Senior Creative Designer (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Creative Designer (m/w/d)

Company: Mawave Marketing GmbH

Location: München, Bayern, Germany

Job Type: Festanstellung (Full-Time)

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: August 04, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead creative strategy and execution for high-impact social media campaigns, leveraging data-driven insights and an "always-on" approach.

• Drive project management and client communication for key accounts, translating business objectives into compelling visual narratives and design concepts.

• Mentor and guide a team of Creative Designers, fostering a culture of innovation, quality, and continuous improvement in content creation.

• Integrate emerging technologies, including AI, into creative workflows to enhance campaign performance and deliver measurable business outcomes.

• Ensure profitable project controlling through accurate resource management, budgeting, and detailed hour-based calculations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is firmly positioned within a senior creative function, emphasizing not just design execution but also strategic leadership, client advisory, and team mentorship within a fast-paced, data-centric social media agency environment. The emphasis on "Social Media Outcomes" and "customer-relevant business goals along the marketing funnel" indicates a strong focus on performance marketing and ROI-driven creative.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee project steering and communication for two of Mawave's largest clients, acting as a primary point of contact and trusted advisor.

• Develop and present persuasive design concepts, offering creative impulses and strategic guidance to clients to achieve their marketing objectives.

• Mentor a team of Creative Designers, providing clear briefs, constructive feedback, and ensuring the highest standards of creative output.

• Collaborate closely with the Creative Art Director to translate visionary ideas into actionable and impactful design strategies.

• Manage the end-to-end creative process using Asana, from defining design requirements and feedback loops to final client approvals.

• Create detailed cost estimates (KVA) and perform structured hourly calculations to ensure profitable project controlling and efficient resource allocation.

• Contribute strategic input and insights during regular team meetings and dedicated senior-level discussions (e.g., "Senior-Stammtisch").

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of client-facing strategic advisory, team leadership, and hands-on project management. The mention of "profitable project controlling" and "structured calculations of hours" suggests a need for strong financial acumen and process discipline beyond pure creative talent.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Marketing, Communications, or a related field is preferred, though extensive relevant experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in social media content creation and design, with a proven track record of successfully managing large client projects and delivering measurable results, ideally within an agency setting.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in managing significant client projects from inception to completion, demonstrating measurable success.

• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and After Effects.

• A proactive, independent, and hands-on working style with a strong sense of ownership.

• Excellent German language skills (C1 level) and good English language skills (B2 level), both written and spoken.

• Keen awareness of social media trends and emerging technologies, with a particular interest in AI applications. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within a social media agency or a fast-paced digital marketing environment.

• Familiarity with project management tools such as Asana.

• Experience in mentoring or leading junior design teams.

• Understanding of marketing funnel principles and performance-driven creative.

• Strategic thinking capabilities to contribute to broader campaign planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for C1 German and B2 English indicates a need for strong communication skills for client interaction and internal collaboration within a German-speaking primary market. The emphasis on AI and trend scouting suggests a forward-thinking candidate comfortable with rapid technological evolution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 significant client projects, demonstrating expertise in social media content creation and design.

• Highlight projects where you managed the creative process from concept to final delivery, including any client interaction or approval stages.

• Include examples of visual assets created using Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere Pro, Photoshop, After Effects), showcasing versatility and technical skill.

• Demonstrate projects that achieved measurable success, ideally with quantifiable results aligned with marketing objectives (e.g., engagement rates, conversion metrics).

• Present case studies that illustrate your strategic input and problem-solving approach to creative challenges. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal workflow for managing creative projects, from initial brief to final asset delivery, including feedback and revision stages.

• Articulate your approach to collaborating with art directors, project managers, and clients to ensure smooth project execution.

• Detail how you ensure quality control and adherence to brand guidelines throughout the creative process.

• Explain your methodology for estimating project costs and tracking time for accurate project controlling.

