Graphic Designer (Digital Content Producer) - 12-month fixed term contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (Digital Content Producer) - 12-month fixed term contract Company: S&P Global Location: Melbourne, VIC, Australia / Sydney, NSW, Australia Job Type: FULL_TIME, CONTRACTOR Category: Marketing Operations / Content Production / Graphic Design Date Posted: 2025-08-04 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for producing visually compelling digital content, focusing on data visualization and infographics that translate complex financial data into understandable insights.
• The position requires a blend of creative graphic design skills and an understanding of publishing workflows within a global financial information services environment.
• The graphic designer will be instrumental in enhancing the customer experience by ensuring all published materials adhere to global brand and house style standards.
• This is a 12-month fixed-term contract opportunity, offering exposure to a fast-paced, dynamic international team.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is primarily a graphic design position, its placement within S&P Global Ratings' editorial group and the emphasis on data visualization and supporting research publications positions it adjacent to operations functions. The need to manage projects, adhere to strict brand guidelines, and work within a publishing workflow aligns with operational excellence principles. The role requires a strong understanding of visual communication for business intelligence, which is a key component of effective marketing and content operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce a variety of digital assets, including data visualizations, infographics, social media graphics, and other visual content to support S&P Global Ratings' research and insights publications.
• Execute page layout, design, and desktop publishing for diverse report formats, ensuring aesthetic appeal and adherence to publishing best practices.
• Uphold and enforce global design standards, ensuring all outputs rigorously conform to S&P Global Ratings' format, house style, and brand specifications.
• Collaborate effectively with editors, analysts, and other stakeholders to refine designs, improve customer experience, and implement best practices in data visualization and content presentation.
• Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of design projects, from initial brief and submission through to final publication, ensuring timely delivery.
• Serve as an internal brand advocate, promoting and maintaining brand consistency across all design and publishing activities.
• Apply exceptional attention to detail and rigorous workflow processes to guarantee error-free publication of content under demanding deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for process management (project management, workflow adherence) and quality assurance (error-free publication, brand standards). This aligns with operational efficiency and control critical in a content-driven organization dealing with financial data.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Multimedia, Data Journalism, Visual Communications, or a closely related discipline.

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years of proven experience in a graphic design or digital content production role, demonstrating a strong portfolio of work.
• Experience in a financial services or publishing environment is highly advantageous, though not strictly required.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Advanced skills in the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, for creating high-quality visual assets.
• Data Visualization Expertise: Ability to translate complex financial data into clear, compelling, and accurate data visualizations and infographics.
• Microsoft Office Suite: High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, for document creation, presentations, and basic data manipulation.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal English communication skills for effective collaboration with global teams and stakeholders.
• Attention to Detail: Impeccable attention to detail to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to brand guidelines and tight deadlines.
• Brand Stewardship: Ability to act as an internal brand advocate, ensuring all design outputs align with global house style and brand specifications.

Preferred Skills:

