SB 2: Visual Designer (Social-first) (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: SB 2: Visual Designer (Social-first) (m/w/d)

Company: Prematch

Location: Cologne, Germany

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing & Brand Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: May 06, 2026

Experience Level: 2-6 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (1-3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in bringing Prematch's brand to life visually across social media platforms, focusing on a "social-first" design approach.

• Responsibilities encompass the full content lifecycle, from ideation and design to editing, production, and final publication of social media assets.

• The position requires a blend of creative strategy, hands-on execution, and data-informed decision-making to optimize content performance.

• A deep understanding of football culture and modern social trends is essential for developing engaging content that resonates with the target community.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Visual Designer," the core responsibilities emphasize content creation, editing, and publication specifically for social media, aligning it more with a "Social Brand Designer" or "Content Designer" role within a marketing operations framework. The "SB 2" designation might indicate a mid-level position within a specific team structure.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, edit, and produce daily social-first content, including Reels, TikToks, and other visual assets, managing the entire process from concept to publication.

• Elevate and consistently evolve the brand's visual identity, tone, and storytelling across all social media channels.

• Develop and maintain a scalable, reusable brand system including guidelines, templates, and creative principles for consistent application across channels and campaigns.

• Establish recognizable content series and recurring formats that encourage audience engagement and repeat viewership.

• Manage the content calendar and publishing rhythm for key social media channels, ensuring a cohesive and strategic presence.

• Oversee the creative direction and production of social media content (video, static visuals, short-form series), ensuring a strong visual appeal and effective "hook" for audience attention.

• Collaborate closely with growth and advertising teams to develop high-performing creative assets for paid social campaigns, utilizing rapid testing loops for continuous improvement.

• Translate performance data into actionable creative insights, identifying what content resonates, what to discontinue, and what to test next.

• Develop and implement cooperation concepts with creators, communities, and local partners to drive engagement and brand visibility.

• Create streamlined partner packages, including materials and briefings, to facilitate easy co-creation and content sharing.

• Identify scalable distribution levers to increase reach without diluting brand integrity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a hands-on creative role with a strong emphasis on social media execution, brand consistency, and performance optimization, fitting within a broader "Marketing Operations" or "Brand Operations" umbrella. The focus on paid social creative collaboration suggests a need for understanding performance metrics and A/B testing principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly stated, but a creative background is emphasized, suggesting a degree or equivalent practical experience in Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, or a related field.

Experience: 2-6 years of creative experience with a strong portfolio demonstrating a social-first orientation. Experience in a growing team and startup environment is preferred.

Required Skills:

• Brand Building: Proven ability to build brands sustainably through content, not just isolated campaigns.

• Visual Taste: Excellent visual aesthetic with proficiency in design and editing; basic motion graphics skills are a plus.

• Creative Strategy: Strong capabilities in positioning, format/series development, channel thinking, and a pronounced distribution mindset.

• Data Proficiency: Comfortable with data, understanding key social and paid creative performance metrics, and deriving smart learnings.

• Hands-on Mentality: Ability to work quickly and pragmatically while maintaining high creative standards.

• Copywriting: Skill in crafting compelling hooks, captions, and series framing.

• Editing: Expertise in short-form storytelling with a clear narrative flow.

• Production Knowledge: Experience in creator briefing and direction for efficient content production.

• Cultural Understanding: Deep understanding of sports/football culture, its tonality, and matchday dynamics.

• Social-First Design: Proficiency in social media design and packaging, including format setup, thumbnails, title cards, and ensuring brand recognizability.

• Language Proficiency: Fluent German and English language skills.

Preferred Skills:

• D2C or Agency Experience: Demonstrated success with clear outcomes in a direct-to-consumer or agency environment.

• Motion Design/Animation: Skills in template-based, rapid, and scalable motion graphics.

• Paid Social Creatives: Experience with performance creatives, ad variants, and hook testing for paid social campaigns.