📝 Enhancement Note: A robust portfolio is critical for this role, as it will be reviewed to assess not only design talent but also project management capabilities, client communication effectiveness, and the ability to deliver tangible business outcomes in the social media space. The emphasis on "measurable success" and "profitable project controlling" means portfolio pieces should ideally include performance data.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Creative Designers in Munich with 5-10 years of experience in a high-growth agency environment, a competitive salary range is estimated between €60,000 - €75,000 annually. This estimate considers the agency's size, client portfolio, and the senior nature of the role.

Benefits:

• Excellent team spirit and collegial atmosphere with flat hierarchies.

• High level of professionalism combined with exciting projects and a fun work environment.

• Flexible working hours and the possibility of home office arrangements.

• Generous 30 days of vacation per year.

• Unique opportunities for Workation (up to 3 months) and Sabbatical (up to 2 months) to promote work-life balance and personal growth.

• Sachbezug (non-cash benefit) or EGYM Wellpass, offering access to over 8,000 sports and wellness activities.

• Tax-free meal allowance of €7.50 per day, in addition to free drinks and snacks.

• Mobility allowance of €32 per month for public transport users.

• Numerous team and after-work events throughout the year, including BBQs on the rooftop terrace.

• Modern, bright office space in Munich with city views and excellent public transport connectivity.

• Provision of a personal MacBook for work purposes.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are assumed to be approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through flexible working time models and home office options.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for similar roles in Munich, Germany, considering the agency's description as a leading European player. The extensive benefits package, including unique offerings like Workation and Sabbatical, signifies a strong emphasis on employee well-being and work-life integration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing and Advertising, specifically Social Media Marketing and Digital Content Creation. Mawave operates as a leading social media outcomes agency, managing significant advertising volumes for major consumer brands.

Company Size: Mawave employs over 170+ "Social Natives," positioning it as a medium-to-large sized agency with substantial reach and capacity. This size suggests a structured yet agile environment with opportunities for specialization and impact.

Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly stated, Mawave is described as "Europe's leader for Social Media Outcomes," implying a well-established and successful history in the digital marketing space. This longevity suggests stability and a proven business model.

Team Structure:

• The Creative department likely comprises multiple teams focused on different aspects of social media content creation and design, including art direction, design execution, and potentially video production.

• Reporting lines suggest a collaborative structure where designers report to a Creative Art Director and potentially a Senior Creative Designer, with a clear hierarchy for project oversight.

• Cross-functional collaboration is key, with designers working closely with media teams, client service, and strategy departments to ensure integrated campaign execution aligned with business goals. Methodology:

• Mawave employs an "always-on" approach rather than traditional campaign-based thinking, emphasizing continuous optimization and adaptation.

• Data-driven optimization is a core principle, moving beyond hoped-for virality to measure and improve campaign performance against client-relevant business objectives across the marketing funnel.

• The agency integrates media, creation, and production "beyond traditional formulas," suggesting a holistic and innovative service offering.

Company Website: [company_url provided as null, inferring from domain_derived: mawake.com] mawake.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Mawave's culture is characterized by innovation, data-driven decision-making, and a deep understanding of social media dynamics. The "Social Natives" moniker and emphasis on "unconventional" approaches suggest a dynamic, forward-thinking, and potentially younger workforce. The integration of media, creation, and production is a key differentiator.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is designated as "Senior," indicating a position of significant responsibility and experience. A Senior Creative Designer is expected to lead projects, mentor junior staff, and contribute strategically. This level typically requires 5+ years of dedicated experience.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Creative Designer will likely report to a Creative Director or Head of Creative, and will work closely with the Creative Art Director. They will also manage and mentor a team of Creative Designers, implying a leadership capacity within the design function.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the success of client campaigns by translating client needs into visually compelling and effective social media content. The focus on "Social Media Outcomes" and "customer-relevant business goals" means the creative output is directly linked to client ROI, revenue generation, and brand growth. Success in this role contributes to client retention and Mawave's reputation as a top-tier agency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Creative Leadership: Potential to advance into roles such as Creative Lead, Art Director, or Head of Creative, managing larger teams and broader creative strategies.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of social media creative, such as video production, AI-driven content generation, or specific platform creative strategies.

• Client Strategy: Develop advanced client advisory skills, contributing more significantly to the strategic planning and business development aspects of client relationships.

• Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to optimize creative workflows, implement new tools, and enhance team efficiency and output quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title suggests a clear career progression path within Mawave, moving towards more strategic leadership or specialized creative roles. The company's rapid growth and focus on innovation provide fertile ground for individuals looking to expand their influence and skill set beyond traditional design responsibilities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company describes a "Modern, bright office in Munich with a view over the city and good public transport connections." This suggests a contemporary, well-equipped workspace designed to foster creativity and collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Munich, Germany, specifically at Moosacher Str. 70, 80809 München. Its central location with good public transport access is a significant advantage for employees.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is designed to be collaborative, with mentions of team events, BBQs on the rooftop terrace, and a "collegial atmosphere" with "flat hierarchies."

• Access to necessary tools and technology is implied, with the provision of a personal MacBook for work.

• Opportunities for interaction with colleagues are frequent, through daily work, team meetings, and social events, fostering a strong sense of community.

Work Schedule: While the core role is full-time (approx. 40 hours/week), Mawave emphasizes flexibility with "Flexible working hours and the possibility of Homeoffice." This allows individuals to balance professional responsibilities with personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The office environment is depicted as dynamic and engaging, reflecting the agency's creative and social nature. The blend of modern office amenities, collaborative spaces, and flexible work arrangements aims to attract and retain top talent in the competitive creative industry.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• First Interview: Typically with HR or a hiring manager, focusing on your background, motivations, and general fit with Mawave's culture.

• Creative/Technical Interview: A deep dive into your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your creative process, and your experience with social media content creation and client management. This may involve a practical design challenge or case study.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential team members, including the Creative Art Director and other designers, to assess collaboration style and cultural alignment.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic contributions and finalize terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best represent your senior-level capabilities in social media content creation, design leadership, and client project management. Showcase a variety of work, demonstrating versatility across different platforms and formats.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics and quantifiable results that demonstrate the success of your work. Highlight how your creative contributions led to measurable business outcomes for clients (e.g., increased engagement, conversions, brand awareness).

• Showcase Process: Be prepared to walk through your creative process for key projects. Explain your problem-solving approach, how you interpreted briefs, collaborated with teams, and navigated client feedback.

• Highlight Leadership: If you have mentored junior designers or led creative initiatives, ensure your portfolio or presentation clearly articulates these leadership experiences.

• Tailor to Mawave: Research Mawave's client roster and recent campaigns. If possible, include projects that align with their areas of expertise or demonstrate an understanding of their "always-on" and data-driven philosophy.

Challenge Preparation:

• Expect a potential creative challenge that requires you to develop a design concept or a series of assets for a hypothetical social media campaign, possibly within a tight timeframe.

• Be ready to articulate your strategic rationale behind your design choices, connecting them to business objectives and target audience insights.

• Practice presenting your ideas clearly and concisely, highlighting your understanding of social media best practices and emerging trends, including AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to evaluate not only creative talent but also strategic thinking, project management skills, and cultural fit. A strong portfolio that demonstrates measurable impact and a well-articulated creative process will be crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential proficiency in Premiere Pro (video editing), Photoshop (image manipulation and design), and After Effects (motion graphics and visual effects) is explicitly required.

• Project Management: Asana is specifically mentioned as the tool for managing the creative process, indicating its importance for workflow tracking, task assignment, and communication.

• Design Software: While not explicitly listed beyond Adobe CC, familiarity with other relevant design or prototyping tools might be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a responsibility of the designer, an understanding of social media analytics tools (e.g., native platform insights, third-party analytics suites) would be advantageous to comprehend campaign performance and inform creative decisions.

• The company's data-driven approach implies that designers should be able to interpret and act upon performance data provided by analytics teams. CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are mentioned as direct requirements for the designer, but an awareness of how creative assets integrate into broader marketing automation workflows and CRM systems would be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and Asana is non-negotiable. A candidate's ability to understand and leverage data-driven insights from analytics tools will also be a significant advantage, aligning with Mawave's core methodology.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Together We Thrive: Emphasizes collaboration, mutual support, and collective success, fostering a strong team environment where everyone contributes to shared goals.

