Senior Campaign Graphic Designer- 12 month FTC

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Campaign Graphic Designer - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Company: Next Plc

Location: Enderby, Leicestershire, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time, Contract

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: September 23, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the creation of innovative concepts and designs for new marketing campaigns that embody and elevate the Next brand, ensuring strategic alignment with brand guidelines.

• Drive the end-to-end design process for seasonal campaigns, advertising concepts, and diverse marketing materials, from initial ideation and storyboarding through to final production and asset delivery.

• Provide crucial mentorship and guidance to junior campaign designers, fostering a collaborative environment and ensuring consistent, high-quality creative output across the team.

• Collaborate closely with internal Retail and Marketing teams, as well as wider design departments, to deliver cohesive and market-leading brand experiences.

• Analyze competitor marketing, industry trends, and emerging technologies to inform creative strategy and maintain Next's position at the forefront of the retail market.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a "Senior Campaign Graphic Designer" within a "Brand Marketing" team, indicating a focus on GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy execution through creative assets. The fixed-term contract nature suggests a need for immediate impact and adaptability. The emphasis on mentoring and collaboration points towards a role that balances individual contribution with team leadership.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Interpret design briefs and lead the development of original, commercial creative concepts for marketing campaigns, encompassing ideation, storyboarding, and full production.

• Construct compelling pitch decks that include in-depth research, curated color palettes, campaign names, taglines, logos, animated assets, in-store graphics, product applications, and digital/social media concepts.

• Mentor and coach junior designers by providing clear, constructive feedback, guidance, and direction, supporting the Campaign Design Manager.

• Manage design projects from inception to completion, ensuring high-quality delivery within set timelines and effectively managing internal stakeholder expectations.

• Conduct regular critiques of competitor marketing activities, evaluate current industry trends, and identify emerging technologies to inspire and innovate.

• Partner with the Head of Design and Campaign Design Manager to craft powerful brand experiences and messaging that resonate deeply with the customer base.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution, strategic thinking, and team leadership. The inclusion of "pitch decks," "animated assets," and "digital/social media ideas" indicates a need for multi-format creative output. The emphasis on "customer resonance" and "brand experience" ties the design work directly to GTM objectives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior role. Relevant certifications in design software or advanced design principles may also be beneficial.

Experience: Extensive experience (5-10 years) in graphic design, with a proven track record in multi-channel campaign design and creative concept development. Experience in a fast-paced retail or agency environment is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in graphic design with a strong portfolio showcasing creative vision and expertise in multi-channel campaign design.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects) and Figma.

• Solid understanding of typography, color theory, and layout principles, with meticulous attention to detail.

• Proven ability to manage complex projects and consistently deliver high-quality work on time and within budget in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and pitching skills for articulating design concepts to stakeholders.

• Adaptability to evolving priorities and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, collaborative team environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics and video editing for digital campaigns.

• Familiarity with A/B testing creative assets for campaign optimization.

• Understanding of retail marketing strategies and customer journey mapping.

• Experience in mentoring or leading junior design teams.

• Knowledge of emerging design trends and digital marketing platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize core design competencies and project management, crucial for GTM campaign execution. Proficiency in specific Adobe Creative Suite applications and Figma is a hard requirement. The experience level suggests a need for demonstrated leadership and strategic input beyond basic execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a strong creative vision and demonstrated expertise in designing multi-channel marketing campaigns.

• Include case studies that highlight the ideation process, design rationale, and the successful execution of campaigns across various platforms (digital, social, print, in-store).

• Showcase a range of creative assets, including campaign concepts, pitch decks, animated elements, and final produced materials.

• Demonstrate your ability to interpret design briefs and translate them into commercially successful and brand-aligned creative work.

• Highlight projects where you've managed timelines, collaborated with stakeholders, and delivered results within a fast-paced environment. Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly required as a deliverable, candidates are expected to articulate their design process, including how they approach:

• Interpreting and dissecting design briefs to extract core objectives.

• Ideation and concept development methodologies, including brainstorming and storyboarding techniques.

• Collaboration workflows with marketing, retail, and other design teams.

• Project management and timeline adherence strategies.

• Feedback integration and iterative design refinement.

• Quality assurance and final asset delivery procedures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio underscores its critical importance for evaluating a candidate's creative output and campaign execution capabilities. The emphasis on "multi-channel campaign design" and "commercial work" aligns with GTM objectives. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process in detail, demonstrating a structured approach to creative problem-solving.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the seniority of the role (Senior Campaign Graphic Designer), 5-10 years of experience, and the location (Leicestershire, UK), a competitive salary range is estimated. For a 12-month fixed-term contract, this would likely fall between £40,000 - £55,000 per annum, depending on the candidate's specific experience and portfolio.

Benefits:

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)

• Company performance-based bonus

• Sharesave scheme

• On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas

• 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty

• Early VIP access to sale stock

• Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops

• Restaurants with great food at amazing prices

• Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services

• Free on-site parking

• Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing

• Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification

• Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store

• Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other

• Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more

Working Hours: 36 hours per week. This is a standard full-time working week, typical for the UK retail industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior graphic design roles in the UK, considering the fixed-term nature and the employer's profile. The extensive list of benefits provided by Next Plc is a significant draw for employees, offering a wide range of perks beyond standard compensation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Fashion, Home, and Clothing). Next Plc is a major FTSE-100 retail company known for its extensive product range and strong online presence. The company operates in a fast-paced, competitive market, necessitating agile and effective marketing strategies.