• On-ground Activation: Experience with on-ground activations at events/matchdays and local partner activations with on-site content creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills highlight a blend of creative execution, strategic thinking, and analytical acumen, positioning this role as a key contributor to the marketing operations function. The emphasis on "social-first" and "data-comfy" skills is crucial for candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a strong "social-first" orientation with examples of content designed specifically for platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and other short-form video formats.

• Demonstrate the ability to build and evolve a brand visually through content, highlighting how individual pieces contribute to a larger brand narrative.

• Include examples of successful content series or recurring formats that have driven audience engagement and loyalty.

• Present case studies that illustrate the process of translating data insights into creative decisions and tangible performance improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of a structured approach to content production workflows, from ideation and briefing to editing, approval, and publication.

• Examples of how performance data (e.g., engagement rates, reach, click-through rates) has been analyzed and used to inform subsequent creative iterations and strategy adjustments.

• Documentation of experience in building and maintaining content calendars and publishing schedules, demonstrating organizational and planning capabilities.

• Proof of collaboration with cross-functional teams (e.g., growth, paid media) to ensure alignment between creative content and campaign objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio demonstrating hands-on social content creation, brand consistency, and data-informed optimization is critical for this role. The employer is looking for a "doer" who can showcase tangible results and a repeatable process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Visual Designer (Social-first) with 2-6 years of experience in Cologne, Germany, a competitive salary range would typically fall between €40,000 and €55,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Cologne, the startup environment, and the specialized skill set required.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: Remuneration commensurate with experience and market standards.

• Employee Stock Options (VSOP): Direct stake in the company's success and growth.

• Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility to work from home 1-3 days per week, balancing home and office collaboration.

• Flexible Remote Work Options: Ability to work remotely, even from different locations for short periods, supporting work-life integration.

• Modern IT Equipment: Provision of necessary tools and devices for productive work.

• 27 Days Vacation Per Year: Ample paid time off for rest and rejuvenation.

• Special Regulations for Parents: Supportive policies to help balance family and work responsibilities.

• Team Events: Regular gatherings at office locations (Cologne, Berlin, London) to foster team spirit and networking.

• Company Offsites: Annual multi-day offsite events for the entire team to collaborate, strategize, and build camaraderie.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility in remote work days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general market data for similar roles in Germany. Specific compensation will depend on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and negotiation. The benefits package, particularly the VSOP and flexible remote work options, is a significant draw for candidates in the startup space.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports Technology / Media & Entertainment (focus on non-professional football). Prematch aims to bring professional experiences to amateur football players and fans through news, data, and gamification.

Company Size: Prematch is a dynamic startup, indicating a lean, agile, and fast-paced operational environment. The marketing/business teams are in Cologne and London, while the tech/product team is remote across Europe.

Founded: Founded in 2021, Prematch is a relatively young company with a strong vision and backing from notable investors and partners.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Marketing & Brand team, based in Cologne and London.

• Collaboration is expected with the Growth/Advertising teams for paid social initiatives.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: Emphasis on using performance data to inform and optimize creative output.

• Agile Execution: Fast, pragmatic approach to content production and testing.

• Community-Centric: Deep understanding and engagement with the amateur football community.

• Brand Consistency: Focus on building a scalable and recognizable brand system.

Company Website: https://prematch.notion.site/Prematch-auf-einen-Blick-b7158d037c414dd0b19e7a6b97e8fdbe (Company overview page)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as dynamic, smart, and "hungry," characteristic of successful startups. The hybrid and flexible remote work policies reflect a modern approach to employee well-being and productivity, while the sports focus creates a passionate and niche community environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "SB 2" Visual Designer, suggesting a mid-level individual contributor role within the marketing and brand function. It requires significant hands-on execution with opportunities for strategic input on creative direction and brand development.

Reporting Structure: The Visual Designer will report to a manager within the Marketing & Brand team. Close collaboration with Growth/Advertising teams is expected, indicating a matrixed or cross-functional reporting dynamic for specific projects.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts brand perception, community engagement, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns through the creation of compelling visual content. Success in this role contributes to user acquisition, retention, and overall brand growth, directly influencing key business metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in social-first design, video editing, and motion graphics.

