Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer Company: Johnson Controls Location: Dublin, Leinster, Ireland Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Creative / Design Operations Date Posted: 2025-07-23 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role operates within a global creative function, focusing on the design and execution of both templated and concept-driven campaigns across print and digital media.
• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for end-to-end project ownership, from initial brief interpretation to final delivery, ensuring alignment with brand parameters and quality standards.
• Key to success will be the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional creative teams, including copywriters, motion designers, and video editors, to shape campaign direction and asset development.
• The position requires a proactive approach to managing personal workflows, project timelines, and contributing to a high-growth, geographically dispersed organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities and context suggest a role that interfaces heavily with operational marketing and communications functions, requiring a strong understanding of brand governance and campaign execution. This positions it adjacent to operations roles that support marketing and GTM strategies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design process for a variety of print and digital assets, from initial concept development to final production.
• Interpret creative briefs, translating strategic objectives into compelling visual designs that adhere to established brand guidelines and parameters.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including copywriters, motion designers, video editors, and marketing teams, to ensure cohesive campaign messaging and visual identity.
• Conduct research on unfamiliar topics to inform design approaches, ensuring accuracy and relevance in visual storytelling.
• Maintain rigorous brand consistency and uphold high-quality standards across all creative deliverables, ensuring a unified brand experience.
• Proactively manage personal project workflows and timelines using project management tools like Wrike, ensuring clear communication of progress and potential roadblocks.
• Share design expertise and mentor junior designers, fostering a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment within the creative team.
• Balance the demands of templated design systems with the creative exploration required for concept-driven campaigns, demonstrating versatility.
• Contribute to strategic execution by balancing high-level conceptual thinking with detailed tactical implementation in day-to-day tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "workflow management," "timelines," "collaboration," and "brand consistency" indicates a need for operational discipline in the creative process, common in roles supporting scaled marketing or GTM operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Communication Design, Digital Media, Visual Communication, or a closely related field is preferred. A Master's degree (MA) in a similar discipline is considered a plus.

Experience:

• Requires 3-5 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality creative assets for both print and digital platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, showcasing flexibility, adaptability, and strong workload planning capabilities in a fast-paced environment.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Advanced skills in graphic design principles, layout, typography, and visual hierarchy.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential for asset creation and manipulation.
• Brand Consistency Management: Proven ability to understand, interpret, and consistently apply brand guidelines across diverse media.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Problem Solving: A logical and structured approach to identifying and resolving design challenges and project roadblocks.
• Time Management & Workflow: Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage personal workload, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines consistently.

Preferred Skills:

• Conceptual Ideation: Ability to contribute creative ideas and develop concept-driven campaigns beyond execution of existing templates.
• Digital Media Expertise: Familiarity with design principles for web, social media, and other digital channels.
• Mentoring Experience: Previous experience or aptitude for mentoring junior designers and sharing knowledge.
• Wrike Proficiency: Familiarity with project management tools such as Wrike for workflow and timeline management.
• Adaptability in Ambiguity: Proven ability to thrive in a dynamic, high-growth, matrix-managed environment with a degree of ambiguity, balancing strategic thinking with tactical execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "3-5 years" experience, combined with the need for "workflow management," "collaboration," and "brand consistency," suggests this role is expected to operate with a degree of autonomy and process adherence, typical for mid-level operations support in creative functions. The mention of "templating systems" also hints at a need for efficiency and scalable design processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong, well-organized portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 years of professional design work, demonstrating a blend of executional excellence and conceptual creativity.
• Portfolio pieces should clearly illustrate the candidate's ability to interpret design briefs and deliver impactful solutions across both print and digital mediums.
• Evidence of successful collaboration with other creative disciplines (e.g., copywriters, motion designers) and the ability to integrate feedback into final designs.
• Demonstration of understanding and application of brand guidelines, with examples of maintaining brand consistency across different projects and platforms.
• Inclusion of case studies or project descriptions that highlight the design process, problem-solving approaches, and the impact of the final design.

