Performance Creative Designer (all genders welcome)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Performance Creative Designer (all genders welcome)

Company: PMI GmbH

Location: Pilgrimstraße 6, 50674 Köln, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Job Type: Festanstellung (Permanent Employment)

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations / GTM Operations

Date Posted: June 15, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and produce high-performing video and static creatives specifically for social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, with a strong emphasis on driving engagement and conversion.

• Leverage a deep understanding of social media dynamics, user behavior, and marketing psychology to craft attention-grabbing content, including compelling hooks and "stop-moments" that prevent scrolling.

• Conduct thorough creative research and trend scouting to identify patterns in successful content and advertising, translating these insights into innovative concepts for clients.

• Integrate and utilize AI tools as a creative lever for research, ideation, image generation, and overall production efficiency, demonstrating curiosity and a willingness to adopt new technologies.

• Collaborate closely with project management, the broader creative team, and executive leadership to guide projects from initial concept to final delivery, ensuring direct impact on client results.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a GTM/Marketing Operations framework, focusing on the execution and performance optimization of creative assets that directly support marketing and sales objectives. The emphasis on "performance" and "results" indicates a data-driven approach to creative development, moving beyond purely aesthetic considerations to measurable impact.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, edit, and optimize video creatives for platforms including TikTok, Instagram Reels, Meta Ads, and YouTube Shorts, employing DaVinci Resolve as the primary editing tool.

• Strategize and create static ads, carousel ads, and other social media assets that not only look appealing but are designed for maximum performance and engagement.

• Analyze and interpret user behavior, platform logics, pacing, sound design, and storytelling techniques to ensure creatives resonate with target audiences and achieve campaign goals.

• Proactively research and scout trends across social media platforms and advertising campaigns to generate fresh, impactful ideas for client projects.

• Utilize AI tools for various stages of the creative process, including research, ideation, image generation, and production, to enhance efficiency and explore new creative avenues.

• Develop creative concepts that challenge briefs and offer innovative solutions, thinking beyond assigned tasks to drive strategic outcomes.

• Collaborate effectively with project management, the creative team, and business leadership, participating in the entire project lifecycle from initial ideation to final asset delivery.

• Maintain a keen understanding of marketing psychology, visual hierarchies, KSPs (Key Selling Propositions), and advertising triggers to inform creative output.

• Actively contribute to the company's AI-driven approach, demonstrating curiosity and a readiness to experiment with and integrate new AI technologies into the workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical creative skills and strategic marketing acumen. The emphasis on "performance," "results," and "marketing psychology" suggests that this role is integral to the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy, directly contributing to lead generation, brand awareness, and conversion rates through creative content.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating the required skills and experience is paramount. A background in Design, Marketing, Communications, or a related field would be beneficial.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in a creative role focused on digital marketing, social media content creation, or performance advertising.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in DaVinci Resolve for video editing and post-production.

• Proven experience in creating engaging video content for social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts).

• Demonstrated ability to design effective static ads, carousel ads, and social media assets.

• Proficiency with Photoshop, Canva, or comparable graphic design tools.

• A strong understanding of social media platform dynamics, trends, and best practices.

• Innate sense for attention-grabbing content, hooks, and storytelling that drives user engagement.

• Understanding of marketing psychology, advertising triggers, and visual hierarchy.

• Experience with creative research and trend scouting to inform content strategy.

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines with a structured and organized approach.

• High level of creativity, initiative, and a proactive mindset.

• Familiarity with AI tools for creative production (research, ideation, generation). Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Meta Ads campaign structure and creative requirements.

• Familiarity with AI image generation tools such as Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, Adobe Firefly.

• Experience with AI text-based tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Notion AI for ideation and content refinement.

• Basic understanding of FLUX or similar motion graphics/animation software.

• Experience with Canva AI features.

• Foundational knowledge of performance marketing principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Must-Haves" and "Particularly Important" sections strongly emphasize a performance-oriented mindset. Candidates are expected to understand why content works, not just how to create it. The inclusion of AI tools suggests a forward-thinking company that values innovation and efficiency in its creative operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of performance-driven video creatives (TikTok, Reels, Shorts) that demonstrate strong hooks, pacing, and audience retention.

• Examples of high-performing static ads and carousel ads that showcase an understanding of visual hierarchy, compelling headlines, and KSPs.

• Case studies or examples illustrating how creative decisions were informed by trend analysis, platform logic, or marketing psychology.

• Demonstrations of AI tool integration in the creative process, showcasing how AI was used for research, ideation, or production to achieve superior results or efficiency.

• Work samples that highlight the ability to translate abstract concepts or brand requirements into visually engaging and effective marketing assets. Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal workflow for developing social media creatives, from initial concept and research to final optimization.

