Midweight Graphic Designer (Speedo)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Midweight Graphic Designer (Speedo)

Company: Pentland Brands

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-07-23

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive brand desirability and commercial growth through compelling visual storytelling across digital and physical channels for the Speedo brand.

• Develop and execute high-quality graphic design solutions for integrated global campaigns, website, social media, CRM, retail, and print collateral.

• Collaborate within a dynamic in-house Content & Creative team, contributing a strong creative voice and ensuring brand guideline adherence.

• Adapt and refine campaign concepts and master assets for diverse markets and formats, with a strategic focus on digital-first execution.

• Own projects from brief to final artwork, demonstrating strong project management and stakeholder collaboration skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a well-established global brand, Speedo, which operates within the competitive sports and lifestyle apparel market. The "Midweight" designation, coupled with the 2-5 year experience expectation, indicates a need for a designer who can independently manage projects while still benefiting from senior creative guidance. The emphasis on digital channels and campaign adaptation highlights the need for proficiency in modern design tools and a strategic understanding of multi-channel marketing.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create and deliver polished, contemporary design assets for a variety of touchpoints including website banners, social media graphics, email marketing templates, retail point-of-sale materials, and campaign toolkits.

• Support the Art Director and Senior Creatives in developing and executing integrated global campaigns, with a particular emphasis on digital-first design strategies.

• Adapt master campaign concepts and assets across different channels, formats, and geographic markets, ensuring brand consistency and local relevance.

• Design creative assets for specific initiatives such as athlete collaborations, new product launches, and innovation storytelling, translating complex ideas into impactful visuals.

• Produce work with strong typography, layout, image selection, and visual storytelling that consistently upholds and elevates the Speedo brand identity.

• Take ownership of assigned projects, managing them from the initial creative brief through to final artwork, ensuring all technical specifications and delivery requirements are met.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Content, Production, Commercial, Shopper Marketing, and regional brand teams to ensure seamless campaign execution.

• Consistently apply Speedo’s brand guidelines while proactively identifying opportunities to enhance creative quality and explore innovative design approaches.

• Proactively manage workload, prioritize tasks, and identify potential risks or gaps in projects, communicating them to stakeholders early to ensure timely and successful delivery.

• Bring fresh perspectives, cultural insights, and curiosity about emerging design tools and trends, including motion graphics and generative AI, to inspire creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of execution and strategic adaptation. The need to "adapt campaign concepts and master assets across different channels, formats and markets" suggests a strong requirement for understanding localization and multi-channel campaign management, a critical skill in global brand operations. The mention of "emerging tools, including motion and generative AI" points towards a forward-thinking creative environment valuing continuous learning and innovation in design processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for midweight roles. Equivalent practical experience and a strong portfolio can often substitute formal education.

Experience: Typically 2-3 years of professional graphic design experience, with a proven track record of creating consumer-facing design work across both digital and physical touchpoints. Experience within the sports, lifestyle, fashion, or premium brand sectors is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to create high-quality consumer-facing design work across digital platforms (website, social, CRM) and physical touchpoints (retail, print).

• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) for comprehensive design execution.

• Proficiency in Figma for collaborative design workflows, prototyping, and handoff to development.

• Excellent typography, layout design, and visual composition skills, demonstrating a refined aesthetic.

• Demonstrated ability in visual storytelling, effectively communicating brand messages and product benefits through design.

• Experience in adapting and executing campaign assets across multiple channels and formats.

• Confidence in presenting design concepts, articulating creative rationale, and responding constructively to feedback.

• Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and accountability for project delivery. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in motion graphics design or familiarity with motion design principles and software.

• Exposure to or interest in generative AI tools for creative ideation and asset production.

• Experience with retail design, packaging design, or print production processes.

• Understanding of e-commerce design principles and best practices.

• A genuine passion for sport, fitness, water activities, and an understanding of current cultural and design trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite and Figma as required skills indicates the core technology stack for this role. The preference for experience in sports, lifestyle, or fashion brands suggests that understanding the nuances of these industries, including aesthetic preferences and consumer motivations, is highly valued. The inclusion of "motion and generative AI" as areas of curiosity points to the company's forward-looking approach to creative technology and process innovation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of consumer-facing design projects, with a strong emphasis on digital execution (websites, social media campaigns, digital ads).

• Demonstrations of adaptability in design, with examples of how concepts have been applied across different channels and formats.

• Case studies or project examples that highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and how you've applied them consistently.

• Visuals that clearly exhibit strong typography, layout, and image selection skills.

