Senior Retail Designer - Shopper

What You’ll do: 

Working with the VML UK Team 

Conceptualisation and Ideation

• Develop innovative design concepts for in-store marketing campaigns and retail activations that align with our clients’ brand strategies and marketing objectives.
• Participate actively in brainstorms, contributing fresh ideas that captivate shoppers and drive engagement in the retail environment.

Design Execution (In-Store & Digital)

• Produce high-quality visuals across a range of shopper touchpoints - from point-of-sale materials (shelf displays, product stands, signage, etc.) to supporting digital and social media assets.
• Ensure all designs follow brand guidelines and are tailored to the context (considering factors like store layout, sightlines, and customer flow for physical pieces, as well as platform best-practices for digital content).
• Where appropriate, incorporate motion design or animated elements to enhance campaign storytelling across channels.

Technical Proficiency

• Demonstrate expert use of industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite – especially Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects) to create and refine project deliverables.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint and Keynote to effectively package creative work for internal reviews and client presentations. Be capable of compiling comprehensive campaign toolkits, ensuring assets are clearly organized and presentation-ready.
• Leverage basic 3D modelling/rendering tools (e.g. Blender, Cinema 4D or similar) to develop high-fidelity retail mock-ups and visualizations, bringing point-of-sale concepts to life in realistic form for client presentations.
• Continuously explore emerging design technologies and tools that can elevate the creative output and improve workflow efficiency.

Client & Teamwork Collaboration

• Work closely with internal teams to understand campaign goals, and present your work with clarity and enthusiasm. Effectively communicate the rationale behind design decisions, and be receptive to feedback, iterating your work to exceed client expectations.
• Collaborate effectively and build strong relationships both internally and externally, embodying a spirit of partnership and trust throughout all projects.

Project Management & Mentorship

• Juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, maintaining a high standard of work even under tight deadlines.
• Prioritize your tasks and manage time efficiently to meet key milestones and deadlines for various campaigns.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends in shopper marketing, design techniques, and retail technology (e.g. digital signage, AR experiences) and continuously seek opportunities for professional growth. By keeping your skills sharp and your mind open, you’ll help push our creative work to new heights.

What you’ll need:

• Approximately 3 –5 years’ experience in a design role (agency or in-house), with a focus on retail, shopper marketing or FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) brand projects.
• A strong portfolio showcasing a range of relevant work. We’re looking for evidence of in-store campaign executions, POS materials, retail activation concepts, and integrated brand communications.
• Mastery of design fundamentals - layout, typography, colour theory, and composition. You have an exceptional eye for detail and take pride in crafting work. Experience designing for both print and digital mediums is required, and you understand how to tailor content to different formats (from large-format store posters to small mobile social posts) without losing impact.
• Advanced ability in Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop, Illustrator). Familiarity with motion design and video editing software (e.g. After Effects, Premiere Pro) is a big plus – you should be comfortable creating simple animations to bring static concepts to life. 3D design skills are highly advantageous; experience with tools like Cinema 4D or Blender to build mock-ups or retail environmental renders will set you apart.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You can articulate ideas in simple terms and present your work confidently. You thrive in a team setting, able to take direction, but also willing to voice constructive opinions and share expertise.
• A passion for creativity and a proactive approach to your work. You stay updated on the latest design and shopper marketing trends, seeking inspiration in how brands engage consumers at retail and beyond. You’re solution-oriented, eager to take on new challenges (whether learning a new software or tackling an unconventional brief), and you bring a positive, “anything is possible” energy to the team. In an ever-evolving retail landscape, you embrace change and are always ready to push the boundaries of what’s possible.