Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: Old Mutual Limited

Location: Pinelands, South Africa (Cape Town Metropolitan Area)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: February 19, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drives exceptional visual communication strategies across print, digital, and presentation mediums, with a strong emphasis on brand consistency and excellence for Old Mutual Wealth.

• Enhances creative standards and supports strategic initiatives through sophisticated, modern, and minimalist design aesthetics tailored for an investment and high-net-worth audience.

• Produces a broad range of visual assets, including executive-level PowerPoint presentations, digital marketing materials, social media assets, and corporate collateral.

• Manages multiple design projects within a high-performance corporate environment, ensuring clarity, visual confidence, and strategic restraint in all outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Graphic Designer, indicating a need for significant independent contribution, conceptual leadership, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced team members, though not explicitly stated. The focus on "executive-level" presentations and "high net worth audience" suggests a need for exceptional polish, strategic thinking, and an understanding of financial services communication nuances.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Creative & Conceptual Design: Translate strategic and creative briefs into high-quality design solutions across digital, presentation, and print touchpoints, generating innovative ideas to solve communication challenges collaboratively.

• PowerPoint Presentation Design: Design and build executive-level PowerPoint presentations for leadership, strategy storytelling, and business updates, including the creation and maintenance of slide masters, templates, and comprehensive presentation systems.

• Digital Communication Design: Develop visually engaging email templates, Everlytic mailers, newsletters, invitations, and digital reports, ensuring alignment with best practices for readability, accessibility, and modern design principles.

• Social Media & Digital Campaign Banners: Create static and potentially simple animated digital banners and visuals to support marketing campaigns, corporate channels, and internal priorities, adapting approved creative across multiple sizes while maintaining brand integrity.

• Brand Management & Governance: Uphold and champion Old Mutual Wealth brand guidelines across all deliverables, contributing to the refinement of brand systems, templates, and guardrails with a focus on visual quality control.

• Workflow Management & Collaboration: Effectively manage multiple design briefs and deadlines, maintaining an efficient workflow and clear communication with cross-functional teams, including the brand team and Senior Designer, to align on priorities and creative direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on presentation design and digital communications, particularly for an executive and sophisticated audience. The mention of "strategic restraint" and "simplifying complex investment information" points towards a need for designers who can convey sophisticated concepts with clarity and elegance, rather than purely elaborate or trend-driven designs.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Relevant qualification in Graphic Design or Visual Communication (NQF Level 7 - Degree, Advance Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate or equivalent).

Experience: 5+ years of proven experience as a graphic designer in an agency or in-house environment, with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in key areas.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, with a demonstrated ability to produce executive-ready presentations.

• Proven experience in digital communication design, including email templates, newsletters, and digital reports.

• Demonstrated ability in designing social media and digital campaign banners.

• Solid understanding of brand management principles and the ability to adhere to and champion brand guidelines.

• Excellent conceptual thinking and problem-solving skills for visual communication challenges.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in financial services, or agency experience designing for investment, corporate, or professional-services clients.

• Experience with Everlytic or similar email marketing platforms.

• Familiarity with After Effects for creating simple motion or animated design assets.

• Experience in corporate collateral and print design.

• A sophisticated, modern, and minimalist design aesthetic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "financial services, or agency experience designing for investment, corporate or professional-services clients" strongly suggests that candidates with this background will have a significant advantage. This indicates a need to understand specific industry communication norms, regulatory considerations (though not explicitly stated, it's implied in financial services), and the nuances of communicating complex financial products or strategies visually.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• PowerPoint Presentation Design: Showcase a robust collection of executive-level PowerPoint presentations, demonstrating proficiency in data visualization, storytelling through slides, and creating sophisticated templates for leadership communication.

• Digital Communication Design: Include examples of email templates, Everlytic mailers, newsletters, and digital reports that are visually appealing, user-friendly, and effective in conveying information to a discerning audience.

• Social Media & Digital Banners: Present a range of static and potentially animated digital banners designed for campaigns and corporate channels, highlighting adaptability across various sizes and formats.

