Junior UX/UI designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior UX/UI Designer

Company: MSD

Location: Haarlem, North Holland, Netherlands

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing Operations / Digital Design

Date Posted: 2026-02-11

Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop consistent, engaging marketing materials and digital interfaces, translating visual design into impactful digital experiences for healthcare professionals and patients.

• Contribute to the design and ongoing development of the company's marketing assets and digital platforms, ensuring brand consistency and user engagement.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including UX designers, marketers, and product owners, to enhance visual impact and conversion rates of digital initiatives.

• Apply a strong understanding of UX principles, responsive design, and accessibility standards to create user-friendly and effective digital solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The input describes a "Junior UX/UI Designer" role with a strong emphasis on "visual design" and "marketing materials." While the core function is design, the context of creating "impactful digital experiences for doctors and patients" and working within a "marketing team" positions this role within the broader GTM and Marketing Operations ecosystem, focusing on the execution of digital communication strategies. The role requires translating brand guidelines into tangible digital assets, which is a key operational function in ensuring consistent brand messaging and user experience across all touchpoints.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop online and offline marketing materials, including social ads, banners, email templates, landing pages, presentations, brochures, and event materials.

• Implement and maintain brand guidelines across all digital flows, web pages, and marketing campaigns, ensuring consistency in tone of voice, typography, color usage, and imagery.

• Translate wireframes and user flows into pixel-perfect, visually appealing web pages and digital assets.

• Collaborate closely with UX designers, marketing specialists, and product owners to bolster visual impact and improve conversion rates of digital assets.

• Support user testing initiatives, incorporate visual feedback, and assist in updating style guides and design systems.

• Leverage Generation AI tools to enhance design processes and explore innovative creative solutions.

• Maintain a keen eye for detail and consistency, identifying and rectifying visual discrepancies to ensure a polished end product.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities provided are directly aligned with a visual design focus within a marketing context. The emphasis on creating specific marketing collateral (ads, banners, emails, etc.) and translating wireframes to final designs highlights the execution-oriented nature of this role. The inclusion of user testing support and style guide updates indicates a contribution to the broader UX framework, albeit from a visual design perspective.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in design tools, specifically Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Strong understanding of UX principles, responsive design methodologies, and web accessibility standards (WCAG).

• Excellent command of typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy in design.

• Proven ability to translate brand guidelines and style guides into consistent and engaging visual assets.

• Solid Dutch and English language skills, both written and spoken, for effective communication.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with microcopy writing to enhance user experience.

• Familiarity with motion design principles or tools for creating animated elements.

• Skills in illustration for digital marketing assets.

• Experience in designing for healthcare or pharmaceutical industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for HBO education and 1-2 years of experience clearly defines this as a junior-level role. The specific mention of Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, along with UX principles and responsive design, are standard for UX/UI roles. The inclusion of GenAI interest is a modern and relevant addition. The preferred skills add depth, indicating potential areas for growth and specialization.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong, curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 1-2 years of professional UX/UI and visual design work.

• Demonstrations of web design projects, including responsive layouts and user interface elements.

• Examples of social media campaign assets, banners, and other digital marketing collateral.

• Case studies that illustrate the design process, from initial concept and wireframing to final pixel-perfect execution.

Process Documentation:

• The ability to articulate your design process, including how you approach user research, wireframing, visual design, and iteration.

• Documentation of how you have incorporated user feedback and testing results into design revisions.

• Examples of how you have maintained design system consistency or contributed to style guide updates.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a junior design role, the portfolio is paramount. The emphasis should be on demonstrating practical design skills, understanding of the design process, and ability to execute within brand constraints. The request for specific types of work (web design, social media) and demonstration of process indicates a need for candidates who can show not just aesthetic talent but also a methodical approach.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• €2,500 - €3,800 per month (gross).

Benefits:

• Competitive salary, commensurate with knowledge and experience.

• 3% year-end bonus.

• Annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

• Minimum of 35.5 vacation days per year.

• Travel cost reimbursement.

• Solid pension plan.

• Access to an excellent company restaurant and professional barista services.

• On-site sports facilities.

• Mental well-being support through Lyra Health for the employee and their family members.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for flexible arrangements within a hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation for a junior UX/UI designer in the Netherlands. The provided benefits are comprehensive and typical for a large multinational corporation like MSD, covering financial, health, and lifestyle aspects. The explicit mention of a hybrid work arrangement and standard 40-hour week provides clarity on work structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceutical / Healthcare. MSD is a global leader in developing innovative medicines and vaccines, dedicated to improving patient lives worldwide. This context implies a culture that values scientific rigor, ethical practices, and a patient-centric approach.

