Visual Designer (m/w/d) - Brand, Social & Performance

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Designer (m/w/d) - Brand, Social & Performance

Company: AXA

Location: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: April 24, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop impactful visual concepts and designs for integrated brand, product, and performance marketing campaigns across the entire customer journey.

• Collaborate closely with copywriters, art directors, and motion designers to bring creative ideas to life through engaging visual assets for diverse digital channels.

• Conceptualize and produce visually compelling assets for competitive markets, leveraging an understanding of current media trends and format developments, with a strong emphasis on social media channels.

• Drive the optimization of digital assets through performance-based growth marketing approaches, including A/B testing and data-driven design adjustments.

• Act as a design consultant, logically presenting and justifying layouts, designs, and visual ideas to internal teams and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within AXA's Brand & Creative Studio, an internal agency model focused on full-funnel, digital, and performance-oriented marketing. The emphasis on "growth marketing approach" and A/B testing indicates a strong connection to performance marketing operations and the need for designers to understand campaign effectiveness metrics. The "Social-First Thinking" requirement highlights the strategic importance of social media in their campaign execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute visual concepts and designs for a broad spectrum of AXA Group projects, including product and offer campaigns, brand and business unit initiatives, and sales-oriented performance marketing campaigns utilizing a full-funnel strategy.

• Foster a collaborative environment by working closely with conceptualization, art direction, copy, and motion design teams, actively participating in idea generation, refinement, and feedback loops to enhance creative output.

• Conceptualize and produce compelling visual assets tailored for competitive markets, staying abreast of and applying current media and format developments across all relevant channels, with a particular focus on social media platforms.

• Design visual guiding ideas, including mood boards for look and feel, that adhere to and intelligently interpret AXA's established design guidelines, pushing creative boundaries while maintaining brand consistency.

• Lead the logical articulation and presentation of layouts and designs, effectively persuading other disciplines within the team and key stakeholders, while also providing expert consultation on design-related matters.

• Create prototypes and variations of digital assets to facilitate A/B testing and other validation methodologies, subsequently optimizing designs based on performance data and a growth marketing mindset.

• Strategically design visuals aligned with different funnel stages, understanding that awareness, prospecting, and conversion require distinct visual mechanics, styles, dramaturgy, and asset logic.

• Ensure designs combine the attention-grabbing power of original ideas with coherent brand impact through strict adherence to design parameter standards for campaigns and advertising materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for a designer who can operate within a corporate structure while maintaining an agency-level creative output. The emphasis on "full funnel," "performance-based optimization," and "A/B testing" suggests that this role is deeply integrated with marketing operations and performance analysis, requiring a candidate who understands how design directly impacts conversion rates and campaign ROI.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A completed degree or training in (digital) media, communication, graphic, web, or interactive design, or a related discipline. While formal education is valued, the primary focus is on mindset, creative ambition, and craft.

Experience: Proven experience in an agency environment is essential. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to translate creative briefs into visually stunning and effective designs across various media.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional creative excellence in visual concepts and designs, with strong "stopping power" and a clear fit with corporate design principles.

• Excellent sense for design, typography, composition, and digital aesthetics.

• Strong understanding of platform nuances, particularly social-first thinking, and comprehensive knowledge of digital formats, styles, and mechanics.

• Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, including AI add-ons.

• Proactive and continuous exploration of design trends and new tools (including AI) for inspiration and productivity enhancement.

• Ability to strategically leverage AI as a source of inspiration for visual ideation, boosting productivity and quality.

Preferred Skills:

• UX/UI competence is considered a significant advantage.

• Experience in performance marketing campaign design and optimization.

• Familiarity with brand system thinking and asset management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "mindset, creative ambition, and craft" over strict educational requirements suggests AXA values practical skills and a proactive, growth-oriented attitude. The explicit mention of AI tools and a continuous search for new technologies indicates a forward-thinking approach to design operations. The "Social-First Thinking" is a critical skill for modern digital marketing.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of visual concepts and designs that demonstrate creative excellence, strong stopping power, and adherence to corporate design guidelines.

• Include examples of visual assets developed for various campaign types (brand, product, performance) across different digital channels, with a strong emphasis on social media.

• Present case studies or examples that highlight the process of developing visual guiding ideas and mood boards, showing how these translate into final assets.

• Demonstrate experience in creating visual assets for competitive markets and adapting to current media and format trends.

