Graphic Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Design Director

Company: The Social Hub

Location: NL-Hub, Netherlands

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative Direction / Brand Management / Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-03T09:11:54

Experience Level: 8-12 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic evolution and execution of the TSH masterbrand, driving a sharper, bolder, and more distinctive brand identity across all touchpoints.

• Develop and implement comprehensive design systems that translate brand strategy into tangible visual assets for print, digital, and physical spaces, ensuring cohesive brand expression.

• Direct and manage external creative agencies, maintaining a tight creative vision and high standards for brand consistency and quality.

• Provide hands-on design expertise for critical projects, setting benchmarks for creative craft and execution excellence within the team.

• Build, mentor, and lead an in-house design team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous growth aligned with brand objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership opportunity within the creative function, focusing on brand architecture, design system development, and team leadership. The emphasis on "running your own creative studio" suggests significant autonomy and responsibility for shaping the brand's visual future. The "NL-Hub" location is likely a placeholder for a specific city within the Netherlands where The Social Hub has a significant presence or headquarters.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the strategic evolution of the TSH masterbrand, defining and refining its visual identity to be more impactful and recognizable.

• Translate overarching brand strategy into actionable and scalable design systems, ensuring seamless application across diverse platforms including print collateral, digital interfaces, and physical environments.

• Oversee and guide external creative agencies and partners, ensuring their output aligns with TSH's brand vision, quality standards, and strategic goals.

• Execute hands-on design work for high-priority initiatives, demonstrating exceptional craft and setting a high bar for aesthetic and technical quality.

• Ensure absolute consistency in brand representation across all touchpoints, from signage and wayfinding to marketing campaigns, digital assets, and collaborations.

• Manage the end-to-end design request process, prioritizing projects, allocating resources effectively, and ensuring timely delivery without compromising creative integrity.

• Cultivate and develop an in-house design team, providing mentorship, fostering skill development, and building a high-performing creative unit that scales with the company's growth.

• Act as a brand advocate in key strategic discussions, confidently articulating design rationale and defending creative decisions to internal stakeholders and external partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic brand development and operational execution. The role requires not only a visionary approach to brand evolution but also the practical ability to manage projects, teams, and external resources to achieve consistent, high-quality design outcomes across a wide range of applications.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or a related creative field is implied, typically achieved through a Bachelor's or Master's degree.

Experience: 8 to 12 years of progressive experience in brand design, graphic design, or visual design, with a proven track record of developing and executing impactful brand strategies and visual identities.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in brand strategy development and visual identity creation.

• Extensive experience in building and managing comprehensive design systems.

• Proficiency in translating brand strategy into effective design solutions across print, digital, and spatial contexts.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor design teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.

• Strong creative direction and art direction capabilities, with a keen eye for detail and aesthetic quality.

• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

• Superior communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to present and defend design decisions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the hospitality, lifestyle, or retail sectors, bringing industry-specific insights.

• Familiarity with spatial design principles and application in physical environments.

• Experience managing and directing external creative agencies and vendors.

• Understanding of B Corp principles and their integration into brand messaging and design.

• Experience with digital design tools and workflows, including UI/UX principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 8-12 years and the emphasis on building brand systems and leading teams clearly positions this as a senior, director-level role. The preference for hospitality, lifestyle, or retail experience suggests the company values candidates who can quickly integrate into their industry context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 8-12 years of professional design experience, with a strong emphasis on brand development and execution.

• Evidence of developing and implementing comprehensive brand systems, demonstrating scalability and consistency across various applications.

• Case studies detailing the strategic thinking and creative process behind significant brand evolutions or identity projects.

• Work samples that span print, digital, and physical/spatial design, illustrating versatility and an understanding of multi-channel brand application.

Process Documentation:

• Documentation of experience in managing design workflows from concept to completion, including project prioritization and resource allocation.

• Examples of process frameworks used for brand system development and maintenance.

• Demonstrations of experience in collaborating with and directing external agencies, including briefing, feedback, and quality control processes.

