CX Lavender’s Genus Program Welcomes Next Generation of Industry Talent

CX Lavender has proudly welcomed two bright and ambitious graduates into its 2025 Genus program, now in its 11th year.

Unlike many industry graduate programs, Genus offers successful applicants permanent full-time roles with a competitive salary from day one. This year’s recruits, Jess Rasker and Kaitlin Kiparizov, embark on their careers as business executive and junior UX/UI designer, reporting to joint client services directors KaLing Ng and Georgina Thomas, and digital design partner Stan Cheung, respectively.

The Genus program, established in 2015, is an integral part of CX Lavender’s commitment to investing in the industry’s future leaders. Participants gain hands-on experience, direct client exposure, and structured career development. Notably, Genus graduates receive a guaranteed pay rise after six months and a promotion review at the 12 month mark.

The rigorous selection process assesses academic excellence, strategic smarts, communication skills, creativity, and interest in customer experience. Candidates progress through multiple stages, including a written questionnaire, a creative video submission, a strategic challenge with a face-to-face presentation, and a final one-on-one interview.

Genus program founder Tess Lavender emphasised the agency’s selective approach, “We’re committed to unearthing only the best talent – the ‘firecrackers’. We don’t hire to fill quotas; we hire only when we find exceptional candidates. Regardless of their degree, a strategic mindset is a must. Our goal is to ensure every employee at CX Lavender is both strategic and smart.”

Since its inception, CX Lavender has recruited 42 graduates through the Genus program, many of whom continue to thrive within the agency. Among them are senior designer Alex O’Neil and senior copywriter Natasha Velkova, both part of the inaugural 2015 intake.

CX Lavender remains dedicated to fostering the next generation of marketing and design professionals, ensuring the industry’s future is driven by innovative and strategic thinkers.