Senior Graphic Designer (Conceptual)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer (Conceptual)

Company: Mons Royale

Location: Wānaka, Otago Region, New Zealand

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing & Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-07

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4-6+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead conceptualization and execution of seasonal campaigns, translating brand strategy into high-impact creative across all global touchpoints.

• Own the end-to-end graphic development of seasonal assets, ensuring cohesive visual narratives across digital, retail, social, and print media.

• Drive the design output for trade and retail marketing materials, including workbooks, lookbooks, POS kits, and environmental graphics.

• Develop high-converting digital and social assets for web, e-commerce, performance marketing, and email campaigns.

• Mentor junior designers and conduct artwork reviews to elevate overall team creative output and maintain brand consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly positioned as a pathway to Art Direction, requiring a strong conceptual foundation and the ability to lead creative projects with autonomy, indicating a significant level of responsibility beyond standard senior graphic design. The emphasis on "conceptual-first" and "thinks like an Art Director" suggests a strategic creative thinker is sought.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Ideate and develop innovative creative concepts for seasonal launches, global marketing campaigns, and overarching brand initiatives in close collaboration with the Head of Marketing Creative.

• Translate campaign strategies into compelling storyboards, mood boards, and detailed visual direction decks to guide creative execution.

• Infuse deep understanding of youth culture, action sports, mountain lifestyle, and contemporary streetwear trends to maintain Mons Royale's competitive edge and relevance.

• Take ownership of the graphic development process for seasonal assets, from initial brief to final delivery, ensuring unified visual storytelling across all platforms.

• Spearhead the design output for trade and retail marketing, including the creation of workbooks, lookbooks, Point of Sale (POS) kits, and environmental graphics for physical spaces.

• Design high-performing digital and social media assets optimized for web, e-commerce platforms, performance marketing campaigns, and email marketing initiatives.

• Operate with a high degree of autonomy, independently setting project workflows, interpreting creative briefs, and confidently presenting well-reasoned creative solutions to stakeholders.

• Establish and maintain scalable visual systems, templates, and comprehensive brand guidelines to ensure consistent brand representation across all global markets and touchpoints.

• Lead digital design workflows using Figma, complementing advanced skills within the Adobe Creative Suite.

• Manage pre-press processes, produce print-ready production files, and uphold typography standards and color accuracy for both large-format print and digital assets.

• Clearly articulate design rationale and strategic thinking to internal stakeholders and cross-functional teams, including Product, E-Commerce, Digital, Copywriting, and Film departments.

• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior designers, conducting thorough artwork reviews to elevate the quality and impact of the team's collective creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic conceptualization, hands-on design execution, and team leadership, indicative of a senior role with significant creative ownership and potential for future growth into an Art Director position. The emphasis on "owning" creative output and "leading" workflows points to a candidate expected to drive projects forward with minimal supervision.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Graphic Designer role and would be advantageous. Equivalent practical experience with a strong portfolio will also be considered.

Experience: 4–6+ years of professional graphic design experience, ideally gained within an agency setting or in-house for a relevant brand. A demonstrable portfolio showcasing conceptual strength and technical execution, particularly in campaign development and visual storytelling, is essential. Experience within the fashion, apparel, or board sports industries is highly preferred. A genuine passion for and deep understanding of mountain culture and current global design, youth, and subculture trends is critical.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in conceptualization and campaign ideation, with a portfolio that clearly demonstrates this capability.

• Expertise in graphic design principles including layout, composition, and visual hierarchy.

• Mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) for professional design output.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma for digital design workflows and collaborative prototyping.

• Strong understanding and application of typography principles, including hierarchy, readability, and aesthetic impact.

• Proven ability in creating storyboards and mood boards to visualize creative concepts and campaign direction.

• Experience in developing and maintaining brand guidelines and scalable visual systems.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and creative concepts to diverse stakeholders.

• Deep knowledge of youth culture, action sports, and contemporary streetwear trends. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the fashion, apparel, or board sports industries.

• Familiarity with pre-press processes and print production standards for large-format assets.

• Experience in designing for e-commerce, digital marketing, and social media platforms.

• Basic understanding of motion graphics or video editing principles.

• Experience in mentoring or guiding junior design staff.

• Art Direction experience or a clear trajectory towards it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio that "shows you’re ready to step into Art Direction" is a key differentiator, suggesting that candidates should showcase strategic thinking, campaign leadership, and the ability to define a creative vision, not just execute design tasks. The emphasis on Figma alongside Adobe Creative Suite indicates a modern digital design workflow.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 4–6 years of professional graphic design work.

• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize and execute integrated marketing campaigns from ideation to final delivery, highlighting the strategic thinking behind each project.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the design process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and measurable outcomes or impact.

• Examples of visual systems and brand guideline development, illustrating consistency and scalability.