Process Documentation:

• Examples within the portfolio should indicate an understanding of workflow management and project timeline adherence, ideally referencing tools or methods used to achieve this.
• Showcase an ability to research and incorporate new information or trends into design projects, demonstrating a proactive learning and application process.
• Portfolio submissions should reflect a commitment to quality control and a systematic approach to ensuring all deliverables meet high standards before submission.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating "executional and conceptual work," "brand consistency," and "workflow management" implies that candidates are expected to present their design process and operational discipline, not just final outputs. This aligns with operations expectations for transparency and methodical execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry standards for a mid-level Graphic Designer with 3-5 years of experience in Dublin, Ireland, the estimated salary range is €35,000 - €50,000 per annum. This estimate considers the cost of living in Dublin and the typical compensation for creative roles within multinational corporations.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access to health insurance plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Opportunities to contribute to and benefit from a company-sponsored pension or retirement savings scheme.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave to ensure work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, including access to training programs, workshops, and potential support for further education or certifications.
• Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility to balance work between home and office, supporting a dynamic work-life integration.
• Global Collaboration: Exposure to international projects and diverse teams, fostering professional growth and cultural understanding.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 37-40 hours per week. The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility in structuring these hours, provided project deadlines and team collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for a mid-level Graphic Designer in Dublin. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio, and negotiation. The benefits are typical for a company of Johnson Controls' size and global presence.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Building Technologies & Solutions (HVAC, Fire Safety, Security, Building Automation). Johnson Controls is a global leader in making buildings smarter, safer, and more sustainable. Company Size: Johnson Controls is a large, established multinational corporation, typically employing over 100,000 people globally. This size implies a structured environment with established processes and a wide array of internal resources and opportunities. Founded: 1885. With a long history, Johnson Controls has a legacy of innovation and a deep understanding of its markets, which informs its operational strategies and cultural foundations.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Global Creative team, reporting to the Head of Design. This team likely comprises various creative specialists (copywriters, motion designers, video editors) and operates globally, requiring strong virtual collaboration skills.
• The reporting structure is hierarchical within the creative department, but the role emphasizes collaboration across various business units and marketing functions to support GTM strategies.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, involving close partnerships with marketing, product development, and sales teams to ensure visual assets align with business objectives and campaign requirements.

Methodology:

• The team likely employs a data-informed approach to creative development, using insights from campaign performance and market research to guide design decisions, though this role is primarily focused on execution and creative ideation.
• Workflow planning and optimization strategies are crucial, especially given the global and hybrid nature of the team, with tools like Wrike likely used to manage project pipelines and ensure efficient delivery.
• Automation and efficiency practices may be leveraged where possible, particularly through templated systems, to scale creative output and maintain brand consistency across diverse markets.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Working for a large, global company like Johnson Controls in a creative operations-adjacent role means navigating a complex organizational structure. Success will depend on understanding internal processes, stakeholder management, and effective communication across different departments and geographies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level within the creative function, requiring a solid foundation of 3-5 years of experience. It's an individual contributor role focused on design execution and creative contribution, with potential to grow into more senior design or specialized creative roles. Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to the Head of Global Design. This direct reporting line provides clear guidance and oversight, with opportunities to interact with senior leadership within the creative department. Operations Impact: While not directly a revenue operations role, this position significantly impacts the company's brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and sales enablement through the creation of compelling visual assets. High-quality design supports lead generation, customer engagement, and overall brand equity, indirectly contributing to revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Graphic Designer/Art Director: Progression to a senior level could involve leading smaller projects, mentoring junior designers more formally, and taking on more complex creative strategy.
• Specialization: Opportunities may arise to specialize in specific areas such as digital design, motion graphics, or brand management within the creative team.
• Cross-functional Experience: Potential to move into roles supporting marketing operations, brand management, or campaign execution where design skills are combined with strategic marketing knowledge.
• Leadership Development: Participation in leadership training programs offered by Johnson Controls for high-potential employees.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path is typical for a creative role within a large corporation. For someone interested in operations, leveraging this role to understand marketing campaign workflows and brand governance can be a stepping stone to marketing operations or brand operations roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is designated as #LI-Hybrid, indicating a blend of office-based work and remote work. The office environment in Dublin is likely modern, professional, and equipped to support collaborative creative work. Office Location(s): The primary location is Dublin, Ireland. Specific office details (e.g., building amenities, transport links) would typically be available upon inquiry or during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with opportunities to interact with fellow creatives and potentially marketing or business unit representatives on shared projects.
• Access to standard creative tools and technology will be provided, including Adobe Creative Suite and project management software. The company's global presence suggests a robust IT infrastructure supporting remote and hybrid work.
• Opportunities for team interaction will be a mix of in-person meetings in the office and virtual collaboration via digital platforms, requiring adaptability to different communication styles and tools.

