Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: EY Ireland

Location: Dublin 2, Ireland

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Consulting

Date Posted: April 29, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic development and execution of creative concepts and visual identities for key go-to-market campaigns and events within EY Ireland's in-house creative department.

• Drive high-quality creative output, influence stakeholders on optimal design solutions, and ensure the integrity of EY's global brand visual identity across all platforms.

• Mentor and guide junior members of the creative team, fostering a collaborative and energetic team culture, while managing relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

• Execute cross-platform strategic projects, from initial design briefing through to final asset delivery, ensuring alignment with business objectives and timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role specifies "Senior Graphic Designer - FTE," indicating a permanent, full-time position. The emphasis on "go-to-market campaigns and events" and "leading visual identity" suggests a strategic role within a corporate marketing or brand team, requiring strong conceptualization and stakeholder management skills beyond basic design execution. The mention of "in-house creative team" and "Creative is EY Ireland" implies a dedicated internal agency structure.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and present conceptual visuals and innovative ideas to support core campaigns, driving creative excellence and client engagement.

• Lead and execute strategic design projects across multiple platforms, collaborating effectively with the broader creative team and various business stakeholders.

• Facilitate and actively participate in design briefings to thoroughly understand stakeholder needs and identify the root of their communication challenges.

• Champion and uphold EY's global visual identity, ensuring consistency and adherence across all creative outputs and communications.

• Build and nurture strong relationships with internal stakeholders and cross-functional teams, acting as a trusted design advisor.

• Collaborate with the Design Lead and Operations delegate to assign and oversee tasks for supporting creative team members, ensuring efficient project workflow.

• Coach, mentor, and provide constructive guidance to junior designers, fostering their professional development and skill enhancement.

• Contribute to cultivating a vibrant, creative, and positive team culture, acting as an ambassador for the in-house creative department.

• Manage relationships with digital and print suppliers, ensuring all deliverables meet precise specifications and quality standards.

• Support the creative leadership team with strategic initiatives and departmental improvements as required.

• Act as a proactive self-starter, identifying opportunities and potential issues, and developing effective solutions independently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual contribution and leadership. "Driving quality, creativity, and influence clients" suggests a consultative aspect, where the designer guides stakeholders. "Lead and execute strategic projects" and "Coach, mentor and provide guidance" clearly position this as a senior role with team influence and project ownership. The responsibility to "Develop and manage strong relationships with our digital and print suppliers" indicates an operational aspect of managing external vendors.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A qualification in Visual Communications or a related discipline is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of 4-5 years of professional design experience is mandatory, gained within an in-house team, agency, or as a freelance professional.

• Demonstrated experience in creating conceptual visuals and ideas for core campaigns, as evidenced by a strong portfolio.

• Proven track record of producing supporting assets for diverse digital platforms, including interactive elements.

• Experience with multiple print production techniques and an understanding of their applications.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional proficiency across the full Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Proficient knowledge of Adobe After Effects, with the ability to support small motion design projects.

• A strong understanding and working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint, for presentations and asset integration.

• Ability to create conceptual visuals and innovative ideas that directly support campaign objectives.

• Demonstrated ability to respond positively and calmly to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines within a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in leading design projects and mentoring junior team members.

• Familiarity with interactive design principles and asset creation.

• Knowledge of digital asset management (DAM) systems.

• Understanding of UX/UI principles for digital asset design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio showcasing conceptual visuals is paramount. The specific mention of Adobe After Effects for "small motion design projects" suggests that while not a dedicated motion designer role, basic animation skills or a strong understanding of motion principles is beneficial for supporting integrated campaigns. The inclusion of "stakeholder management" and "business objectives" points to a need for strategic thinking beyond pure aesthetics.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is a mandatory requirement for the application process, showcasing a breadth of creative work and conceptual thinking.

• The portfolio must demonstrate the ability to create conceptual visuals and ideas that directly support core campaign objectives and brand messaging.

• Include case studies that highlight your process from initial brief to final execution, detailing problem-solving approaches and design decisions.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of a structured design process, including how you approach design briefs, concept development, stakeholder feedback integration, and final asset delivery.

• Demonstrate an ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, outlining your workflow and time management strategies for efficient project execution.