• Strong representation of work within relevant industries (fashion, apparel, action sports) or showcasing an understanding of these aesthetics.

• Explicit examples of conceptual thinking, storyboarding, and mood board creation.

• A clear trajectory or demonstrated capability towards Art Direction, showing leadership in creative vision. Process Documentation:

• For each project within the portfolio, clearly outline the design brief, your role and responsibilities, the creative process followed, and the tools/software utilized.

• Demonstrate an understanding of workflow management, including project initiation, concept development, stakeholder feedback integration, asset production, and final delivery.

• Showcase experience with iterative design processes, including how feedback was incorporated to refine creative solutions.

• Evidence of maintaining brand consistency and adherence to brand guidelines across various applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of conceptual ability and readiness for Art Direction. Candidates must curate their portfolio to explicitly highlight campaign thinking, strategic rationale, and leadership in creative execution, rather than just a collection of design samples.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Graphic Designer with 4-6+ years of experience in a specialized creative field, located in New Zealand, the estimated salary range for this position in Wānaka is NZD $75,000 - $100,000 annually. This estimate considers the specific skill set (conceptual design, Figma, Adobe Suite, youth culture expertise), the seniority of the role, and the cost of living in a desirable but potentially higher-cost-of-living location like Wānaka.

Benefits:

• Competitive remuneration package.

• Significant discounts on Mons Royale products, allowing employees to engage with the brand's offerings.

• Access to discounts across the broader outdoor industry, supporting a lifestyle aligned with the company's mission.

• Opportunity to work in a dynamic, fast-growing brand within the action and adventure sports sector.

• Encouragement of work-life balance, valuing time spent in the mountains and outdoor activities.

• Potential for career development and growth opportunities within Mons Royale, both within New Zealand and internationally.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position. While specific hours are not detailed, the company culture emphasizes hard work and putting in the hours while also valuing life outside of work. A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with potential for flexibility given the emphasis on work-life balance and mountain town lifestyle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical New Zealand market rates for senior creative roles, adjusted for location and specialized skills. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation. The benefits strongly align with the company's lifestyle ethos.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Apparel / Outdoor Gear, with a strong focus on sustainability and high-performance merino wool for action and adventure sports. The company is positioned at the intersection of outdoor performance, streetwear, and contemporary youth culture.

Company Size: Mons Royale is described as a "fast-growing brand," suggesting a dynamic, possibly medium-sized company (e.g., 50-250 employees globally) with a lean structure that allows for entrepreneurial spirit and broad involvement. This implies that roles may evolve, and individuals can have a significant impact.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, Mons Royale has established itself as a key player in the merino apparel market for action sports, indicating a history of innovation and brand building. This suggests a company with a solid foundation and a clear mission.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely operates within a broader Marketing Creative department, reporting to the Head of Marketing Creative.

• This role involves close collaboration with various cross-functional teams, including Product Development, E-Commerce, Digital Marketing, Copywriting, and Film production, indicating a highly integrated GTM (Go-To-Market) approach.

• The presence of junior designers suggests a tiered creative team structure where senior members provide mentorship and oversight. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: While emphasizing "raw authenticity," the role requires creating "high-converting digital and social assets" and presenting "design rationale clearly," suggesting a balance between creative vision and performance-oriented design.

• Agile Workflow: The need to manage multiple projects, interpret briefs, and operate with autonomy points towards an agile and responsive workflow, common in fast-growing brands.

• Brand-Centric Approach: The core mission of shifting riders from synthetics to natural fibers drives product and brand messaging, influencing all creative output.

Company Website: https://monsroyale.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is deeply intertwined with its mission and the lifestyle it promotes. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and alignment with Mons Royale's commitment to sustainability, performance, and the action sports community. The "entrepreneurial spirit" note suggests a willingness to go beyond the defined role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Graphic Designer with a clear "launchpad" for Art Direction. This signifies a mid-to-senior career stage where individuals are expected to lead projects, mentor others, and contribute strategically to creative output, not just execute tasks. The focus is on developing a creative vision and influencing brand narrative.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will report directly to the Head of Marketing Creative. This close reporting line indicates significant opportunity for mentorship, direct feedback, and exposure to senior creative leadership and strategy.

Operations Impact: The role is pivotal in translating brand and product strategy into tangible creative assets that drive global brand narrative and commercial success. The Senior Graphic Designer's work will directly influence customer perception, engagement across digital and retail channels, and ultimately contribute to sales conversions and brand loyalty through compelling visual storytelling.

Growth Opportunities:

• Art Direction Pathway: The primary growth path is into an Art Director role, involving greater strategic oversight, conceptual leadership, and potentially managing larger creative teams and projects.

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas such as digital design systems, campaign conceptualization, or print production management.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Involvement in diverse projects across product, marketing, and e-commerce departments provides broad business understanding and potential for lateral moves.