Work Schedule:

• The work schedule is based on full-time employment, with flexibility afforded by the hybrid model. Employees are expected to manage their time effectively to meet project deadlines and participate in scheduled meetings, regardless of location.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and global team structure necessitate strong self-management and digital communication skills, which are core competencies for many operations professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.
• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A session with the Head of Global Design or a senior creative lead to discuss your portfolio, design process, and approach to handling briefs and collaboration. Be prepared to articulate the thinking behind your work and how you managed projects.
• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: Potentially a short, timed design exercise or case study to evaluate your practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to a specific brief.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with other creative team members or stakeholders from marketing/business units to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and communication effectiveness.
• Final Interview: A concluding interview, possibly with higher-level management, to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and confirm expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best represent the required skills (executional, conceptual, print, digital, brand consistency).
• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly outline the brief, your role, the problem you solved, your design process, challenges faced, and the final outcome. Include sketches, mood boards, or iterations if relevant.
• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, include projects where you collaborated with others and explain your contribution and how you managed those relationships.
• Quantify Impact (If Possible): If your designs contributed to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, lead generation), present these metrics.
• Tailor to Johnson Controls: Demonstrate an understanding of corporate branding and how your work aligns with a large, established company.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Thoroughly read and understand any creative challenge brief provided. Ask clarifying questions if permitted.
• Time Management: Allocate your time wisely across concept development, design execution, and presentation preparation.
• Present Clearly: Structure your presentation logically, explaining your thought process, design choices, and how your solution meets the brief's objectives.
• Be Ready to Defend Choices: Articulate the rationale behind your design decisions and be open to constructive feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential creative challenges highlights the need for candidates to demonstrate not just creative talent but also process discipline and the ability to translate strategy into tangible outputs, which are key operational skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for all aspects of graphic design, layout, and asset creation.
• Wrike (or similar PM tool): Familiarity with project management software for workflow management, task tracking, and timeline communication is preferred.
• Templated Systems: Experience working within or understanding the principles of templated design systems for efficient asset creation and brand consistency.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates on digital ads, open rates on emails) can be beneficial. Experience with basic analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics) is a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tool requirements are specified, but an understanding of how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms or CRM-driven campaigns would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is a given. The mention of "templating systems" and "workflow management" (via Wrike) indicates an operational focus on efficiency and scalability in the creative process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Stewardship: A deep commitment to upholding and enhancing the Johnson Controls brand through consistent, high-quality design execution.
• Collaboration & Partnership: A belief in working closely with internal teams and stakeholders to achieve shared goals, fostering a partnership approach to creative development.
• Efficiency & Scalability: An appreciation for process optimization and the use of tools and systems (like templates) to deliver creative solutions effectively and at scale.
• Data-Informed Creativity: While creative in nature, an openness to understanding how design performs and using insights to refine future creative strategies.
• Continuous Improvement: A proactive mindset towards learning new design techniques, tools, and industry best practices to enhance personal and team performance.

