Graphic Designer
Job Title Graphic Designer
Role Type Initial 6-12 month contract, full time
Job Location Billingshurst, West Sussex
Reports to Senior Marketing & Events Manager
The Company
From day one, Thakeham has been driven by a clear vision: to transform the way people think about new-built developments.
Over 20 years later, that ethos is still very much alive, reflected in our numerous awards and enviable reputation in the sector. Today, Thakeham employs close to 250 people and has a forecasted revenue of £219 million in 2023/24.
An infrastructure-led community creator and strategic land promoter, Thakeham is committed to partnerships, innovation and creating amazing places to live and work. We are industry-leading in sustainability and biodiversity, committed to ensuring every Thakeham home is carbon-neutral in production, and carbon-zero throughout its lifetime use by 2025.
We pride ourselves on our ‘Infrastructure first’ approach, ensuring communities release the benefits of new development at the outset, rather than later in the process. We deliver social, affordable and retirement housing for some of the biggest housing associations and local authorities in the country. Partners include the NHS England Healthy New Towns Initiative, the Plunkett Foundation, Social Value UK and we have been awarded a prestigious Gold Supply Chain School.
People are Thakeham’s most important asset, and this is reflected in the way we operate. We were proud winners of Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For in 2022 and recognised in the prestigious ‘Best Places to Work 2023’.
Our people enjoy excellent rewards and working conditions in an exciting and fast-growing business. We offer exciting career opportunities that are second to none, and are keen to develop, guide and support our employees, regardless of what stage they are in their careers.
We value diversity and encourage people to bring their full authentic selves to work. A Gold Armed Forces Covenant signatory and supporter of armed force’s charity Building Heroes, Thakeham operates a Talent for Development outreach campaign for military veterans and college leavers.
Work and fun should not be mutually exclusive and Thakeham offers a range of social events including quiz nights, BBQs and all staff parties. We run informal lunch and learns and take on charity challenges such as dragon boat racing. We encourage people to volunteer in their communities, offering two paid days per year to do so. Where roles allow our summer hours policy in June, July and August allows people to enjoy longer weekends with their loved ones and a flexible approach to working is available all year round.
At Thakeham we build communities, together.
The Department
High-quality design is paramount to what Thakeham does, ensuring that our standards and brand identity are maintained and improved. The company has recently undertaken a brand refresh and wants an in-house graphic designer to create new development marketing, brand, design and other ad hoc collateral to a consistently high standard and to standardise some of the existing templates and bring an increasing amount of our design work back in house.
The Job Role
We are a looking for a graphic designer to join our Marketing team. As a graphic designer you will be expected to help prepare and assist with the production of visual and print material from concept stage onwards. Work will be varied, from a number of departments and include the production of digital adverts, advertising for print, through to out of home signage, templates, vision documents and design statements. Experience in creating visual communication through digital media required and experience in video a bonus. The successful candidate will report into the Senior Marketing Manager and be a (welcome!) part of the growing Corporate Affairs team.
The successful candidate will;
- Upkeep and develop our brand standards through high quality creative design
- Collaborate with a wide range of departments within the business to ensure the design vision is realised in the final product
- Pro-actively engage with consultants, printers and other external parties
- Maintain market awareness of competitors’ schemes and brand collateral and use precedents to inform future designs
- Ensure design projects are delivered on time, and to the quality required to meet and enhance Thakeham’s brand
This list is not exhaustive. Tasks will be allocated to reflect increasing levels of development and experience.
The Required Skills
- A passion for good design coupled with the ability to innovate within our brand guidelines
- Excellent use of Adobe Creative Suite and creation of digital and hand drawn visuals required
- 5+ years experience as a graphic designer
- A strong passion for design and the ability to add value to complex projects
- The ability to prioritise / organise key information relating to multiple projects
- Excellent attention to detail and an eye for accuracy
- Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel & Outlook)
- A background in housing / construction / architecture would be beneficial but is not essential
The Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Annual holiday allowance 26 days increasing to 27 after 3yrs service and 28 after 5yrs service (plus bank holidays)
- Life assurance
- Private medical insurance
- Health screening
- Pension scheme
- Flexible working hours in a modern office environment / Working from Home Policy
- Excellent development and progression opportunities for the right candidate
- Company Social events
- Discretionary bonus scheme
Plus a whole range of other employee benefits that we can tell you all about, our employees are rewarded for their performance, attitude and results.
#happytotalkflexibleworking
Thakeham is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and treating people fairly. We will treat all job applicants and employees equally regardless of age, race, religious belief, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation or disability. We welcome applicants from all sectors of society and we are committed to promoting an inclusive environment for all.
