experience within the life sciences, clinical research, or healthcare sectors.

Required Skills:

• PowerPoint Mastery: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, including creating custom templates, animations, transitions, and mastering advanced formatting features.
• Design Software Proficiency: Strong command of design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) for asset creation and manipulation.
• Data Visualization: Demonstrated ability to design clear, impactful charts, graphs, and infographics that effectively communicate complex data sets.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous focus on accuracy, typography, color theory, layout, and adherence to brand guidelines.
• Organizational & Time Management Skills: Proven ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, prioritize tasks, and meet stringent deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and understanding project requirements.
• Creative Acumen: Ability to generate innovative design ideas and solutions while working within established brand and scientific constraints.
• Scientific/Clinical Acumen (Basic): Capacity to understand and simplify complex scientific or clinical research concepts for presentation purposes.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of branding guidelines and experience in maintaining brand consistency across various collateral.
• Familiarity with other presentation or design tools beyond PowerPoint and Adobe Suite.
• Copy editing and proofreading skills to ensure content accuracy and clarity.
• Experience working within a corporate or clinical research setting, interacting with cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with clinical research terminology, processes, or the broader healthcare industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "0-2 years" experience level derived from AI analysis, combined with the "1-3 years" stated in the requirements, suggests the company is open to candidates with internship experience or a strong portfolio even if they haven't reached the full 3-year mark. The emphasis on PowerPoint suggests it's the primary tool, with other design software being supplementary for asset creation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Presentation Showcase: A curated collection of professional PowerPoint presentations demonstrating a range of design styles, data visualization techniques, and ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Case Study Examples: Specific examples of how design solutions addressed client needs or improved communication effectiveness in previous projects, ideally within a business or scientific context.
• Brand Consistency Examples: Demonstrations of adherence to branding guidelines and maintaining a consistent visual identity across different presentation materials.
• Data-Driven Design: Visualizations of complex data sets into easily understandable charts, graphs, or infographics, highlighting the ability to simplify scientific information.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Evidence of understanding and applying structured design processes, from initial brief and content review to final delivery and revisions.
• Collaboration Integration: Examples of how design work was integrated with input from subject matter experts or cross-functional teams.
• Quality Control: Demonstrated commitment to quality assurance through error-checking, proofreading, and adherence to style guide standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Creative Designer" role with an operations focus, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond aesthetic appeal to showcase an understanding of clear communication, data interpretation, and professional business presentation standards, especially within the life sciences context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Creative Designer with 0-2 years of experience in Dublin, Ireland, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between €30,000 and €45,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Dublin, the experience level, and the specialized nature of the role within the clinical research industry. Factors such as specific software proficiency, portfolio strength, and direct industry experience may influence the final offer.

Benefits:

• Annual Leave Entitlements: Generous paid time off to support work-life balance.
• Health Insurance Offerings: Comprehensive health insurance options for employees and their families.
• Retirement Planning Offerings: Competitive retirement savings plans designed to help employees plan for their future.
• Global Employee Assistance Programme (TELUS Health): 24/7 confidential support from independent professionals for well-being needs.
• Life Assurance: Financial protection for employees' families.
• Flexible Country-Specific Optional Benefits: A selection of customizable benefits such as childcare vouchers, bike purchase schemes, discounted gym memberships, subsidized travel passes, and health assessments.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project demands and company policies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical entry-level design roles in a major European city like Dublin, with adjustments for the specialized industry. The provided benefits are directly extracted from the job description, highlighting ICON's commitment to employee well-being and work-life integration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Intelligence and Clinical Research Organization (CRO). ICON plc is a global leader in providing drug development solutions and services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. Company Size: Large enterprise (over 10,000 employees globally). This signifies a stable, well-established organization with structured processes, global reach, and extensive resources. Founded: 1990. With over three decades of experience, ICON plc has a deep understanding of the clinical research landscape and a proven track record of success.

Team Structure:

• Operations-Focused Design Team: This role likely sits within a broader marketing, communications, or business development support function, working closely with operations teams. The design team is expected to be collaborative, supporting multiple departments.
• Reporting Structure: The Creative Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Marketing Manager, or a Head of Communications/Operations, with potential for matrixed reporting lines based on project assignments.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: A core aspect of the role involves daily interaction and close collaboration with scientific, clinical, regulatory affairs, business development, and project management teams to translate their needs into effective visual communications.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Communication: Emphasis on using data to inform design decisions and ensure presentations are not just visually appealing but also scientifically accurate and impactful.
• Process Optimization: A focus on refining the presentation design workflow, from brief to delivery, to ensure efficiency, quality, and timely execution.
• Brand Stewardship: Adherence to strict brand guidelines and a commitment to maintaining a consistent corporate identity across all external communications.

