Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: Debenhams Group

Location: Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-08-10T13:32:36.059

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage a team of creative designers within a fast-paced retail environment, focusing on elevating brand aesthetics and delivering world-class content.

• Drive the continuous evolution and improvement of the creative output for multiple brands within the Debenhams Group, ensuring they remain best-in-class from a design perspective.

• Oversee the delivery of all day-to-day design assets, ensuring timely completion and exceptional quality, while acting as a key brand guardian across all touchpoints.

• Implement and refine new systems and procedures to enhance daily workflow, effective planning, and overall efficiency of upcoming creative projects.

• Collaborate closely with Head of Creative, wider design, marketing, digital, product, and buying teams to ensure all design work aligns with overarching brand strategy and commercial objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Graphic Designer with significant leadership and strategic responsibilities, indicated by the mention of managing a team, evolving creative aesthetics for multiple brands, and working closely with senior leadership. The context of a "transformation journey" and "fast-changing retail environment" suggests a need for adaptable, innovative, and commercially astute creative professionals. The emphasis on "brand guardianship" and "world-class content" points to a role requiring meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of brand identity across various channels.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Evolve and continuously improve the creative aesthetic of Debenhams Group brands (Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Oasis, Coast & Wallis) to maintain a best-in-class design standard.

• Collaborate with a second Senior Graphic Designer to ensure the timely delivery of all Business As Usual (BAU) design assets to an exceptional quality.

• Work closely with the Head of Creative and the wider design team to translate concepts into impactful designs across all customer touchpoints.

• Implement and review new systems and procedures to optimize daily workflow and improve the effective planning of upcoming creative jobs.

• Partner with the Head of Creative and wider design and marketing teams to ensure all design output is consistent with Debenhams brand strategy and messaging.

• Act as a vigilant brand guardian, ensuring creative output is cohesive and consistent across all multi-channel touchpoints (web, social, email, campaigns, PR, events).

• Contribute to the creative output within a team of 11 creatives, fostering a collaborative and productive environment.

• Develop creative concepts and assets for ad-hoc and seasonal projects, including press events, product launches, and promotional campaigns.

• Support and manage the retouching and production teams to ensure seamless execution of creative projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution, team leadership, process improvement, and strategic brand alignment. The mention of "BAU design assets" and "ad-hoc and seasonal projects" indicates a need for both consistent output and creative agility. The direct collaboration with marketing, digital, product, and buying teams underscores the GTM (Go-To-Market) operational aspect of this design role, where design directly supports business objectives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific educational requirements are not detailed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Graphic Designer role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional graphic design experience, with a significant portion in a senior or lead capacity, preferably within the retail or fashion industry. Proven experience in managing creative teams and working collaboratively with cross-functional departments is essential.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional creative awareness with the ability to blend innovative approaches with commercial viability.

• High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Proficiency in Figma for collaborative design and prototyping.

• Demonstrated experience in team management and mentoring junior designers.

• Excellent organization and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to build robust working relationships internally and externally.

• Proven ability to present creative concepts and strategies effectively to Senior Management.

• Ability to influence and communicate effectively across all levels of an organization.

• Commitment, drive, and strong self-motivation. Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge or experience in motion design and animation for digital and social media content.

• Familiarity with or keen interest in the application of AI in creative processes and design.

• Experience in art direction and guiding visual creative for campaigns.

• Understanding of GTM strategies and how design supports sales and marketing objectives.

• Experience in developing creative for multi-channel retail environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize both technical design proficiency and critical soft skills like leadership, communication, and project management. The preferred skills, particularly AI and motion design, suggest a forward-thinking approach to creative output and an awareness of emerging industry trends relevant to modern GTM strategies. The mention of presenting to senior management and influencing across levels points to the strategic importance of this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of design projects, demonstrating creative flair, technical skill, and commercial impact.

• Specific examples of how design has evolved brand aesthetics and maintained a best-in-class standard for retail or fashion brands.

• Case studies detailing the process of developing creative concepts from brief to final execution across various channels (digital, print, social, campaigns).

• Evidence of experience in managing creative workflows, including project planning, resource allocation, and ensuring timely delivery of assets.

• Examples of how design has been used to support marketing campaigns, product launches, or seasonal promotions, with demonstrable results where possible. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate understanding of workflow design and optimization for creative production, including the implementation of new systems and procedures to improve efficiency.

