Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: Informa Group Plc.

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-03-06

Experience Level: 7+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the creative vision and execution for major tech festival brands, including London Tech Week, Africa Tech Festival, and Asia Tech x Singapore.

• Develop and deliver outstanding creative assets across experiential, digital, and marketing channels, ensuring brand consistency and high-impact visual storytelling.

• Act as the primary brand guardian, maintaining design excellence and quality control for all print and digital outputs.

• Collaborate closely with Brand, Marketing, and Operations teams to manage project timelines and ensure seamless creative delivery.

• Prepare final artwork for large-scale production, manage print workflows, and liaise with suppliers for optimal real-world application.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Senior Graphic Designer," its focus on leading creative vision for large-scale events and collaborating with marketing and operations teams positions it within the broader GTM (Go-To-Market) and Marketing Operations spectrum, requiring strategic design thinking and project management alongside creative execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Creative Leadership & Execution: Lead the design and delivery of all creative assets for the specified tech festivals, encompassing event branding, signage, wayfinding, environmental graphics, stage visuals, screen content, and motion graphics.

• Brand Stewardship: Serve as the brand guardian for the tech festivals, ensuring strict adherence to brand guidelines and maintaining a cohesive, high-quality visual identity across all platforms.

• Digital Asset Creation: Design compelling digital assets for web, email marketing, social media campaigns, and paid advertising initiatives to drive engagement and event attendance.

• Experiential Design: Develop creative concepts and execute designs for physical event spaces, including large-format graphics, environmental branding, and on-site signage that enhances the attendee experience.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with marketing, content, production, and external partners to manage creative project lifecycles, ensuring timely and effective delivery of all visual materials.

• Production Management: Prepare final artwork for print and large-scale production, manage CMYK workflows, and liaise with vendors and suppliers to ensure accurate and high-quality output.

• Team Mentorship: Manage and direct freelance designers, providing clear creative direction, constructive feedback, and ensuring alignment with project objectives.

• Trend Analysis: Stay abreast of emerging trends in event design, experiential marketing, and technology-led experiences to continuously elevate the visual impact of the festivals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "lead the design and delivery," "own creative execution," and "manage and direct freelance designers" highlights a senior-level responsibility that extends beyond individual contribution to include project oversight and team guidance within a GTM context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and relevant professional experience will be prioritized. A degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is advantageous.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7+ years of professional graphic design experience, with a preference for experience within events, experiential marketing, or brand-led environments.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) is essential for all design and production tasks.

• Strong understanding of CMYK workflows, print production processes, and meticulous file preparation for large-format and commercial printing.

• Excellent grasp of typography, layout principles, color theory, and the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling visual narratives.

• Experience designing for physical environments, including understanding scale, lighting, screen ratios, and practical on-site application of graphics.

• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines consistently.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, enabling effective interaction with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and external partners.

• Ability to work autonomously, take ownership of projects, and deliver high-quality results with minimal supervision.

Preferred Skills:

• Working knowledge of Figma for collaborative design or prototyping.

• Experience with After Effects or other motion design software for creating dynamic visual assets.

• Basic animation experience for social media or digital campaign elements.

• Experience working with 3D designers, AV teams, or fabricators in an event production context.

• Familiarity with live event production workflows and on-site execution challenges.

• A keen interest in technology, innovation, and the evolving landscape of experiential design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The detailed requirements for Adobe Creative Suite, CMYK workflows, and experience with physical environments indicate a need for a designer with strong production capabilities, crucial for event collateral and large-scale installations. The mention of Figma and After Effects suggests a move towards more dynamic and collaborative digital workflows.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate Brand Leadership: Showcase case studies where you've acted as a brand guardian, maintaining consistency and elevating visual identity across multiple touchpoints for a single brand or event.

• Print & Large-Format Excellence: Include examples of high-impact print collateral, signage, environmental graphics, and large-format designs that demonstrate an understanding of scale, material, and production.

• Digital & Motion Assets: Present a range of digital assets for web, social media, and paid campaigns, along with any motion graphics or animated elements that illustrate dynamic visual communication.

• Event/Experiential Focus: Highlight any experience with event branding, stage visuals, or experiential marketing designs that showcase creative problem-solving within a live event context.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss your process for taking a creative brief from concept to final delivery, including how you manage feedback loops, revisions, and cross-functional alignment.