• Highlight experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams and external suppliers, detailing your process for communication and coordination.

• Show how you ensure the integrity of brand guidelines while developing creative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio, especially one demonstrating "conceptual visuals and ideas to support core campaigns," is critical. This signals that candidates will be evaluated not just on aesthetic skill but on their ability to translate strategic objectives into compelling visual narratives. The mention of a "small design task" during the second interview round further emphasizes the need for practical demonstration of design thinking and technical competency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Graphic Designers in Dublin, Ireland, with 4-5+ years of experience and specialized skills in Adobe CC and After Effects, the estimated salary range is €45,000 - €65,000 per annum. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and interview performance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage, potentially including medical, dental, and vision plans.

• Pension scheme contributions, aligning with standard Irish employment practices.

• Generous annual leave allowance, offering a healthy work-life balance.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications, particularly in design software and creative strategy.

• Access to EY's global network and resources, including potential for international collaboration or experience.

• Employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with the flexibility to manage workload effectively.

• The role requires on-site presence in Dublin 2, indicating a structured work schedule within the office environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary for a Senior Graphic Designer in Dublin with this level of experience and specific software proficiency typically falls within the €45,000 - €65,000 range. EY's benefits package is expected to be robust, including health, pension, and professional development opportunities. The "FTE" (Full-Time Equivalent) designation confirms a permanent, full-time role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Services (Consulting, Assurance, Tax, Strategy, Transactions, and Technology). EY operates globally, providing a wide range of advisory and assurance services to businesses.

Company Size: EY is a very large, global organization, with hundreds of thousands of employees worldwide. The Irish division is substantial, and the in-house creative team, while specialized, is part of this larger structure.

Founded: Ernst & Young was formed in 1989 from the merger of Ernst & Whinney and Arthur Young. The legacy firms date back much further, creating a long-standing history of professional services.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Graphic Designer will be part of the "Creative is EY Ireland" in-house creative department. This department is multifaceted, including graphic design, presentation design, animation, filming, photography, and broadcast specialists.

• The role reports to a Design Lead and works closely with Production Coordinators. There is also an expectation to mentor junior members of the Creative team.

Methodology:

• The team aims to lead visual identity and production for key go-to-market campaigns and events, suggesting a strategic, campaign-driven approach.

• Emphasis is placed on understanding stakeholder problems ("get to the root of their problems") and guiding them towards effective design solutions.

• The team operates with a focus on quality, creativity, and adherence to EY's global brand guidelines, balancing brand integrity with campaign effectiveness.

• Workflow management involves task delegation, collaboration with production coordinators, and managing external vendor relationships.

Company Website: https://www.ey.com/en_ie

📝 Enhancement Note: EY's culture is generally professional, client-focused, and values collaboration and continuous learning. The in-house creative team likely mirrors this, with an emphasis on delivering high-quality, impactful creative solutions that align with a global corporate brand. The "Creative is EY Ireland" department suggests a sophisticated internal marketing and brand support function.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Graphic Designer role, signifying a mid-to-senior level position within the creative function. It implies a high degree of autonomy, responsibility for project outcomes, and the capacity to mentor others. The role requires not only strong technical and creative skills but also strategic thinking, client-handling abilities, and a deep understanding of brand management.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer reports to a Design Lead and works closely with Production Coordinators. They are also responsible for mentoring junior designers. This indicates a clear hierarchy within the creative team, with opportunities for leadership and influence.

Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer plays a crucial role in shaping EY Ireland's visual communication. Their work directly influences the perception of the brand in go-to-market campaigns, events, and stakeholder interactions. By driving creative excellence and ensuring brand consistency, they contribute to EY's overall brand reputation, market presence, and ultimately, its business objectives. The ability to influence stakeholders and guide them to effective solutions demonstrates a direct impact on project success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly After Effects for motion graphics, and potentially explore new design technologies or platforms.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Design Lead role, taking on more strategic oversight, team management, and client-facing responsibilities.

• Specialization: Opportunity to specialize further in areas like brand identity development, campaign creative direction, or interactive design, depending on project focus and personal interest.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Working across diverse campaigns and with various business units within EY Ireland provides broad exposure to different aspects of professional services marketing and communications.

