Creative Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Designer

Company: Iress

Location: Cheltenham, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing / Creative Design

Date Posted: 2026-04-21

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and produce high-quality visual assets across a variety of digital, print, and multimedia channels to support marketing and brand initiatives.

• Collaborate with global marketing teams and stakeholders to translate complex ideas into clear, engaging visual content, ensuring adherence to Iress' brand guidelines.

• Manage multiple design projects concurrently, balancing competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment, while contributing fresh, creative ideas to elevate marketing campaigns.

• Support the development of motion graphics and short-form video content, demonstrating a proactive mindset and a willingness to learn and grow within the design function.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core job title is "Creative Designer," the responsibilities and industry context (financial services technology) suggest a strong leaning towards marketing operations and brand management support. The role requires a blend of creative execution and strategic application of design principles to business objectives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create compelling visual assets for digital platforms, including webpages, email templates, social media graphics, and digital advertisements.

• Develop print collateral such as brochures, fact sheets, event materials, and other marketing collateral, ensuring high-quality production standards.

• Design and produce presentation decks, concept diagrams, and visual storytelling elements to support internal and external communications.

• Apply and rigorously maintain Iress' brand guidelines across all visual outputs, ensuring brand consistency and integrity throughout various campaigns and projects.

• Support the creation and editing of motion graphics and short-form video content, contributing to dynamic multimedia marketing efforts.

• Translate complex technical or business concepts into easily understandable and visually appealing graphics for diverse audiences.

• Collaborate effectively with marketing teams, both locally in the UK and globally, to deliver integrated campaign assets and support broader marketing strategies.

• Manage a project pipeline, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines for multiple concurrent design projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Proactively contribute creative ideas and innovative design solutions to enhance marketing initiatives and overall brand presence.

• Conduct quality assurance checks on all design outputs to ensure accuracy, visual appeal, and adherence to project specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original job description lists several responsibilities. These have been expanded to provide more granular detail and integrate keywords relevant to marketing operations and visual asset management, emphasizing the strategic application of design skills within a corporate marketing context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and a deep understanding of design principles is expected. Relevant certifications in design software or marketing communications may be considered advantageous.

Experience: Minimum of 4+ years of professional experience in graphic or digital design, gained either in-house at a corporation or within a creative agency environment. Demonstrated success in managing design projects from concept to completion is crucial.

Required Skills:

• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) for creating and editing a wide range of visual assets.

• Proven experience in designing across multiple formats, including digital (web, social media, ads), print, and presentation decks.

• Strong understanding and practical application of brand guidelines to ensure consistent visual identity across all outputs.

• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines effectively.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, essential for effective stakeholder engagement and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Exposure to or experience with motion graphics software (e.g., After Effects) and animation principles.

• Familiarity with video editing software for short-form video content creation.

• Experience in designing for the financial services or technology sector.

• Basic understanding of UX/UI principles for web and email template design.

• Familiarity with project management or collaboration tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Requirements Summary" has been detailed into specific "Required" and "Preferred" skills, mapping directly from the provided description. The experience level is inferred from the "4+ years" requirement, aligning with a mid-level design role. Education is generalized to reflect the emphasis on a portfolio over a specific degree.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of design projects demonstrating proficiency across digital, print, and presentation formats.

• Include examples of how brand guidelines were applied, illustrating consistency and strategic brand adherence.

• Present case studies that highlight your process for translating complex ideas into clear, engaging visual content, detailing problem, solution, and outcome.

• Demonstrate experience in managing multiple projects and meeting competing deadlines, potentially through project timelines or client feedback.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your design process, from initial brief and concept development through to final delivery and asset management.

• Provide examples of how you have managed feedback and revisions from stakeholders to achieve optimal design outcomes.

• Demonstrate understanding of file management, asset organization, and preparation for various production outputs (e.g., print specifications, web optimization).

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is inferred based on the nature of a Creative Designer role, especially one supporting marketing and brand initiatives. A strong portfolio is a standard requirement for such positions, and detailing what should be included helps candidates prepare effectively. The "Process Documentation" aspect is a standard expectation for operations-adjacent roles that focus on efficiency and clear workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on market research for Creative Designers with 4+ years of experience in the UK, particularly in regions like Cheltenham, the estimated salary range is £30,000 - £45,000 per annum. This estimate considers the cost of living in Cheltenham, the industry (financial services technology), and the hybrid work arrangement.

Benefits:

• Generous Paid Time Off: 8 paid days to extend weekends plus 25 days of annual leave, totaling 33 days of paid leave per year.

• Wellness and Fitness: A state-of-the-art, free on-site gym in the Cheltenham office, accessible 24/7.

• Performance Incentives: Participation in a new Short-Term Incentive and Recognition program designed to reward high performance.

• Flexible Work Environment: Casual dress code and a flexible work policy, supporting a comfortable and adaptable work setting.

