Senior Graphic Designer (6 Month Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer (6 Month Contract)

Company: THE ICONIC

Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia

Job Type: Contract, Temporary

Category: Graphic Design / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-03-16

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years implied)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end creation of high-performing, on-brand static and dynamic digital assets across multiple channels including onsite, app, CRM/email, social media, and partnerships.

• Drive innovative creative solutions by applying a motion-first approach to concepting and campaign development.

• Ensure all creative output strictly adheres to THE ICONIC's brand guidelines and established Creative Pillars.

• Manage a demanding project pipeline in a fast-paced environment, maintaining exceptional quality and speed.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is explicitly Graphic Designer, the emphasis on "motion design capability," "high-performing static and dynamic digital assets," and "motion-first thinking" positions this as a specialized Creative Operations role, focusing on the efficient and effective delivery of visual content. The "Senior" title, combined with the contract duration and implied experience, suggests a need for immediate impact and autonomy in managing creative workflows and asset production.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Creative Asset Development: Design, produce, and deliver static graphics, motion graphics, and video edits from initial brief through to final launch, ensuring alignment with campaign objectives and brand standards.

• Brand Guardianship: Uphold and rigorously apply THE ICONIC's Creative Pillars: Stand out (get noticed), Juxtaposition (striking combinations), Bold & colourful, THE ICONIC style, and Clear branding & CTA.

• Campaign Concepting & Collaboration: Actively participate in pitching and conceptualizing campaigns and promotions, bringing a strong motion design perspective to creative ideation.

• Stakeholder Partnership: Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, clearly articulating creative rationale, execution approaches, and project progress.

• Project Ownership & Workflow Management: Take full ownership of assigned projects from brief to delivery, managing multiple projects concurrently while prioritizing speed and quality in a dynamic environment.

• Motion-First Storytelling: Transform static assets into engaging, performance-driven visual narratives that capture audience attention and drive desired actions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and operational management. The emphasis on "end-to-end ownership" and "managing multiple projects in parallel" indicates a need for strong project management skills within a creative context, typical of a senior role in a fast-paced e-commerce environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Formal education in Graphic Design, Digital Media, or a related field is preferred, though extensive demonstrable experience will be highly valued.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in graphic design, with a significant focus on digital assets and motion design within a fast-paced, commercial environment (e.g., e-commerce, retail, agency).

Required Skills:

• Design Fundamentals: Excellent visual communication, layout, and typography skills. Proven experience in digital design, with a preference for digital-first execution.

• Motion Design Expertise: Strong proficiency in creating high-quality motion graphics and animations. Demonstrated ability to translate static briefs into dynamic, engaging visual content.

• Software Proficiency: Advanced command of Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign). Essential proficiency in Adobe After Effects.

• Video Editing Skills: Competence in video editing software such as Premiere Pro.

• Workflow Management: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet tight deadlines without compromising quality.

• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, capable of clearly explaining creative concepts and rationale to diverse stakeholders.

• Adaptability: Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with evolving priorities and a detail-oriented, calm demeanor under pressure.

• Proactiveness: A curious and proactive mindset with a commitment to continuous learning, experimentation, and staying abreast of design trends and technologies.

• Collaboration: Experience working effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

• Google Workspace: Comfortable working within Google Workspace for collaboration and documentation.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the e-commerce or fashion retail sector.

• Familiarity with A/B testing principles for creative assets.

• Understanding of performance marketing creative best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for After Effects and Premiere Pro, alongside Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, underscores the critical need for motion graphics and video editing capabilities. The emphasis on "performance-led storytelling" and "high-performing assets" suggests that candidates will be evaluated not just on aesthetic quality but also on their ability to contribute to measurable business outcomes. The "5-10 years" implied experience level aligns with the "Senior" title and the expectation of leading creative delivery.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a strong foundation in graphic design principles, including visual communication, typography, and layout across digital mediums.

• A dedicated section demonstrating significant motion design capabilities, featuring high-quality motion graphics, animations, and video edits with clear explanations of the creative process and tools used.

• Case studies that highlight the end-to-end ownership of projects, from initial brief and concepting through to final delivery and impact.

• Examples of creative assets designed for various digital platforms (onsite, app, social media, CRM/email) with specific attention to brand guidelines and performance objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolios should ideally include brief descriptions of the design process followed for key projects, detailing how briefs were interpreted, concepts developed, feedback incorporated, and final assets delivered.

• Showcase an understanding of workflow management, particularly how multiple projects were handled concurrently and prioritized to meet deadlines.