Company Website: https://www.iconplc.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context emphasizes ICON's position as a major player in a highly regulated and complex industry. This means the "Creative Designer" role is not a typical marketing design position but one that requires precision, scientific understanding, and a business-oriented approach to communication.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry-Level to Junior Professional. This role is positioned as an excellent opportunity for individuals starting their careers in design, particularly those interested in the B2B services sector and the life sciences. Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a manager overseeing creative services or marketing operations, with direct collaboration across various operational and scientific departments. This provides exposure to different business functions. Operations Impact: The Creative Designer plays a crucial role in shaping ICON's external image and the clarity of its proposals and scientific communications. Effective presentations directly impact the ability to win new business, communicate crucial research findings to stakeholders, and maintain client relationships.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in Life Sciences Design: Develop deep expertise in designing for the complex and nuanced clinical research industry, a valuable niche skill.
• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in data visualization, infographic design, and advanced PowerPoint techniques, potentially leading to senior designer roles.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain insights into the operations of a global CRO, potentially leading to internal mobility into marketing, project management support, or client-facing roles with a design component.
• Leadership Potential: With proven performance and experience, opportunities may arise to mentor junior designers or take ownership of larger design projects and brand initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path here is less about climbing a traditional design ladder and more about becoming a specialized operations-support designer within a high-value industry. The "operations impact" is significant because presentation quality can directly influence business outcomes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The job is listed as "TELECOMMUTE" but the derived status is "On-site," and the location is specified as "Ireland, Dublin." This suggests the role is based in their Dublin office. Office Location(s): Dublin, Ireland. This provides access to a major European business hub with established infrastructure and a vibrant professional community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The workspace is likely designed to foster collaboration, with opportunities to interact directly with colleagues from various departments, including scientific, clinical, and business teams.
• Technology Rich: Access to industry-standard design software (PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially specialized visualization tools. A stable IT infrastructure is expected given the nature of the work.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities to participate in team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and project discussions, contributing creative input to operational and business objectives.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with the expectation of flexibility to meet project deadlines. This may involve occasional overtime during peak periods or for urgent client requests, a common aspect of operations support roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "TELECOMMUTE" classification alongside a physical location can be confusing. Based on the derived "On-site" status and explicit location, it's safest to assume this is an office-based role in Dublin, though company policies might allow for some hybrid flexibility not explicitly detailed.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of applications, focusing on resumes and portfolios to assess relevant experience and design skills.
• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design choices, and how they translated complex information for different audiences. Prepare to discuss your process, challenges, and outcomes for 2-3 key projects.
• Skills Assessment: A practical exercise or technical interview may be conducted to evaluate proficiency in PowerPoint and potentially other design software, or to assess problem-solving through a design challenge.
• Cross-Functional Interview: Interviews with hiring managers and potentially team members from scientific or business departments to assess collaboration skills, communication clarity, and cultural fit within a professional, operations-focused environment.
• Final Interview: A concluding discussion with senior management to confirm fit and discuss the role's strategic importance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Operations Relevance: Showcase presentations that demonstrate clarity, accuracy, and effective communication of data, not just aesthetic appeal.
• Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio piece, explain the objective, your role, the process, the challenges faced (e.g., complex data, tight deadlines), and the impact or outcome.
• Showcase PowerPoint Skills: Include examples that highlight advanced PowerPoint features, custom templates, and sophisticated data visualizations.
• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: If possible, include examples of work that adhered to specific brand guidelines.
• Tailor to ICON: Research ICON plc's existing presentations and brand identity to understand their style and tailor your presentation of your portfolio accordingly.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Thinking: Be prepared to discuss how you approach design problems, especially those involving complex information or scientific data.
• Data Interpretation: Practice translating abstract data into visual concepts.
• Time Management Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would handle competing priorities and tight deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and specific presentation skills is critical. Candidates should prepare to not only show their work but also articulate the strategic thinking behind their design choices, especially as they relate to business and scientific communication.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft PowerPoint: This is the core tool for this role. Advanced proficiency is expected, including template creation, animation, master slides, and chart/graph integration.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for creating custom graphics, icons, manipulating images, and potentially preparing final assets for PowerPoint. Key applications include Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly responsible for data analysis, the designer must be able to interpret and visualize data provided by analysts and scientists. Familiarity with how data is presented in reports or dashboards may be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tools are specified as primary responsibilities for this design role. However, understanding how presentations are used in sales processes or client management could be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily weighted towards presentation and graphic design software. The key is proficiency in PowerPoint, with Adobe Suite being a strong complementary skill for creating high-quality visual assets.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to delivering high-quality, accurate, and professional materials that reflect ICON's reputation.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive environment where team members work together to achieve common goals, sharing knowledge and best practices.