• Evidence of leadership in building and mentoring design teams, potentially including team structure, workflow optimization, and talent development strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, needing to demonstrate not just aesthetic talent but also strategic thinking, system development capabilities, and leadership experience. Emphasis on process documentation is key to understanding how candidates manage complex design operations and team dynamics.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Director level, 8-12 years of experience, and the location in the Netherlands (specifically a major city implied by "NL-Hub"), a competitive salary range is expected. For a Graphic Design Director in the Netherlands with this experience, the range could typically fall between €70,000 and €100,000 annually, depending on specific responsibilities, company size, and the exact location's cost of living.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work at a dynamic, multi-national company and a "game-changing innovator."

• Employment with a Certified B Corp® company, highlighting a commitment to social and environmental impact.

• Collaboration with organizations like Movement on the Ground and the TSH Talent Foundation.

• Opportunities for professional development, learning, and career growth within the role.

• Generous discounts at all The Social Hub properties across Europe for employees, friends, and family.

• A positive and inclusive workplace environment with regular events and engaging colleagues.

• Standard Dutch benefits, which typically include competitive vacation days, pension contributions, and health insurance contributions.

Working Hours: The stated "40 hours" per week indicates a standard full-time work schedule. Given the leadership nature of the role and the "hands-on" requirement, there may be an expectation for flexibility to meet project deadlines and strategic objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general Dutch market rates for senior creative leadership roles and the company's stated mission and scope. The benefits package emphasizes unique perks and a strong company culture, aligning with The Social Hub's brand positioning.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Hospitality, with a significant focus on student accommodation, co-living, co-working, and community building. The company operates as a hybrid hospitality concept, integrating various services and amenities.

Company Size: The Social Hub is a growing international company with a significant presence across Europe. While not explicitly stated, the mention of multiple countries and new openings suggests a company size of 500-5000+ employees.

Founded: Founded in 2012, The Social Hub has rapidly expanded from its origins in the Netherlands to establish a strong presence across multiple European countries. This rapid growth indicates an agile, evolving, and ambitious organizational culture.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely part of a larger Marketing or Brand department.

• The Graphic Design Director will report to a higher-level executive, such as a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Chief Brand Officer, or potentially a Chief Creative Officer, depending on the organizational structure.

Methodology:

• A data-informed approach to brand strategy and design, utilizing market insights and performance metrics to guide creative decisions.

• Emphasis on agile and iterative design processes to adapt to market trends and business needs.

• Strong focus on building integrated brand systems that ensure consistency and efficiency across diverse applications.

• Commitment to sustainability and social impact, as evidenced by B Corp certification and partnerships.

Company Website: https://www.thesocialhub.co/

📝 Enhancement Note: The Social Hub's unique positioning as a hybrid hospitality concept and its B Corp certification are key cultural differentiators. The company culture likely values innovation, community, inclusivity, and a proactive, hands-on approach, aligning with the "rule breakers" and "game changing innovator" self-description.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Director-level position, signifying a senior leadership role responsible for strategic vision, team management, and significant operational oversight within the graphic design function. It requires a high degree of autonomy and decision-making authority.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Design Director will likely report to a VP of Marketing, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), or a similar senior executive responsible for the overall brand and marketing strategy. They will, in turn, manage a team of designers.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Design Director has a profound impact on the company's brand perception, market differentiation, and customer experience. Their work directly influences how the brand is communicated visually across all touchpoints, from physical spaces to digital interactions, ultimately affecting customer acquisition, loyalty, and brand equity. The role is crucial in translating the company's innovative hospitality model into a compelling and consistent visual narrative.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into a VP of Creative or Chief Creative Officer role as the company continues its global expansion.

• Strategic Brand Influence: Opportunity to shape the long-term visual direction and brand architecture of a rapidly growing international brand.