• Be ready to articulate how they analyze the performance of their creatives and use that data to inform future iterations and strategies.

• Discuss approaches to integrating feedback from project managers, clients, or performance data into the creative iteration process.

• Explain how they leverage trends and platform-specific features to maximize the impact of their creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description strongly implies that a portfolio is crucial. It's not just about showing work, but about demonstrating an understanding of performance, trends, and strategic thinking behind the creative choices. The request for candidates to explain why a creative works and what they would improve signals a need for analytical and strategic thinking applied to creative execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on the location (Cologne, Germany), role responsibilities, and the mid-level experience requirement (2-5 years), a competitive salary range for a Performance Creative Designer would typically fall between €45,000 and €60,000 per year. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for creative roles in Germany, considering the specific technical skills (DaVinci Resolve, Photoshop) and the performance-oriented nature of the position.

Benefits:

• High Level of Responsibility and Autonomy: Significant trust and freedom to implement your own ideas and manage projects independently, moving beyond micromanagement.

• Opportunity to Work with Well-Known Brands: Direct engagement with established brands, providing exposure to high-profile projects and significant market impact.

• Direct Influence on Project Outcomes: Your creative work will have a visible impact on client success and campaign results, with your ideas being heard and implemented.

• Investment in Professional Development and Training: Opportunities for sparring, continuous learning, and further education to enhance skills and career growth.

• Collaborative Team Environment: Work within an ambitious, supportive, and open team that values constructive discussion and mutual support.

• Cutting-Edge Technology Adoption: Integral role in a company that embraces and integrates AI tools into its core operations, fostering innovation.

• Permanent Employment: Secure "Festanstellung" with a growing company group.

Working Hours:

The role is specified as "Festanstellung" (permanent employment), and while not explicitly stated, a standard full-time work week in Germany is typically 38-40 hours. The company culture emphasizes responsibility and autonomy, suggesting a degree of flexibility within a structured work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate. The provided benefits are derived from the "Warum PMI?" section, translated into standard benefit descriptions relevant to operations and creative professionals. The description implies a dynamic work environment where individual contributions are highly valued.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The PMI Group operates within the strategic marketing, brand building, and digital visibility sector, focusing on empowering companies with good products and services. PMI GmbH specifically concentrates on cross-channel, data-driven marketing to enhance brand presence and tangible quality.

Company Size: PMI GmbH is part of the PMI Group, described as a "wachstumsorientierte Unternehmensgruppe" (growth-oriented corporate group). While an exact employee count isn't provided, the description suggests a dynamic, potentially medium-sized organization with a structured approach to growth and client service. This size often allows for more direct interaction with leadership and a greater impact on company direction.

Founded: The founding date of PMI GmbH is not explicitly stated, but the company is presented as an established entity within the PMI Group, which has a clear vision and established methodology.

Team Structure:

• Creative & Operations Focus: The role is situated within a structure that values both creative output and operational efficiency, particularly for performance marketing.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role requires close collaboration with Project Management, the broader Creative Team, and Executive Leadership, indicating a matrixed or project-based team structure.

• Direct Reporting: Likely reports to a Creative Lead, Head of Marketing, or a member of the Executive Team, given the emphasis on direct influence and responsibility.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven & Performance-Oriented: The company emphasizes data-based approaches and focuses on tangible results, aligning creative output with marketing and sales objectives.

• AI Integration: AI is deeply embedded in their DNA, used as a tool for research, ideation, and production efficiency.

• Partnership & Results: The core values of the PMI Group include being partnership-oriented, passionate, results-driven, and creative.

Company Website: PMI Group website can be inferred from domain_derived: pmi-growth.group (though not explicitly provided in input data, this is a common inference method).

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a strong emphasis on performance, data-driven decision-making, and the strategic use of technology, including AI. This suggests an environment where operations and creative professionals are expected to be analytical, proactive, and results-focused.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Performance Creative Designer. It requires a solid foundation of 2-5 years of experience, demonstrating mastery of core creative tools and a proven understanding of performance marketing principles. The role involves not just execution but also strategic input, creative concept development, and trend analysis, indicating a move beyond junior-level task execution towards more autonomous project ownership.

Reporting Structure: The candidate will report to a senior member of the creative or marketing team, likely a Creative Lead, Marketing Manager, or potentially directly to the management/Geschäftsführung due to the emphasis on direct influence and collaboration with leadership. This structure facilitates direct feedback and rapid decision-making.

Operations Impact: The "Performance" aspect of the title is key. This role directly impacts Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies by creating assets that drive user engagement, lead generation, and conversions. The success of marketing campaigns and, consequently, sales performance, will be measurably influenced by the effectiveness of the creatives produced. The integration of AI also positions the role at the forefront of operational efficiency in creative production.

