Graphic Designer (3 month fixed term)

Jarrolds
Full-time£25k-28k/year (GBP)Norwich, United Kingdom

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (3-month fixed term)

Company: Jarrold (Yawn Marketing)

Location: Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom (NR2 4SN)

Job Type: Full-Time - Temporary/Contract

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: May 4, 2026

Experience Level: 1-3 Years Industry Experience (Mid-Level)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

  • This 3-month fixed-term contract role focuses on delivering high-impact creative assets for a marketing agency, Yawn Marketing, a Jarrold company.

  • The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in evolving existing brands and creating new visual identities for a diverse portfolio of local and national clients.

  • Responsibilities span from initial concept development and mood boarding to the final rollout of brand assets across online and physical media.

  • The role offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining in-office collaboration with remote flexibility, and presents an opportunity to contribute to agency marketing efforts and business development pitches.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw data lists the job title as "Graphic Designer (3 month fixed term)", the context of the description suggests a role that bridges creative execution with strategic marketing input, making it relevant for operations professionals interested in the creative delivery side of GTM functions. The "TEMP" employment type confirms the fixed-term nature. The hybrid model is explicitly stated as "flexible working with up to two days at home per week."

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Brand Design & Evolution: Conduct thorough desk research, interrogate client briefs, develop mood boards, and conceptualize design routes to evolve existing brands or establish new ones.

  • Cross-Channel Creative Development: Identify and create cohesive cross-channel creative concepts that effectively translate across the entire marketing mix for clients, ensuring brand consistency.

  • Digital Asset Creation: Design and produce engaging social media guidelines and templates, email banners, website banners, and digital advertisements that capture attention.

  • Brand Asset Rollout & Documentation: Clearly document and structure brand design assets, ensuring they are organized and ready for client consumption and practical application.

  • Agency Business Development Support: Refine pitch materials and develop creative concepts for new business pitches to aid in winning new client work.

  • Agency Marketing Contribution: Support the promotion of Yawn Marketing's services through activities such as email campaigns, website management, social media marketing, and content creation to showcase agency expertise and client results.

  • Internal Training & Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to the agency's growth by sharing expertise, assisting in upskilling colleagues, and fostering a culture of continuous learning within the team.

  • Client-Facing Engagement: Participate in client-facing aspects of the role, collaborating with Marketing Consultants, Strategists, and Account Managers.

  • Assistance with Digital Marketing Tasks: Provide support for email marketing, social media content management, and website content updates as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of core graphic design tasks with broader marketing agency operations, including business development support and internal knowledge sharing, which are key aspects of GTM support functions. The "cross-channel thinking" and "brand rollout" responsibilities indicate a need for strategic application of design within a marketing framework.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: No specific degree is required, but a background in graphic design, illustration, experience design, or a related design discipline is preferred.

Experience: 1-3 years of industry experience is sought.

Required Skills:

  • Proficiency in core design tools: Canva, Adobe Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), and Figma.

  • Strong understanding of graphic design fundamentals, including typography, grid systems, and color logic.

  • Ability to carry design ideas from initial conception through to full rollout.

  • Passion for the intersection of design and marketing principles.

  • Excellent communication skills, both written (for copy and client interaction) and verbal.

  • A keen eye for detail, ensuring precision in all design outputs.

  • Creativity and strong conceptual thinking for idea generation.

  • An enterprising and proactive attitude ("go-getter" mentality).

  • Versatility and adaptability to evolving digital landscapes and skill development.

  • An analytical mind, comfortable backing creative concepts with insight and data.

Preferred Skills:

  • Proficiency or demonstrated interest in learning animation using Adobe Suite, Rive, or other relevant tools.

  • Interest in designing with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and developing AI-enabled design workflows.

  • Previous experience in a customer-facing role.

  • Additional experience or a strong interest in areas such as social media marketing, email marketing, and web design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software like Adobe Suite, Figma, and Canva, alongside conceptual skills like "typography," "grid systems," and "colour logic," is crucial. The explicit mention of "interest in designing with AI and creating AI-enable design workflows" points to a forward-thinking agency embracing emerging technologies, a valuable insight for candidates. The "1-3 years" experience level suggests this is an excellent opportunity for early-to-mid-career designers.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Design Concept to Execution: Showcase projects that demonstrate the ability to take an idea from initial concept (mood boards, research) through to final, polished assets.