• Team Building & Development: Significant opportunity to build and scale a high-performing in-house design team, mentoring talent and fostering a strong creative culture.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Potential to lead broader creative initiatives that span multiple departments and markets.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining extensive experience in the dynamic hospitality and co-living sectors, with exposure to international markets and diverse guest segments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers substantial growth potential due to the company's expansion and its focus on brand development. The emphasis on building an in-house team suggests a strategic move towards internalizing creative capabilities, offering long-term career development for the Director.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site ("NL-Hub"), suggesting a primary work location within one of The Social Hub's properties or a dedicated corporate office in the Netherlands. This environment is likely to be dynamic, vibrant, and reflective of the company's brand identity.

Office Location(s): The "NL-Hub" designation indicates a significant operational base within the Netherlands. Specific city details would need clarification, but it is likely a major metropolitan area where The Social Hub has a strong presence.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative and energetic workspace designed to foster creativity and teamwork, mirroring the company's hybrid hospitality concept.

• Access to modern design tools and technology necessary for executing high-level creative work.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with colleagues across various departments, promoting a holistic understanding of the business and facilitating cross-functional design integration.

• The workspace may feature elements of The Social Hub's signature design, offering an inspiring environment for creative professionals.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (40 hours/week) are expected, with potential flexibility required for critical projects or international collaboration across different time zones. The on-site requirement emphasizes in-person collaboration and engagement within the company's established physical locations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role suggests a preference for in-person collaboration and immersion in the company culture. The workspace is expected to be stimulating and aligned with The Social Hub's brand ethos.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will review applications and portfolios for basic qualifications and fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: An interview with the hiring manager (likely a senior marketing or brand executive) to assess strategic thinking, leadership experience, and alignment with the role's objectives.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, discusses key projects, and potentially walks through a prepared case study demonstrating their approach to a relevant design challenge (e.g., evolving a brand identity, developing a design system).

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential direct reports, peers from other departments (Marketing, Operations), and possibly senior leadership to evaluate collaboration style, cultural fit, and strategic alignment.

• Final Interview: A concluding discussion with a high-level executive to make a final decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Narrative: Structure your portfolio presentation to tell a story. Clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, the creative solution, and the measurable impact or outcomes.

• Systemic Thinking: Highlight your experience with brand systems. Showcase how you've created cohesive visual frameworks that can be applied consistently across diverse touchpoints.

• Hands-on Craftsmanship: Include examples of your direct design execution that demonstrate a high level of skill, attention to detail, and aesthetic judgment.

• Leadership & Collaboration: If possible, include examples of how you've led teams, mentored designers, or collaborated effectively with agencies and cross-functional partners.

• Relevance to TSH: Tailor your presentation to highlight work that aligns with The Social Hub's brand (hospitality, lifestyle, community-focused) and address their stated needs for boldness, distinctiveness, and innovation.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge that might involve refining a brand element, proposing a campaign concept, or outlining a strategy for a new market.

• Practice articulating your design process and decision-making rationale clearly and concisely.

• Understand The Social Hub's current brand identity and business model to better contextualize your responses.

• Prepare questions that demonstrate your strategic thinking and genuine interest in the company's mission and challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, with a strong emphasis on portfolio review and strategic thinking. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not only their creative talent but also their ability to lead, strategize, and manage complex design operations within a growing international company.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all aspects of graphic and visual design, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Figma/Sketch/Adobe XD: Increasingly important for digital design, prototyping, and collaborative design system development.

• Presentation Software: Tools like PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides for presenting portfolios and strategic concepts.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Other Potential Tools:

• Project Management Software: Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or similar for managing design requests and team workflows.

• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams for team communication.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems for organizing and distributing brand assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in core design software is a given. The role also requires familiarity with digital design tools and an understanding of how design integrates with broader marketing technology stacks and project management systems used in a dynamic corporate environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Authenticity: Encouraging individuals to be themselves, fostering diversity and inclusivity.

• Innovation & Rule-Breaking: A culture that challenges conventions and seeks new ways of doing things, particularly in hospitality.

• Community & Connection: Building a sense of belonging, both internally among staff and externally with guests.

• Impact & Purpose: A commitment to positive social and environmental change, as reflected in B Corp status and partnerships.