• Creative Leadership: Progress to leading creative projects, developing campaign concepts, and potentially managing junior designers or content creators as the team grows.

• Brand Strategy Influence: Contribute more significantly to the overall brand strategy and creative direction as experience with Prematch's audience and market grows.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain exposure to paid media strategies, growth hacking, and community management through close collaboration with other departments.

• Startup Growth: Benefit from the rapid growth trajectory of a startup, potentially leading to new opportunities and expanded responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for creative professionals to grow their skills in a dynamic startup environment, with opportunities to influence brand direction and potentially move into leadership positions as the company scales.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Prematch offers a hybrid work model with offices in Cologne, Berlin, and London. The description emphasizes a "startup vibe" and provides flexibility for employees to work from home 1-3 days a week.

Office Location(s): Cologne, Germany is the primary location for this role, with potential for occasional travel or collaboration with the London office.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages in-person collaboration for 1-3 days a week, fostering team cohesion and idea exchange. Modern collaboration tools are used to maintain connectivity for remote team members.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern IT equipment is provided to ensure productivity. The specific design and editing software stack would be typical for a creative role (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite).

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction with the Marketing & Brand team, as well as cross-functional collaboration with Growth/Advertising teams. Regular team events and annual offsites further enhance team connectivity.

Work Schedule: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility in how the hybrid and remote days are scheduled. This allows for structured work periods and personal time management, crucial for creative roles that may involve bursts of intense work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is designed to offer a balance between focused remote work and collaborative in-office sessions, catering to modern work preferences while maintaining strong team connections.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit CV and any additional requested information via the provided application form.

• Portfolio Review: A key step will involve reviewing your portfolio to assess your social-first design skills, creative execution, and understanding of brand building. Be prepared to walk through specific projects.

• Initial Interview (with Lisa): A screening call to discuss your background, motivations, and initial fit for the role.

• Creative Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a small creative task or present a case study demonstrating your ability to design social-first content, develop creative strategies, or analyze performance data.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Further discussion about your experience, how you approach creative problems, and how you would fit into the team culture.

• Final Decision: Based on overall assessment of skills, experience, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that highlight your social-first design capabilities and brand-building experience.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the measurable results or impact. Emphasize your role.

• Highlight Social-First Execution: Clearly demonstrate your understanding of different social platforms (Reels, TikTok, etc.), their unique requirements, and how you tailor content for each.

• Showcase Brand Consistency: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to maintain brand guidelines and develop a consistent visual identity.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics related to engagement, reach, or conversions that your work contributed to.

• Prepare for Walkthrough: Be ready to present your portfolio digitally and speak confidently about each piece.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Research Prematch's current social media presence, target audience, and brand voice.

• Practice Social Content Creation: Develop a few mock social posts or short video concepts for Prematch, considering their target audience and brand.

• Data Interpretation: Be prepared to discuss how you would interpret social media performance data to inform creative decisions.

• Creative Strategy: Think about how you would develop a "content series" or a "visual system" for Prematch.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential creative challenge indicates that practical skills and demonstrated creative output are paramount. Candidates should be ready to articulate their design process and showcase tangible results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro) is highly probable.

• Video Editing Software: Proficiency in editing tools for short-form video (Reels, TikTok) is essential.

• Content Management Systems (CMS) / Social Media Management Tools: Familiarity with platforms for scheduling and publishing content (e.g., Later, Buffer, Hootsuite, or native platform tools).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Social Media Analytics: Native analytics from platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, etc.

• Third-Party Analytics Tools: Potentially tools like Sprout Social, Iconosquare, or similar for aggregated reporting and analysis.

• Data Visualization Tools: Basic understanding of how to interpret data visualizations and potentially use tools like Google Data Studio or Tableau if integrated into reporting.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how social media performance can link to broader marketing funnel metrics and potentially CRM data (e.g., lead generation through social) would be beneficial.