• Production & Quality Assurance: Articulate your methods for ensuring print-readiness, managing CMYK files, liaising with suppliers, and implementing quality control checks to prevent errors.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Demonstrate your approach to understanding, interpreting, and applying existing brand guidelines, as well as your ability to contribute to their evolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio with "real-world examples" and the emphasis on print production, large-format design, and event context underscore the need for a designer who can translate creative vision into tangible, high-quality physical and digital outputs relevant to event marketing and operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on Informa Group Plc.'s London location and the Senior Graphic Designer role's 7+ years of experience requirement, a competitive salary is expected. Industry benchmarks for Senior Graphic Designers in London typically range from £45,000 to £65,000 per annum, depending on the depth of specialized experience, portfolio strength, and specific responsibilities within the tech festivals domain.

Benefits:

• Great community: Access to a welcoming culture with in-person and online social events, charity initiatives, and active diversity and inclusion networks.

• Broader impact: Opportunity to volunteer up to four days per year with potential for charity match funding.

• Career opportunity: Bespoke training, learning platforms, on-demand access to LinkedIn Learning courses, and support for internal job moves.

• Time out: Annual leave, a birthday leave day, and the flexibility to work remotely for up to four weeks per year from different locations.

• Flexible personal benefits: A customizable range of personal benefits to suit individual needs.

• Company-funded private medical cover: Comprehensive private medical insurance provided by the company.

• ShareMatch scheme: Opportunity to become an Informa shareholder with matching free shares.

• Strong wellbeing support: Access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), mental health first aiders, and health apps.

• Recognition for great work: Participation in global awards and kudos programs.

• International collaboration: Opportunity to work with and collaborate with teams across Informa's global network.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, with an expectation of approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid model allows for flexibility, with on-site presence required during tech festivals and key production periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a senior-level design role in London and the company's profile. The benefits listed are directly from the job description and are comprehensive, reflecting a strong employee value proposition.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Informa Group Plc. operates within the Information Services and Event Management sectors, focusing on B2B events, creative, technology, and business festivals. Their portfolio includes prestigious brands like Cannes Lions, Black Hat, Money20/20, and London Tech Week.

Company Size: Informa Group Plc. is a large, global organization. This scale offers significant opportunities for career development and exposure to diverse projects and teams worldwide. For a designer, this means working on high-profile events with substantial budgets and visibility.

Founded: Informa was founded in 1998, building on a long history of publishing and event organizing. This established presence provides a stable yet dynamic environment for innovation and growth within its specialized B2B event segments.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Graphic Designer will be part of the Tech Festivals group, specifically focusing on brands like London Tech Week.

• This role will work closely with Brand, Marketing, and Operations teams, indicating a highly collaborative and integrated GTM function.

• The designer will report into a Brand or Creative lead and will also manage freelance designers, implying a hierarchical structure within the creative function.

Methodology:

• Festival-Led Approach: Informa Festivals emphasizes creating powerful, immersive experiences that drive innovation, suggesting a focus on dynamic and engaging visual communication.

• Data-Informed Creativity: While not explicitly stated for design, the company's broader focus on "cutting-edge marketing intelligence platforms and advisory services" suggests that creative output is likely informed by market trends and performance data.

• Agile Project Management: Given the fast-paced nature of event production and the need to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines, an agile or iterative approach to creative development and delivery is likely employed.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on B2B festivals and technology events provides a specific context for the design work. The "festival-led approach" implies a need for creative solutions that are not only visually appealing but also functional and impactful within a live event environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior level, indicating a need for independent work, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to lead creative execution and mentor junior designers or freelancers. It requires a blend of strategic design thinking and hands-on execution.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Head of Brand, Creative Director, or Marketing Director within the Tech Festivals division. They will also collaborate extensively with Marketing, Operations, and Content teams, and manage freelance designers.

Operations Impact: The visual identity and creative assets developed by this role directly impact brand perception, attendee engagement, marketing campaign effectiveness, and the overall attendee experience at major global tech festivals. Strong creative execution is crucial for driving event participation and reinforcing Informa's position as a leader in B2B technology events.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in event and experiential design, motion graphics, or specific festival brands.

• Leadership: Progress to a Creative Lead or Art Director role, managing larger teams and broader creative strategies for multiple events.

• Cross-Functional Development: Gain exposure to broader marketing strategy, event production, and GTM planning through close collaboration with other departments.

• Global Exposure: Work on international festivals, offering opportunities to understand diverse market aesthetics and client needs.

• Skill Enhancement: Leverage Informa's extensive learning resources (LinkedIn Learning, bespoke training) to acquire new skills in emerging design technologies or marketing strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title, coupled with leadership responsibilities (managing freelancers) and direct impact on event success, suggests a clear path for growth within Informa's creative and marketing functions, potentially into art direction or creative management roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at Informa's London office at 5 Howick Place, described as a hybrid office environment. This implies a modern workspace designed to accommodate both collaborative in-person work and individual focus.

