Senior Graphic Designer

The Creative Store - New Zealand; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Creative Store - New Zealand is seeking a Senior Graphic Designer to lead branding projects and elevate design systems from concept to completion. This role combines strategic branding with hands-on design leadership in a fast-paced studio based in Auckland, with flexibility for remote work one day per week.

You will mentor a small team, collaborate with account management, and set high standards for creative excellence across all brand identities and packaging work.

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years’ experience in a senior design role.
• Proven experience in brand strategy, brand identity design and packaging design.
• Experience in leading projects and elevating the work of those around you.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe CC.

Responsibilities

• Leading brand identity projects from concept to completion
• Elevating concepts and building cohesive design systems
• Ensuring consistency and quality across every deliverable
• Mentoring and supporting designers across the team
• Acting as the first point of creative support, helping resolve creative blocks
• Partnering with account and project management functions to prioritise creative workflows
• Contributing to process improvements across the creative team
• Representing the creative team in internal matters

Skills

Brand strategy

Brand identity design

Packaging design

Creative leadership

Mentoring

Tools

Adobe CC

Job description

Freelancers. We have a wide range of freelance and contract roles. Ranging from 1 week to 3 - 6 months - offering you flexibility to pick and choose when you want to work. You have the option to invoice or to have your PAYE done for you. Easy As.

Senior Graphic Designer

Our client is a small creative studio punching above their weight. They are a brand identity studio that don’t just design brands; they build the worlds they live in. Complete, considered, and designed to perform everywhere that matters

They work with ambitious businesses across New Zealand, Australia, and the United States - spanning candy, beauty, hospitality, food, fitness, pet products and more. They deliver visual identities, packaging systems, and brand worlds that don't just look good. They lead.

Through strong brand positioning and the power of social media, they have built an international client base and secured exciting global opportunities.

This is a full-time, in-house role is based in the Orewa / Silverdale area, Auckland; however, our client will consider remote for the right person.

The Role

This is a senior creative leadership role. You will lead branding projects from a creative standpoint, elevate concepts, and develop the design systems that hold a brand world together. You will set the standard - and bring the team with you.

Day to Day:

• Leading brand identity projects from concept to completion
• Elevating concepts and building cohesive design systems
• Ensuring consistency and quality across every deliverable
• Mentoring and supporting designers across the team
• Acting as the first point of creative support, helping resolve creative blocks
• Partnering with account and project management functions to prioritise creative workflows
• Contributing to process improvements across the creative team

You will be trusted with real authority - to give feedback and creative direction, to challenge and elevate the team's work, to guide improvements to how they work, and to represent the creative team in internal matters.

What Success Looks Like:

• Stronger, more cohesive creative output across the studio
• Designers who are growing faster and developing under your guidance
• A creative team that runs with confidence
• Consistent quality across every project
• A design team that feels genuinely supported in its work

Your Skills and Experience:

• 5-8+ years’ experience in a senior design role
• Proven experience in brand strategy, brand identity design and packaging design
• Experience in leading projects and elevating the work of those around you
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe CC
• The ability to create original, thoughtful, and meaningful design solutions

You Are:

• A natural creative leader, confident setting direction and lifting a team
• Self-motivated and proactive
• Highly organised, with strong time management skills
• Confident communicating with clients and team members
• Conceptually strong, with the drive to execute clever ideas at a high level
• Passionate about creating work that stands out and stands for something

The Details:

This is a full-time, in-office role based in Orewa, Auckland with one remote day per week. Applicants must be able to work from their studio; however, they would consider remote for the right person. The role is fast-paced and varied, working across multiple industries alongside a tight, talented team.

Reference #39985

We will only review candidates who have a valid work permit / working rights for New Zealand.

Due to the volume of applications, we can only reply to candidates who are suitable for our current roles.