• Demonstrate how brand guidelines and specific creative pillars were applied and maintained throughout the design and delivery process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Graphic Designer role with a strong motion component, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to explicitly demonstrate not only creative talent but also process adherence, project management capabilities, and the ability to deliver on performance-driven objectives within a defined brand framework. The "end-to-end" ownership mentioned in responsibilities directly translates into the expectation of seeing this process documented within portfolio case studies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Graphic Designer (6 Month Contract) in Sydney, NSW, Australia, with an implied 5-10 years of experience and specialized motion design skills, the estimated salary range would typically be between AUD $90,000 - $120,000 per annum (pro-rata for 6 months). This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for contract roles in Sydney for senior creative positions, considering the demand for motion design expertise and the fast-paced e-commerce environment.

Benefits:

• Flexible Working: Access to a hybrid and flexible working model.

• Contract Duration: A focused 6-month contract engagement, offering a defined period of intensive project work.

• Staff Discount: Significant employee discount on THE ICONIC's extensive product range.

• Sample Sales: Access to exclusive and famous sample sales.

• Wellbeing Support: Discounted gym memberships and broader wellbeing programs.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.

• Birthday Leave: A paid day off for your birthday, along with an ICONIC voucher.

• Potential for Extension/Further Opportunities: While a 6-month contract, excellent performance may lead to extensions or opportunities for permanent roles within THE ICONIC.

Working Hours: The role is based on a standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid working model. The fast-paced nature of the role may require occasional flexibility to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation for contract roles requires careful consideration of the pro-rata basis, market demand for specific skills (like motion design), and the inherent lack of long-term benefits compared to permanent positions. The provided range reflects typical Sydney market rates for a senior contractor in this specialized creative field. Benefits listed are directly from the job description, emphasizing perks relevant to a contract role in a company that values employee well-being and lifestyle.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce (Fashion Retail). THE ICONIC is a leading online fashion and lifestyle retailer, operating in a highly competitive and dynamic digital marketplace. This context means a strong emphasis on speed, performance, brand consistency, and customer experience.

Company Size: Likely large, given the mention of "senior level management," "flexible structures," and a "team of passionate colleagues," suggesting a well-established organization with dedicated departments. The company size implies structured operations and established processes, but with a culture that aims for start-up energy.

Founded: While not specified, THE ICONIC has been operating for a significant period, establishing itself as a major player in the Australian and New Zealand online retail landscape. This longevity suggests a mature operational framework and a deep understanding of its market.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: The role reports into the Graphic and Copy Manager, indicating a structured creative hierarchy.

• Specialization: The creative team likely comprises specialists in graphic design, motion graphics, copywriting, and potentially broader marketing or GTM functions.

• Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with stakeholders across marketing, product, app development, and potentially partnerships teams to ensure cohesive campaign delivery and brand messaging. The culture emphasizes being "stronger together."

Methodology:

• Creative Delivery: A structured approach to creative asset production is evident, from brief to final delivery, emphasizing adherence to brand guidelines and "Creative Pillars."

• Motion-First Approach: A key methodological focus is the integration of motion design from the conceptual stage, aiming for higher engagement and performance.

• Agile Operations: The mention of "fast-paced environment with shifting priorities," "managing multiple projects in parallel," and "speed without sacrificing quality" points towards agile or highly responsive operational processes within the creative department.

Company Website: https://www.theiconic.com.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as a blend of "innovative, go-getter start-up energy" and "expert, seasoned field specialists with professional operations in place." This suggests a dynamic environment where creativity is encouraged, but execution is grounded in efficient, well-defined processes. The e-commerce context is crucial, as it implies a constant need for fresh, high-impact creative to drive sales and engagement in a visually competitive online space.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior level within the Graphic Design function, with a critical specialization in motion graphics. It implies a level of autonomy, creative leadership on assigned projects, and the responsibility for end-to-end delivery of complex visual assets. It's not a pure "operations" role in the sense of RevOps or SalesOps, but rather a senior creative role operating within a structured creative operations framework.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer reports to the Graphic and Copy Manager. This suggests a clear reporting line within the creative department, with opportunities to learn from a manager and contribute to team-level creative strategy.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and customer engagement. High-performing, on-brand static and dynamic digital assets are crucial for driving traffic, conversion rates, and brand perception in the competitive e-commerce fashion market. The role contributes to the seamless and inspiring shopping experience promised by THE ICONIC.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in motion design, video editing, and digital asset creation for e-commerce, potentially becoming a go-to specialist.

• Creative Leadership: Gain experience leading creative delivery on significant campaigns and projects, influencing visual direction.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Work closely with marketing, product, and partnership teams, broadening understanding of GTM strategies and their visual execution.

• Contract-to-Permanent Potential: Successful performance in this 6-month contract role could open doors to permanent positions within THE ICONIC's creative or marketing teams, offering long-term career progression.