Company Size: Large multinational corporation (specific employee count not provided, but implied by global presence and structure). This suggests structured processes, opportunities for specialization, and a diverse workforce.

Founded: Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA was founded in 1891. This long history indicates stability, established corporate values, and deep industry expertise.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the marketing team in Haarlem, Netherlands.

• This team likely comprises various marketing specialists, digital strategists, and potentially other designers.

• Close collaboration with UX designers, product owners, and other internal stakeholders is expected.

Methodology:

• The team focuses on creating effective marketing communications and digital platforms tailored to healthcare professionals and patients.

• Emphasis on translating brand and style guides into functional and aesthetically pleasing designs.

• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the mention of user research, feedback processing, and conversion rate optimization.

• An openness to new technologies like GenAI suggests a forward-thinking approach to design and marketing execution.

Company Website: https://jobs.msd.com/gb/en

📝 Enhancement Note: The description highlights MSD's commitment to innovation and patient care, which likely shapes its corporate culture. The marketing team's focus on specific audiences (doctors, patients) and the need for clear, engaging communication are key operational drivers. The mention of GenAI integration suggests a willingness to adopt new tools for efficiency and creativity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Junior Designer. This role is an entry point into UX/UI and visual design within a large corporate marketing function. It offers foundational experience in digital design, brand adherence, and cross-functional collaboration.

Reporting Structure:

• The Junior UX/UI Designer will report to a Marketing Manager or a lead designer within the Haarlem marketing team.

Operations Impact:

• The role directly impacts the effectiveness of MSD's digital marketing communications and patient engagement strategies.

• By creating visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces and assets, the designer contributes to clearer communication of product benefits, improved user experience for healthcare professionals, and enhanced patient understanding.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to specialize further in UX research, UI design, motion graphics, or illustration.

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in advanced design tools, prototyping, and user-centered design methodologies.

• Industry Knowledge: Develop specialized knowledge of design and marketing within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector.

• Leadership Potential: With experience, progression to a Mid-Level or Senior UX/UI Designer, potentially leading design aspects of projects or mentoring junior team members.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working with various departments, understanding broader business objectives within a global organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a stepping stone. The growth opportunities are framed around expanding design skills, gaining industry-specific knowledge, and progressing within the design or marketing hierarchy. The impact is tied to the effectiveness of digital communications and user experience, which are critical operational components of marketing.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "Hybrid," indicating a blend of on-site work at the Haarlem office and remote work. This suggests a structured approach to flexible working.

Office Location(s): Haarlem, North Holland, Netherlands. This location offers a professional business environment with access to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The Haarlem office is likely equipped with modern facilities, including an excellent company restaurant and sports facilities, fostering a positive employee experience.

• The hybrid model allows for focused individual work at home and collaborative work, team meetings, and brainstorming sessions at the office.

• Access to professional barista services and a dedicated prayer/meditation room indicates a company culture that supports employee well-being and diverse needs.

Work Schedule:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week.

• The hybrid arrangement provides some flexibility in managing work-life balance, allowing for focused work and in-person collaboration as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement is a key feature, balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. The amenities mentioned (restaurant, sports facilities, meditation room) point to a company that invests in employee well-being and a positive work environment, which can be attractive to operations professionals seeking a supportive workplace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess qualifications and design capabilities.

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth discussion of the candidate's portfolio, focusing on design process, problem-solving, and execution. This may involve a live design exercise or presentation of past projects.

• Behavioral/Team Fit Interview: Discussions with hiring managers and potential team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration skills, and alignment with MSD's values.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership or cross-functional stakeholders to confirm suitability for the role and team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your strongest 3-5 projects that best represent your skills in UX/UI, visual design, and marketing collateral creation.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your role, your design process, the tools you used, and the outcome or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Brand Adherence: Demonstrate your ability to work within brand guidelines and translate them into cohesive designs.

• Showcase Versatility: Include examples of both web/digital interfaces and traditional marketing materials (brochures, ads) if applicable.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, mention any measurable results (e.g., improved engagement, conversion rates) achieved through your designs.

• Tool Proficiency: Clearly indicate the design tools used for each project (e.g., Figma, Adobe Creative Suite).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your experience with GenAI tools in design and how you see them evolving the design process.

• Brush up on UX principles, responsive design, and accessibility standards.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale clearly and concisely.

• Familiarize yourself with MSD's brand identity and recent marketing campaigns.

