Graphic Designer – Department for International Development – Darlington

Job summary

This recruitment is continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be located in the new Department for Business and Trade. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

We are looking for a creative graphic designer who can produce digital and print creative solutions for all the departments marketing and communication activity.

You will work in a highly skilled and collaborative team of creatives, brand specialists, social content producers, videographers, and data journalists. You will be involved in UK domestic and international marketing campaigns working across printed material, social media, large format events, video, animation and out of home advertising.

You must be a design professional with excellent skills and a solution-based outlook with the ability to work on a number of design projects simultaneously. You will also be able to create visually engaging designs that communicate complex messages in an easily understandable way, as well as develop templates for our diverse brands.

To be successful in this role, you should have in-depth knowledge of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications, as well as experience in online brand platforms such as Canva and Adobe Express. �You should have experience executing projects from concept to final production, with the oversight of a senior designer.

You will need excellent attention to detail and the ability to produce high-quality work in a fast-paced environment. You will also have strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

You will produce eye-catching content for our UK domestic and international marketing campaigns, and provide creative solutions to explain complex departmental achievements and business/trade statistics in an accessible way for businesses and the public.

Job description

You will:

Collaborate with the marketing and creative teams to create visual designs that align with the company’s brand, products, and services

Develop design concepts for a variety of mediums including digital, print, and social media

Ensure high quality design output

Refine images, fonts and layouts using Adobe Creative Cloud software

Apply excellent design principles to briefs

Advise communication colleagues on design best practice, and ensure it always promotes the reputation of the department and its suite of brands

Ensure all designs are consistent with the company’s brand guidelines and standards

Manage multiple design projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Stay up-to-date with the latest design trends and techniques to ensure that the company’s visual designs are fresh and relevant

Hybrid working

The role will be based in either Darlington, Cardiff or London. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas.

Informal hybrid working arrangements will be available as agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Most DBT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in�an�office, on average. If your office location is London, you will be eligible to receive London weighting.

Appointments will be made to candidates in merit order based on location preferences.

Support in applying for our vacancies is available by joining a virtual�.�These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Be able to work under pressure.

Be confident presenting your concepts to others.

Give clear design advice to others.

Understand our audiences and their needs.

Be aware of the rapidly changing nature of social media � and how to put that to good use.

Deliver a high standard when working to tight deadlines.

Ability to comply to files naming and organising as well as hand over project files to other designers/agencies.

Desirable Criteria

Experience and knowledge of:

Template creation.

Accessibility (AA & AAA conformance level in WCAG).

International markets.

Agency fast-paced environment.

User experience.

Social media performance improvement.

Person Specification

Strong aesthetic skills with the ability to combine various colours, fonts and layouts.

Having a sharp eye for visual detail is crucial in this role.

Ability to meet deadlines.

The successful candidate will be a dynamic communicator with excellent oral and written skills – particularly able to assimilate complex information and explain it concisely.

Your ability to multitask and deliver the highest quality communications products, at pace, will enable you to hit the ground running in this important role.

You will be collaborative, confident, thoughtful and authoritative, maintaining sound judgement even under pressure.

You will keep up to date on the rapidly changing nature of communications � and how to put that to good use, especially across digital and social media channels.

You�ll be curious, creative, keen to explore new techniques and tools, and to try new approaches.

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Communicating and Influencing

Making Effective Decisions

Changing and Improving

Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Adobe Creative Suite

Good understanding of typography

Knowledge of colour theory and colour combinations

Eye for layout design to create easy to navigate pieces eg social media assets

Print production and understanding of printing methods, paper types, and finishes eg events and large printing such as OOH pieces

Photography and image editing

Branding and identity design

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your role

An environment with flexible working options

A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

A with an average employer contribution of 27%

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