• Stay Unconventional: Encourages innovative thinking, challenging traditional approaches, and embracing new ideas and technologies (like AI) to stand out in the social media landscape.

• Be Bold: Promotes taking initiative, making confident decisions, and pushing creative boundaries without fear of failure.

• Take Responsibility: Highlights ownership of tasks, projects, and outcomes, fostering accountability and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

• Strive for Excellence: Drives a commitment to high-quality work, continuous improvement, and achieving outstanding results for both clients and the agency.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with media, strategy, and client service teams, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills to ensure cohesive campaign execution.

• Feedback Culture: An open and trusting atmosphere is promoted, suggesting a willingness to give and receive constructive feedback to enhance creative output and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: The agency aims for transparent work processes where team members can learn from each other's experiences, fostering a continuous learning environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mawave's core values are deeply embedded in its operational culture, promoting a dynamic, collaborative, and results-oriented environment. The emphasis on being unconventional and bold is particularly relevant for a creative role in a leading social media agency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace and Volume: Managing multiple high-profile client projects simultaneously in a fast-paced agency environment requires excellent time management and prioritization skills.

• Evolving Social Media Landscape: Staying ahead of rapidly changing social media trends, platform updates, and new technologies like AI requires continuous learning and adaptability.

• Balancing Creativity with Performance: Effectively merging innovative creative concepts with data-driven performance goals and client business objectives can be a complex balancing act.

• Client Expectations: Consistently meeting and exceeding the high expectations of major clients for creative quality, strategic insight, and measurable results.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Integration: Opportunities to deepen expertise in leveraging AI tools for content creation, ideation, and optimization within a leading agency context.

• Creative Strategy Development: Hands-on experience in shaping creative strategies for diverse brands across various social media platforms, contributing to client business growth.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Formal and informal opportunities to mentor junior designers, develop leadership skills, and potentially take on more significant team or project management responsibilities.

• Industry Exposure: Exposure to cutting-edge social media marketing practices, client challenges, and agency methodologies that drive industry leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex creative and strategic challenges within a leading agency, with a particular focus on emerging technologies like AI and performance-driven creative.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a creative strategy for a new client in the [specific industry of a Mawave client] sector, considering their 'always-on' social media goals?"

• "Describe a time you had to balance a client's creative vision with performance-driven objectives. What was your approach and the outcome?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest social media trends and emerging technologies like AI, and how have you integrated them into your creative work?"

• "Walk us through your process for managing multiple creative projects with tight deadlines. How do you prioritize and ensure quality?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Mawave's 'Social Media Outcomes' approach and its unconventional methodology?"

• "How do you align with Mawave's core values, such as 'Stay Unconventional' and 'Be Bold'?"

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative culture."

• "How do you measure the success of your creative work beyond aesthetic appeal?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation as a story for each project, detailing the challenge, your creative solution, the process, and the measurable results.

• Highlight ROI: Clearly articulate how your creative work contributed to client business goals and ROI. Use data and metrics effectively.

• Demonstrate Process: Be ready to discuss your workflow, decision-making process, and how you leveraged tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Asana.

• Engage the Audience: Be enthusiastic and prepared to answer questions about your design choices, strategic thinking, and leadership approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative skill but also strategic thinking, project management capabilities, and a deep understanding of Mawave's data-driven, unconventional approach to social media marketing.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Creative Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Mawave Marketing GmbH careers page.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful social media content creation and design projects. Ensure these showcase your ability to manage projects, lead creative initiatives, and deliver measurable results. Quantify outcomes where possible.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of experience in social media design, proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere Pro, Photoshop, After Effects), experience with project management tools like Asana, and any leadership or mentoring experience. Emphasize your understanding of data-driven marketing and emerging trends like AI.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail, articulate your creative process, explain your approach to client communication and project management, and demonstrate how your work aligns with Mawave's "Social Media Outcomes" philosophy.

• Research Mawave: Familiarize yourself with Mawave's clients, their "always-on" methodology, and their core values. Understand how your skills and experience can contribute to their success and unique 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.