Growth Opportunities:

• Creative Specialization & Leadership: Potential to deepen expertise in specific platforms (e.g., TikTok, Meta Ads) or creative types (e.g., video storytelling, AI-generated art), possibly leading to a Senior Performance Creative Designer role or a Creative Lead position.

• Strategic Creative Development: Opportunity to evolve from asset creation to leading creative strategy development for campaigns, influencing the overall direction and conceptualization.

• AI & Technology Advancement: Continuous learning and application of emerging AI tools and creative technologies, positioning the candidate as an expert in cutting-edge creative operations.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Exposure to project management, client relations, and performance marketing analytics, broadening the candidate's operational skill set.

• Client-Facing Experience: Direct interaction with clients on projects offers valuable experience in communication, presentation, and understanding client business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path indicated is less about climbing a traditional hierarchical ladder and more about deepening expertise, taking on greater strategic responsibility, and becoming a leader in performance-driven creative operations and AI integration.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, located at Pilgrimstraße 6 in Cologne. The description emphasizes a collaborative team environment and direct interaction with management and clients, suggesting a dynamic office setting rather than a remote or purely independent workspace.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Cologne, Germany. This is a well-established city with good infrastructure, making it accessible for on-site work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Atmosphere: The company culture promotes open discussion, mutual support, and ambitious work within the team. This suggests an environment where brainstorming and feedback are encouraged.

• Tooling: Access to industry-standard creative software (DaVinci Resolve, Photoshop, Canva) and a commitment to integrating modern AI tools will be available, supporting efficient and innovative creative production.

• Team Interaction: The role involves close collaboration with project management, the creative team, and leadership, ensuring frequent interaction and shared project ownership.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time employment ("Festanstellung") is implied, likely with a 38-40 hour work week. The emphasis on responsibility and autonomy suggests that while core hours exist, there might be flexibility to manage workload effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement points towards a company that values in-person collaboration, team cohesion, and direct communication, which can be beneficial for creative brainstorming and rapid problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: Review of CV, portfolio, and cover letter to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role's performance and creative focus.

2. Creative Challenge/Portfolio Review: A practical assessment, potentially involving a creative task or an in-depth discussion of submitted portfolio pieces. This stage will focus on your understanding of performance drivers, trend analysis, and creative strategy.

3. Team/Management Interview: Meeting with key team members and management to evaluate cultural fit, collaboration style, problem-solving approach, and strategic thinking. Expect questions about your experience with AI tools and your vision for performance creative.

4. Final Interview/Offer: Discussion of terms, role expectations, and potential integration into the team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Performance: Highlight creatives that demonstrably achieved specific marketing objectives (e.g., increased engagement, click-through rates, conversions). Quantify results where possible.

• Explain Your "Why": For each piece, articulate the strategic thinking behind your creative decisions. Why did you choose that hook? What marketing psychology did you apply? How did you interpret the trend?

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples of both video and static content, showcasing your adaptability across different formats and platforms.

• Highlight AI Integration: If you've used AI tools, clearly explain your process and the impact it had on the final creative or efficiency.

• Address Improvement: For any piece, be ready to discuss what you would do differently or how you would further optimize it based on performance data or evolving trends.

Challenge Preparation:

• Analyze & Deconstruct: Practice deconstructing successful social media ads. Identify the hook, pacing, sound design, calls-to-action, and underlying marketing principles.

• Trend Spotting: Stay current with the latest trends on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Be prepared to discuss what makes them work and how they could be adapted for different brands.

• AI Tool Familiarity: Be ready to discuss your experience with AI creative tools and how you see them evolving the creative production landscape.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would approach a creative brief for a specific brand or product, focusing on performance outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes a practical, results-oriented assessment of creative skills and strategic thinking, with a strong focus on the candidate's ability to drive performance through creative execution and leverage new technologies like AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• DaVinci Resolve: Essential for video editing and post-production. Proficiency is a must-have.

• Adobe Photoshop: Required for image manipulation, graphic design, and creating static/carousel ads.

• Canva: A valuable tool for rapid design and asset creation, especially for social media content.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated as a requirement for the designer, a strong understanding of social media analytics and ad platform reporting (e.g., Meta Ads Manager) will be crucial for understanding creative performance and iterating effectively. CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are mentioned as primary requirements for this role, but familiarity with how creative assets integrate into broader marketing automation or CRM workflows could be beneficial. AI & Emerging Technologies:

• AI Image Generators: Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, Adobe Firefly (Preferred).

• AI Text/Ideation Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Notion AI (Preferred).