• Brand Leadership: As the brand grows, opportunities for increased responsibility and influence within the creative department will likely emerge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of an "Art Direction pathway" is a significant career growth indicator. Candidates should highlight their ambition and readiness to take on more strategic and leadership responsibilities in their applications and interviews.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the "brand home in Wānaka," New Zealand. This suggests a dedicated office environment that embodies the company's brand identity and values, likely featuring elements that reflect the outdoor and mountain lifestyle.

Office Location(s): Wānaka, Otago Region, New Zealand. This location is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and access to outdoor activities, aligning with the company's culture and the work-life balance it promotes. It's a mountain town environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: While working autonomously on projects, the role requires close collaboration with the Head of Marketing Creative and other cross-functional teams (Product, E-Com, Digital, Copy, Film). The office environment is likely designed to foster this interaction.

• Creative Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software and hardware, including advanced proficiency required in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite. The mention of Figma suggests a modern, digital-first approach to design workflows.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with a globally diverse workforce, as Mons Royale has offices in Squamish, Innsbruck, and Wānaka. This offers exposure to different perspectives and a vibrant team dynamic, often involving shared activities like mountain excursions or social rides.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position. The company culture emphasizes a balance between hard work and outdoor pursuits, suggesting a flexible approach to working hours where possible, provided objectives are met. The goal is to enable employees to achieve a healthy work-life balance, particularly in the Wānaka location which supports this lifestyle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Wānaka location is a significant draw for candidates who value an outdoor lifestyle. The work environment is described as supportive of this, balancing professional demands with personal pursuits. Candidates should be prepared for an on-site role in a specific, lifestyle-oriented location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: CV and portfolio submitted for assessment of conceptual strength, technical skills, and industry relevance.

• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: Candidates will likely present their portfolio to the Head of Marketing Creative and potentially other team members. This will involve discussing their process, rationale, and demonstrating their ability to translate strategy into creative solutions. Expect questions on conceptual thinking, brand alignment, and how they approach creative challenges.

• Conceptual Challenge/Brief: A practical exercise or a specific creative brief may be provided to assess conceptual thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to work within brand parameters under time constraints.

• Cultural Fit & Team Interview: Discussions to assess alignment with Mons Royale's values, mission, and the team's collaborative style. This may involve meeting with cross-functional team members.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss career aspirations and final fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Conceptual Strength: Showcase projects that demonstrate your ability to think strategically and develop compelling concepts, not just execute designs. Highlight campaigns where you led the creative vision.

• Tell a Story: For each project, articulate the problem, your strategic approach, the creative process, your specific contributions, and the outcomes. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates mastery of Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly in how these tools were used to achieve specific design goals.

• Showcase Brand Understanding: Include examples that demonstrate your understanding of youth culture, action sports, streetwear, and how you apply these insights to create relevant and authentic creative.

• Prepare for "Art Direction Pathway" Questions: Be ready to discuss your aspirations for Art Direction, how your current experience prepares you for it, and how you would approach leading creative projects and mentoring junior designers.

• Demonstrate Process: Clearly outline your workflow, from brief interpretation to final asset delivery, including how you handle feedback and iterate on designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Deeply research Mons Royale's mission, values, product lines, and existing marketing campaigns. Understand their position in the market and their target audience.

• Practice Conceptualization: Be ready to brainstorm creative concepts for hypothetical campaigns or product launches related to the action sports and apparel industry.

• Articulate Rationale: Practice explaining the "why" behind your design choices, linking them back to brand strategy, target audience, and desired outcomes.

• Figma & Adobe Workflow: Be prepared to discuss your workflow in Figma and Adobe Suite, and potentially demonstrate proficiency in a timed exercise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on portfolio review and a demonstration of conceptual thinking. Candidates should prepare to "sell" their creative vision and leadership potential, not just their design execution skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for digital design workflows, prototyping, and collaborative design. Advanced proficiency is a requirement.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, retouching, and complex digital art creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, illustrations, and layout elements.
  • InDesign: For layout design of print collateral such as lookbooks, workbooks, and POS kits.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly listed as a primary responsibility for the designer, understanding and designing for performance metrics is key. Familiarity with tools that track digital asset performance (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics platforms) would be beneficial for understanding conversion drivers.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how design assets integrate into e-commerce platforms and marketing automation tools (e.g., email marketing platforms) is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and the full Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The emphasis on Figma points to a modern, collaborative digital design process. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and workflow with these specific tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Sustainability: A core tenet of the company, driving product development and brand messaging. Designers are expected to contribute to this mission through their creative output.

• Authenticity & Rawness: The brand aesthetic values genuine, unpolished representation of action sports culture, avoiding overly corporate or manufactured looks.

