📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Brand & Design Lead
🔹 Company: Nine
🔹 Location: Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Design & Creative
🔹 Date Posted: May 26, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading innovative visual strategies across diverse brands and formats
- Overseeing the end-to-end creative process from concept to delivery
- Collaborating with senior stakeholders to align creative strategies with business goals
- Managing and inspiring design teams to deliver high-standard visual storytelling
- Staying informed on design trends to continuously evolve Pedestrian Group's visual output
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of youth culture and media trends to drive the visual future of a leading youth media company.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Champion high-standard visual storytelling that embodies Pedestrian Group's tone and values
✅ Design and execute commercial campaign assets
✅ Lead creative direction for brand campaigns, editorial franchises, and key events
✅ Oversee the end-to-end creative process, from concept to delivery across various projects
✅ Ensure design outputs meet strategic objectives while pushing creative boundaries
✅ Uphold and evolve brand visual identities, ensuring consistent application and adaptation
✅ Collaborate cross-functionally to foster a creative and innovative environment
✅ Partner with senior stakeholders to align creative strategies with business goals and manage project timelines and resources
✅ Stay informed on design trends to continuously evolve Pedestrian Group's visual output
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of creative, strategic, and management responsibilities, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to balance multiple projects and deadlines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Visual Arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: Proven experience leading design strategy across multiple brands and formats
Required Skills:
- Strong proficiency in design tools (Adobe Suite, Figma, Canva, Google Suite)
- Solid grasp of visual design principles
- Ability to collaborate with developers on digital and motion design
- Experience managing and inspiring teams and briefing freelancers
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and project management skills
- Deep understanding of youth culture and media trends
- Ability to identify and source freelance talent
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic media environment
- Familiarity with brand guidelines and style guides
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong portfolio demonstrating their design skills and experience leading creative projects.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: AUD 120,000 - 150,000 per annum (based on industry standards for a Senior Design role in Australia)
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Flexible work arrangements
- Employee discounts on Nine products and services
Working Hours: Full-time position, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with flexibility to work additional hours as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1956 (as Nine Network, later merged with Fairfax Media to form Nine Entertainment Co.)
Company Description:
- Nine is Australia's largest locally owned media company
- Investments span television, video on demand, print, digital, and radio
- Brands include the 9Network, major mastheads, digital properties, and subscription video platform Stan
Company Specialties:
- News, business, and finance
- Lifestyle, entertainment, and sport
- Digital and technology
Company Website: http://www.nineforbrands.com.au
ASSUMPTION: Nine offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities to work on high-profile projects and collaborate with industry professionals.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Design and may oversee a team of designers and creatives
Work Arrangement: On-site, with potential for hybrid or remote work arrangements depending on business needs
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Head of Design or Creative Director role
- Expanding skills and expertise in brand strategy and creative direction
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects across various brands and formats
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a real impact on the company's visual identity and creative output.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with open-plan work areas and dedicated creative studios
Office Location(s): Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia
Geographic Context:
- Surry Hills is a vibrant, inner-city suburb of Sydney, known for its creative and cultural scene
- Close proximity to public transportation, shops, cafes, and restaurants
- Easy access to Sydney's central business district and other major attractions
Work Schedule: Standard business hours with flexibility to work additional hours as needed to meet project deadlines
ASSUMPTION: The Surry Hills office provides a creative and inspiring work environment, with easy access to amenities and public transportation.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the HR team to discuss the role and assess cultural fit
- In-person or virtual interview with the Head of Design and/or other senior stakeholders
- Portfolio presentation and creative challenge (if applicable)
- Final interview with the hiring manager and/or other senior team members
Key Assessment Areas:
- Design skills and portfolio quality
- Leadership and management capabilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
- Problem-solving and strategic thinking
- Communication and presentation skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your design work and creative problem-solving abilities
- Research Nine and Pedestrian Group to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its brands
- Practice common interview questions and be prepared to discuss your design process and creative approach
ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Brand Strategy, Visual Storytelling, Creative Direction, Project Management, Team Leadership, Communication, Youth Culture, Design Tools, Collaboration, Trend Awareness, Freelance Management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on assessing the candidate's design skills, leadership capabilities, and cultural fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Figma
- Canva
- Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Design collaboration platforms (e.g., Zeplin, InVision, Figma)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be proficient in industry-standard design tools and have experience working with project management and collaboration software.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Creative and dynamic
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Fast-paced and deadline-driven
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody Nine's company values in your daily work?
- How do you approach collaboration and teamwork, particularly when working on tight deadlines?
- How do you stay informed about design trends and incorporate them into your creative process?
ASSUMPTION: Nine values candidates who are creative, collaborative, and adaptable, with a strong work ethic and commitment to delivering high-quality work.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Balancing creative vision with practical execution and business objectives
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
- Working with diverse teams and stakeholders with varying levels of design expertise
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other Senior Design roles, this position offers a broader scope of creative direction and brand strategy
- Working in the media industry provides exposure to diverse projects and brands, with opportunities to gain experience in various formats and platforms
- Career progression may involve moving into a Head of Design or Creative Director role, with opportunities to lead larger teams and drive strategic initiatives
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for creative growth and development, with exposure to diverse projects and brands in the dynamic media industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Reimagining Pedestrian Group's visual identity to better resonate with youth audiences
- Developing a comprehensive brand style guide for a new media property, including logo design, color palette, typography, and imagery guidelines
- Creating a series of social media graphics and animations to promote an upcoming event or campaign
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of creative and strategic challenges the Senior Brand & Design Lead may face in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader creative strategy for Pedestrian Group and Nine?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Nine support the professional development and growth of its design team members?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in a fast-paced media environment, and how does this role address them?
- How does Nine foster a culture of innovation and creativity, and how can I contribute to that as the Senior Brand & Design Lead?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help candidates better understand the role's context, priorities, and opportunities for growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills, including specific examples of your design work and creative problem-solving abilities
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your design work and creative process
- Research Nine and Pedestrian Group to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its brands
- Practice common interview questions and be prepared to discuss your design process and creative approach
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
