At a Glance
- Tasks: Create engaging designs that tell stories and connect with audiences across various media.
- Company: Join Citizen, a leading social housing provider with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for creative growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with exciting projects and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Combine creativity with purpose and make a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Strong graphic design skills and a passion for visual storytelling.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 35200 £ per year.
Exciting Career Opportunity at Citizen! Are you a storyteller who thinks in visuals? Are you the one who spots when something isn't quite aligned or when the font feels off or the colour isn't working? Are you known as the brand expert, with an instinct for consistency and an eye for even the smallest detail? We are offering an exciting opportunity for a Graphic Design Specialist to join our communications team on a maternity cover contract. This is a role for someone who enjoys going beyond the brief. Who brings ideas to the table, can shape creative direction, and turn complex information into clear, engaging designs.
You'll create high-impact creative concepts across digital, print and visual media. You'll create work that doesn't just look good, but communicates, influences and connects. The communications team at Citizen is creative, fast-moving and genuinely collaborative – no two days are the same. We work closely together to turn complex information into clear, engaging communications that make a real impact on our customers and colleagues. You'll be part of a supportive team that values your ideas and gives you the space to shape your work. If you enjoy combining creativity with purpose, you'll feel right at home here.
With over fifty years of experience, we have grown to become one of the UK's leading social housing providers. Citizen owns and manages 30,000 homes for diverse communities across the West Midlands, from urban tower blocks to rural villages and towns.
What you'll be doing:
- Concept first, execution second: Develop bold, original creative ideas that bring campaigns and communications to life across multiple channels.
- Translate complexity into clarity: Turn detailed or technical information into engaging, accessible visual storytelling.
- Collaborate widely in a fast-paced environment: Work closely with colleagues across the communications team and the wider business to shape ideas from the ground up, where at times project work can be reactive.
- Lead key corporate outputs: Take ownership of major publications like annual reports, financial accounts and corporate documents.
- Stay curious: Bring fresh thinking by keeping up with design trends, tools and new ways of telling stories visually.
- Present with purpose: Confidently present final work to internal stakeholders.
Graphic Design Specialist in Chelmsley Wood employer: Citizen Housing
As a Senior Manager in Risk and Business Management at our Birmingham location, you will join a dynamic team that values bravery, ambition, and honesty. We offer a supportive work culture with flexible hybrid working arrangements, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth, all while being part of an organisation recognised for its outstanding governance in the social housing sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graphic Design Specialist in Chelmsley Wood
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.
✨Get Involved in Design Meetups
Networking is key in the design world! Check out local design meetups or workshops where you can connect with other creatives and potential employers. This is a goldmine for finding unadvertised job openings at companies like Citizen Housing.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Citizen Housing, don’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your application highlights specific projects or styles that align with their brand image, showing that you’re a perfect fit for their team.
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in landing your dream design job! Share your work on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, and engage with accounts from your desired companies—this could put you on their radar before they start hiring.
We think you need these skills to ace Graphic Design Specialist in Chelmsley Wood
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your visual CV! Make sure to include a link to your best design projects that showcase your creativity and versatility. Tailor it to include works that relate to the kind of design work Citizen Housing does, so they can see you in action.
Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV, highlight your design skills and software proficiencies, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Mention any relevant experience you have with branding, UI/UX design, or typography, as we want to see how you fit in with the creative team at Citizen Housing.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Citizen Housing. Let us know how you approach your design projects and any specific campaigns or themes that resonate with you, showing we’re not just a good fit but a perfect match!
Highlight Collaboration Skills:As a graphic designer, you often work with various teams and stakeholders. In your application, mention experiences where you've collaborated with others to bring a project to life, whether it's with clients, writers, or developers. This shows you can thrive in a team environment, which is key at Citizen Housing.
How to prepare for a job interview at Citizen Housing
✨Get Your Portfolio Ready
Your portfolio is your secret weapon in graphic design interviews! Make sure it's showing off your best work, with a variety of styles and projects that highlight different skills — from branding to digital illustration. Be prepared to talk through each piece, focusing on your creative process and the tools you used.
✨Know Your Design Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with software like Adobe Creative Suite is a must! Brush up on your skills with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as interviewers might dive into specific technical questions or ask for your workflow. If you’ve worked with any innovative tools or techniques, don't hesitate to showcase that expertise!
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.
✨Passion Counts
For a full-time position, showing genuine enthusiasm for design is key! Talk about your inspirations, the projects you're excited about, and why you're drawn to Citizen Housing. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