• Performance & Innovation: Commitment to high-performance merino apparel means creative should reflect technical quality and forward-thinking design.

• Community & Passion: Fostering a connection with riders and the outdoor community is paramount. Creative should resonate with this passionate audience.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: A willingness to embrace opportunities, contribute beyond the defined role, and adapt in a fast-paced growth environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close working relationships with Product, E-Commerce, Digital, Copy, and Film teams are integral. The design function supports and enhances the efforts of these departments.

• Feedback-Driven Iteration: The process involves interpreting briefs, presenting solutions, and incorporating feedback from stakeholders to refine creative output.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Senior designers are expected to guide junior team members, fostering a culture of learning and collective improvement.

• Active & Lifestyle-Oriented: The company culture encourages an active lifestyle, with team activities often involving outdoor pursuits, reflecting a shared passion for the brand's ethos.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is deeply tied to the outdoor lifestyle and the company's sustainable mission. Candidates should demonstrate an alignment with these values and a collaborative, proactive approach to teamwork.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Conceptual Vision with Commercial Needs: Effectively translating cutting-edge creative concepts into assets that drive conversions and meet business objectives across various channels.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Global Markets: Ensuring a unified brand message and visual identity while adapting to diverse regional nuances and platform requirements.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Trends: Continuously staying ahead of trends in youth culture, streetwear, and action sports to ensure brand relevance and creative innovation.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholder Inputs: Navigating feedback and requirements from diverse internal teams (Product, E-Com, Marketing) to deliver cohesive creative solutions.

• Adapting to a Fast-Growing Environment: Thriving in a dynamic, entrepreneurial setting where roles may evolve and cross-functional involvement is common.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Art Direction Skills: Direct mentorship and experience towards Art Direction, including strategic planning, team leadership, and campaign vision.

• Industry Trend Immersion: Continuous exposure to leading trends in design, action sports, and apparel through work, company culture, and potential industry events.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gaining insights into e-commerce, digital marketing, product development, and brand strategy through close collaboration.

• Figma & Digital Workflow Advancement: Deepening expertise in advanced digital design tools and workflows.

• Mentorship Experience: Developing leadership and coaching skills by guiding junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a structured path towards Art Direction within a company that actively promotes a lifestyle aligned with its brand. The challenges are inherent to a senior creative role in a dynamic, mission-driven company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you translated a complex brand strategy into a cohesive creative campaign. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Focus on conceptualization, strategy alignment, and outcome measurement).

• "How do you stay ahead of trends in youth culture, action sports, and streetwear? Provide an example of how you've applied this knowledge to a design project." (Assess cultural fluency and application).

• "Walk us through your process for developing visual systems and brand guidelines. How do you ensure scalability and consistency?" (Evaluate systematic thinking and brand stewardship).

• "Imagine we are launching a new line of sustainable merino base layers for backcountry skiing. What would be your initial creative approach and key visual elements?" (Test conceptual thinking and brand application). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Mons Royale specifically, beyond the role itself? How do you align with our mission of sustainability in action sports?" (Gauge cultural fit and mission alignment).

• "Describe your ideal work environment and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams like Product and E-Commerce." (Assess teamwork and communication style).

• "How would you mentor a junior designer? What feedback do you typically provide to elevate their work?" (Evaluate leadership potential and mentorship approach).

• "What are your career aspirations, and how does this Senior Graphic Designer role fit into your path towards Art Direction?" (Understand ambition and long-term goals). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with your strongest conceptual work. For each project, clearly state the brief, your role, the strategic intent, your creative solution, and the impact/results.

• Highlight Conceptual Thinking: Emphasize the "why" behind your designs. Explain your thought process, how you interpreted the brief, and how your concept addressed the objectives.

• Showcase Technical Mastery: Be ready to discuss your use of Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and how these tools enabled your creative execution.

• Tell the Brand Story: Connect your work to the Mons Royale brand, demonstrating an understanding of their aesthetic, values, and target audience.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and flows logically. Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviews will heavily scrutinize conceptual abilities and cultural fit. Candidates should prepare to articulate their creative process, strategic thinking, and passion for the brand's mission and lifestyle.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your CV and a link to your portfolio/folio through the provided application link.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature conceptual campaign work, demonstrating strategic thinking and leadership in creative execution, with clear case studies of process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight 4-6+ years of relevant experience, emphasizing conceptual design, proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience in fashion, apparel, or action sports. Use keywords like "conceptual design," "campaign execution," "brand narrative," and "Art Direction pathway."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design rationale, creative process, and how your work aligns with Mons Royale's mission and values. Prepare to present your portfolio effectively, focusing on storytelling and strategic insights.

• Company Research: Deeply research Mons Royale's brand, mission, products, and target audience to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment during the interview process. Understand their commitment to sustainability and action sports.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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