Job Title
Senior Graphic Designer
Reporting To
Marketing Director
Location
Stoneferry, Hull
Context
MKM is the UK’s leading independent builders’ merchant, with over 135 branches and 3000+ employees nationwide. With a unique business model that empowers local branch directors, MKM fosters a high-performance culture and continues to grow rapidly. The Senior Graphic Designer will play a pivotal role in shaping and evolving the MKM brand across all touchpoints, ensuring creative excellence and consistency.
Purpose of Role
We’re on the lookout for a creative powerhouse to take the reins as our Senior Graphic Designer. This is a big role with big impact—you’ll shape how MKM looks, feels, and speaks across everything we do.
You’ll be the guardian of our visual identity and tone of voice, leading the charge on campaigns, content, and media that connect with our customers and communities. You’ll head up a talented design team, work closely with teams across the business, and bring fresh thinking to how we show up in the world.
Role Scope
Lead the creative development and execution of MKM’s brand across digital, print, and multimedia platforms. Manage the design team and external creative partners. Collaborate closely with marketing team to align creative strategy with business goals.
Qualifications and Skills
Minimum of 5 years of experience in graphic design, preferably in a senior or lead role.
Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro).
Strong understanding of typography, layout, colour theory, and visual storytelling.
Knowledge of print production processes and digital media requirements.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Strong project management and organisational abilities.
Ability to lead and mentor a creative team.
Up-to-date with the latest design trends, techniques, and technologies.
Visual Storytelling – Ability to craft compelling visuals that grab attention and tell a story at a glance.
Platform Knowledge – Understanding what works best on each social platform (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, in terms of format, tone, and timing.
Key Relationships
Internal: Branch Directors, Marketing, Digital, Procurement, New Branches
External: Creative agencies, freelancers, video production teams, media partners
1. What You’ll Be Doing
2. Own and evolve MKM’s brand identity, tone of voice, and creative direction
3. Lead design across campaigns, content, packaging, and marketing materials
4. Oversee video, photography, and multimedia production, including editing and delivery
5. Create standout content for social, web, and advertising
6. Keep everything on-brand, on-time, and aligned with business goals
7. Drive creative for national and local campaigns, plus strategic growth projects
8. Present ideas, take feedback, and keep pushing the work forward
9. Mentor and inspire a high-performing design team
10. Collaborate with marketing, digital, and wider teams to bring ideas to life
11. Manage freelancers, agencies, and production partners
12. Stay on top of design trends, tools, and technologies
13. Use insights and performance data to refine and improve creative output
14. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative creative culture
15. What You’ll Bring
16. A strong portfolio and 5+ years’ experience in design, with time in a senior role
17. Expert in Adobe Creative Suite; motion/video skills a bonus
18. Sharp eye for layout, typography, colour, and storytelling
19. Confident taking a brief and running with it—big campaign or quick turnaround
20. Organised, collaborative, and calm under pressure
21. Passionate about brand consistency and what works for the audience
22. Curious, creative, and always looking for ways to raise the bar
·
23. What Success Looks Like
24. Campaigns and content delivered on time and to a high standard
25. Creative work that’s on-brand, effective, and engaging
26. A motivated, growing, and well-supported design team
27. Strong relationships across teams and with external partners
28. Positive feedback from stakeholders and measurable impact on brand awareness and engagement
Benefits include Competitive salary package, performance related bonus, Substantial employee discount, Contributory pension scheme, perkbox discounts, financial planning support, holiday accrual on length of service, free parking, cycle to work scheme, enhanced maternity/ paternity pay, mental health support and employee assistance program.
MKM is the leading independent builders’ merchant in the UK, and we were established in 1995.