Office Location(s): The primary office is at 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG, United Kingdom, near Victoria. This location offers good accessibility within London. Employees are also expected to be on-site during tech festivals and key production periods, which may involve travel to event venues.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, with opportunities for face-to-face interaction with brand, marketing, and operations teams. This is crucial for seamless project execution and creative feedback.

• Technology Integration: As a tech-focused company, expect access to modern design software and hardware, and potentially advanced digital tools for collaboration and project management.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model encourages intentional in-person interaction, allowing for team-building, brainstorming sessions, and the development of strong working relationships with colleagues.

Work Schedule: The role operates on a hybrid model, requiring on-site presence 3+ days a week when not at an event. This structure blends the benefits of in-person collaboration and focused remote work, allowing for flexibility while ensuring consistent team engagement. Specific on-site days may be flexible, but presence is mandatory during critical event periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role, with specific requirements for on-site presence during events, is a critical factor for candidates. It suggests a need for excellent time management and adaptability to varying work locations and demands.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Portfolio Submission: Submit resume and a strong portfolio (PDF or website link) showcasing relevant design experience. Applications without portfolios will not be considered.

• Screening Call: A preliminary discussion with a Talent Acquisition Partner to assess basic qualifications, experience alignment, and initial cultural fit.

• Creative/Technical Interview: This stage will likely involve a deeper dive into your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your design process, problem-solving approaches, and technical skills (e.g., Adobe Suite, print production). Expect scenario-based questions.

• Design Challenge/Presentation: You may be asked to complete a short, timed design task or present a case study from your portfolio, demonstrating your ability to translate a brief into a compelling visual solution and articulate your creative rationale.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meet with key team members from Brand, Marketing, and potentially Operations to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and how well you align with the team's working methods.

• Final Interview: A discussion with a senior leader to finalize the decision, focusing on strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit within Informa's culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that directly align with the requirements: event branding, large-format print, digital assets, and ideally, experiential design.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your role, your creative process, problem-solving steps, and the final outcome. Highlight your strategic thinking.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback on how your designs contributed to the event's success (e.g., increased engagement, positive feedback on branding).

• Highlight Technical Skills: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and your understanding of print production and large-format design.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Provide clear descriptions and context for each piece.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a design challenge, meticulously analyze the brief to understand objectives, target audience, brand guidelines, and any constraints.

• Focus on Strategy: Even for a short task, articulate the strategic thinking behind your design choices. Why this color? Why this layout? How does it serve the event's goals?

• Time Management: Practice designing and presenting within a strict time limit. Prioritize core elements and be prepared to explain trade-offs.

• Articulate Rationale: Be ready to confidently explain your design decisions to the interview panel, connecting them back to the brief and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit "PORTFOLIO: Please send a PDF or link to a website with real-world examples. Applications without portfolios will not be considered" emphasizes the critical importance of a well-prepared and relevant portfolio for this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required in Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, icons), InDesign (layout, print collateral, brochures), and Photoshop (image editing, digital assets, mockups).

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Essential for creating presentations, stage visuals, and internal communications.

• Figma: Working knowledge is a plus for collaborative design and prototyping, indicating a potential shift towards more modern digital design workflows.

• After Effects: Experience with motion design or basic animation is a bonus, suggesting a need for dynamic visual content for digital channels and event screens.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary design tool, an understanding of how design impacts metrics (e.g., click-through rates on digital ads, engagement on social media) is beneficial. The designer will need to interpret feedback from marketing and operations teams who use these tools.

CRM & Automation: Not directly used by the designer, but understanding how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms (e.g., email templates) or CRM-driven campaigns can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite, with Figma and After Effects as preferred skills, indicates a need for a designer proficient in both traditional print production and modern digital/motion design tools, essential for creating a comprehensive visual identity for large-scale events.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to high standards in all creative output, ensuring polished, professional, and impactful visuals.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Operations, Content) to achieve shared objectives.

• Ownership & Initiative: Taking responsibility for projects, proactively identifying solutions, and driving creative execution from start to finish.

• Adaptability & Resilience: Thriving in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, particularly during live event periods, and remaining calm and effective under pressure.

• Innovation: A drive to stay current with industry trends and proactively seek opportunities to elevate the visual impact and attendee experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated GTM Approach: The designer will be embedded within a team that includes marketing and operations, requiring close collaboration to ensure creative aligns with event strategy, promotional efforts, and logistical requirements.

