At a Glance
- Tasks: Create stunning designs for digital and print, supporting e-commerce and marketing efforts.
- Company: Join a leading sports retail brand with a creative and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for mentorship and growth.
- Why this job: Make your mark in the sports industry while working on exciting creative projects.
- Qualifications: 2+ years design experience, strong portfolio, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Specialist Sports is a leading name in sports retail, distribution and brand development, with responsibility for multiple product categories across the UK, Ireland, Europe, and further territories. We partner with global sports brands and governing bodies, delivering performance-driven design, marketing, and e-commerce solutions for athletes, teams and enthusiasts alike.
We are seeking a Graphic Designer to join the Specialist Sports creative team. You will play an essential role throughout the creative process — from developing concepts and layouts through to production of final artwork. Your designs will support our e-commerce, social media, marketing, and offline channels, helping to elevate Specialist Sports’ visual identity and impact. The ideal candidate may be a junior designer ready to take their next step, or a designer with experience wanting to move into the sports industry and make their mark in a dynamic and creative environment.
Responsibilities:
- Create high-quality digital and print assets for online and offline projects, including website content, email marketing, social media posts / adverts, marketing collateral, and campaign visuals.
- Collaborate with the e-commerce team to maintain and update visual content within our CMS (Shopify experience is desirable).
- Design for Meta / Facebook / Instagram advertising, following best practice for formats, visual hierarchy, messaging, and performance.
- Ensure brand consistency and visual identity coherence across all delivered materials.
- Assist with campaign ideation: contributing ideas, layouts, mood boards, bringing creative concepts to life in collaboration with the wider team.
- Prepare production-ready artwork, liaising with suppliers and printing services as needed.
- Manage multiple projects and deadlines, ensuring high attention to detail and quality in all deliverables.
- Liaise with marketing, social media, sales, and other internal stakeholders to ensure creative materials meet brand, commercial, and timing requirements.
About you:
- At least 2 years’ experience in a design role (agency side or in-house), working across digital platforms.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating social media design, digital campaigns, and ideally e-commerce / website design.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign); motion graphics / After Effects skills are a bonus.
- Familiarity with CMS platforms — experience with Shopify is particularly helpful.
- Knowledge of Meta Ads / social media advertising design best practices.
- Exceptional attention to detail, strong visual design skills, good with typography, layout, colour, etc.
- A genuine interest in sport and an understanding of the sports landscape (audience, trends, brands).
- Good communicator; able to work well in a team and collaborate with other functions.
- Self-starter attitude: proactive, willing to learn, open to feedback, able to manage time and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Job details:
- Location: Office based Southampton
- Reports to: Creative Director
- Job Type: Full-time
Package & Benefits:
- Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
- Laptop / hardware / software tools required for the role
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Professional development opportunities and mentorship within the creative team
- A collaborative, sports-centric culture where creativity and high standards are valued
Graphic Designer in Southampton employer: Specialist Sports Limited
Specialist Sports is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and collaborative work culture that thrives on creativity and passion for sports. With a focus on professional development and mentorship, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to impactful design projects that elevate the brand's visual identity. Located in Southampton, the company provides a dynamic environment where designers can make their mark in the sports industry, supported by competitive salaries and generous benefits.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graphic Designer in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the sports industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a killer portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects related to sports or e-commerce. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and visually appealing—first impressions matter!
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When you find a role that excites you, customise your pitch to show how your design style aligns with their brand. Mention specific projects of theirs that inspire you and how you can contribute to their vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from our site. It shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Specialist Sports. Plus, it makes it easier for us to keep track of your application!
We think you need these skills to ace Graphic Designer in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio:Make sure to include a link to your portfolio in your application. We want to see your best work, especially anything that showcases your skills in social media design and e-commerce. A strong portfolio can really set you apart from the crowd!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience relevant to the sports industry and the specific role. We love seeing how your unique background fits with our creative team.
Be Creative in Your Approach:Since you're applying for a Graphic Designer position, let your creativity shine through in your application. Use design elements or a unique layout to make your application stand out. Just remember to keep it professional and aligned with our brand identity!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining the Specialist Sports team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Specialist Sports Limited
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to bring a well-organised portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects related to social media and e-commerce. Tailor your selection to include designs that resonate with the sports industry, as this will demonstrate your understanding of the brand's visual identity.
✨Know Your Tools
Brush up on your Adobe Creative Suite skills before the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you used Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign, and if you have motion graphics experience, mention how you've applied After Effects in your work.
✨Understand the Brand
Research Specialist Sports and their partnerships with global sports brands. Familiarise yourself with their visual identity and recent campaigns. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their creative process and elevate their brand.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated on projects. Highlight your communication skills and how you handle feedback, as these are crucial in a fast-paced environment like this one.