  • Brand Evolution and Rollout: Include case studies that highlight the process of evolving existing brands or establishing new ones, with examples of how assets were applied across various channels.

  • Cross-Channel Application: Present work that illustrates an understanding of how design concepts can be adapted and applied effectively across different marketing platforms (digital, print, social media, email).

  • Tool Proficiency Showcase: Feature examples of work created using Canva, Adobe Suite, and Figma, demonstrating practical application of these tools.

  • Problem-Solving Through Design: Include projects where design was used to solve a specific client problem or achieve a particular marketing objective, clearly articulating the challenge and the solution.

Process Documentation:

  • Brand Guideline Creation: Demonstrate experience in creating clear, structured brand guidelines or asset documentation that clients can easily use.

  • Workflow Efficiency: Illustrate how design processes were optimized for efficiency, particularly in a fast-paced agency environment.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Highlight examples of working effectively with marketing consultants, strategists, and account managers to deliver integrated creative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role within a marketing agency, a strong portfolio is paramount. It should not just display aesthetic quality but also the candidate's process, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver tangible results for clients. The focus on "cross-channel thinking" and "brand rollout" implies a need for process documentation that shows how designs are implemented operationally.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £24,840 - £28,000 per annum (based on AI-generated estimates)

Explanation of Estimate: This range is based on AI analysis of similar roles in the UK market for individuals with 1-3 years of experience in graphic design within a marketing agency context. The fixed-term nature of the contract may also influence the rate.

Benefits:

  • Annual Leave: 27 days of annual holiday plus bank holidays.

  • Service-Based Holiday Increase: An additional day of holiday for each year of completed service, up to a maximum of 29 days.

  • Employee Discount: Jarrold Group colleague discount and additional discounts at other local businesses.

  • Parking: Free workday city centre parking.

  • Health & Pension (Post-Probation/Extension): Private health cover and enhanced employer pension contributions are offered following successful probation, should the contract be extended.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements including up to two days working from home per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is derived from AI analysis and should be considered a benchmark. The benefits package is quite comprehensive for a temporary role, especially the holiday allowance and employee discounts. The provision of private health cover and pension enhancement after probation, if the contract extends, is a significant perk. The explicit mention of "flexible working with up to two days at home per week" defines the hybrid nature.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising / Retail (Jarrold is a department store group, Yawn Marketing is its agency arm).

Company Size: Jarrold Group is a well-established, medium-to-large enterprise. Yawn Marketing operates as a smaller, energetic agency within this larger structure.

Founded: Jarrold was founded in 1823, indicating a long history and stable foundation. Yawn Marketing's founding date is not specified but it is a 'Jarrold company'.

Team Structure:

  • Agency Model: Yawn Marketing functions as a small, agile marketing agency with a diverse team of marketers, consultants, strategists, and account managers.

  • Specialization: While specialized in their areas, team members are encouraged to be versatile and contribute across different functions.

  • Reporting: The Graphic Designer will work within the Yawn Marketing service delivery team, collaborating closely with various roles and likely reporting to a Creative Lead or Agency Director.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: High emphasis on teamwork, with the designer supporting consultants, strategists, and account managers, and also contributing to agency marketing.

Methodology:

  • Data-Informed Creativity: The agency values creativity backed by insight and data, suggesting a blend of artistic flair with analytical decision-making.

  • Agile Delivery: The "small agency" context implies a flexible, fast-paced approach to client work and project management.

  • Continuous Learning: A culture of sharing expertise, upskilling colleagues, and adapting to the evolving digital landscape is actively promoted.

Company Website: https://jarrold.co.uk/ (for Jarrold Group), https://yawnmarketing.co.uk/ (for Yawn Marketing)

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding that Yawn Marketing is part of the larger, historic Jarrold Group provides context on stability and resources. The agency's culture is described as "knowledgeable, energetic, and creative," with an expectation of "pulling together." The data-driven approach to creativity is a key operational characteristic.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an early-to-mid-level of a creative career path within a marketing operations context. It's a hands-on delivery role with opportunities to influence creative outputs and contribute to agency growth.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report into a Creative Lead or Agency Director within Yawn Marketing, working closely with Marketing Consultants, Strategists, and Account Managers.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts client brand perception, campaign effectiveness, and acquisition efforts. By creating compelling visuals and supporting agency marketing, they contribute to lead generation and client retention.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Expansion: Opportunity to gain experience with AI-enabled design workflows, animation tools, and expand into areas like email marketing, social media, and web design.