• Feedback-Oriented: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback is essential for refining creative concepts and ensuring alignment across teams.

• Proactive Communication: Regularly communicating project status, potential challenges, and creative ideas to ensure all stakeholders are informed and aligned.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Building strong working relationships with non-design teams to understand their needs and translate them into effective visual solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "championing energy and ambition" and looking for colleagues who "roll their sleeves up, join in and help make things happen" suggests a hands-on, proactive, and results-oriented team culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Event Dynamism: Maintaining a cohesive brand identity across multiple festival touchpoints while creating fresh, engaging visuals for different event themes and audiences.

• High-Volume, Fast-Paced Production: Managing a continuous stream of design requests with tight deadlines, especially during peak event production cycles, requiring efficient workflows and prioritization.

• Large-Scale Production Logistics: Overseeing print production for vast signage, environmental graphics, and other physical assets, requiring meticulous attention to detail and vendor management.

• Evolving Technology & Trends: Staying ahead of design trends and technological advancements in experiential marketing and digital media to keep festival visuals innovative and relevant.

• Working Autonomously: Being the primary designer for key brands requires self-direction, strong decision-making skills, and the ability to function effectively with minimal direct oversight.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Access to LinkedIn Learning and internal training to enhance skills in motion graphics, UX/UI design principles, or advanced Adobe Suite techniques.

• Event Marketing & Production Knowledge: Gaining insights into the broader event lifecycle, marketing strategies, and production logistics through cross-functional collaboration.

• Brand Strategy: Deepening understanding of brand management, guideline development, and strategic brand implementation for high-profile global events.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Developing leadership capabilities through managing freelance designers and contributing to creative direction.

• Industry Exposure: Engaging with cutting-edge technology and innovation showcased at the festivals provides continuous inspiration and learning opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a resilient, organized, and strategic designer who can thrive under pressure and manage complex production workflows, while the growth opportunities point towards significant professional development within Informa's dynamic event ecosystem.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Creative Process & Problem-Solving: "Walk me through your process for developing the visual identity for a large-scale event like London Tech Week. How do you ensure consistency across digital and physical touchpoints?" (Prepare a case study from your portfolio focusing on a similar project.)

• Brand Guardianship: "How do you approach being a brand guardian? What steps do you take to ensure brand guidelines are not only followed but also creatively evolved?" (Discuss your experience with brand guidelines and maintaining visual integrity.)

• Production & Collaboration: "Describe a challenging print production project you managed. How did you overcome technical hurdles or supplier issues? How do you collaborate with marketing and operations teams to ensure design feasibility and impact?" (Be ready with specific examples of print management and cross-functional teamwork.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Event Focus: "What excites you most about designing for technology festivals like London Tech Week? What do you see as the biggest visual challenges or opportunities for such events?" (Research Informa's festivals and their strategic goals.)

• Hybrid Work: "How do you ensure effective collaboration and productivity in a hybrid work environment, especially when on-site for critical event periods?" (Discuss your strategies for communication, time management, and engagement.)

• Adaptability: "Tell me about a time you had to adapt your design approach quickly due to changing project requirements or unforeseen circumstances during an event. How did you handle the pressure?" (Prepare an example demonstrating resilience and problem-solving.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each selected portfolio piece, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your solution, your process, and the outcome. Focus on the "why" behind your design choices.

• Highlight Impact: Where possible, quantify the success of your designs. Did they increase engagement? Improve attendee experience? Reinforce brand messaging?

• Demonstrate Technical Prowess: Be ready to discuss your technical workflow, software proficiency, and understanding of print production for large-format applications.

• Showcase Collaboration: Explain how you worked with stakeholders, incorporated feedback, and managed project timelines.

• Enthusiasm for Events: Convey genuine interest in the tech event sector and Informa's mission to create impactful experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes demonstrating not just design skill but also strategic thinking, project management capabilities, adaptability, and a strong understanding of the event industry's unique demands.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your strongest examples of event branding, large-format print design, digital assets for marketing campaigns, and any experiential or motion graphics work. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your 7+ years of experience and advanced Adobe Creative Suite proficiency.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your experience in event design, brand guardianship, cross-functional collaboration, and production management. Use keywords from the job description, such as "event branding," "large-format design," "CMYK workflows," and "Adobe Creative Suite."

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review the "Interview Preparation" section above. Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving skills, and how your work aligns with Informa's focus on impactful B2B events. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Informa Group Plc., its festival brands (especially London Tech Week), and its mission. Understand their approach to B2B events and creative marketing. Research "LifeAt.Informa.com" to grasp their company culture and values.

⚠️ 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.