Process Documentation:

• Illustrate the process of conceptualizing and producing visual assets, detailing how collaboration with copy, art direction, and motion teams occurred.

• Detail the methodology for developing prototypes and variants for A/B testing and performance optimization, showcasing a growth marketing approach.

• Explain how visual designs were adapted for different funnel stages (Awareness, Prospecting, Conversion) and the rationale behind these adaptations.

• Showcase how brand consistency was maintained while interpreting and evolving design guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The request for "work samples (preferably with short context: task, role, result)" strongly implies a portfolio review is a key part of the application process. Candidates should be prepared to present projects that not only look good but also demonstrate strategic thinking, collaborative processes, and measurable impact, particularly in performance marketing contexts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry standards for a Visual Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Cologne, Germany, a competitive annual salary range is estimated to be between €45,000 and €60,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Cologne, the demand for skilled designers in the German market, and AXA's position as a large, established corporation.

Benefits:

• 38-hour work week with flexible flextime between 6 AM and 9 PM, offering significant work-life balance and adaptability for creative peaks.

• Hybrid work model with flexible home office arrangements, complemented by dedicated team days on-site to foster collaboration and exchange.

• Opportunity to work from other EU countries for up to 28 days per year, promoting flexibility and international experience.

• Generous 30 days of vacation per year, plus additional paid leave on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

• Special leave entitlements for significant private life events (e.g., birth, adoption).

• Continuous professional development through regular external trend insights, targeted training (tools, design, AI, UX, etc.), and opportunities to attend creative industry events.

• "We-Care" package providing support for specific life situations, including a company kindergarten at the Cologne location.

• Access to an inspiring and well-equipped campus in Cologne featuring recreational areas, diverse meeting spaces, a barista bar, and a high-quality, varied canteen.

Working Hours: A standard 38-hour work week is in place, with flexible working hours allowing for shifts between 6 AM and 9 PM, providing significant autonomy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation estimate is based on typical mid-level designer salaries in Germany, adjusted for the Cologne region and the specific requirements of a corporate creative studio role. Benefits like extended working hours flexibility, work from EU countries, and comprehensive professional development are strong draws for creative professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Insurance and Financial Services. AXA is a major global player in this sector, known for its stability and comprehensive product offerings. This industry context implies a need for designs that convey trust, security, and professionalism, while also adapting to modern marketing demands.

Company Size: AXA Deutschland employs over 8,000 colleagues, and the global AXA Group is a significant international entity. This large-scale operation means the Brand & Creative Studio likely has access to substantial resources, established processes, and broad reach, but also requires designers to navigate corporate structures and collaborate with diverse teams.

Founded: AXA Group was founded in 1817 in France. AXA Germany has a long-standing presence. The Brand & Creative Studio itself is relatively young, having started in early 2023 and merged with the local brand team. This blend of established corporate heritage with a newly formed, agile creative unit creates a dynamic work environment.

Team Structure:

• The Brand & Creative Studio is described as a "young team" that has grown with the local brand team. It operates as an internal creative agency.

• It collaborates closely with Konzeption (Concept Development), Art Direction, Copy, and Motion design.

Methodology:

• The studio's approach is characterized by "Full Funnel, digital, performance-oriented."

• They value an "agency spirit with corporate power," blending creative agility with the stability and resources of a large corporation.

• Design is developed with a focus on "visuals that pop, remain brand-consistent, and work digitally."

• A strong emphasis is placed on "growth marketing approach" and performance-based optimization through A/B testing.

• Communication is direct, appreciative, and "at eye level."

Company Website: https://careers.axa.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The "agency spirit with corporate power" is a key differentiator. Candidates should understand how to balance creative freedom and innovation with the need for brand consistency and strategic alignment within a large financial institution. The studio's recent formation suggests an opportunity to influence processes and culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Visual Designer. It requires independent execution of design tasks, conceptual thinking, and the ability to present and defend creative work. It is a step beyond junior design roles, demanding a solid understanding of design principles, digital channels, and performance marketing integration.

Reporting Structure: The Visual Designer works within the Brand & Creative Studio, collaborating closely with other creative disciplines. While the specific reporting manager is Janine Meinerzhagen, the role implies interaction and potential mentorship from Art Directors and Creative Leads within the studio. The studio itself is part of the broader AXA Germany marketing and brand organization.

Operations Impact: The Visual Designer's impact is directly tied to the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. By creating visually compelling and performance-optimized assets, they contribute to key business objectives such as brand awareness, lead generation, customer acquisition, and ultimately, revenue growth. Their work influences customer perception, engagement rates, and conversion metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized design areas, particularly in digital marketing, social media creative, and performance-driven design.