• Industry Insight: Gain valuable experience within a leading Australian e-commerce fashion retailer, understanding the operational demands of a high-volume digital business.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a creative role, its "Senior" designation and the emphasis on efficiency, performance, and end-to-end delivery mean it operates within a structured "creative operations" context. The growth analysis focuses on how this role can serve as a stepping stone for further specialization or broader marketing/creative roles within the e-commerce industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: THE ICONIC operates a hybrid working model, indicating a blend of in-office and remote work. The office environment is likely designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and a strong team culture.

Office Location(s): Sydney, CBD, NSW, Australia. This prime location offers accessibility and a vibrant working environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office likely features collaborative zones, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated creative studios to facilitate teamwork and brainstorming sessions.

• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, After Effects) and IT infrastructure necessary for high-quality digital asset creation.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for in-person interaction with the Graphic and Copy Manager, fellow designers, copywriters, and cross-functional marketing teams. This facilitates seamless feedback loops and a shared understanding of project goals.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, managed within the hybrid model. While flexibility is offered, the demands of a fast-paced e-commerce environment may require occasional adjustments to meet critical project deadlines, especially for a contract role focused on rapid delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of a hybrid model and the emphasis on collaboration suggest an office environment that balances focused work with team interaction. For a graphic designer, access to the right tools and a conducive workspace (whether at home or in the office) is essential for productivity and creative output.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of CV and portfolio by Talent Acquisition to assess fundamental qualifications and creative alignment.

• Portfolio Review & Creative Challenge: Likely involves a dedicated session to walk through the portfolio, discussing specific projects, design rationale, and process. A practical creative challenge or exercise may be assigned to assess skills in motion design, concepting, and brand application under timed conditions.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the Graphic and Copy Manager to delve deeper into experience, workflow management, technical skills, and cultural fit.

• Stakeholder/Team Interview: Potential interviews with cross-functional team members (e.g., from Marketing) to assess collaboration style and understanding of business objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Motion Expertise: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest motion design and video editing work. Clearly articulate the brief, your creative approach, the tools used, and the outcome.

• Demonstrate End-to-End Process: For key projects, walk through the entire lifecycle – from interpreting the brief, concept development, execution, incorporating feedback, to final delivery. Explain your decision-making process at each stage.

• Showcase Brand Alignment & Creative Pillars: Provide examples where you successfully applied specific brand guidelines or creative themes (like THE ICONIC's pillars) to achieve impactful results.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or evidence of how your designs performed (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates). For a contract role, demonstrating immediate impact is key.

• Tailor to THE ICONIC: Research THE ICONIC's current campaigns and visual style. Ensure your portfolio reflects an understanding of their brand and aesthetic.

Challenge Preparation:

• Motion Design Focus: If a creative challenge is given, be prepared to demonstrate your motion graphics skills quickly and efficiently. Understand common e-commerce creative needs (e.g., animated banners, social video ads).

• Concepting Agility: Practice brainstorming and developing creative concepts rapidly, particularly with a motion-first mindset.

• Brand Application: Be ready to apply a given brand's style or specific creative pillars to a new brief.

• Time Management: For timed challenges, prioritize completing core elements to a high standard rather than striving for perfection on every detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior creative role, especially a contract one, will heavily rely on the portfolio. Candidates should be prepared to not only showcase their work but also articulate their process, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver under pressure within a specific brand context. The "motion-first thinking" is a key differentiator to emphasize.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Advanced proficiency required for collaborative design, prototyping, and efficient asset creation. Understanding of component libraries and design systems is beneficial.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: Essential for image manipulation, graphic creation, and asset preparation.
  • Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logos, and complex illustrations.
  • InDesign: Useful for layout and multi-page documents if applicable, though digital focus is primary.

• Motion Design:

  • After Effects: Essential and mandatory for creating sophisticated motion graphics, animations, and visual effects.
  • Premiere Pro: Proficiency in video editing for assembling sequences, basic cuts, and final video output.

• Collaboration & Productivity:

  • Google Workspace: Comfortable working with Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive for collaboration and file management.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly a data analysis role, understanding how assets perform is key. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics) to interpret performance data for creative optimization would be advantageous.

CRM & Automation: Experience with CRM systems or marketing automation platforms (e.g., Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Klaviyo) is not directly required for design, but understanding how assets are deployed within these systems (especially for CRM/email) is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is clearly defined. Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and critically, After Effects and Premiere Pro, are non-negotiable for this role. This reflects the modern demands of digital creative production where motion and video are paramount for engagement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Creativity: A drive to create "stand-out" and "bold & colourful" work that captures attention. Encouragement of experimentation and pushing creative boundaries.

• Performance-Oriented: A focus on creating "high-performing" assets that contribute to business objectives, with clear branding and CTAs. Data-driven insights inform creative decisions.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on being "stronger together," working effectively in flexible structures with passionate colleagues. Open communication and partnership are key.