• Evidence of project ownership, from initial brief to final artwork, ideally with examples of managing timelines and stakeholder feedback. Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should implicitly demonstrate an understanding of the design process, from brief interpretation and concept development to execution, refinement, and final delivery.

• Candidates are expected to be able to articulate their personal design process during interviews, explaining how they approach creative challenges, manage feedback, and ensure quality.

• While formal process documentation isn't a portfolio requirement, the ability to explain how you've optimized workflows or improved design outcomes through process is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role, the portfolio is paramount. The emphasis here is on demonstrating not just aesthetic output but also the ability to execute across multiple platforms and adapt to brand standards, which directly relates to the operational efficiency of a creative team. The mention of "process" in this context refers to the candidate's personal workflow and problem-solving methodology, crucial for assessing their ability to integrate into a structured creative operation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Midweight Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in London, the estimated annual salary range is £35,000 - £45,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in London, the premium nature of the brand (Speedo), and the comprehensive benefits package offered.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and discretionary bonus structure.

• Hybrid working model, offering flexibility between office and remote work.

• Flexible start and finish times to accommodate work-life balance.

• Generous annual holiday allowance.

• Employee product discounts and access to sample sales.

• Enhanced family-friendly employment policies.

• Comprehensive healthcare support.

• Discounts for gym and fitness activities.

• Cycle to Work scheme and Electric Car scheme, promoting sustainable commuting.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are assumed to be 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through staggered start and finish times.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on data from UK salary aggregators and recruitment agencies specializing in creative roles in London, factoring in the specified experience level and the company's industry. The benefits listed are directly from the job description and are presented to highlight the employer's commitment to employee well-being and work-life integration, which are key considerations for operations professionals seeking roles with a positive work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pentland Brands operates within the global sports and lifestyle apparel industry, with Speedo being a prominent brand in the swimwear and aquatics sector. This industry is characterized by a focus on performance, innovation, and trend-driven consumer engagement.

Company Size: Pentland Brands is a global family business, suggesting a stable, long-term oriented organization with a potentially strong culture. The specific size isn't detailed, but its global reach implies a significant operational footprint and a diverse workforce.

Founded: Pentland Brands was founded in 1939, providing a deep heritage and established presence in the market. This history often translates into a culture that values tradition, quality, and enduring brand relationships.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within Speedo’s Content & Creative team, indicating a specialized in-house function dedicated to brand communication and visual asset creation.

• This team likely collaborates closely with Art Directors, Senior Creatives, and wider brand management functions to ensure cohesive brand messaging and campaign execution.

• The structure suggests a collaborative environment where individuals contribute to a shared creative output, with clear lines of reporting and creative direction. Methodology:

• The team operates with a focus on turning creative direction into "beautifully crafted work" that builds "brand desirability and supports commercial growth."

• There's an emphasis on collaboration, attention to detail, and curiosity, valuing diverse creative input and an openness to new ideas and tools.

• The approach involves adapting global concepts for local markets and managing projects from brief to delivery, highlighting a structured yet flexible operational process.

Company Website: https://careers.pentland.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The information about Pentland Brands and Speedo's heritage and industry context helps a candidate understand the operational environment. A long-standing company often has established processes and a defined culture, while the sports/lifestyle sector demands a blend of creativity, performance-orientation, and market responsiveness. The "family business" aspect can imply a more personal and values-driven culture compared to a publicly traded corporation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as "Midweight Graphic Designer," typically requiring 2-5 years of experience. It sits above junior roles, indicating a level of autonomy and project ownership. The designer is expected to contribute independently to creative output while still operating under senior creative direction and collaborating with various teams. This level is crucial for executing creative strategies and translating them into tangible assets.

Reporting Structure: The designer will work closely with the Art Director and Senior Creatives, reporting into a creative leadership structure. This implies a clear hierarchy for creative direction, feedback, and project allocation within the Content & Creative team.

Operations Impact: The graphic designer's impact is directly tied to enhancing "brand desirability and supporting commercial growth" through high-quality visual assets. Effective design across digital and physical channels influences customer perception, engagement, and ultimately, sales conversion. The role contributes to the operational efficiency of the marketing and creative departments by producing assets that are on-brand, on-message, and ready for deployment across various platforms.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in digital design, campaign adaptation, and potentially explore emerging areas like motion graphics and generative AI, as encouraged by the role.

• Creative Leadership: Progression to Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director roles, leading projects, mentoring junior designers, and having greater influence on creative strategy.