  • Portfolio Development: Building a strong portfolio through diverse client projects, showcasing a range of design challenges and solutions.

  • Agency Contribution: Contributing to business development pitches and agency marketing can provide exposure to broader agency operations and strategic thinking.

  • Potential for Extension: The contract has the possibility of extension, offering a pathway to longer-term engagement and deeper involvement.

  • Cross-functional Exposure: Working with strategists and account managers provides insight into marketing strategy and client management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "3-month fixed term" is the primary constraint, but the description hints at potential extension. Growth here is less about linear promotion and more about skill diversification, portfolio enhancement, and gaining agency experience. The "versatility" and "analytical mind" requirements suggest that candidates who show potential beyond pure graphic design will be highly valued.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in a city-centre marketing agency office, expected to be a collaborative and dynamic workspace.

Office Location(s): Norwich city centre, NR2 4SN, United Kingdom. The office is commutable from Norwich or surrounding areas.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Hub: The office serves as the primary location for team collaboration, client meetings, and team training sessions.

  • Tools & Technology: Access to design software (Adobe Suite, Figma, Canva) and potentially other agency tools for project management and communication.

  • Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with a diverse team of marketing professionals, fostering a learning environment.

Work Schedule: Full-time (approx. 40 hours/week) with a hybrid model, allowing for up to two days of remote work per week. This offers flexibility while ensuring in-person collaboration and team cohesion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement is a key feature, balancing the need for in-office collaboration essential for creative agency work with the flexibility desired by many professionals. The city-centre location and provision of free parking are practical benefits.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Likely an assessment of CV and portfolio against core requirements.

  • Creative Assessment: A portfolio review focusing on design quality, conceptual thinking, and process. Candidates may be asked to walk through specific projects.

  • Skills-Based Interview: Discussion around proficiency in design tools, understanding of design principles, and experience with brand design and rollout.

  • Cultural Fit & Team Interaction: Interviews will assess qualities like creativity, attention to detail, communication skills, and an enterprising attitude. Questions about how they'd contribute to the team and agency culture are probable.

  • Potential Task/Challenge: A short design task or a hypothetical scenario might be presented to gauge problem-solving and design approach under pressure.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best align with the responsibilities and skills mentioned (brand design, cross-channel thinking, digital assets).

  • Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, your thought process, the challenges faced, and the final outcome. Visuals of mood boards, sketches, or early concepts are beneficial.

  • Highlight Tool Usage: Explicitly mention which tools (Adobe Suite, Figma, Canva) were used and how.

  • Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples that showcase different types of design work (e.g., branding, digital ads, social media templates).

  • Quantify Impact (If Possible): If a project led to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, successful campaign launch), include those metrics.

  • Tailor to Agency: Briefly explain why your work and approach would be a good fit for Yawn Marketing's client roster and agency culture.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Familiarize with Yawn's Work: Review Yawn Marketing's website and client examples to understand their style and client base.

  • Practice Design Fundamentals: Be ready to discuss typography, color theory, and layout principles.

  • Prepare for AI/Tech Questions: Think about how you incorporate new technologies like AI into your design workflow.

  • Articulate Your "Why": Be ready to explain your passion for design and marketing and why this role excites you.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that showcases process and strategic thinking, not just final visuals, is critical for agency roles. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design decisions and how they align with marketing objectives. The mention of AI and animation interest indicates these could be areas explored in interviews or challenges.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Canva: For quick design tasks, social media templates, and potentially client self-service assets.

  • Adobe Suite: Essential for professional graphic design, including Photoshop (image editing, digital ads), Illustrator (logos, vector graphics), and InDesign (layout, brand guidelines, print collateral).

  • Figma: Increasingly important for collaborative design, UI/UX (especially if web banners or digital interfaces are involved), and prototyping.

Analytics & Reporting (Indirect Relevance):

CRM & Automation (Indirect Relevance):

  • Experience with email marketing platforms (for banner integration) or CMS (for website content updates) would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Canva, Adobe Suite, and Figma is key. Proficiency in these tools is non-negotiable. The interest in animation and AI tools like Rive suggests openness to adopting new technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Generosity & Teamwork: A collaborative spirit where "we all pull together" is paramount. Expect a supportive environment where helping colleagues is encouraged.

  • Attention to Detail: A critical value for designers; spotting minor errors is highly prized.