• Global Network: Leveraging EY's global presence for potential exposure to international projects or best practices in creative operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and mentorship responsibilities suggest a clear path for career progression within EY's creative department. Growth is likely tied to demonstrating strategic impact, leadership potential, and continuous skill development in a complex corporate environment. The role is positioned as more than just an executor; it's a strategic partner in creative problem-solving.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Dublin 2, Ireland, within an EY office. Corporate offices typically provide a professional, structured environment with dedicated workspaces.

Office Location(s): The specific office is in Dublin 2, a central business district in Ireland's capital, suggesting good accessibility via public transport and proximity to other businesses.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is likely to be collaborative, with opportunities to interact with the broader creative team, production coordinators, and various EY professionals.

• Access to industry-standard design software and hardware (Adobe CC, potentially Mac-based systems) is expected.

Work Schedule:

• Standard professional working hours, typically Monday to Friday, are expected.

• While the role is on-site, there might be some flexibility in daily start/end times, common in corporate settings, but the core expectation is consistent office presence for collaboration and project continuity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a professional services firm like EY implies a structured work environment focused on collaboration, client service, and adherence to corporate standards. The Dublin 2 location is a prime business hub, suggesting a well-equipped and professional office setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Portfolio Submission: Candidates must submit their CV and a mandatory portfolio showcasing conceptual design work.

• First Interview: Likely a screening interview with HR or a hiring manager to assess overall fit, experience, and basic qualifications. Focus on understanding your career trajectory and motivation for the role.

• Second Interview (Design Task & Case Study): This stage will involve a practical design task to assess design thinking and technical competency (MAC proficiency). Candidates may also be asked to present key pieces from their portfolio, explaining their process, creative rationale, and the impact of their work.

• Final Interview: Possibly with senior leadership or the Design Lead to discuss strategic vision, team fit, and leadership potential. This may involve deeper dives into stakeholder management and mentorship experience.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate conceptual thinking, campaign creativity, and versatility across digital and print.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly outline the brief, your problem-solving approach, creative iterations, final solution, and any measurable results. This is crucial for demonstrating strategic thinking.

• Highlight Conceptual Work: Ensure projects explicitly showcase your ability to generate original ideas and translate them into compelling visual narratives.

• Demonstrate Technical Skill: Include examples that highlight your proficiency in Adobe CC and After Effects, and your ability to produce high-quality assets for various platforms.

• Tailor to EY: If possible, subtly align your portfolio's tone and style with EY's brand aesthetic, demonstrating an understanding of corporate branding.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Task: Be prepared for a task that tests your ability to interpret a brief, generate ideas quickly, and execute visually under time constraints. Practice using Adobe CC on a Mac if you're not accustomed to it.

• Portfolio Presentation: Rehearse explaining your portfolio pieces concisely, focusing on the "why" behind your design decisions and the business impact. Be ready to articulate your role and contributions clearly.

• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Think about how you've managed challenging client feedback, influenced decisions, or navigated competing priorities in past projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "small design task" and "portfolio of work is a mandatory requirement" indicates a strong focus on practical application and demonstrable creative ability. Candidates should prepare to actively walk through their portfolio, explaining their design process and strategic thinking behind each piece.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud (CC): Essential for graphic design tasks. Proficiency required in:

  • Adobe Photoshop: Image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Adobe Illustrator: Vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • Adobe InDesign: Layout design for print and digital publications.

• Adobe After Effects: Required for supporting motion design projects; basic to intermediate proficiency expected.

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • PowerPoint: Essential for presentations, integrating graphics, and potentially creating visual content.
  • Word & Excel: For general documentation and data handling.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities, but awareness of how creative assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms or CRM-driven campaigns might be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe CC and After Effects is critical. Candidates must be highly proficient in these tools. PowerPoint proficiency is also a key requirement, indicating its importance in EY's internal and external communications.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality creative work that meets brand standards and client expectations.

• Creativity & Innovation: Fostering an environment where new ideas are encouraged and explored to produce impactful campaigns.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with colleagues, stakeholders, and external partners to achieve shared goals.

• Integrity & Brand Stewardship: Upholding the EY brand identity and values in all visual communications.

• Client Focus: Understanding and addressing stakeholder needs to provide effective design solutions.