• Learning & Development: Access to regular external trend insights, targeted training in areas like AI design tools, UX/UI, copywriting, ideation, and attending creative industry events.

• Leadership Potential: As the studio matures, there may be opportunities to take on more senior design responsibilities, lead specific project streams, or mentor junior designers. The emphasis on presenting and consulting suggests a pathway toward more strategic design roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "growth marketing approach" and "performance-based optimization" are crucial for career growth in this role. Demonstrating an ability to not just create aesthetically pleasing designs but also designs that drive measurable business results will be key to advancing within AXA's marketing and operations functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Cologne, Germany, on an "inspiring, lovingly designed campus." This suggests a modern, well-equipped workspace designed to foster creativity and collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Cologne, Germany. The campus features various amenities like a lake, deli/bistro, recreational areas, diverse meeting rooms, a barista bar, and a high-quality canteen.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The campus is designed with varied meeting spaces to facilitate different types of interaction. The hybrid model includes dedicated team days on-site to encourage in-person exchange and creative collaboration.

• Tools & Technology: While specific tools are detailed in the "Tools & Technology Stack" section, the environment likely supports the use of industry-standard design software and potentially advanced creative technologies.

• Team Interaction: The emphasis on team days and collaborative projects means ample opportunities for interaction with fellow designers, copywriters, art directors, and other marketing professionals.

Work Schedule: A 38-hour work week with flexible flextime between 6 AM and 9 PM allows for significant autonomy in structuring the workday, accommodating both personal needs and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the campus and flexible working hours points to a company that invests in employee well-being and productivity. The hybrid model with designated team days is designed to balance the benefits of remote work with the necessity of in-person collaboration for creative teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Portfolio Submission: Candidates are expected to submit their CV and "work samples (preferably with short context: task, role, result)" to demonstrate their capabilities.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where the quality of visual concepts, design execution, strategic thinking, and understanding of performance marketing will be assessed.

• Creative/Design Challenge: Likely an exercise to assess problem-solving skills, design process, and ability to work within brand guidelines and campaign objectives. This might involve creating a concept for a specific AXA campaign or product.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Discussions to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, ability to present and defend design decisions, and cultural fit with the Brand & Creative Studio and AXA's values.

• Final Evaluation: Assessment of overall fit, creative potential, and alignment with the role's requirements.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Storytelling: Present your work with a clear narrative. For each project, explain the brief, your role, the challenges, your creative process, the solutions, and the outcomes (especially performance metrics if applicable).

• Demonstrate Process: Show mood boards, sketches, variations, and iterations to illustrate your thought process and problem-solving approach.

• Highlight Versatility: Include examples across different campaign types (brand, product, performance) and channels (especially social media).

• Showcase Brand Alignment: Include work that demonstrates your ability to work within and creatively interpret brand guidelines.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include data or metrics that show how your designs contributed to campaign success (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates).

• Context is Key: Provide brief context for each piece as requested – task, your role, and the result.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand AXA's Brand: Research AXA's current marketing campaigns, brand messaging, and target audiences.

• Review Design Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with AXA's corporate design principles if publicly available.

• Think Full Funnel & Performance: Approach any design challenge with a mindset that considers the entire customer journey and how design impacts performance metrics.

• Leverage AI: Be prepared to discuss how you might use AI tools for ideation or efficiency in the context of the challenge.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively, anticipating potential questions about your creative choices and strategic rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for context with work samples emphasizes that AXA is looking for designers who understand the "why" behind their work and can articulate its strategic value, particularly in relation to campaign objectives and performance.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential proficiency is required. This includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and likely After Effects and Premiere Pro for motion graphics and video editing support.

• AI Design Tools: Explicitly mentioned as tools to be used for inspiration, productivity, and quality enhancement. Candidates should be aware of current AI generative art and design tools.

• Prototyping Tools: Implied by the need to develop prototypes for A/B testing. Tools like Adobe XD, Figma, or Sketch could be relevant.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the designer's core tools but an understanding of how campaign assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms and CRM systems could be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Cloud and AI tools is critical. Candidates should highlight their experience with these specific technologies and demonstrate a willingness to explore and integrate new AI capabilities into their design workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creative Excellence & Ambition: A drive for high-quality, impactful design that pushes boundaries.