• Showcase experience in process implementation and automation within a creative context, if applicable (e.g., template creation, asset management systems).

• Provide examples of how performance and output are measured and analyzed within a creative team, focusing on quality, timeliness, and strategic alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior creative role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only showcase aesthetic quality but also strategic thinking, process management, and leadership capabilities. The emphasis on "workflow optimization" and "new systems and procedures" indicates that candidates should be prepared to discuss how they improve creative operations, not just create designs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Senior Graphic Designer with 5-10 years of experience in a major UK city like Manchester, and considering the retail sector and leadership responsibilities, the estimated salary range is £45,000 - £65,000 per annum. This range accounts for the senior level, team management duties, and the scope of responsibilities across multiple brands within Debenhams Group.

Benefits:

• Highly competitive bonus scheme.

• Company pension plan.

• Share schemes.

• Private medical cover.

• Life assurance.

• Access to an on-site gym with free weekly Pilates, yoga, and fitness classes.

• Generous discount across all Debenhams Group brands.

• Comprehensive wellbeing package.

• Dog-friendly offices in selected locations.

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities with strong internal progression pathways.

• On-site canteen serving breakfast, lunch, snacks, and hot drinks.

• Free season ticket loan.

Working Hours: The role typically involves a standard 40-hour work week. While the environment is described as fast-paced, there's an expectation of flexibility to meet project deadlines and campaign demands, which is common in creative and retail operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical UK market rates for senior creative roles in major cities, factoring in the specific industry (retail/fashion) and the added responsibilities of team management and brand guardianship. The benefits package is comprehensive and aligns with what is expected for a senior position in a large retail group, emphasizing employee wellbeing, financial security, and professional development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fashion Retail. Debenhams Group operates within a highly dynamic and competitive fashion retail sector, which demands agility, trend awareness, and strong brand storytelling to connect with consumers.

Company Size: Large enterprise (Debenhams Group encompasses multiple well-known brands like Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Oasis, Coast & Wallis), indicating a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for significant impact.

Founded: Debenhams has a long heritage, though the current group structure and revitalization efforts suggest a focus on modernizing and adapting to current market demands. This implies a culture that values both tradition and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Creative team, which consists of 11 creatives.

• The Senior Graphic Designer will work collaboratively with a 2nd Senior Graphic Designer.

• This role has direct management responsibility for a team of creative designers and works closely with retouching and production teams.

• Close collaboration is expected with Marketing, Digital, Product, and Buying departments, highlighting a cross-functional GTM operational approach. Methodology:

• Brand Guardianship: A core methodology ensuring creative output is consistent and aligned with brand strategy across all channels.

• Data-Driven Creativity: While not explicitly stated, the need to evolve creative aesthetics and work with marketing/digital teams implies a data-informed approach to design decisions, focusing on commercial impact.

• Agile Workflow: The "fast-changing retail environment" and "fast-moving, fast changing environment" suggest an agile approach to project management and content creation, prioritizing speed and adaptability.

• Collaborative Innovation: The emphasis on working within a team and with other departments points to a collaborative methodology for generating new ideas and executing projects.

Company Website: https://www.debenhams.com/ (Note: This is the main Debenhams brand website; specific brand sites may also exist.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by transformation, pace, and a focus on innovation within the retail sector. The team structure emphasizes collaboration and clear reporting lines, essential for efficient GTM operations. The methodology highlights a balance between maintaining brand integrity and adapting to market dynamics.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Senior level, bridging hands-on design expertise with team leadership and operational management. It sits within the creative function but has significant GTM operational influence through its role in brand communication and marketing asset creation.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer reports to the Head of Creative. They, in turn, manage a team of creative designers, and collaborate closely with other department heads within Marketing, Digital, Product, and Buying.

Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer plays a critical role in shaping the visual identity and communication of multiple brands. Their work directly influences customer perception, brand engagement, campaign effectiveness, and ultimately, sales performance. By ensuring brand consistency and high-quality creative output across all channels, they contribute significantly to the overall GTM strategy and commercial success of the Debenhams Group brands.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to further hone team management skills, potentially leading larger creative teams or taking on more strategic creative direction roles.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like motion design, AI in creative, or art direction, becoming a subject matter expert within the group.

• Brand Strategy Influence: Grow influence in shaping the visual identity and creative strategy for a portfolio of established retail brands.

