Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Commercial Services Group (The Education People)

Location: Aylesford, Kent, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: April 1, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in creating compelling visual assets that support the strategic communication and branding efforts of Commercial Services Group and its subsidiary, The Education People.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for translating marketing objectives and brand messaging into impactful visual content across both print and digital platforms, ensuring brand consistency and accessibility.

• This position requires a blend of creative design skills, technical proficiency in design software, and the ability to manage multiple projects within a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.

• The role contributes directly to the enhancement of brand perception, campaign effectiveness, and the overall visual identity of the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw job title is "Graphic Designer," this enhancement positions it within a broader "Marketing & Design Operations" category, reflecting its strategic importance in supporting GTM (Go-To-Market) initiatives through visual communication. The hybrid nature of the role is clearly specified.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and produce high-quality, engaging visual content for a diverse range of print and digital marketing materials, including flyers, social media graphics, brochures, case studies, email assets, event visuals, merchandise, and signage.

• Create and edit basic video content for use in marketing campaigns and social media channels, demonstrating an understanding of visual storytelling for different platforms.

• Design and deliver creative assets to support the launch of new services and promotional campaigns, ensuring alignment with brand messaging and objectives.

• Play a key role in brand development initiatives, contributing to the evolution of brand guidelines and visual identity standards for the organization, sub-brands, and the wider group.

• Design and implement user-friendly templates for common organizational materials such as PowerPoint presentations and Word documents, enhancing internal efficiency and brand consistency.

• Act as a subject matter expert for visual design, providing guidance on best practices, accessibility standards, and emerging design trends to internal stakeholders.

• Manage and prioritize workload effectively using project management tools like Asana, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality design output for multiple concurrent projects.

• Continuously explore and propose improvements to design processes, workflows, and the adoption of new tools and creative technologies to enhance efficiency and output quality.

• Stay abreast of the latest design trends, accessibility updates, and emerging creative technologies to ensure the organization's visual communications remain current and effective.

• Support central events, such as "The Education People Show," by creating all necessary branded materials and visual aids, ensuring a cohesive and professional event presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities have been elaborated to emphasize the strategic impact of design on marketing campaigns, brand development, and internal operational efficiency. The mention of Asana highlights project management expectations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Proven experience in graphic design, with a focus on marketing or campaign environments, demonstrating a track record of successful visual communication projects.

• Experience in creating artwork for social media, print publications, online events, and presentation materials.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Strong creative and conceptual skills with a demonstrable ability to produce impactful designs across various media.

• Software Expertise: Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Canva, and Microsoft PowerPoint for design and presentation creation.

• Design Principles & Detail Orientation: A keen eye for detail, layout, typography, color theory, and a solid understanding of fundamental design principles.

• Project Management: Experience in managing design projects from brief to completion, including scope definition, timeline management, and stakeholder communication.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to effectively interpret design briefs, ask clarifying questions, and collaborate with internal stakeholders across different teams and brands.

• Brand Consistency: Deep understanding of brand guidelines and the ability to apply them consistently across all design outputs, both digital and print.

• Accessibility Awareness: Knowledge of accessibility standards in design (e.g., WCAG) and practical experience in embedding these principles into creative work.

Preferred Skills:

• Video Editing: Basic video editing skills for creating short promotional clips or social media content.

• Template Creation: Experience in developing and standardizing templates for common business documents (e.g., PowerPoint, Word).

• Visual Identity Development: Familiarity with or experience in contributing to the development of visual identities and brand roadmaps.

• Animation: Basic knowledge or experience with motion graphics or simple animations for digital content.

• Agile/Scrum Familiarity: Understanding of agile methodologies, particularly in relation to project management and iterative design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications section has been expanded to provide more specific context relevant to a design operations role, emphasizing practical skills and software proficiency. "Mid-Level" experience has been inferred based on the responsibilities and required skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Showcase: A diverse portfolio demonstrating a range of design projects across both print and digital media, reflecting the responsibilities outlined.

• Campaign Impact: Examples of design work that contributed to successful marketing campaigns, showcasing an understanding of design's role in achieving business objectives.

• Brand Application: Evidence of ability to adhere to and develop brand guidelines, showcasing consistency and creativity within defined brand frameworks.

• Process Documentation: While not a primary focus, a portfolio that subtly illustrates a structured design process (e.g., initial sketches, wireframes, final outputs) can be beneficial.

• Accessibility Integration: Specific examples or a clear explanation of how accessibility considerations were integrated into design solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their design process, from receiving a brief to final delivery, highlighting problem-solving approaches and quality assurance steps.

• The ability to discuss how design processes can be optimized for efficiency and better collaboration will be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section emphasizes the critical need for a strong portfolio, detailing what specific types of work and demonstrable skills should be included to align with the role's responsibilities and the company's focus on brand and campaign effectiveness.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £31,680 per annum.