• Brand Consistency & Integrity: Commitment to upholding and intelligently interpreting AXA's corporate identity.

• Performance-Oriented: A focus on how design contributes to measurable business outcomes and growth marketing objectives.

• Collaboration & Openness: Valuing teamwork, mutual support, open communication, and feedback exchange ("at eye level").

• Continuous Learning & Curiosity: Staying updated on design trends, new technologies (especially AI), and evolving media formats.

• Agility & Proactivity: The ability to manage multiple tasks, adapt to changing needs, and take initiative.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teamwork: Working closely with concept, art direction, copy, and motion teams, fostering a shared creative process.

• Feedback Culture: Actively seeking and providing constructive feedback to improve ideas and deliverables.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Effectively presenting and discussing design ideas with various internal disciplines and stakeholders.

• "Agency Spirit with Corporate Power": Balancing creative freedom and innovation with the structure and strategic goals of a large corporation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of creative passion and professional execution. Candidates who thrive in collaborative environments, are eager to learn, and can articulate the business impact of their creative work will be a strong fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Ambition with Corporate Constraints: Developing innovative designs that align with AXA's brand guidelines and strategic objectives.

• Performance Optimization Demands: Continuously adapting designs based on data and A/B testing results to drive measurable growth.

• Navigating a Hybrid Work Model: Maintaining strong collaboration and creative synergy within a distributed team structure.

• Keeping Pace with Rapid Technological Advancements: Integrating new AI tools and design methodologies effectively into the workflow.

• Managing Multiple Projects: Effectively prioritizing and executing tasks for diverse campaigns across different funnel stages.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Training: Access to external trend impulses and targeted further education in design, AI tools, UX/UI, and ideation.

• Creative Industry Engagement: Opportunities to attend industry events and stay connected with the broader creative community.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining insights from collaboration with copywriters, art directors, and motion designers.

• Performance Marketing Acumen: Developing a deeper understanding of how design impacts marketing effectiveness and growth metrics.

• Potential for Project Leadership: As experience grows, opportunities may arise to lead design aspects of larger campaigns or mentor junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents a unique opportunity for a designer to grow not just artistically but also strategically, by deeply embedding themselves in performance marketing operations and leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies within a stable corporate environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance creative vision with strict brand guidelines. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses brand adherence and creative problem-solving).

• "Walk us through a visual campaign you designed for a performance marketing objective. What were the goals, your design strategy, and how did you measure its success?" (Evaluates understanding of performance marketing and data-driven design).

• "How do you approach creating visual assets that cater to different stages of the marketing funnel (Awareness, Consideration, Conversion)?" (Tests strategic thinking regarding customer journey and design adaptation).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for AXA, specifically within our Brand & Creative Studio?" (Gauges motivation and understanding of the company/studio model).

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially in a hybrid setting?" (Evaluates teamwork and communication skills).

• "What are your thoughts on the role of AI in design, and how do you see yourself integrating it into your workflow?" (Assesses forward-thinking and adaptability).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the client/context, the objective, your specific role, the challenge, your creative process (including any AI usage), the final design solution, and the measurable results.

• Highlight Performance & Optimization: Emphasize projects where your designs directly contributed to campaign performance or were optimized based on data. Use charts or metrics if possible.

• Showcase Collaboration: If applicable, mention how you collaborated with copywriters, strategists, or other team members.

• Demonstrate Process: Include mood boards, sketches, or variations to show your thinking and iterative process.

• Keep it Concise: Aim for clarity and impact. Be prepared to elaborate on specific projects but avoid overwhelming the audience with too much detail.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse presenting your portfolio to ensure a smooth, confident, and engaging delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions are designed to probe not just design skills but also strategic thinking, collaborative abilities, and adaptability to modern marketing operational demands like performance optimization and AI integration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual Designer position:

• Submit your application through the AXA careers portal link provided.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest work samples that best represent your ability to create impactful visual designs for brand, social, and performance marketing campaigns. Ensure each piece has brief, clear context: task, your role, and the result.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in visual design, digital marketing, social media, Adobe Creative Cloud, AI tools, and any performance optimization or A/B testing experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, demonstrating your design process, explaining strategic choices, and quantifying results where possible. Be ready to discuss your approach to brand consistency and performance optimization.

• Research AXA: Understand AXA's brand, its market position in the insurance industry, and its stated company values. Consider how your design approach aligns with their mission and the "agency spirit with corporate power" model.

⚠️ 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.