Collaboration Style:

• The team values a collaborative approach, encouraging open communication, idea sharing, and constructive feedback among its members and with cross-functional partners.
• A key aspect of collaboration will involve working effectively in a virtual or hybrid setting, requiring strong digital communication skills and the ability to build relationships remotely.
• Process review and feedback exchange are integral to ensuring quality and continuous improvement in design output and workflow management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The described values and collaboration style emphasize a structured, team-oriented environment where process adherence and effective communication are as important as creative output, aligning with operational best practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Global, Dispersed Team: Effectively collaborating and maintaining strong working relationships with team members across different time zones and geographic locations. This requires excellent virtual communication and time management.
• Balancing Execution & Ideation: Successfully managing day-to-day executional tasks while also contributing creative ideas for concept-driven campaigns, requiring strong prioritization and creative agility.
• Working with Ambiguity: Navigating a large, matrixed organization where strategic direction may evolve, requiring adaptability and the ability to balance strategic thinking with tactical execution.
• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring uniform brand application across a vast range of creative assets and platforms, which demands meticulous attention to detail and a thorough understanding of brand guidelines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Access to courses and resources to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite or explore new design software and technologies.
• Industry Trends & Conferences: Opportunities to stay abreast of the latest design trends, attend industry webinars, or potentially participate in design conferences.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining insights into marketing campaign operations, brand strategy, and product development through collaboration, which can broaden career perspectives.
• Mentorship Programs: Potential to be mentored by senior designers or creative leaders within Johnson Controls, aiding in career development and skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in large, global organizations and require skills that overlap with operations management, such as process adherence, communication, and adaptability. The growth opportunities are typical for a creative role but can be leveraged to develop skills relevant to operations support.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Workflow: "Describe your process for taking a design project from brief to final delivery. How do you manage your workload and timelines, especially when balancing multiple projects?" (Prepare to walk through a specific project from your portfolio, detailing your steps and any project management tools used.)
• Collaboration & Communication: "How do you collaborate with copywriters, project managers, or other stakeholders to ensure a successful creative outcome? Can you provide an example of a challenging collaborative situation and how you navigated it?" (Focus on examples demonstrating tact, diplomacy, and clear communication.)
• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: "Describe a time you had to adapt your design approach due to unexpected feedback or a change in project scope. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare to share a situation showcasing logical problem-solving and flexibility.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Brand Understanding: "What is your understanding of the Johnson Controls brand, and how would you ensure your designs align with it?" (Research Johnson Controls' brand messaging, visual identity, and target audience.)
• Team Dynamics: "This role involves working within a global, hybrid team. How do you approach building relationships and collaborating effectively in a virtual or dispersed environment?" (Highlight experience with digital collaboration tools and proactive communication strategies.)
• Impact Measurement: "While this is a design role, how do you think your work contributes to the company’s overall business objectives and brand perception?" (Connect design quality and strategic thinking to business outcomes like brand equity and customer engagement.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each portfolio piece, create a brief story: the challenge/brief, your approach/process, the solution, and the impact.
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is clean, professional, and easy to follow. Use high-quality images and clear typography.
• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly call out how specific projects demonstrate your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, brand consistency, collaboration, and workflow management.
• Be Concise: While detailed, aim for brevity. Focus on the most impactful aspects of each project. Be prepared for follow-up questions.
• Showcase Adaptability: If possible, include a project that shows how you adapted to constraints or evolved a design based on feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating not only creative skills but also operational competencies like process management, collaboration, and strategic thinking, which are crucial for success in this role and in understanding the broader operational context of creative services.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Johnson Controls careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and tailored to showcase projects demonstrating executional excellence, conceptual creativity, brand consistency, and workflow management relevant to a corporate environment. Select 4-6 of your strongest works.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to highlight your 3-5 years of professional design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, collaboration skills, and any experience with project management or templated systems. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, explaining your portfolio pieces, and discussing how you handle collaboration and challenges. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Johnson Controls, its brand, its products, and its presence in the building technologies sector. Understand their commitment to sustainability and innovation.

⚠️ 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.