  • Creativity & Idea Generation: The business relies on strong ideas, so a constant flow of creativity is expected from all team members.

  • Excellent Communication: Essential for client interactions, internal discussions, and content creation.

  • Enterprising Attitude: A proactive, "go-getter" mindset is valued, indicating a desire to take initiative and drive projects forward.

  • Versatility & Adaptability: The team embraces change and continuous learning in the dynamic digital marketing landscape.

  • Analytical Approach: Combining creativity with data-driven insights and analysis.

  • Organization & Prioritization: The ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.

Collaboration Style:

  • Integrated Team: The agency operates with a high degree of cross-functional collaboration, where designers work closely with strategists, consultants, and account managers.

  • Knowledge Sharing: An active culture of sharing expertise and upskilling colleagues.

  • Feedback Culture: Likely an open environment for constructive feedback on creative work and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values described are highly aligned with a small, agile, and client-focused marketing agency. The emphasis on detail, creativity, and collaboration is central to the agency's operational ethos.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Creativity with Client Demands: Meeting diverse client needs and brand guidelines while maintaining creative integrity and innovative solutions.

  • Fast-Paced Agency Environment: Juggling multiple projects and deadlines for various clients in a potentially demanding workflow.

  • Adopting New Technologies: Staying current with emerging design tools and trends, such as AI-enabled design and animation.

  • Fixed-Term Contract: The inherent challenge of a temporary role, requiring quick integration and immediate impact, with the uncertainty of extension.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Tool Mastery: Deepening proficiency in Adobe Suite, Figma, and exploring animation tools like Rive.

  • AI in Design: Gaining practical experience with AI tools and workflows for creative processes.

  • Cross-Functional Exposure: Learning about marketing strategy, client management, and agency operations through collaboration.

  • Portfolio Enhancement: Building a robust portfolio with diverse client projects that showcase a wide range of skills and problem-solving abilities.

  • Agency Marketing Experience: Contributing to the agency's own marketing efforts provides exposure to broader GTM strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the temporary nature of the role, which requires candidates to hit the ground running. However, this also presents an opportunity for rapid skill development and portfolio building in a dynamic environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "How would you approach evolving an existing brand identity for a client while ensuring it remains recognizable and appealing to their current audience?"

  • "Describe your process for creating a set of social media templates that are versatile yet maintain strict brand consistency."

  • "Imagine a client brief requires a campaign that needs to work across digital ads, email, and social media. How would you ensure a cohesive creative concept?"

  • "How do you incorporate client feedback into your design process, especially when it conflicts with your initial vision?"

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "Why are you interested in a fixed-term contract with Yawn Marketing specifically?"

  • "Describe a time you had to work collaboratively with a team to achieve a creative goal. What was your role, and how did you contribute?"

  • "How do you ensure a high level of detail in your work, especially when working under tight deadlines?"

  • "What does 'creativity' mean to you in the context of marketing agency work?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio piece, clearly outline the client/project, the brief/problem, your role and approach, the tools used, key design decisions, challenges overcome, and the final outcome/impact.

  • Highlight Process: Show sketches, mood boards, wireframes, or iterations to demonstrate your thought process, not just the final polished output.

  • Emphasize Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with Adobe Suite, Figma, and Canva, and any animation or AI tools.

  • Connect to Agency Needs: Frame your experience and portfolio pieces in the context of Yawn Marketing's services and client work.

  • Be Enthusiastic and Concise: Present with energy and clarity, respecting the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also an understanding of marketing strategy, client collaboration, and the agency environment. The interest in AI and animation should be reflected in prepared examples or discussions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on the Jarrold careers page.

  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating brand evolution, cross-channel thinking, and digital asset creation using tools like Adobe Suite, Figma, and Canva. Include examples of your process and conceptual development.

  • Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 1-3 years of relevant industry experience, specific design tool proficiencies, and any experience in customer-facing roles or related design disciplines. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your passion for design and marketing, your understanding of the agency environment, and how your skills align with Yawn Marketing's values and client needs. Practice walking through your portfolio with a focus on process and problem-solving.

  • Research Yawn Marketing: Familiarize yourself with their website, client case studies, and overall brand aesthetic to understand their approach and tailor your application and interview responses accordingly.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have 1-3 years of industry experience and proficiency in Adobe Suite, Figma, and Canva. A strong understanding of graphic design fundamentals and an interest in AI-enabled workflows are required.