• Cross-Functional Advancement: Potential to move into broader marketing or brand management roles, leveraging a deep understanding of creative operations and their impact on GTM.

• Industry Exposure: Gain experience in a dynamic, transforming retail environment, offering exposure to evolving market trends and digital strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career progression within creative leadership and GTM operations. The combination of team management, strategic brand input, and exposure to a transforming retail environment provides a rich ground for professional development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based out of a central Manchester office. This suggests a professional, collaborative office setting typical of a corporate headquarters or large retail group office.

Office Location(s): Manchester, England, United Kingdom. This central location likely offers good accessibility via public transport.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office is designed to foster teamwork, with 11 creatives in the team and close proximity to marketing, digital, product, and buying departments. This encourages cross-pollination of ideas and efficient communication for GTM initiatives.

• Resources: Access to on-site facilities like a gym, canteen, and potentially modern design studios equipped with necessary hardware and software.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and informal discussions to drive creative projects forward.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is implied, but the fast-paced retail environment may require flexibility and occasional extended hours to meet critical deadlines for campaigns, product launches, or seasonal events. The emphasis on workflow optimization suggests a structured approach to managing workload within this dynamic setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a central Manchester office points to a traditional corporate environment that values in-person collaboration and team synergy, crucial for creative brainstorming and alignment in GTM operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Creative Assessment/Technical Interview: This may involve a design challenge or a deep dive into portfolio pieces, focusing on creative thinking, problem-solving, and technical proficiency with Adobe Suite/Figma. Questions will likely probe understanding of brand guardianship and commercial awareness.

• Team/Management Interview: Discussion with the Head of Creative and potentially other senior team members to evaluate leadership potential, team management philosophy, and ability to integrate into the existing creative team.

• Stakeholder Interview: Conversation with representatives from Marketing, Digital, or Product teams to assess collaboration skills and understanding of how design supports broader GTM objectives.

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, strategic vision, and long-term contribution to the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Brand Evolution: Include examples of how you've successfully evolved or maintained brand aesthetics for retail or fashion brands, detailing your strategic approach.

• Highlight Process & Workflow: For each project, explain your process, from brief interpretation to execution. Detail how you managed timelines, collaborated with teams, and overcame challenges, especially if you implemented workflow improvements.

• Demonstrate Leadership: If possible, include examples of projects where you managed or mentored other designers, showcasing your leadership style and impact.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, provide metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the commercial success or brand impact of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates, successful campaign performance).

• Tailor to Debenhams Group: Research the current aesthetic and recent campaigns of Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Oasis, Coast & Wallis. Prepare to discuss how your skills and vision can contribute to their ongoing transformation.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that tests your ability to quickly interpret a brief, develop creative concepts, and present them within a tight timeframe.

• Practice articulating your design rationale, focusing on how your creative choices align with brand strategy, commercial goals, and target audience.

• Prepare to discuss your experience with AI in creative and motion design, even if it's theoretical, demonstrating your awareness of industry trends.

• Think about how you would implement new systems or procedures to improve workflow within a creative team, drawing on your project management experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess both creative talent and operational/management capabilities. A strong portfolio that demonstrates strategic thinking, leadership, and an understanding of retail GTM is crucial. Candidates should be ready to discuss process optimization and leadership in detail.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all graphic design tasks, including Photoshop (image editing, manipulation), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, illustrations), and InDesign (layout, print design, digital publications).

• Figma: A critical tool for collaborative design, prototyping, and UI/UX design, increasingly used for cross-functional team collaboration.

• Motion Design Software: Proficiency in tools like Adobe After Effects would be highly advantageous for creating dynamic content for digital and social channels.

• AI Creative Tools: Familiarity with emerging AI-powered design tools (e.g., Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, DALL-E) is preferred, indicating an interest in leveraging new technologies for creative output.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct analytics role, an understanding of how design impacts key performance indicators (KPIs) is important. Familiarity with tools used for web analytics (e.g., Google Analytics) or social media analytics platforms to understand content performance would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• While designers typically don't manage CRMs directly, understanding how design assets are used within marketing automation platforms (e.g., for email campaigns) and CRM-driven customer journeys can enhance effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma is a baseline requirement. Experience with motion design and an awareness of AI tools are key differentiators, reflecting the evolving landscape of digital creative production and its integration into GTM strategies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Pace and Agility: Embracing change, innovation, and working at a high speed within a transforming retail environment.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within a large creative team and cross-functionally with marketing, digital, product, and buying.