Company Size: Over 44,000 employees globally. This large scale implies robust internal processes, significant resources, and a structured corporate environment, but also opportunities for impact within specialized teams.

Founded: Founded in 1982. With decades of experience, Next Plc has a well-established brand identity, a deep understanding of its customer base, and a proven track record of adapting to market changes.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Brand Marketing team, specifically focused on campaign design. This team likely works closely with broader marketing functions, retail operations, and e-commerce teams.

• The Senior Graphic Designer will report to the Campaign Design Manager and will also collaborate with the Head of Design.

• This role involves mentoring junior designers, suggesting a team structure that includes junior and potentially mid-level designers under senior guidance. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: While a creative role, the emphasis on "commercial work," "customer resonance," and "competitor analysis" indicates that design decisions are informed by market data and performance metrics.

• Agile Campaign Development: The need to create "new marketing campaigns" and adapt to "evolving priorities" suggests an agile approach to campaign execution, requiring quick turnarounds and iterative design.

• Brand Consistency: A core methodology will be adhering to and evolving "brand guidelines" to ensure a unified brand image across all campaign materials.

Company Website: https://www.nextplc.co.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: Next Plc's status as a large, established FTSE-100 retailer suggests a professional and structured work environment. The Brand Marketing team's focus on campaigns indicates a direct link to Go-To-Market strategies. The company's long history implies a stable yet dynamic culture that values both tradition and innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position within the design function, implying a significant level of autonomy, responsibility for complex projects, and the capacity to mentor junior staff. It sits above entry-level or mid-level designer roles, requiring strategic input and a demonstrated ability to lead creative execution for major campaigns.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Campaign Graphic Designer will report to the Campaign Design Manager, with close collaboration and strategic alignment with the Head of Design. This structure offers mentorship opportunities and exposure to leadership decision-making.

Operations Impact: The role's primary impact is on the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, directly influencing brand perception, customer engagement, and ultimately, sales. By creating compelling visual narratives, the designer contributes to the success of Go-To-Market strategies and reinforces the Next brand's market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: The mentoring aspect of the role provides an opportunity to develop leadership and team management skills, potentially paving the way for a Campaign Design Manager or similar role.

• Strategic Design Influence: Continued success in this role can lead to greater involvement in the strategic planning of campaigns and a broader influence on the brand's visual direction.

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities may arise to specialize in specific areas of campaign design, such as digital innovation, motion graphics, or advanced branding, through project work and professional development.

• Contract to Permanent Conversion: While a fixed-term contract, exceptional performance could lead to opportunities for permanent positions within Next Plc's design or marketing departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and "mentoring" responsibility clearly indicate a growth path beyond individual contributor. The role is positioned to influence GTM success through creative strategy. The fixed-term nature, however, means growth is contingent on performance and potential future openings.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site at the Enderby, Leicestershire location. This suggests a traditional office environment within Next Plc's corporate headquarters or a major operational hub.

Office Location(s): Desford Road, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 4AT. This location provides access to amenities and a dedicated workspace.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The description emphasizes collaboration with internal stakeholders and wider design teams, indicating an open and communicative workspace designed for teamwork.

• Resource Availability: As part of a large FTSE-100 company, it's expected that the workspace will be equipped with industry-standard design software and hardware.

• Team Interaction: The role involves mentoring junior designers and working closely with managers, suggesting ample opportunities for direct interaction and knowledge sharing within the Brand Marketing and Design teams.

Work Schedule: A standard 36-hour work week applies, with the expectation of on-site presence. While the role is deadline-driven, the company culture may offer some flexibility, though the fixed-term contract might imply a focus on delivering against project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is standard for creative roles where collaboration and access to specific hardware/software are key. The emphasis on collaboration suggests a dynamic studio-like atmosphere within the office, conducive to creative brainstorming and feedback.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess relevant experience and creative output.

• First Interview: Likely with the Campaign Design Manager, focusing on creative skills, portfolio review, and understanding of campaign design principles.

• Second Interview/Workshop: May involve a practical design challenge or presentation of a pre-prepared case study from their portfolio, assessing problem-solving, creative concept development, and presentation skills. This stage might also involve meeting with the Head of Design or other key stakeholders.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior marketing leader to assess cultural fit, strategic alignment, and overall suitability for the fixed-term contract.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Campaign Expertise: Prioritize examples of multi-channel marketing campaigns you've led or significantly contributed to.

• Demonstrate Creative Process: Include case studies that detail your approach from brief to execution, highlighting ideation, concept development, and problem-solving.

• Highlight Brand Alignment: Show your ability to work within and adapt brand guidelines effectively.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have data on campaign performance (e.g., engagement rates, conversion uplift), include it to demonstrate commercial impact.