• Print & Corporate Collateral: Provide examples of corporate collateral, reports, or other print materials that exemplify a sophisticated, modern, and minimalist design aesthetic, showcasing attention to detail and brand consistency.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate an understanding of workflow management through examples of how projects were initiated, managed, and delivered, highlighting efficiency and collaboration.

• Illustrate the process of translating a strategic brief into a visual design concept, showcasing the conceptualization and execution phases.

• Showcase how brand guidelines were applied and maintained across various deliverables, emphasizing quality control and governance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are highly specific, emphasizing presentation design and digital communications for a sophisticated audience. Candidates should curate their portfolios to prominently feature these types of projects, clearly articulating their role, the challenges faced, and the solutions implemented. Demonstrating a structured approach to design briefs and brand governance will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While not explicitly provided, Senior Graphic Designer roles in the financial services sector in South Africa, particularly in major metropolitan areas like Cape Town, typically range from R450,000 to R700,000 per annum, depending on experience, specific skills, and the company's compensation structure. For a senior role at an established institution like Old Mutual, the upper end of this range, or potentially higher, would be expected for a candidate with the preferred financial services experience.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and incentives.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and upskilling in design software and industry trends.

• Access to Old Mutual's employee wellness programs and benefits.

• Potential for hybrid work arrangements, offering flexibility between office and remote work.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility given the hybrid work arrangement. Specific working hours will be confirmed during the interview process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on industry benchmarks for Senior Graphic Designers in South Africa's financial services sector. Benefits are typical for large, established corporations in South Africa. The role is listed as "TELECOMMUTE" in the raw data but described as hybrid in the AI analysis, suggesting a blended approach where some office presence is required. This needs clarification.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (specifically Wealth Management). Old Mutual is a leading financial services group in Africa, offering a wide range of products and services including investment management, insurance, and banking. The "Old Mutual Wealth" division specifically caters to investment and high-net-worth clients.

Company Size: Old Mutual Limited is a large, established financial institution. While specific employee numbers for the Wealth division aren't detailed, the parent company employs tens of thousands globally. This size implies a structured environment with established processes, brand governance, and opportunities for career progression within a large corporate framework.

Founded: Old Mutual was founded in 1845, bringing a rich history and extensive experience to the financial services landscape. This longevity suggests stability, deep industry knowledge, and a strong commitment to its customers and employees.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Head of Brand and works closely with a Senior Designer, indicating a focused brand and creative team within Old Mutual Wealth.

• Collaboration is expected with cross-functional teams, likely including marketing, product development, sales, and executive leadership, requiring strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated, the emphasis on "simplifying complex investment information" and "strategic restraint" suggests a need for design that is grounded in clear communication and effectiveness, likely supported by data on audience engagement and campaign performance where available.

• Brand Governance: A rigorous approach to brand consistency and quality control is a core aspect, ensuring all visual communications align with the sophisticated image of Old Mutual Wealth.

• Efficiency & Workflow: The role requires managing multiple projects efficiently, implying a methodical approach to task management and project delivery within defined timelines.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of Old Mutual Wealth suggests a corporate environment with a strong emphasis on professionalism, trust, and sophisticated communication. The ideal candidate will understand how design contributes to building credibility and conveying value within the competitive financial services market.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Graphic Designer role, placing it at an experienced professional level within the creative and marketing function. It implies a significant degree of autonomy, responsibility for high-impact projects, and the expectation of contributing to creative direction and process improvement.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to the Head of Brand and work closely with a Senior Designer. This structure suggests mentorship opportunities and a clear hierarchy within the brand team, allowing for guidance and alignment on creative strategy and execution.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the perception and effectiveness of Old Mutual Wealth's brand and communications. By delivering clear, professional, and sophisticated visual assets, the Senior Graphic Designer contributes to:

• Brand Credibility & Trust: Reinforcing Old Mutual Wealth's premium positioning and trustworthiness among investment and high-net-worth clients.

• Communication Clarity: Simplifying complex financial information to enhance audience understanding and engagement.

• Marketing Effectiveness: Supporting marketing campaigns and digital communications with compelling visuals that drive engagement and lead generation.