• Project Management Tools: Tools like Asana, Trello, or Notion (company uses Notion) are likely used for task management and workflow tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires strong proficiency in industry-standard design and video editing software. An understanding of social media analytics and content management platforms is also crucial for effective execution and performance tracking.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Hands-on & Pragmatic: A bias for action and efficiency in execution, with a focus on getting things done.

• Creative Excellence: A commitment to high creative standards and continuous improvement of visual output.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Utilizing data to guide creative strategy and measure impact, rather than relying solely on intuition.

• Community Focused: Deep empathy and understanding for the amateur football community, ensuring content resonates authentically.

• Collaborative Spirit: Working effectively within the Marketing & Brand team and across departments to achieve shared goals.

• Growth Mindset: Embracing challenges, learning from failures, and continuously seeking new ways to innovate and improve.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close partnership with Growth/Advertising teams for paid social campaigns, ensuring alignment between creative and performance objectives.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback on creative work to foster continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share insights on social trends, creative best practices, and performance data to benefit the broader team.

• Agile Workflow: Adapting quickly to changing trends and campaign needs, with efficient communication channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture values initiative, creativity, and a results-oriented approach, all within a collaborative and community-focused framework. Candidates who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments and are passionate about sports will likely find a strong cultural fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Content Cadence: Keeping up with the high volume of content creation required for social-first strategies across multiple platforms.

• Balancing Creativity and Performance: Ensuring creative output is both visually compelling and effective in driving key performance metrics.

• Evolving Social Media Landscape: Staying abreast of new trends, platform updates, and algorithm changes to maintain relevance and impact.

• Brand Consistency at Scale: Maintaining a cohesive brand identity across diverse content formats and collaborations as the company grows.

• Translating Data into Action: Effectively interpreting performance data and translating it into concrete creative adjustments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Social Media Design: Opportunities to master new design techniques and explore emerging visual trends for social platforms.

• Video Production & Editing: Enhancing skills in short-form video storytelling, editing, and potentially motion graphics.

• Performance Marketing Insights: Gaining a deeper understanding of paid social strategies and how creative impacts campaign performance.

• Brand Strategy Contribution: Evolving from execution to strategic input on brand positioning and creative direction.

• Startup Ecosystem Exposure: Learning about various facets of startup growth, fundraising, and market expansion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents exciting challenges that are directly tied to professional development, offering ample opportunities to hone specialized creative skills and contribute significantly to a growing brand.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a visual identity for a new content series on Prematch's social channels?" (Focus on process, brand alignment, target audience.)

• "Describe a time you used data to inform a creative decision for a social media campaign. What was the outcome?" (Highlight analytical skills and impact.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest social media trends and platform features, and how do you incorporate them into your work?" (Demonstrate proactivity and adaptability.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Prematch and our mission in amateur football?" (Show genuine interest and research.)

• "How do you see your creative style fitting with Prematch's brand and target audience?" (Connect your skills to the brand.)

• "Describe your experience working in a startup environment. What do you enjoy about it, and what challenges do you anticipate?" (Assess adaptability and cultural fit.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by showcasing your most relevant "social-first" work first.

• Storytelling: For each project, present it as a mini case study: the problem, your solution (design/content), your process, and the results.

• Quantify: Use metrics where possible to demonstrate the impact of your work.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a reasonable timeframe, focusing on the most impactful aspects.

• Engagement: Be ready for questions about your design choices, your process, and how you would apply your skills to Prematch.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on showcasing a blend of creative talent, strategic thinking, data literacy, and an understanding of the sports/football culture. Be ready to articulate your "why" and demonstrate how you can drive results through visual content.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual Designer (Social-first) position:

• Submit your CV and any additional requested information through the provided application link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest "social-first" design work, including examples of Reels, TikToks, and other short-form video content. Highlight projects that demonstrate brand building and audience engagement.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 2-6 years of creative experience, emphasizing skills directly relevant to social media content creation, design, editing, and brand development. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your creative process, demonstrating your understanding of social media trends, and explaining how you use data to inform design decisions. Prepare to discuss your passion for football culture.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Prematch, its mission, current social media presence, and its target audience to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit during the interview process.

⚠️ 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.

---