• Variety of Assets: Include examples of different asset types (digital ads, social media graphics, in-store visuals, pitch decks) to showcase versatility.

• Mentorship Examples (optional): If you have examples of guiding junior designers, this could be a valuable addition.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Next's Brand: Research Next's current marketing campaigns, target audience, and brand aesthetic.

• Practice Pitching: Be prepared to articulate your design decisions and creative rationale clearly and concisely.

• Time Management: If a design challenge is given, practice working efficiently under time constraints.

• Focus on Concept: For a challenge, prioritize a strong, well-reasoned concept over intricate execution if time is limited.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Applicants must curate it to specifically highlight campaign design and execution capabilities. The interview process will likely involve assessing both creative talent and the ability to integrate into a structured marketing team, with a focus on delivering tangible campaign results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: Essential for image manipulation, compositing, and digital asset creation.
  • Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logos, typography, and layout design.
  • After Effects: Required for creating animated assets, motion graphics, and dynamic campaign elements.

• Figma: A key tool for collaborative design, prototyping, and UI/UX elements within digital campaigns.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct responsibility of the designer, understanding how creative assets perform is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics) and reporting dashboards that showcase campaign metrics would be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities, but awareness of how creative assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms or CRM systems could provide context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects) and Figma is explicitly required. These are the core tools for visual asset creation and campaign execution in modern marketing. Understanding how these assets integrate into broader marketing workflows and analytics is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A drive to produce original, engaging, and market-leading creative concepts.

• Commercial Acumen: Understanding that design serves a commercial purpose, focusing on creating work that drives customer engagement and sales.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working effectively with internal teams and stakeholders, sharing ideas, and providing constructive feedback.

• Brand Stewardship: A commitment to upholding and enhancing the Next brand identity across all creative outputs.

• Efficiency & Delivery: The ability to manage projects effectively, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close partnership with marketing, retail, and other design teams, necessitating strong communication and the ability to translate diverse needs into cohesive visual strategies.

• Feedback-Driven Iteration: A culture of constructive critique and iterative design refinement is expected, where feedback is welcomed and used to improve creative outcomes.

• Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: The senior role implies a responsibility to share expertise, guide junior designers, and contribute to a learning environment within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Next Plc, as reflected in this role, values practical creativity that serves business objectives. Collaboration and a results-oriented approach are key, alongside a commitment to brand integrity. The senior role also points to a culture that supports mentorship and skill development.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Environment: The retail industry, especially for a large company like Next, is highly dynamic. Adapting to rapidly changing trends, campaign needs, and deadlines will be a constant challenge.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Commercial Needs: Ensuring that innovative creative concepts are also commercially viable and align with brand objectives requires strategic thinking and negotiation.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Effectively communicating and incorporating feedback from various internal departments (marketing, retail, e-commerce) can be complex.

• Fixed-Term Contract: The 12-month duration means pressure to deliver significant impact quickly and the uncertainty of long-term employment, requiring a proactive approach to career development within the contract period.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to hone skills in motion graphics, digital prototyping, and advanced Adobe Creative Suite functionalities through project work.

• Campaign Strategy Involvement: Gaining deeper insight into the strategic planning and execution of large-scale marketing campaigns.

• Leadership and Mentorship Experience: Developing valuable team management and coaching skills through the mentoring responsibilities.

• Industry Exposure: Staying abreast of retail marketing trends and emerging design technologies within a leading UK retailer.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the demand for high-impact creative delivery within a fixed timeframe in a fast-paced sector. Growth is tied to successfully navigating these challenges and leveraging the role's inherent development opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed a creative concept for a multi-channel campaign. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Focus on ideation, execution, and impact.)

• "How do you balance creative innovation with strict brand guidelines and commercial objectives?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and brand stewardship.)

• "Walk us through your process for mentoring junior designers. What are your key principles for providing feedback and fostering growth?" (Highlight leadership and team development skills.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and competitor activity, and how do you incorporate this into your work?" (Showcase proactivity and market awareness.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Next Plc's brand and its marketing efforts?" (Research the company's current campaigns and brand positioning.)

• "How would you approach a design brief for a new seasonal campaign for Next?" (Demonstrate understanding of the brand and campaign lifecycle.)

• "Describe your ideal collaborative working environment. How do you handle feedback from non-design stakeholders?" (Assess cultural fit and communication skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant campaign design projects.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the outcomes (quantify if possible).

• Highlight Multi-Channel: Emphasize how your designs translated across different platforms.

• Showcase Software Proficiency: Briefly mention the tools used for each project.

• Be Ready for Detail: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, typography, color palettes, and imagery.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within any time limits.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative skill, but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and an understanding of how design drives commercial success within a major retail brand. The portfolio presentation is a critical component.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Campaign Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (link provided with application) and specifically curated to highlight your most relevant multi-channel campaign design work. Prioritize projects that demonstrate creative concept development, execution, and commercial impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your experience in graphic design, campaign creation, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, Figma, and any leadership or mentoring experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your experience with stakeholder collaboration, and your ability to mentor junior designers. Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Next Plc's current brand messaging, recent marketing campaigns, and their position in the retail market to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment.

⚠️ 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.