• Internal Alignment: Ensuring consistent brand messaging and professional presentation for internal communications and leadership updates.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in presentation design, digital communications, and potentially motion graphics within the financial services context.

• Leadership Potential: Progress to a Lead Designer or Art Director role, potentially managing smaller teams or leading specific creative projects.

• Industry Expertise: Develop a strong understanding of financial services marketing and communication, becoming a subject matter expert within the company.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working on diverse projects across different departments, enhancing strategic communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and reporting structure suggest this role is a stepping stone for further growth within Old Mutual's broader marketing or brand leadership path. Candidates should consider how their existing skills align with these growth opportunities and be prepared to articulate their career aspirations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as Hybrid, suggesting a blend of in-office and remote work. Old Mutual Limited, as a large financial institution, likely operates from professional, modern office spaces designed to foster collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s): Pinelands, Cape Town, South Africa. This is a well-established business hub within the Cape Town Metropolitan Area, likely offering good accessibility and proximity to other corporate services.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and requirement to work with the Head of Brand and Senior Designer imply a need for strong collaboration, both in-person and remotely, utilizing digital collaboration tools.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft PowerPoint) and potentially project management or communication platforms will be provided.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities will exist for regular interaction with the brand team and potentially other marketing and communications professionals, fostering a supportive and dynamic creative atmosphere.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule is expected, likely Monday to Friday, with flexibility offered through the hybrid arrangement. This schedule needs to accommodate project deadlines and collaborative sessions effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should inquire about the specific expectations for office days and the typical cadence of team-based creative work to understand how the hybrid model functions in practice. The professional office environment in Pinelands suggests a structured yet dynamic workplace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A likely interview where you'll present your portfolio, discussing key projects, your design process, strategic thinking, and how you've handled similar briefs, particularly those involving executive presentations and financial services.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a practical design exercise or case study focused on presentation design or digital communication, assessing your technical skills, creative problem-solving, and ability to work under pressure.

• Cultural Fit & Team Interview: Interviews with the Head of Brand, Senior Designer, and potentially other team members to assess communication style, collaboration ability, and alignment with Old Mutual's values and the brand team's culture.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a more senior leader to discuss role impact, career aspirations, and final offer details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select your strongest projects that directly align with the job description – particularly executive PowerPoint presentations, sophisticated digital communications, and examples relevant to financial services if possible.

• Tell the Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, your design process, the challenges you overcame, and the impact or outcome of your work. Quantify results where possible (e.g., engagement rates for digital assets, positive feedback on presentations).

• Showcase Your Aesthetic: Highlight your modern, minimalist, and sophisticated design style, demonstrating clarity and strategic restraint.

• Technical Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft PowerPoint, perhaps even demonstrating specific techniques if asked.

• Tailor to Old Mutual Wealth: Research Old Mutual Wealth's current branding and marketing efforts. If you have relevant financial services experience, emphasize it.

Challenge Preparation:

• Presentation Design Focus: If a practical exercise is given, expect it to involve creating or refining a presentation. Focus on clear hierarchy, effective data visualization, compelling storytelling, and a professional, polished aesthetic.

• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a set timeframe, as this will likely be a factor in any assessment.

• Strategic Thinking: Be ready to explain why you made certain design choices, linking them back to the brief, audience, and brand objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential practical assessment means candidates must meticulously prepare their work. Highlighting experience with executive presentations and financial services is critical for demonstrating suitability.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level proficiency is mandatory, specifically:

  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and complex illustrations.
  • Adobe InDesign: For layout design of reports, collateral, and print materials.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Strong proficiency is required for designing executive-level presentations, including mastery of slide masters, templates, and advanced formatting.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Everlytic or similar email platform experience: Preferred, indicating a need to design within templates for email marketing campaigns and understand basic email platform functionalities.

Other Potential Tools:

• Adobe After Effects: Advantageous, for creating simple motion graphics, animated banners, or short video clips.

• Collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack, Asana, Trello): Expected for workflow management and team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft PowerPoint for presentation design. Experience with email marketing platforms and motion graphics tools will significantly differentiate candidates.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Professionalism & Polish: A strong emphasis on delivering high-quality, polished work that reflects the premium positioning of Old Mutual Wealth.

• Clarity & Simplicity: A commitment to making complex information accessible and understandable through effective visual design.

• Brand Consistency: Upholding and championing the Old Mutual Wealth brand guidelines to ensure a unified and trustworthy brand image.

• Efficiency & Collaboration: Working effectively within a team, managing multiple projects, and communicating clearly with stakeholders to meet deadlines.

• Innovation within Restraint: Cultivating creativity and modern aesthetics while maintaining strategic restraint and avoiding overly trendy or distracting design elements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with the Head of Brand, Senior Designer, and other departments (marketing, sales, product) to align on creative strategies and project requirements.

• Feedback & Iteration: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to refine designs and ensure alignment with project goals.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and timely communication regarding project status, potential challenges, and creative direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value a balance between creative excellence and corporate discipline. Candidates who can demonstrate an understanding of these values and how they translate into design practice will be well-suited.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Simplifying Complexity: Translating intricate financial concepts and data into clear, visually compelling designs for a sophisticated audience requires strong conceptual and execution skills.

• Balancing Brand & Creativity: Adhering to strict brand guidelines while still producing fresh, modern, and impactful creative work.

• Managing Multiple Demanding Projects: Juggling various briefs with different stakeholders and deadlines in a high-performance environment.

• Staying Current: Keeping pace with evolving design trends and technologies, especially within the financial services sector, while maintaining a sophisticated and timeless aesthetic.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Financial Services Design Expertise: Deepen understanding of communication best practices within the investment and wealth management sector.

• Advanced Presentation Design: Master the art of visual storytelling for executive audiences and complex strategic narratives.

• Motion Graphics & Digital Storytelling: Develop skills in creating animated assets and short video clips for digital channels.

• Brand System Development: Contribute to the evolution and refinement of Old Mutual Wealth's brand guidelines and visual assets.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Enhance strategic communication and project management skills through exposure to various business units.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are significant but offer substantial opportunities for professional growth. Candidates who are eager to learn and adapt within a specialized industry will find this role rewarding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex financial concept and translating it into a visually understandable presentation or digital asset." (Focus on your conceptualization, simplification, and execution steps).

• "How do you ensure brand consistency and adherence to guidelines while still bringing a modern and sophisticated aesthetic to your work?" (Highlight your understanding of brand governance and creative execution within constraints).

• "Walk us through a challenging project where you had to manage multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines. How did you prioritize and deliver?" (Prepare a specific example demonstrating your workflow management and communication skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Old Mutual Wealth and its market position? How do you see design contributing to its goals?" (Research their website, recent campaigns, and competitor landscape).

• "How do you approach collaboration within a creative team and with non-design stakeholders?" (Prepare examples of successful collaborations and your communication style).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (presentations, digital, print) or by case study.

• Focus on Impact: For each selected project, articulate the objective, your role, your process, the challenges, and the outcome. Use metrics if available.

• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your presentation clearly showcases your expertise in PowerPoint, Adobe Suite, and your ability to execute sophisticated, minimalist designs.

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Prepare to discuss specific software techniques or design decisions in detail.

• Showcase Financial Services Experience: If you have it, make it a prominent part of your narrative.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating an understanding of sophisticated design for a financial audience, mastery of presentation software, and strong project management skills. Your portfolio is your primary tool.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Old Mutual Careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your online portfolio or PDF submission prominently features your strongest work in executive PowerPoint presentations, digital communications, and any relevant financial services projects. Clearly articulate your role and process for each piece.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of experience, expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft PowerPoint, and any direct experience in financial services or with similar client types. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice discussing your portfolio projects, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and how you contribute to brand excellence and strategic communication objectives. Be ready to discuss your understanding of the Old Mutual Wealth brand.

• Research Old Mutual Wealth: Familiarize yourself with their current marketing, brand messaging, and target audience. Understand their value proposition and competitive landscape to better articulate your insights 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 hiring organization before making application decisions.