• Financial Data Acumen: Demonstrable interest and knowledge of financial data topics, or a strong willingness and aptitude to learn about the financial markets and credit ratings.
• Data Processing: Good grasp of mathematical and data analysis concepts, with the ability to process data using Microsoft Excel.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively within a global, cross-functional team, collaborating with editors, analysts, IT, and marketing professionals.
• Adaptability: Capacity to thrive and adapt in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with evolving priorities.
• Interpersonal & Decision-Making: Strong interpersonal skills and sound decision-making abilities to manage projects and stakeholder expectations.
• Video Editing: Experience or familiarity with video editing software is a plus, but not essential for the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office is standard for design roles. However, the emphasis on "financial data topics," "data analysis concepts," and "mathematical concepts" elevates this role beyond pure graphic design, requiring an ability to process and visually represent information relevant to operations and business intelligence. The preference for collaboration within a global team highlights the operational need for effective interdepartmental communication.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design work, with a strong emphasis on data visualization and infographic design.
• Demonstrations of ability to adapt design style to meet specific brand guidelines and house styles effectively.
• Examples of projects that required meticulous attention to detail and adherence to strict specifications.
• Case studies or project examples that illustrate effective project management and delivery under deadline pressure.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of understanding and adherence to design workflows, from brief intake to final asset delivery.
• Ability to articulate the process followed in creating specific design pieces, particularly those involving data interpretation and visualization.
• Demonstrated experience in managing feedback loops and incorporating revisions from multiple stakeholders within a structured process.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as "operations" portfolio requirements, the emphasis on a strong portfolio showcasing data visualization, adherence to brand/house styles, project management, and workflow management directly translates to operational execution excellence. Candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to follow and manage processes efficiently and effectively.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given this is a 12-month fixed-term contract role for a Graphic Designer with 2+ years of experience in Melbourne or Sydney, Australia, a typical salary range would be AUD $70,000 - $95,000 per annum, depending on experience and specific qualifications. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in major Australian cities, considering the financial services sector's compensation standards.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Access to health care coverage designed to support both physical and mental well-being.
• Flexible Downtime: Generous paid time off (annual leave) to ensure employees remain energized and productive.
• Continuous Learning: Opportunities for professional development through access to a wealth of resources, including training programs and skill-building initiatives.
• Invest in Your Future: Competitive compensation package, retirement planning support, a continuing education program with company-matched student loan contributions, and financial wellness programs.
• Family Friendly Perks: Benefits designed to support employees' families, including potentially parental leave or other family-oriented provisions.
• Beyond the Basics: Additional perks such as retail discounts and referral incentive awards to enhance the employee experience.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically corresponding to a standard 40-hour work week. While the role is on-site, there may be an expectation for flexibility to meet publication deadlines, which could occasionally require working beyond standard hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical market rates for graphic designers with 2-5 years of experience in Australia, specifically in the financial sector, which often offers competitive compensation. The listed benefits are directly extracted from the job description and highlight S&P Global's commitment to employee well-being and career growth, which are key considerations for operations professionals seeking a supportive work environment. The mention of 40 hours per week with potential flexibility is standard for many full-time roles, including those requiring operational responsiveness.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Information Services / Credit Ratings. S&P Global Ratings is a leading provider of independent credit ratings, research, and sustainable finance opinions, playing a critical role in global financial markets by offering transparency and reliability. Company Size: S&P Global employs over 35,000 people globally, indicating a large, established, and well-resourced organization. This size suggests robust operational structures, diverse opportunities, and a structured approach to business processes. Founded: S&P Global has a long history, with its origins tracing back to 1860. This longevity signifies stability, deep industry expertise, and a proven track record of adaptation and growth in evolving markets.

Team Structure:

• Editorial Group: The designer will join S&P Global Ratings’ editorial group, which comprises approximately 100 staff members globally. This indicates a significant content production and publishing function.
• Reporting Structure: The role is within the Ratings Operations division, suggesting a clear hierarchical structure and integration with broader operational support functions.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: The designer will collaborate closely with a global team of designers, editors, analysts, IT, and marketers, highlighting a highly collaborative environment essential for seamless content production and publication.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: The company's core business relies on data analysis to provide credit ratings and market intelligence, implying a data-centric approach across all departments, including content production.
• Workflow Optimization: As a large financial services firm, S&P Global likely employs optimized workflows for content creation, review, and publication to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Publishing Excellence: The emphasis on "next-generation publishing" and ensuring design outputs conform to global standards suggests a focus on leveraging technology and best practices for high-quality, timely content delivery.

Company Website: https://www.spglobal.com/ratings

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding S&P Global's position as a leading financial information provider is key. The company's size and industry require operational rigor, strict adherence to standards, and efficient processes. The editorial group's global nature and collaboration with various departments underscore the operational importance of clear communication, project management, and quality control.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Level or Professional grade (Grade 09), suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of relevant experience. It offers hands-on experience in a specialized content production function within a larger operational framework. Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report within the Ratings Operations division, likely to a Design Lead or Editorial Manager. This structure places the role within a defined operational hierarchy, contributing to departmental goals. Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts S&P Global Ratings' ability to communicate its research and insights effectively to a broad audience of market participants. High-quality data visualizations and reports enhance the clarity and perceived value of the company's analytical output, indirectly supporting revenue generation and market reputation by ensuring clear communication of creditworthiness and financial insights.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in data visualization, infographic design, and digital publishing within the financial services sector.
• Global Exposure: Gain experience working with diverse teams across different geographies, enhancing cross-cultural collaboration and communication skills.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Develop a foundational understanding of financial data, credit analysis, and market intelligence, which can pave the way for roles in financial journalism, content strategy, or specialized marketing roles within finance.
• Career Progression: Potential to move into senior designer roles, team leadership, or explore adjacent operational roles within S&P Global's broader publishing and content divisions, particularly after demonstrating success during the contract period.