• Efficiency & Speed: Thriving in a "fast-paced environment with shifting priorities" and delivering "speed without sacrificing quality" are crucial for success in the e-commerce space.

• Customer-Centricity: Ultimately, all creative efforts aim to enhance the customer experience, making shopping "seamless and inspiring."

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with marketing, product, and partnership teams to ensure cohesive campaign execution and brand consistency.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where creative concepts are pitched, feedback is given constructively, and revisions are incorporated efficiently.

• Proactive Engagement: A culture where team members are encouraged to be proactive, offer ideas, and contribute to continuous improvement in creative processes and output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values, as inferred from the job description, point to a culture that balances creative ambition with operational rigor. The "Creative Pillars" are a direct manifestation of these values in action, providing a framework for all creative output. The emphasis on "stronger together" and "flexible structures" suggests a collaborative and adaptive team environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace & Volume: Managing a high volume of creative requests within tight deadlines in a fast-paced e-commerce environment.

• Brand Consistency: Ensuring all creative output, especially motion graphics and dynamic assets, consistently adheres to THE ICONIC's distinct brand guidelines and Creative Pillars across diverse platforms.

• Motion Design Integration: Effectively translating static campaign briefs into compelling motion-first narratives that drive performance.

• Stakeholder Management: Balancing the creative vision with the diverse needs and feedback from various internal stakeholders.

• Adaptation to Trends: Staying current with rapidly evolving digital design and motion graphics trends while maintaining brand integrity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Motion Graphics: Deepen expertise in After Effects and video editing, potentially exploring more complex animation techniques or 3D integration if applicable.

• E-commerce Creative Strategy: Gain in-depth understanding of how creative assets directly impact e-commerce performance metrics (conversion, engagement, LTV).

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Develop stronger stakeholder management and communication skills by working with diverse teams.

• Portfolio Building: Create a robust portfolio of high-impact digital and motion assets for a leading fashion retailer, enhancing future career prospects.

• Contract-to-Permanent Pathways: A successful contract term could lead to permanent employment, offering long-term growth within THE ICONIC.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a senior creative role in a high-growth e-commerce business. The growth opportunities are framed around skill enhancement, strategic understanding, and career progression within the industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for translating a static campaign brief into a dynamic, motion-first concept. Can you walk me through an example from your portfolio?" (Focus on concepting, motion strategy, and storytelling).

• "How do you ensure brand consistency and adherence to specific creative pillars across multiple digital channels and asset types, especially under tight deadlines?" (Focus on process, attention to detail, and brand guardianship).

• "Describe a challenging project where you had to manage multiple stakeholders with differing feedback. How did you navigate this to deliver a successful creative outcome?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and project management).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about working for THE ICONIC, and how do you see your skills contributing to our mission of making shopping seamless and inspiring?" (Assess research and cultural alignment).

• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends, particularly in motion graphics and digital advertising?" (Tests proactiveness and continuous learning).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: For each portfolio piece, frame it with a clear narrative: The Challenge (brief/objective), Your Solution (concept, design process, tools used), and The Result (impact, key learnings).

• Motion Emphasis: Dedicate significant time to showcasing your motion design work. Be prepared to explain the animation techniques, timing, and rationale behind your motion choices.

• Tool Demonstration: Be ready to speak confidently about your proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects, and Premiere Pro, and how you leverage them for efficiency and quality.

• Conciseness: While detailed, be mindful of time. Focus on your strongest, most relevant examples, especially those that demonstrate end-to-end ownership and performance-driven outcomes.

• Interactive Elements: If possible and appropriate, have interactive elements ready (e.g., links to live examples, short video reels) to supplement static portfolio pages.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating both creative excellence and operational efficiency. Candidates must be able to articulate their design process, justify their creative decisions, and showcase their ability to deliver high-quality, on-brand assets rapidly. The emphasis on "motion-first thinking" should be a recurring theme.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer (6 Month Contract) position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on greenhouse.io.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest motion design and video editing work. Tailor your selection to highlight examples that align with THE ICONIC's brand aesthetic, its Creative Pillars, and the requirements for high-performing digital assets. Clearly articulate your end-to-end process for key projects.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your years of experience (aiming for 5-10 years), specific software proficiencies (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects, Premiere Pro), and any experience in e-commerce, fashion, or fast-paced digital environments. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Walkthrough: Be ready to present your portfolio confidently, focusing on your motion design capabilities, project ownership, and ability to meet deadlines. Practice explaining your creative rationale and how you adhere to brand guidelines.

• Research THE ICONIC: Familiarize yourself with THE ICONIC's current campaigns, website, app, and social media presence. Understand their target audience and brand voice to better articulate your fit during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with THE ICONIC's Talent Acquisition team (talent.attraction@theiconic.com.au) before making application decisions.