• Proactiveness & Ownership: Taking initiative, identifying opportunities, and owning projects from concept to completion.

Collaboration Style:

• The team emphasizes collaboration with stakeholders to understand their challenges and guide them towards optimal design solutions.

• Cross-functional teamwork is expected, working alongside other creative specialists (presentation designers, animators, etc.) and production coordinators.

• A mentorship approach is integral, with senior members guiding and developing junior talent.

• Clear communication and relationship management are key, both internally and with external suppliers.

📝 Enhancement Note: EY's corporate values of "Integrity," "Excellence," "Teamwork," and "Empathy" likely influence the creative team's culture. The emphasis on "getting to the root of their problems" suggests a consultative and problem-solving approach to design requests.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Creative Innovation: Meeting the demands of a global brand's strict guidelines while still producing fresh, compelling creative work for local campaigns.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively guiding diverse stakeholders who may have varying levels of design understanding or conflicting requirements.

• Prioritization and Time Management: Juggling multiple projects with competing deadlines in a fast-paced corporate environment.

• Adapting to Evolving Creative Trends and Technologies: Staying current with design software, tools, and visual trends to ensure EY's creative output remains modern and effective.

• Mentorship Responsibilities: Effectively guiding and developing junior designers requires strong communication and leadership skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe After Effects for motion graphics, or explore other relevant creative software.

• Creative Strategy Workshops: Developing skills in campaign conceptualization, visual identity development, and storytelling.

• Brand Management Training: Gaining a deeper understanding of EY's global brand architecture and its application.

• Leadership & Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal training on effective team leadership and coaching.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry events or webinars to stay abreast of design trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges reflect the realities of working in a senior creative role within a large corporation. The growth opportunities are geared towards enhancing both technical design skills and leadership capabilities, aligning with a typical career path in corporate creative departments.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Conceptualization: "Describe your process for developing a visual identity for a new campaign from scratch. How do you ensure it aligns with business objectives?" (Focus on your ideation process, research, and strategic alignment).

• Stakeholder Management: "Tell me about a time you had to influence a stakeholder who had a strong, but perhaps not optimal, design idea. How did you handle it?" (Prepare a STAR method response focusing on communication, persuasion, and compromise).

• Problem-Solving: "Imagine a campaign is falling behind schedule due to creative roadblocks. What steps would you take as a Senior Designer to get it back on track?" (Highlight your approach to identifying issues, collaborating with the team, and proposing solutions).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Brand Understanding: "What do you know about EY's brand and visual identity? How would you ensure your work adheres to it while still being creative?" (Research EY's brand guidelines and current campaigns).

• Team Dynamics: "How do you approach mentoring junior designers? What's your philosophy on fostering a creative team culture?" (Be ready to discuss your leadership style and collaborative approach).

• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your design work beyond aesthetics? How do you connect it to business goals?" (Think about metrics like engagement, brand recall, or campaign performance).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio presentation logically, perhaps chronologically or by project type. Start with your most relevant and impactful work.

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a story: the challenge, your approach, the creative process, the solution, and the outcome/impact.

• Highlight Conceptual Thinking: Explicitly point out where your conceptual ideas originated and how they evolved.

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Be ready to briefly discuss the tools and techniques you used, especially for specific examples in Adobe CC or After Effects.

• Conciseness: Practice your presentation to fit within the allotted time, focusing on the most critical aspects of each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of the design process, not just technical execution. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, so thorough practice is essential.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the EY careers portal via the provided URL.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, highlights your strongest conceptual work, and clearly demonstrates your proficiency with Adobe CC and After Effects. Tailor your selection to showcase relevant campaign and brand identity examples.

• Resume Optimization: Structure your resume to clearly articulate your 4-5+ years of experience, focusing on achievements in campaign development, brand stewardship, stakeholder management, and mentorship. Use keywords from the job description like "conceptual visuals," "visual identity," "Adobe CC," and "stakeholder management."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, presenting your portfolio case studies, and preparing for potential design tasks. Be ready to discuss how you handle feedback and collaborate within a corporate environment.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with EY's brand, its services, and its commitment to innovation. Understand the role of the in-house creative team within a large professional services firm.

⚠️ 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.