• Brand Guardianship: A deep respect for brand identity and a commitment to maintaining consistency and quality across all touchpoints.

• Commercial Awareness: Understanding that creative output must serve business objectives, drive engagement, and contribute to sales performance.

• Continuous Improvement: A mindset focused on evolving creative aesthetics, optimizing workflows, and adopting new technologies.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively partnering with non-creative departments to ensure design aligns with broader marketing and business strategies.

• Feedback and Iteration: Openness to constructive criticism and a process of iterative design development to achieve optimal results.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a team environment where ideas and best practices are shared, fostering collective growth and efficiency.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication with team members, stakeholders, and senior management regarding project status, challenges, and creative direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values a blend of creative excellence and operational efficiency, driven by the demands of the fast-paced fashion retail industry. Collaboration and a strong adherence to brand values are paramount.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Multiple Brands: Ensuring each brand within the Debenhams Group (Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Oasis, Coast & Wallis) has a distinct yet cohesive visual identity while adhering to group-level standards.

• Pace and Volume of Work: Managing a high volume of design requests in a fast-moving retail environment, requiring efficient workflow management and prioritization skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Staying ahead of design trends, technological advancements (like AI), and consumer preferences in the fashion industry.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Commercial Demands: Ensuring innovative design solutions also meet strict commercial objectives and brand guidelines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Creative Skills: Opportunities to develop expertise in motion graphics, AI-driven design, or advanced digital design techniques.

• Leadership and Management Training: Formal training or mentorship to enhance team leadership, project management, and strategic planning skills.

• Retail & Fashion Industry Insights: Gaining deeper understanding of the fashion retail landscape, consumer behavior, and GTM strategies within this sector.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Learning from marketing, digital, and product teams to better understand the broader business context and impact of design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant opportunities to tackle complex creative and operational challenges within a well-known retail group, fostering substantial professional growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you successfully evolved the creative aesthetic for a brand. What was your process, and what was the impact?" (Focus on brand guardianship, creative process, and commercial awareness.)

• "How would you implement new systems or procedures to improve the daily workflow of a creative team of 11 designers?" (Highlight project management, efficiency, and change management skills.)

• "Discuss your experience in managing creative designers. What is your leadership philosophy, and how do you foster collaboration and growth within a team?" (Emphasize people management and team dynamics.)

• "How do you ensure creative output remains consistent and on-brand across multiple channels and touchpoints?" (Focus on brand guardianship, attention to detail, and understanding of multi-channel strategy.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Debenhams Group's transformation journey, and how do you see your role contributing to it?" (Demonstrate research and enthusiasm for the company's vision.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-creative departments like Marketing, Digital, and Buying to achieve shared GTM goals?" (Showcase cross-functional collaboration skills and understanding of business objectives.)

• "What are your thoughts on the use of AI in creative design, and how might it be applied within a fashion retail context like ours?" (Indicate awareness of industry trends and innovative thinking.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio by brand or project type, clearly stating your role, the challenge, your solution, and the outcome. For Debenhams, group projects by brand if possible.

• Highlight Process & Rationale: For each key project, walk through your creative process, explaining the strategic thinking behind your design choices and how they addressed the brief and achieved objectives.

• Emphasize Leadership & Workflow: Showcase projects where you managed timelines, mentored juniors, or implemented workflow improvements. Be ready to discuss how you’d manage the team and projects at Debenhams.

• Quantify Results: Present data or metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the commercial or engagement impact of your work. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss the intended impact and how you would measure it.

• Tailor to Debenhams: Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience directly align with the needs of Debenhams Group and its brands, referencing specific examples from their current marketing or branding.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative excellence, leadership capability, process optimization knowledge, and a strategic understanding of GTM operations within the retail context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is readily accessible and showcases projects that highlight your experience in brand evolution, team management, and multi-channel creative delivery, with a particular focus on retail or fashion if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize leadership experience, proficiency in Adobe Suite and Figma, project management skills, and any experience with AI or motion design. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your creative process, leadership style, and how you approach workflow optimization. Prepare specific examples for the strategy and company-culture questions. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Debenhams Group, its individual brands (Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Oasis, Coast & Wallis), their current marketing efforts, and their stated transformation goals. Understand their brand positioning and target audiences.

⚠️ 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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