📝 Enhancement Note: The contract nature of the role implies that strong performance could lead to extensions or full-time conversion. The growth opportunities are framed around developing specialized skills relevant to operations and content, with a clear path towards deeper industry knowledge and potential advancement within S&P Global.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is specified as "On-site" and located in either Melbourne or Sydney. This suggests a traditional office environment conducive to collaboration and access to company resources. Office Location(s): Melbourne (101 Collins Street) and Sydney, Australia. These are prime business districts, implying a professional, corporate setting with good access to public transport and amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The designer will be part of a global team, suggesting an environment where interaction, idea sharing, and feedback are encouraged, particularly with editors and analysts.
• Technology-Rich: Working for S&P Global, a data and information services company, implies access to modern design software, hardware, and potentially advanced publishing platforms and data tools.
• Professional Atmosphere: The office locations (e.g., 101 Collins Street in Melbourne) indicate a highly professional corporate environment with a focus on business operations and client service.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is full-time, likely aligning with business hours in Australia. While the role is on-site, flexibility may be required to meet publication deadlines critical for financial reporting, a common characteristic of operational roles in this sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in major Australian business hubs suggests a structured work environment where adherence to office protocols and operational routines is expected. The emphasis on collaboration implies that the physical workspace facilitates team interaction, which is key for efficient content production workflows.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of the resume and portfolio to assess design skills, relevant experience, and cultural fit.
• Skills Assessment/Design Test: Candidates may be asked to complete a design challenge or a practical test to evaluate their proficiency in design software, data visualization, and ability to adhere to brand guidelines under timed conditions. This is common for design operations roles.
• Interviews: Multiple rounds of interviews, potentially including:
  • An interview with the hiring manager to discuss experience, approach to design and project management, and understanding of the financial industry.
  • Interviews with team members (editors, other designers) to assess collaboration style and team fit.
  • A final interview, potentially with a senior leader, to discuss overall impact and alignment with company values.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design choices, and the impact of their work.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills in data visualization, infographic design, and report layout. Prioritize work that shows an understanding of financial data or complex information.
• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your design process, the tools used, challenges faced, and the final outcome. Highlight how you incorporated feedback and met deadlines.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, quantify the impact of your designs. For example, mention if a specific infographic increased engagement or clarity.
• Brand Adherence: Include examples where you successfully worked within strict brand guidelines or adapted to different corporate styles.
• Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and any other relevant design or data tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and understand any design challenge instructions, paying close attention to constraints, target audience, and desired output.
• Time Management: Practice creating a design piece within a limited timeframe, simulating the pressures of publication deadlines.
• Data Interpretation: If the challenge involves data, focus on accurate and clear representation. Show your ability to interpret and visualize data effectively.
• Presentation: Prepare a concise explanation of your design choices, rationale, and how your solution meets the brief's requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review, design tests, and project management skills indicates a rigorous, operations-focused evaluation process. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only creative talent but also efficiency, process adherence, and the ability to deliver high-quality work under pressure, which are critical operational competencies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for all graphic design and desktop publishing tasks.
• Microsoft Office Suite: High proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel is required for report creation, presentations, and data handling.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly using analytics tools for data generation, a strong understanding of how data is structured and presented in reports is necessary. Familiarity with tools that generate data for visualizations (e.g., Excel charts, potentially BI tools) can be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, but understanding how content is published and distributed through various platforms (websites, social media) is relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are standard for graphic design. However, the requirement to process data using Excel and a strong grasp of mathematical/data analysis concepts suggests the need for an aptitude in handling information that feeds into the design process, bridging creative skills with data operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: A fundamental value at S&P Global, implying a commitment to accuracy, honesty, and ethical conduct in all work, especially when dealing with financial data and publications.
• Discovery: A spirit of curiosity and continuous learning, encouraging exploration of new design techniques and ways to present financial information more effectively.
• Partnership: A collaborative approach to working with colleagues across departments (editors, analysts, IT, marketing) to achieve shared goals and deliver high-quality content.