• Excellence & Craft: A drive for high quality in all aspects of the work, from design to guest experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with marketing, operations, and brand teams to ensure design aligns with business objectives and brand messaging.

• Agency Partnership: A professional and directive approach to managing and collaborating with external creative agencies.

• Team Empowerment: Fostering an environment where the in-house design team feels empowered to contribute ideas, take ownership, and grow professionally.

• Open Communication: Valuing clear and honest communication, both within the design team and with other departments, to ensure alignment and resolve challenges effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values of authenticity, innovation, community, and impact are central to its culture. The Graphic Design Director will be expected to embody these values and foster them within their team, ensuring design work aligns with the company's mission and brand personality.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global Brand Consistency with Local Relevance: Ensuring the masterbrand is consistently applied across diverse international markets while allowing for culturally sensitive adaptations.

• Scaling Creative Operations: Growing the in-house design team and processes to meet the demands of rapid international expansion without compromising quality or brand integrity.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Navigating the needs and expectations of various internal departments and external partners to drive cohesive design outcomes.

• Driving Innovation in a Traditional Industry: Introducing bold and distinctive visual strategies within the hospitality sector, which can sometimes be risk-averse.

• Hands-on vs. Strategic Balance: Effectively managing time between strategic brand leadership, team mentorship, and hands-on design execution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Brand Leadership: Deepening expertise in developing and managing global masterbrands and complex design systems.

• Team Building and Leadership: Gaining extensive experience in recruiting, mentoring, and leading a high-performing creative team.

• Cross-Cultural Design Management: Developing skills in managing creative projects and teams across different European markets.

• Impact-Driven Design: Applying design principles to support a Certified B Corp's mission and contribute to social and environmental initiatives.

• Industry Immersion: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the evolving hospitality, co-living, and co-working sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a Director of Design in a rapidly growing, international company. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to shape a global brand and build a leading creative function.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach evolving The Social Hub's masterbrand to be bolder and more distinctive, considering its current identity and market positioning?" (Focus on strategic thinking, brand analysis, and implementation plans.)

• "Describe your process for developing a comprehensive design system. How would you ensure its adoption and consistent application across global markets and diverse touchpoints?" (Emphasis on systems thinking, scalability, and operationalization.)

• "How do you balance hands-on design execution with strategic leadership and team management responsibilities?" (Assessing time management, prioritization, and leadership style.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Given The Social Hub's B Corp status and commitment to impact, how would you integrate these values into the brand's visual communication?" (Assessing alignment with company mission and values.)

• "How do you foster an inclusive and authentic creative environment within your team?" (Understanding of DEI principles and team culture building.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Frame your portfolio presentation around a clear story: the challenge, your strategic approach, the creative execution, and the results or impact.

• Systemic Examples: For each project, highlight how it fits into a broader brand system or strategy, not just as a standalone piece.

• Hands-on Craftsmanship: Be ready to discuss the execution details of your work, demonstrating your understanding of design principles and technical proficiency.

• Leadership Evidence: Integrate examples of how you've led projects, mentored designers, or managed agency relationships into your project discussions.

• TSH Relevance: Explicitly connect your most relevant work to The Social Hub's needs, brand, and industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic brand thinking, systemic design capabilities, leadership potential, and a strong cultural fit with The Social Hub's innovative and community-oriented ethos.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided greenhouse.io link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features work demonstrating brand system development, strategic thinking, and execution across print, digital, and spatial design. Prioritize projects that align with hospitality, lifestyle, or community-focused brands.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight 8-12 years of relevant experience, leadership roles, brand strategy achievements, and experience with design systems. Use keywords like "brand strategy," "creative direction," "design systems," "team leadership," and "hospitality."

• Prepare for Case Study/Presentation: Anticipate presenting your portfolio and potentially a case study. Practice articulating your design process, strategic rationale, and the impact of your work.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research The Social Hub's brand, mission, values (especially B Corp status), and current market presence to demonstrate genuine interest and strategic understanding during interviews.

⚠️ 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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