Benefits:

• Annual Leave: 25 days per year, increasing to 27 days after four years of service.

• Birthday Day Off: An additional day of leave for your birthday.

• Concessionary Day: One extra day of leave during the Christmas period.

• Pension Scheme: A competitive pension scheme with a 4% employer contribution.

• Life Assurance Cover: Provided for peace of mind.

• Hybrid Working: Flexibility to blend working from home with office-based collaboration.

• Professional Development: Opportunities to stay aware of design trends and emerging technologies, fostering continuous learning.

Working Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: A specific salary range is provided. Benefits are detailed as listed in the source, with emphasis on elements attractive to professionals seeking work-life balance and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Support Services & Public Sector Services. Commercial Services Group (CSG) is a significant player, being the UK's largest local authority-owned trading company (LATCO), generating substantial revenue and serving numerous customers globally. The Education People specifically focuses on providing a wide array of support services to educational institutions.

Company Size: CSG is a large organization, generating over £800 million in revenue per annum and supporting over 16,000 customers. This indicates a robust infrastructure and significant operational scale.

Founded: While the founding date of CSG isn't explicitly stated, the description implies a long-standing presence and established expertise in supporting the education sector.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a broader marketing or communications team within The Education People, which is itself part of the larger CSG.

• This role will involve collaboration with marketing managers, content creators, and potentially other design or operational support staff.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Marketing Support: The role supports marketing and campaign efforts that are likely informed by data and strategic objectives, requiring designs that effectively communicate specific messages.

• Process Optimization: A key aspect of the role involves driving improvements in design processes and exploring new tools, indicating a culture that values efficiency and innovation.

• Collaboration & Best Practice: The company emphasizes collaboration and staying aware of industry best practices, including accessibility and emerging technologies.

Company Website: https://careers.commercialservicesgroup.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context has been enriched by highlighting CSG's scale, its LATCO status, and the specific focus of The Education People, providing a clearer picture of the organizational environment for a designer.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level Graphic Designer role, suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of dedicated experience. It offers a solid foundation for a career in design operations, marketing design, or brand management within the education and public sectors. The responsibilities suggest a degree of autonomy and contribution to strategic visual initiatives.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Marketing Manager or Head of Communications, working within a team that supports broader organizational and departmental goals. Collaboration is expected with various internal teams and stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is measured by its contribution to effective brand communication, campaign success, and the overall visual appeal and professionalism of organizational materials. High-quality design enhances brand perception, aids in service promotion, and supports educational outreach efforts.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design areas, such as digital marketing design, motion graphics, or video editing, based on project needs and personal development goals.

• Brand Strategy Contribution: As the designer gains experience, there's potential to take on more responsibility in brand development, visual identity strategy, and creating comprehensive brand guidelines.

• Cross-Functional Development: Exposure to various departments and projects within CSG and The Education People can lead to a broader understanding of the organization's operations and potential career paths in marketing, communications, or even project management.

• Industry Engagement: Staying current with design trends and accessibility updates fosters continuous learning, which is crucial for career longevity and advancement in the creative field.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the Graphic Designer role within an operations context, emphasizing its impact on GTM efforts and outlining potential career progression paths within the organization, focusing on skill development and strategic contribution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, indicating a blend of remote work and in-office presence. This suggests a modern work environment that values flexibility while recognizing the importance of in-person collaboration for certain tasks.

Office Location(s): The primary listed location is Aylesford, Kent, with a mention of Derbyshire as a potential work location. This suggests the possibility of multiple CSG offices or a wider operational reach.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The hybrid model implies the availability of office spaces designed for collaboration, team meetings, and brainstorming sessions, essential for creative projects.

• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, PowerPoint) and project management tools (Asana) is expected, facilitating efficient workflow.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with marketing teams, project managers, and other stakeholders, fostering a dynamic and communicative work environment.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 37 per week, full-time. The hybrid arrangement provides flexibility in how and where these hours are fulfilled, balancing personal needs with organizational requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description is tailored to a hybrid model, emphasizing collaboration and the tools necessary for a designer's role, while also noting potential location flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and, critically, your portfolio to assess your design skills, experience, and suitability for the role.

• First Interview: Likely a discussion with the hiring manager (e.g., Marketing Manager) to delve into your experience, design approach, and understanding of marketing principles. Expect behavioral questions and scenario-based questions related to project management and stakeholder interaction.

• Skills Assessment/Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, discuss specific projects in detail, and perhaps undertake a small design task or case study. This is where you demonstrate your design process, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of brand and accessibility.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with a more senior leader or a panel, focusing on cultural fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your versatility across print, digital, and campaign work.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, the solutions you implemented, and the measurable impact (e.g., engagement rates, brand recognition).

• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your portfolio explicitly demonstrates proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, PowerPoint, understanding of design principles, attention to detail, and accessibility awareness.

• Showcase Brand Work: Include examples where you’ve applied or developed brand guidelines effectively.

• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your creative decisions, how you handle feedback and revisions, and your experience with project management tools like Asana.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Task: Be prepared for a potential short design exercise that tests your ability to quickly grasp a brief, apply brand standards, and produce a relevant asset. This might involve creating a social graphic, a flyer concept, or a presentation slide.

• Process Explanation: Practice articulating your design process clearly and concisely. Focus on efficiency, collaboration, and problem-solving.

• Accessibility Focus: Be ready to discuss how you incorporate accessibility into your design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, focusing on the critical role of the portfolio and preparing for common interview stages and potential design challenges relevant to a graphic design role in a corporate setting.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for professional graphic design, illustration, and layout.

• Canva: A user-friendly graphic design platform, likely used for quicker content creation, social media graphics, or for less complex design needs.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Crucial for creating presentations, templates, and potentially incorporating design elements into business documents.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Software: Asana is explicitly mentioned for workload management, requiring proficiency in task tracking, deadline management, and team coordination.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Potentially useful for understanding how digital assets are deployed on websites or internal platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section lists the core design tools mentioned in the job description and infers other relevant technologies based on the role's responsibilities, emphasizing Asana as a key project management tool.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Impact: A strong emphasis on bringing creative ideas to life and ensuring that design work has a tangible impact on marketing effectiveness and brand perception.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: The hybrid nature and cross-functional responsibilities highlight a value placed on working effectively with colleagues across various departments and brands.

• Efficiency & Improvement: A culture that encourages driving improvements in design processes and exploring new tools and methods to enhance productivity and output quality.

• Quality & Attention to Detail: A commitment to producing high-quality work that aligns with brand and accessibility standards, requiring meticulous attention to detail.

• Adaptability & Continuous Learning: A willingness to adapt to new trends, technologies, and project demands, fostering a continuous learning mindset.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with marketing teams, campaign managers, and potentially other departments to understand their design needs and deliver relevant visual assets.

• Feedback & Iteration: A receptive approach to feedback and a collaborative process for iterating on designs to meet stakeholder expectations.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share insights on design trends, accessibility, and new creative technologies to benefit the wider team and organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section extrapolates the company's values and collaboration style based on the job description's emphasis on creativity, collaboration, efficiency, and staying current with industry trends.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Managing a diverse workload with competing deadlines and varying project requirements across different brands and initiatives.

• Translating Briefs to Visuals: Effectively interpreting potentially complex or abstract briefs from various stakeholders and translating them into clear, impactful visual designs.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring that all design outputs adhere to established brand guidelines while still allowing for creative expression and innovation.

• Staying Current: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving design trends, software updates, and accessibility standards in a dynamic digital landscape.

• Hybrid Work Dynamics: Navigating the nuances of a hybrid work environment, ensuring effective communication and collaboration with both remote and in-office team members.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in areas like motion graphics, video editing, UX/UI design principles, or advanced illustration.

• Brand Strategy Involvement: Potential to contribute more significantly to brand development and visual identity strategy as experience grows.

• Industry Best Practices: Continuous learning about accessibility standards, design trends, and emerging creative technologies through self-study, webinars, or industry events.

• Project Management Enhancement: Developing stronger project management skills through the use of tools like Asana and managing complex design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around common designer roles, and growth opportunities are linked to skill enhancement and increasing strategic involvement within the design and marketing operations functions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a design brief from concept to final artwork. How do you ensure it meets the client's objectives and brand standards?" (Focus on workflow, communication, and quality assurance).

• "How do you approach incorporating accessibility into your design work? Can you provide an example?" (Demonstrate awareness and practical application).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Commercial Services Group and The Education People specifically?" (Research their mission, values, and recent work).

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers or stakeholders who may have different ideas about design?" (Showcase communication, diplomacy, and stakeholder management).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation logically, perhaps by project type, industry, or skill demonstrated.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly explain the problem, your role, your creative process, the tools used, the solution, and the outcome or impact.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data to illustrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved brand recall, successful event attendance).

• Address Accessibility: Be prepared to discuss how you applied accessibility principles in specific projects.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; present your strongest work effectively without getting bogged down in excessive detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored to a graphic designer role, focusing on portfolio presentation, process articulation, and demonstrating an understanding of brand, accessibility, and stakeholder management, all within a corporate/educational context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Commercial Services Group careers website.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and specifically curated to highlight projects demonstrating experience in marketing campaigns, print and digital media, and brand consistency. Include examples of your work with Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, and PowerPoint.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your CV to emphasize your experience in graphic design within marketing or campaign environments, highlighting key skills such as project management, stakeholder engagement, and accessibility awareness. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating your design process, problem-solving approach for each project, and how you’ve achieved measurable results. Be ready to discuss your experience with Asana and your understanding of accessibility.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Commercial Services Group and The Education People. Understand their mission, the services they offer, and their commitment to inclusion and accessibility. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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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