• Data-Driven Approach: Valuing the use of data to inform design decisions and ensure that communications are clear, impactful, and scientifically sound.
• Client Focus: Understanding that design work directly supports client relationships and business development efforts, prioritizing client needs and satisfaction.
• Innovation & Adaptability: Encouraging creative thinking to find new ways to communicate complex information effectively, while remaining adaptable to changing project requirements and deadlines.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Openness to working closely with individuals from diverse backgrounds (science, clinical, business) and actively seeking their input to create accurate and effective presentations.
• Feedback Exchange: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on designs to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with project objectives.
• Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share design expertise and best practices, particularly concerning PowerPoint and data visualization, to elevate the skills of the wider team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a professional, collaborative, and results-oriented environment, typical of a leading CRO. The designer is expected to be a team player who contributes to the overall operational success by ensuring clear and compelling communication.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge will be simplifying highly technical and scientific information into easily digestible visuals without losing accuracy or scientific rigor.
• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Balancing the diverse needs and feedback from multiple stakeholders with varying levels of design understanding and project priorities.
• Fast-Paced Environment & Deadlines: Consistently delivering high-quality work under pressure and managing urgent requests, which is common in operations support roles.
• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring a unified brand image across a wide range of presentations for different purposes and audiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Specialization: Becoming an expert in designing for the clinical research and pharmaceutical sectors.
• Advanced Presentation Design: Deepening skills in data visualization, storytelling through slides, and advanced PowerPoint features.
• Exposure to Scientific Content: Developing a better understanding of clinical trial processes, scientific data, and industry terminology.
• Cross-Departmental Understanding: Gaining insight into how design supports various operational functions like sales, project management, and regulatory submissions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a unique opportunity to develop specialized design skills within a critical and high-impact industry, offering a different growth trajectory than a general graphic design position.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a presentation for a highly technical or scientific audience. How did you ensure accuracy and clarity?" (Focus on your process for understanding complex data, simplifying it, and ensuring scientific integrity.)
• "How do you manage feedback from multiple stakeholders with potentially conflicting opinions on a design?" (Emphasize your communication, negotiation, and prioritization skills.)
• "Imagine you have a complex dataset for a clinical trial. Walk us through how you would approach designing a slide to visualize this data effectively." (Demonstrate your data visualization process and strategic thinking.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about ICON plc and the clinical research industry?" (Research ICON's mission, services, and recent news. Understand the CRO business model.)
• "How do you ensure brand consistency in your design work?" (Discuss your approach to using style guides and maintaining brand integrity.)
• "Describe your ideal work environment and how you collaborate with team members." (Highlight your teamwork, communication, and adaptability.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the client's challenge, your design solution, and the positive outcome.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, use metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., improved clarity, positive feedback received, successful proposal).
• Showcase Process: Explain your thought process, from initial brief to final delivery, including any challenges overcome.
• Highlight PowerPoint Expertise: Ensure your presentation includes strong examples of advanced PowerPoint techniques and data visualization.
• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about specific software features or design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design talent, but also an understanding of business communication, data interpretation, and the specific demands of the clinical research industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-focused Creative Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided career portal link.
• Curate Your Operations-Focused Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most relevant presentation design projects that showcase your ability to communicate complex data, adhere to brand guidelines, and meet professional business standards. Ensure your portfolio highlights your PowerPoint proficiency and any experience within scientific or corporate environments.
• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize keywords from the job description, such as "PowerPoint Presentation Design," "Data Visualization," "Clinical Research," "Scientific Accuracy," "Brand Consistency," and "Cross-Functional Collaboration." Quantify achievements where possible.
• Prepare Your Presentation Narrative: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on the strategic thinking behind your designs, the challenges you overcame, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your process and how you would approach designing for ICON plc.
• Research ICON plc: Familiarize yourself with ICON's services, mission, values, and recent company news. Understand their overall brand aesthetic and the context of the clinical research industry.

⚠️ 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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