• Brand Specialization: Deepening knowledge and contribution within the Speedo brand, potentially leading to roles with broader responsibility across Pentland Brands' portfolio of brands.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining experience working with diverse teams (Commercial, Shopper, Regional) can broaden understanding of business operations and marketing strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Midweight" designation is key here, indicating a designer ready for more responsibility than a junior but not yet a senior strategist. The growth opportunities outlined are typical for creative professionals, emphasizing skill development, increased leadership, and broader business exposure, all crucial for long-term career progression within operations-adjacent creative functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The final interview is described as "in-person at our office," suggesting a primary office-based or hybrid work environment. The company offers "hybrid working," indicating a balance between remote and in-office collaboration.

Office Location(s): The office is located at 77 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8JS. This central London location offers good accessibility via public transport and proximity to a vibrant business district.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as "collaborative," with opportunities to meet more of the team during the final interview. This suggests an office designed to foster interaction and teamwork.

• The role requires strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, implying that these tools and the necessary hardware will be available, supporting efficient design operations.

• The team culture values "strong ideas, attention to detail and curiosity," fostering an environment where designers can contribute creatively and learn from each other.

Work Schedule: The job specifies "flexible start and finish times" alongside a "hybrid working" model. This provides operational flexibility for designers to manage their workload, personal commitments, and optimize their productivity, while still ensuring core collaboration hours are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model and flexible hours are significant benefits for operations professionals, allowing for better work-life integration and potentially improved focus during remote work periods. The mention of an in-person final interview at their London office provides concrete details about the physical workspace and the company's preference for face-to-face interaction at later stages of the hiring process.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Talent Team Intro Call (30 min video): A preliminary screening to gauge mutual fit, discuss the role, and answer initial candidate questions. Preparation should focus on a concise overview of relevant experience and understanding of the Speedo brand.

• Experience Interview (online): A deeper dive with the hiring manager to assess skills, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements and company principles. Be ready to discuss specific projects from your portfolio and your approach to design challenges.

• Final Interview (in-person): A comprehensive, in-person session at the office. This stage is for deeper discussion, practical application assessment, meeting team members, and experiencing the company culture firsthand. Expect to present your portfolio and discuss how you envision contributing.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize work that showcases digital design, campaign adaptation, and strong typography/layout.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly outline the brief, your role, your creative process, challenges faced, and the final outcome/impact.

• Highlight Adaptability: Include examples of how you've adapted designs for different channels, markets, or formats. This is crucial for global campaign work.

• Demonstrate Brand Understanding: If possible, include work that shows an understanding of premium or lifestyle brand aesthetics, or specifically how you've worked within brand guidelines.

• Prepare for Walkthrough: Be ready to confidently present and discuss your portfolio in detail during the interviews, articulating your design decisions.

Challenge Preparation:

• While a specific "challenge" isn't detailed, expect interview questions to probe your problem-solving skills related to design briefs, adapting existing creative, or proposing design solutions for specific scenarios.

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach a brief for a new Speedo campaign or product launch, considering digital-first strategies and brand consistency.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, focusing on how your creative decisions support business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The detailed breakdown of the interview process provides a clear roadmap for applicants. The emphasis on portfolio curation and presentation strategy is critical for design roles, as it directly assesses the candidate's ability to communicate their skills and impact effectively. This structured approach to assessment is common in operations-focused hiring to ensure a thorough evaluation.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for professional graphic design. Proficiency in Photoshop (image manipulation, digital assets), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, icons), and InDesign (layout, print collateral) is expected.

• Figma: A critical tool for collaborative design, prototyping, and efficient handoff to development teams, particularly for web and digital interfaces.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary function of the designer, an understanding of how design impacts digital metrics (e.g., click-through rates, engagement on social media, website conversion) is beneficial. Familiarity with common web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) or social media analytics dashboards might be advantageous for understanding campaign performance. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core responsibilities of a graphic designer, but understanding how design assets are deployed through CRM or marketing automation platforms can be helpful for ensuring proper file formats and technical specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite and Figma pinpoints the core technical requirements. For operations professionals evaluating this role, understanding the technology stack is crucial for assessing their current skill set and identifying any necessary upskilling. The indirect mention of analytics and CRM highlights the need for designers to be aware of the downstream impact of their work within the broader marketing operations framework.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity, Energy, Ambition: These are core Pentland Brands values, suggesting a workplace that encourages high standards, proactive engagement, and a drive for achievement. For a designer, this means bringing passion to creative work and striving for impactful results.

• High Standards & Ego-Free Collaboration: The company emphasizes setting high standards and delivering outcomes without ego. This translates to a collaborative environment where constructive feedback is welcomed, and team success is prioritized over individual recognition.

