📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Designer
🔹 Company: Birmingham City Council
🔹 Location: Hybrid / Council House, Birmingham, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full time
🔹 Category: Design
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-04
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting the development and deployment of the Council’s visual brand across all materials.
- Ensuring all design material promotes the council and meets brand guidelines.
- Being innovative and driving the creative direction of the team.
- Working in a fast-moving, customer-first environment with a growth mindset.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong interest and experience in design practice, with a focus on visual communication and brand management. The candidate should be adaptable and comfortable working in a dynamic environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Supporting the effective development and deployment of the Council’s visual brand, across all online and offline material.
✅ Ensuring that all design material promotes the council and its partners and meets the brand guidelines.
✅ Being innovative and excited about the potential of public sector design, helping to drive the creative direction of the team whilst effectively fulfilling the design assignments.
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of creative and administrative tasks, requiring strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: A relevant degree or equivalent experience in graphic design or a related field.
Experience: Proven experience in a design role, preferably within a public sector or similar environment.
Required Skills:
- Proficient in design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma).
- Strong understanding of brand guidelines and visual identity systems.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with accessibility guidelines and best practices.
- Knowledge of HTML/CSS and responsive design principles.
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, a strong portfolio showcasing relevant design work is expected.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £33,366 - £40,476 per year (Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review)
Benefits:
- Generous pension scheme.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Employee discounts and offers.
Working Hours: 36.5 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the UK government's pay scales for local government employees.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Government Administration
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: Birmingham City Council was established in 1838.
Company Description:
- Birmingham City Council is the largest local authority in the UK, serving a population of over a million citizens.
- The council's mission is to be bold, ambitious, and confident in tackling inequalities and creating opportunities for citizens to live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
- The council operates through several strategic outcomes and priorities, including a prosperous, inclusive, safe, healthy, and green Birmingham.
Company Specialties:
- Local government services.
- Community development.
- Public health and social care.
- Education and libraries.
- Transportation and infrastructure.
Company Website: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/
ASSUMPTION: Birmingham City Council is a large, complex organization with a wide range of services and responsibilities. This role is part of the council's communications and marketing efforts to engage citizens and promote its services.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level designer with potential for growth and progression within the council's design team.
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Design Team Lead.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to senior designer or team lead roles within the council's design team.
- Expanding skills and expertise through professional development opportunities.
- Gaining experience in public sector design and its unique challenges and rewards.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a large, established organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Council House, a historic building in the heart of Birmingham.
Office Location(s): Birmingham, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- Birmingham is the second-largest city in the UK, with a diverse population and vibrant cultural scene.
- The Council House is located in Victoria Square, a central location with excellent transport links.
- The city offers a range of housing options, from urban apartments to suburban family homes.
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a 30-minute lunch break (36.5 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission.
- Phone or video screening.
- Design challenge or test.
- Final interview with the Design Team Lead and other stakeholders.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Design skills and portfolio.
- Understanding of brand guidelines and visual identity systems.
- Communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant design experience and skills.
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your design work, with a focus on branding and visual identity projects.
- Research Birmingham City Council and its design team to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its goals.
ATS Keywords: Creative Design, Visual Communication, Brand Guidelines, Innovative, Adaptable, Customer-First Environment, Real-Time Communications, Growth Mindset
ASSUMPTION: The application process may involve a design challenge or test to assess the candidate's skills and fit for the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).
- Sketch or Figma for UI/UX design.
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
- Content management systems (e.g., Drupal, WordPress).
ASSUMPTION: The council may provide training and access to relevant software and tools for the role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Bold: Ambitious and confident in tackling inequalities and creating opportunities.
- Ambitious: Setting priorities and delivering on them to improve the lives of citizens.
- Confident: Trusting in the ability to deliver on commitments and make a positive difference.
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Working closely with other teams and stakeholders to deliver projects.
- Adaptable: Responding to changing priorities and demands in a fast-paced environment.
- Customer-focused: Ensuring that design work meets the needs and expectations of citizens.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you share Birmingham City Council's values of being bold, ambitious, and confident?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with changing priorities?
- Do you have a customer-focused approach to your design work?
ASSUMPTION: Birmingham City Council values diversity and inclusion, and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role may involve working on multiple projects with tight deadlines.
- The council's brand guidelines may be extensive and require careful attention to detail.
- The role may require occasional weekend or evening work to support events or campaigns.
- The council's political and bureaucratic environment may present unique challenges compared to private sector organizations.
ASSUMPTION: The role offers a mix of creative and administrative tasks, which may require strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to private sector design roles, this position offers the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects with a significant impact on the local community.
- Unlike many private sector roles, this position is part of a large, established organization with a clear mission and values.
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into senior designer or team lead positions within the council's design team.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to private sector design positions.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a visual identity system for a new council initiative or service.
- Designing marketing materials for council events, such as posters, flyers, and social media graphics.
- Creating infographics or other visual aids to communicate complex information to citizens.
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of branding, marketing, and communication design projects.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the biggest challenges facing the design team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the design team collaborate with other departments and stakeholders within the council?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the design team?
- How does the council support work-life balance for its employees?
- What is the council's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this role contribute to those efforts?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached.
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant design experience and skills.
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your design work, with a focus on branding and visual identity projects.
- Follow up with the hiring manager, Alan Davies, if you have any questions about the role or application process.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