• Professional Development: Access to extensive learning and development programs through LinkedIn Learning.

• Community Engagement: 3 days of paid leave per year dedicated to charity initiatives, encouraging social responsibility.

• Family Support: Special "Starting School Leave" of 8.5 days to assist children transitioning to school, and up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave for primary carers (4 weeks for secondary carers), with options for part-time return.

• Health and Insurance: Comprehensive Life Insurance and Private Medical coverage.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. The company promotes a flexible work policy, which may allow for some adjustment to daily start and end times, subject to team and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on industry benchmarks for a Creative Designer role in the UK with 4+ years of experience and the specified location. The benefits are directly extracted and elaborated from the provided text. The working hours are inferred to be standard full-time unless otherwise specified, with a note on flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services Technology. Iress provides software and services to financial markets, including wealth management, superannuation, trading, and capital markets. This industry context implies a need for accuracy, reliability, and a professional approach to design, even within a creative role.

Company Size: Iress employs over 1,100 people globally. This indicates a large, established organization with structured processes but also opportunities for broad impact and cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: Iress was founded in 1993. This long history suggests stability, deep industry expertise, and a mature corporate culture.

Team Structure:

• The Creative Designer will be part of the UK Marketing team, reporting to the Head of UK Marketing.

• There will be a dotted line reporting relationship to the Design Lead based in Australia, indicating a global design function and potential for collaboration across different regions.

Methodology:

• Iress emphasizes data-driven decision-making and the use of technology to improve performance. Designers are expected to contribute to this by creating visuals that clearly communicate data, insights, and value propositions.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key in a large organization; designers will likely engage with project management tools and processes to ensure efficient delivery of creative assets.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely embraced, especially in areas like template creation and asset management, to scale marketing efforts.

Company Website: https://www.iress.com/join-us/careers/

📝 Enhancement Note: This section synthesizes information from the provided company description and the role's placement within the organization. The industry context is crucial for understanding the design requirements and communication style needed. The team structure is inferred from the reporting lines mentioned.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Creative Designer. It requires significant practical experience (4+ years) and the ability to work independently on projects while also collaborating within a team and across geographies. The responsibilities indicate a focus on execution and asset creation, with opportunities to contribute creatively to campaigns.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Designer reports to the Head of UK Marketing and has a dotted line to the Design Lead in Australia. This structure allows for local market focus while maintaining global design standards and collaboration.

Operations Impact: The Creative Designer's work directly impacts Iress' brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, and communication clarity. High-quality visual assets are crucial for engaging target audiences in the financial services sector, supporting sales enablement, and reinforcing brand identity across all touchpoints.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific design areas such as motion graphics, advanced digital design, or visual storytelling for complex data.

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Creative Designer role, leading smaller projects, mentoring junior designers, or taking on more strategic design responsibilities within the UK or global marketing teams.

• Skill Development: Access to LinkedIn Learning and other development programs offers opportunities to acquire new design skills, software proficiency, or knowledge in related areas like marketing strategy or UX.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Opportunities to work on diverse projects across different marketing initiatives and collaborate with various departments, broadening understanding of the business.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis is based on the experience level, responsibilities, and reporting structure described. The "operations" context is applied by framing the designer's role as critical to marketing operations and business communication effectiveness. Growth opportunities are typical for a mid-level creative role within a large corporation.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Cheltenham, UK, with a hybrid work policy. This suggests a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work, likely utilizing modern office facilities.

Office Location(s): Cheltenham, United Kingdom. Specific details about the office environment are not provided, but the mention of "state-of-the-art offices" and a "free on-site gym" suggests a well-equipped and modern workspace.

Workspace Context:

• The in-office aspect of the hybrid model will likely involve collaborative workspaces designed to foster teamwork with the UK Marketing team and potentially other colleagues.

• Access to a "state-of-the-art" office implies modern technology and tools may be available, including high-performance workstations and design software.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with the Head of UK Marketing and other team members will be present during office days, facilitating communication and synergy.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is full-time (approximately 40 hours per week) with a flexible work policy. This allows for some autonomy in managing working hours, which can be beneficial for creative tasks that may require focused, uninterrupted time, while balancing collaborative needs during office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description mentions "state-of-the-art offices" and a "free on-site gym" in Cheltenham, informing the workspace context. The hybrid work arrangement is also a key factor in defining the work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess relevant experience and design capabilities.

• Portfolio Presentation/Discussion: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your work, explaining your design process, creative choices, and the impact of your projects. Be prepared to discuss how you translated complex ideas into visual assets and managed project constraints.

• Stakeholder Interview: An interview with the Head of UK Marketing and potentially other team members to assess cultural fit, communication skills, and understanding of marketing objectives.

• Technical/Creative Assessment (Potential): You might be given a small design task or a hypothetical brief to assess your practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to a new challenge.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate a selection of 5-8 strong projects that best represent your skills relevant to the job description (digital, print, presentations, brand consistency).