• Prepare questions about the team, projects, and opportunities for growth within MSD.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role, the portfolio is the primary evaluation tool. The advice focuses on presenting work effectively, demonstrating process, and highlighting relevant skills. The interview process is structured to assess technical ability, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in creating design systems and interactive prototypes is key.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and creating graphics.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, icons, and illustrations.
  • InDesign: For layout and design of print materials like brochures and flyers.

• Generative AI (GenAI) Tools: Experience or strong interest in utilizing tools for ideation, content generation, or design exploration.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Understanding how marketing materials are deployed through CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., Salesforce Marketing Cloud, HubSpot) can provide context for design requirements, especially for email templates and landing pages.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are clearly defined as Figma and Adobe Creative Suite. The mention of GenAI highlights a modern skill requirement. While direct experience with analytics or CRM tools isn't listed as a primary requirement, an understanding of how designs integrate into broader marketing automation and performance tracking systems is valuable context for operations roles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A commitment to developing new therapies and embracing new technologies like GenAI in design.

• Patient Focus: A core value driving all efforts, ensuring that designs ultimately serve to improve patient outcomes and understanding.

• Integrity & Ethics: Upholding high standards in all communications and product development, critical in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across teams and functions to achieve common goals.

• Excellence: Striving for high-quality execution in all aspects of work, from scientific research to marketing materials.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with UX designers, marketers, and product owners, necessitating strong communication and teamwork.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that values incorporating feedback from users and stakeholders to refine designs.

• Brand Alignment: A strong emphasis on adhering to established brand guidelines to ensure consistent messaging across all touchpoints.

• Proactive Engagement: Encouragement for team members to be proactive in their work and collaborations with internal clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are derived from its industry and mission. For operations professionals, understanding these values is crucial for cultural fit. The collaboration style emphasizes teamwork, feedback, and adherence to established processes (brand guidelines), which are key operational considerations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining strict brand guidelines while incorporating new design trends and technologies like GenAI.

• Translating Complex Information: Effectively communicating intricate medical or product information visually for diverse audiences (healthcare professionals and patients).

• Rapid Iteration: Adapting designs quickly based on user feedback, market changes, or evolving project requirements in a fast-paced environment.

• Cross-functional Stakeholder Management: Effectively managing design requests and feedback from various internal departments with potentially differing priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal Training: Access to internal and external training programs on advanced design software, UX methodologies, and emerging design trends.

• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced UX/UI designers and marketing professionals within the team.

• Industry Exposure: Opportunity to learn about the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory considerations for marketing, and healthcare communications.

• Skill Specialization: Potential to develop expertise in specific areas such as motion design, illustration, or advanced prototyping.

• GenAI Integration: Learning to leverage cutting-edge AI tools to enhance creativity and efficiency in the design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed around the practicalities of working in a regulated industry and a corporate environment. The growth opportunities highlight continuous learning and skill development, which are important for operations professionals seeking to advance their careers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a project where you had to balance strict brand guidelines with a creative design challenge. How did you approach it?" (Assesses adherence to brand and problem-solving).

• "How do you incorporate user feedback into your design process, and can you provide an example?" (Evaluates user-centricity and iterative design).

• "Walk us through your process for designing a digital marketing asset, from brief to final delivery." (Tests understanding of workflow and execution).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for MSD, specifically in the pharmaceutical industry?" (Assesses motivation and industry alignment).

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers, such as marketers or product owners?" (Evaluates teamwork and communication).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or chronologically. For each project, use a clear structure: Problem, Solution, Your Role, Process, Tools, Outcome.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups and screenshots. Show the progression from wireframes to final designs where appropriate.

• Narrative: Be prepared to verbally walk through your projects, explaining your decisions and rationale. Practice your presentation to be concise and engaging.

• Quantify: If possible, highlight any metrics or business impact your designs have achieved.

• Tailor: Select projects that are most relevant to the responsibilities outlined in the job description (e.g., marketing materials, web interfaces).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions are designed to probe technical skills, process understanding, cultural fit, and awareness of industry trends. The portfolio presentation strategy is crucial for a design role, emphasizing clear communication and demonstration of impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the MSD careers portal using the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects related to digital marketing assets (social ads, banners, email templates), web page design, and adherence to brand guidelines. Highlight any experience with healthcare-related design if available.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords such as UX/UI Design, Visual Design, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Responsive Design, Brand Guidelines, and your 1-2 years of relevant experience. Clearly state your HBO education level.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, design decisions, and collaboration experiences. Prepare to discuss your understanding of MSD's mission and values, and how your skills align with the role.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with MSD's products, therapeutic areas, and recent marketing campaigns to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their business context. Research their brand identity and design aesthetic.

⚠️ 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.