• Brand Desirability & Commercial Growth: A key value is translating creative work into tangible business outcomes, meaning designs must not only look good but also effectively build brand appeal and drive sales.

• Curiosity & Innovation: The team culture values curiosity and an interest in emerging tools and trends, encouraging designers to stay ahead of the curve and bring fresh ideas to the table.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with Creative, Content, Production, Commercial, Shopper, and regional teams, indicating a highly integrated and communicative approach to brand campaigns.

• Feedback Exchange: The culture values responding constructively to feedback, suggesting an open and iterative design process where ideas are refined through dialogue.

• Knowledge Sharing: The emphasis on curiosity and bringing "fresh references" implies a culture that encourages sharing insights, trends, and best practices within the team and across departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding the company's stated values and collaboration style is crucial for assessing cultural fit, which is a key component of operational effectiveness. The "ego-free" and "high standards" aspects suggest a professional and results-oriented environment, while the emphasis on curiosity points to a dynamic and evolving creative operation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Market Adaptation: A key challenge will be maintaining Speedo's global brand integrity while adapting creative assets to resonate with diverse regional markets and consumer preferences.

• Pace of Digital Trends: The rapidly evolving digital landscape requires designers to stay current with new platforms, formats, and emerging technologies (like AI), which can be a continuous learning challenge.

• Managing Multiple Projects & Stakeholders: Juggling various projects with different deadlines and collaborating effectively with a wide range of internal stakeholders demands strong organizational and communication skills.

• Translating Performance to Visuals: Effectively communicating the performance-enhancing aspects of Speedo products through design, beyond just aesthetics, can be a creative challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in digital design, campaign adaptation, and potentially explore specialized areas like motion graphics or AI-driven design tools.

• Industry Exposure: Working for an iconic brand like Speedo within the sports and lifestyle sector provides valuable industry experience and insights into consumer marketing.

• Cross-functional Learning: Collaborating with Commercial, Shopper, and Regional teams offers exposure to different facets of brand operations and marketing strategy.

• Mentorship & Senior Guidance: Working closely with Art Directors and Senior Creatives provides direct mentorship and opportunities to learn from experienced professionals in the field.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges helps candidates prepare for the realities of the role. The growth opportunities are framed to show how the role can serve as a stepping stone for career advancement, aligning with the expectations of operations professionals who often seek roles with clear development paths.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach adapting a global campaign creative for a specific regional market, considering cultural nuances and local media consumption habits?" (Focus on process, research, and adaptability.)

• "Describe a time you had to balance maintaining strict brand guidelines with a creative brief that pushed boundaries. What was your approach and the outcome?" (Focus on problem-solving, brand adherence, and creative compromise.)

• "Imagine you're tasked with designing assets for a new Speedo product launch focused on innovation. What key visual elements would you prioritize to communicate this effectively?" (Focus on strategic thinking, visual communication, and understanding product benefits.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about the Speedo brand and Pentland Brands' values, particularly integrity, energy, and ambition?" (Research the brand, its heritage, and the company's stated values.)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a creative team, especially when working with stakeholders from different departments like commercial or retail?" (Highlight your teamwork, communication style, and ability to understand diverse perspectives.)

• "Can you provide an example of a project where your design significantly contributed to a campaign's success or commercial growth?" (Prepare a case study demonstrating quantifiable impact if possible, or clear qualitative success.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the creative challenges, your design process, and the final outcome. Use a storytelling approach.

• Highlight Digital & Adaptation: Emphasize projects showcasing digital design proficiency and your ability to adapt creative across various platforms and formats.

• Showcase Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, and how these tools enable your creative process.

• Connect to Brand & Business: Whenever possible, explain how your design choices align with brand objectives and contribute to business goals (e.g., brand desirability, engagement, conversion).

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions are designed to probe the candidate's strategic thinking, understanding of brand operations, and ability to execute creatively within a business context. The portfolio presentation strategy directly addresses how a candidate can best showcase their operational capabilities as a designer.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the application link provided on the Pentland Brands careers page.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with digital design, campaign adaptation, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma. Quantify achievements where possible, referencing projects that demonstrate your impact on brand desirability or commercial growth.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your midweight graphic design capabilities, with a focus on digital execution, brand guideline adherence, and adaptability across channels. Ensure it's easily navigable and visually appealing.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice walking through your portfolio, articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work for each project. Be ready to discuss your experience within sports, lifestyle, or premium brands.

• Research the Brand: Familiarize yourself with Speedo's current campaigns, product lines, and brand messaging. Understand Pentland Brands' values (integrity, energy, ambition) and how they might translate into the creative team's culture.

⚠️ 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.