• For each project, clearly outline the brief, your role, the challenges, your creative process, the tools used, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Be ready to discuss your decision-making process, how you applied brand guidelines, and how you managed feedback.

• Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., personal website, PDF) and professionally presented.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly.

• Prioritize clarity, brand consistency, and effective communication in your solution.

• Manage your time effectively, delivering a polished output even if it's not fully detailed.

• Be prepared to articulate your strategic thinking and design rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section outlines a typical interview and portfolio review process for a creative role. It provides actionable advice tailored to the specific responsibilities and required skills mentioned in the job description to help candidates prepare effectively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all graphic and digital design tasks. Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is a must.

• Adobe After Effects (Preferred): For motion graphics and animation support, enhancing multimedia capabilities.

• Video Editing Software (Preferred): Such as Adobe Premiere Pro or similar, for short-form video content creation.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly a design tool, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates on digital ads, open rates on emails) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms might be a plus for understanding campaign performance.

CRM & Automation: Generally not a direct requirement for a Creative Designer, but awareness of how design assets are utilized within CRM and marketing automation platforms (e.g., email templates, landing pages) can be advantageous for ensuring compatibility and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is derived directly from the "Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite" requirement and the "Exposure to motion graphics or animation (nice to have)" preference. Other tools are inferred as potentially relevant in a corporate marketing environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Quality: A strong commitment to producing high-quality, polished design outputs that reflect positively on the Iress brand.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with marketing teams, design leads, and other stakeholders, both locally and globally, to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Creativity: A drive to contribute fresh, creative ideas and translate complex concepts into engaging visual content.

• Efficiency & Agility: Managing multiple projects and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating adaptability and proactive problem-solving.

• Brand Integrity: Upholding and applying brand guidelines meticulously to ensure a consistent and professional brand image.

Collaboration Style:

• The role requires close collaboration with the Head of UK Marketing and the global Design Lead, indicating a need for clear communication and a willingness to work within established global frameworks.

• Expect cross-functional teamwork with marketing specialists, potentially communications, and other departments requiring visual support.

• A culture of feedback exchange is likely, encouraging constructive criticism to refine designs and meet project objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are inferred from the company's industry (financial services technology, which values professionalism and reliability), the global nature of the team, and the responsibilities of a creative role within a marketing department.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global Consistency with Local Needs: Ensuring design outputs align with global brand standards while also meeting specific UK market requirements and campaign objectives.

• Translating Complex Information: Effectively visualizing intricate financial technology concepts and data into clear, compelling graphics for diverse audiences.

• Managing Competing Deadlines: Juggling multiple projects for different stakeholders and campaigns simultaneously, requiring strong prioritization and time management skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Staying current with design trends, software updates, and digital marketing best practices in a dynamic industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, motion graphics, or digital design through LinkedIn Learning and practical project experience.

• Industry Knowledge: Gain insights into the financial services technology sector by working closely with marketing and product teams.

• Global Collaboration: Develop cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills by working with the Design Lead and teams in Australia and other regions.

• Creative Contribution: Opportunities to propose and implement new visual concepts and strategies to enhance Iress' brand presence and marketing effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the role's responsibilities, location within a global company, and industry. Growth opportunities are standard for a mid-level creative role in a large organization with access to development resources.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a creative brief from initial concept to final asset delivery, especially when dealing with complex technical information." (Focus on process, problem-solving, and communication.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across a variety of digital and print collateral, and how do you handle feedback from multiple stakeholders?" (Focus on brand adherence, stakeholder management, and adaptability.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Iress and the financial services technology industry?" (Research Iress' products, values, and recent news.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and best practices, and how would you apply them here?" (Showcase continuous learning and industry awareness.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select projects that best showcase your versatility across digital, print, and presentation formats.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your creative process, the tools used, and the results or impact.

• Be prepared to discuss how you applied brand guidelines and managed feedback.

• Practice your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within any time limits.

• Be ready to discuss your experience with motion graphics or video if applicable.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions are crafted to align with the specified responsibilities, required skills, and company context, providing specific areas for candidates to prepare. The portfolio presentation advice is tailored to what a hiring manager would look for in a creative role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link: https://iress.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/IRESS_EXTERNAL/job/Cheltenham/Creative-Designer_V-10130

• Customize your CV: Highlight your 4+ years of graphic and digital design experience, specifically mentioning proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and experience across digital, print, and presentation formats. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate your Portfolio: Select your strongest 5-8 projects that demonstrate versatility, brand guideline application, and your ability to translate complex ideas visually. Ensure it's easily accessible and professionally presented.

• Prepare your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on your design process, problem-solving, and project outcomes. Be ready to discuss how you manage feedback and deadlines.

• Research Iress: Understand Iress' business, its brand, and its position in the financial services technology market to articulate your interest and how your design skills can contribute to their 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.