• Efficiency: An implicit value driven by the need to meet tight deadlines and manage projects effectively in a fast-paced publishing environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with editors and analysts to understand content nuances and translate them visually, as well as with IT and marketers for distribution and branding.
• Feedback-Driven: The design process will likely involve iterative feedback loops with stakeholders to refine outputs, ensuring alignment with content goals and brand standards.
• Knowledge Sharing: An environment that encourages sharing best practices in design and data visualization, contributing to the team's overall skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values of Integrity, Discovery, and Partnership directly inform the operational culture. Integrity ensures accuracy in financial data representation, Discovery drives innovation in visual communication, and Partnership is crucial for seamless cross-functional workflow execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Data Complexity: Visualizing intricate financial data accurately and engagingly can be challenging, requiring a keen eye for detail and analytical thinking.
• Tight Deadlines: The fast-paced nature of financial publishing means consistently meeting strict deadlines for report and article publications.
• Global Brand Consistency: Maintaining consistent brand application across a wide range of digital assets for a global audience requires meticulous attention to detail and adherence to established guidelines.
• Adapting to New Technologies: Staying current with design software advancements and evolving digital publishing trends to produce cutting-edge visual content.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Enhance expertise in data visualization tools and techniques specific to financial reporting.
• Industry Knowledge: Gain a deeper understanding of financial markets, credit analysis, and the regulatory landscape relevant to S&P Global Ratings.
• Global Project Experience: Work on diverse projects for different regions, broadening exposure to various market needs and communication styles.
• Workflow Improvement: Contribute to and learn from optimized content production and publishing workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in operations-focused roles that balance creativity with strict requirements. These challenges also serve as opportunities for growth, particularly in developing robust process management and adaptive skills critical for operations professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Data Visualization: "Describe your process for designing a complex data visualization or infographic. How do you ensure accuracy and clarity when working with financial data?" Prepare to walk through a past project, highlighting your steps from brief to execution, and how you handled data interpretation.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you collaborate with editors, analysts, or subject matter experts to ensure your designs accurately reflect the content and meet their needs?" Be ready to provide examples of managing feedback from multiple stakeholders and resolving creative differences.
• Problem-Solving & Efficiency: "Describe a time you had to deliver a design under a very tight deadline. What steps did you take to ensure quality and timely delivery?" Focus on your project management approach, prioritization skills, and how you maintained quality under pressure.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Brand Alignment: "How do you ensure your designs align with global brand and house style guidelines?" Research S&P Global Ratings' visual identity and be prepared to discuss how you would apply it.
• Team Dynamics: "This role involves working with a global team. Can you share your experience collaborating with international colleagues?" Highlight your communication strategies for remote or distributed teams and your approach to cross-cultural collaboration.
• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your design work?" Think about how visual content contributes to clarity, engagement, and the overall mission of S&P Global Ratings.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation around a compelling narrative for each project. Explain the 'why' behind your design choices, not just the 'what.'
• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly connect your presented work to the job requirements, such as data visualization, infographic design, and adherence to brand standards.
• Showcase Process & Problem-Solving: For each project, briefly touch upon the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, demonstrating your operational problem-solving skills.
• Conciseness and Clarity: Be concise and clear in your explanations. Focus on the most impactful aspects of your work and be prepared for questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating not just creative skill but also operational capabilities: process adherence, efficiency, collaboration, and problem-solving. Preparing specific examples that showcase these qualities will be crucial for success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer (Digital Content Producer) position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the S&P Global careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest data visualization and infographic design projects. Ensure it demonstrates your ability to work within strict brand guidelines and highlights your process for creating impactful visual content for complex information.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your experience with Adobe Creative Suite, data visualization, and project management. Quantify achievements where possible, such as "Designed X infographics that increased reader engagement by Y%" or "Managed Z design projects under tight deadlines." Use keywords from the job description naturally.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, explaining your creative choices, and discussing how you handle feedback and manage projects efficiently. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and working under pressure.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with S&P Global Ratings, its mission, its brand identity, and its role in the financial markets. Understand the importance of clear, accurate visual communication in the financial sector.

⚠️ 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.