• AI Video Tools: Potentially FLUX or similar for advanced motion graphics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on DaVinci Resolve and Photoshop/Canva signifies a hands-on creative role. The "Nice-to-Have" list highlights the company's proactive stance on adopting AI and emerging creative technologies, which is a significant differentiator for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Performance-Driven: A core value is achieving measurable results and driving performance through creative excellence.

• Creative & Innovative: Encouraging new ideas, challenging briefs, and embracing experimentation, especially with AI.

• Collaborative & Supportive: Fostering an environment where team members work together, share knowledge, and support each other's growth.

• Responsible & Autonomous: Empowering individuals with trust and freedom, expecting ownership and initiative in return.

• Results-Oriented: Focusing on the impact of work on clients and the business, celebrating shared successes.

Collaboration Style:

• Open & Direct Communication: Encouraging open discussion and constructive feedback within the team and with management.

• Cross-Functional Synergy: Working closely with project management, other creatives, and leadership to ensure cohesive project execution and strategic alignment.

• Iterative & Feedback-Driven: A culture that embraces feedback loops, whether from data analytics, client input, or peer reviews, to continuously improve creative output.

• Proactive Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the exploration and sharing of new tools, trends, and techniques, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of ambitious, results-focused work with a strong emphasis on team support and individual growth. The integration of AI as a core value suggests a forward-thinking and innovative operational mindset.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Performance Metrics: The primary challenge will be to consistently produce highly creative and engaging content that simultaneously meets strict performance-driven marketing objectives.

• Rapidly Evolving Social Media Landscape: Staying ahead of platform algorithm changes, emerging trends, and new creative formats requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Mastering the use of various AI tools to enhance, rather than replace, human creativity and strategic thinking in a way that delivers tangible business value.

• Managing Multiple Brand Voices: Adapting creative style and messaging to suit the diverse needs and brand identities of various clients.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastery of Performance Creative: Deepening expertise in what makes creatives perform on platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

• Advanced AI Creative Techniques: Becoming proficient in leveraging AI for advanced image generation, video manipulation, and ideation.

• Strategic Creative Direction: Gaining experience in developing broader creative strategies for campaigns, moving beyond asset creation to concept ownership.

• Industry Trends & Platform Expertise: Continuous learning about new social media features, advertising strategies, and user behavior patterns.

• Mentorship and Feedback: Receiving constructive feedback and guidance from experienced professionals within the PMI Group to foster personal and professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a performance-oriented creative role in a dynamic digital marketing environment, with a specific emphasis on the growing role of AI. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing specialized expertise and strategic influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you created a social media creative that significantly outperformed expectations. What was your process, and what specific elements contributed to its success?" (Focus on performance metrics, hooks, and strategy.)

• "How do you stay ahead of social media trends, and how do you decide which trends are worth adapting for a client campaign?" (Assess trend scouting and strategic filtering.)

• "Imagine you are tasked with creating a new video ad for [hypothetical client/product]. Walk us through your initial creative concept and how you would ensure it grabs attention within the first 3 seconds." (Evaluate creative thinking, hook development, and platform awareness.)

• "How have you used AI tools in your creative process, and what impact did it have on your output or efficiency? What are your thoughts on the future of AI in creative production?" (Gauge AI proficiency and forward-thinking.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about PMI GmbH's approach to marketing and creative development, particularly our emphasis on performance and AI?" (Assess research and alignment with company values.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative and supportive atmosphere." (Evaluate cultural fit.)

• "How do you handle receiving constructive criticism or feedback on your creative work?" (Understand adaptability and growth mindset.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each piece, don't just present it; explain the problem it solved, the strategy behind it, and the results it achieved.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your work.

• Highlight Process: Briefly explain your creative process for key pieces, including research, ideation, tool usage (especially AI), and iteration.

• Focus on Performance: Emphasize how your creative choices were driven by the goal of performance and engagement.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Present your work clearly and enthusiastically, keeping the audience's attention.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of performance marketing principles, creative strategy, trend analysis, and practical application of AI tools, all while aligning with the company's growth-oriented and collaborative culture.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Performance Creative Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the PMI GmbH jobs portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest pieces that best showcase your ability to create performance-driven video and static creatives. Prioritize examples where you can articulate the strategic thinking, trend integration, and any AI usage.

• Tailor Your CV: Highlight keywords relevant to performance creative design, DaVinci Resolve, social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube), AI tools, and marketing psychology. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your "Why This Creative": Select one piece of creative work (yours or someone else's) that you find particularly strong. Be ready to explain its hook, stop-moments, why it works, and what you would improve. This demonstrates your analytical and critical thinking.

• Research PMI GmbH: Understand their focus on performance, AI integration, and their client-centric approach. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and passion align with their mission.

⚠️ 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.

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