Creative Designer (11 Months Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Designer (11 Months Contract)

Company: Sobeys Capital Incorporated or a Franchise/Affiliate

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Contract

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Retail / Art & Design

Date Posted: September 02, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Conceptualize, design, and produce engaging creative assets for eCommerce marketing channels, including print, digital, social, CRM, web, and paid media.

• Develop expertise in motion graphics and video production, leveraging tools like Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro for social-first content and short-form video.

• Stay abreast of evolving social platforms, digital trends, and emerging technologies, including AI-enabled creative tools, to enhance content effectiveness and engagement.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including copywriters, marketing, and creative leads, to deliver cohesive and high-quality creative deliverables that align with brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for an 11-month contract, indicating a project-based need within Sobeys' In-House Creative eCommerce team. The emphasis on digital-first creative, motion design, video, and social media trends suggests a focus on dynamic, engaging content for online customer acquisition and retention strategies. The requirement for AI-enabled creative tool exploration highlights Sobeys' forward-thinking approach to content production.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Interpret creative briefs and translate business objectives into thoughtful creative concepts and executions across static, motion, and video formats.

• Conceptualize, edit, and produce motion and video content using Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro, with a strong focus on social-first video and paid media assets.

• Design and produce creative assets for various digital and print applications, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and maintaining a high standard of craft.

• Explore and integrate generative AI and emerging creative technologies into the workflow to enhance ideation, content development, and production efficiencies.

• Partner with copywriters, designers, creative leads, and marketing teams to ensure a cohesive brand message and high-quality creative output.

• Conduct quality assurance on all creative deliverables to ensure accuracy and brand consistency before final distribution.

• Manage multiple projects and deliverables simultaneously, ensuring organized working files and accurate project tracking through online management tools.

• Collaborate with external agencies and production partners as needed to support the development and delivery of creative assets.

• Contribute innovative ideas, design approaches, tools, and technologies to advance the capabilities of the in-house creative team.

• Adapt creative concepts for different channels and platforms, with a particular focus on social media formats and responsive design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities heavily emphasize end-to-end creative production from concept to final delivery, with a distinct requirement for proficiency in motion graphics and video editing. The integration of AI tools and a deep understanding of social-first content are critical, pointing to a need for a designer who is not only technically skilled but also strategically aware of current digital marketing landscapes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Undergraduate degree, DEC, certificate, or diploma in Graphic Design, Graphic Arts, Digital Design, or a related discipline.

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of relevant professional design experience, ideally within an in-house creative team, agency, or digital-first environment. Previous experience in CPG, retail, or eCommerce is considered an asset.

Required Skills:

• Strong portfolio demonstrating digital-first design, motion graphics, and video work across a range of channels; social and performance marketing creative examples are strongly preferred.

• Proven professional experience using Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro for motion graphics, video editing, and short-form content creation.

• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, with experience across digital and print applications.

• Solid understanding of digital and social design principles, including platform-specific formats, responsive design, and cross-channel creative adaptation.

• Demonstrated awareness of current social media trends, platforms, and creative best practices for engaging content.

• Familiarity with generative AI and emerging creative tools, with a curiosity for their application in creative workflows.

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Collaborative, curious, and proactive mindset with a willingness to experiment and contribute new ideas. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in CPG, retail, or eCommerce sectors.

• Fluency in additional design or animation software.

• Understanding of performance marketing creative optimization.

• Experience with project management tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement for Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro proficiency is highlighted, underscoring the strategic importance of motion and video capabilities for this role. The emphasis on a portfolio showcasing "social and performance marketing creative" suggests that the ideal candidate will have experience in creating content optimized for engagement and conversion on social platforms. Familiarity with AI tools is a significant plus, indicating Sobeys' interest in leveraging cutting-edge technology.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that vividly showcases digital-first design sensibilities and a strong ability to execute across static, motion, and video formats.

• Specific examples of social media creative, demonstrating an understanding of platform nuances, engagement drivers, and effective content strategies.

• Case studies or examples of performance marketing creative, highlighting how design contributed to measurable campaign objectives or ROI.

• Demonstrations of motion graphics and video editing skills using Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro, including concept development and final execution.

• Examples of responsive design implementation across various digital touchpoints. Process Documentation:

• Showcase of workflow for taking a creative brief from concept to final production, including ideation, storyboarding, and execution phases.

• Examples of how creative assets are adapted for different channels and platforms, demonstrating an understanding of cross-channel consistency and optimization.

• Documentation or examples of quality assurance processes applied to creative deliverables to ensure brand consistency and accuracy.

• Evidence of experience using project management tools for tracking deliverables and managing workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily geared towards demonstrating practical application of design skills in a digital marketing context. Emphasis on motion, video, social-first content, and performance marketing indicates a need for a candidate who can produce tangible results and adapt creatively to various campaign needs. The inclusion of AI tool exploration in the portfolio would be a significant differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $31 - $43 CAD per hour.

Benefits:

• Health benefits

• Dental benefits

• Retirement and savings programs

• Employee Share Ownership Plan

• 10% in-store discount at participating Sobeys banners

• Virtual healthcare

• Employee and Family Assistance Program

• Learning and development opportunities

• Parental leave top-up

• Paid vacation

Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $31-$43 CAD per hour aligns with a mid-level designer role in Toronto, considering the specialized skills in motion graphics and video. The contract duration of 11 months is a key factor in compensation expectations. The comprehensive benefits package, typical for a large organization like Sobeys, enhances the overall compensation beyond the hourly rate, even for a contract position.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Grocery)

Company Size: Over 10,000 employees (Sobeys is one of Canada’s leading grocery retailers with over 128,000 teammates and franchise affiliates across 1,600+ stores).

Founded: Sobeys was founded in 1907, with a long history in Canadian retail.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the In-House Creative eCommerce team, suggesting a specialized unit focused on digital customer engagement.

• This team likely collaborates closely with broader marketing, digital, and eCommerce departments.

• The structure supports a digital-first approach to creative development and execution. Methodology:

• Data-driven creative development, interpreting briefs and audience needs for effective campaign execution.

• Emphasis on social-first content and adapting creative across various digital channels.

• Exploration and integration of emerging technologies, including AI, to enhance creative processes and outcomes.

• Collaborative approach, working with copywriters, designers, and marketing stakeholders to achieve cohesive brand messaging.

Company Website: https://jobs.sobeyscareers.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Sobeys' position as a major Canadian retailer implies a dynamic and large-scale operational environment. The "In-House Creative eCommerce team" suggests a strategic internal capability to manage a significant portion of their digital creative needs, aiming for agility and brand consistency. The company's commitment to being a "Top 100 employer" points to a culture that values employee contributions and development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Creative Designer with a specialization in digital, social, motion, and video content. It offers a hands-on opportunity to contribute directly to eCommerce marketing initiatives.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Designer will report into a Creative Lead or Manager within the In-House Creative eCommerce team. They will collaborate extensively with other designers, copywriters, and marketing stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The Creative Designer's work directly influences customer engagement, brand perception, and conversion rates within Sobeys' eCommerce channels. High-quality, effective creative assets are crucial for driving sales and building customer loyalty in the competitive retail landscape.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in motion graphics, video editing, social media creative, and AI-driven design tools.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working with various marketing functions, understanding their creative needs and campaign objectives.

• Project Variety: Work on diverse projects across different Sobeys banners and marketing campaigns, broadening design experience.

• Potential for Future Contracts/Roles: Successful performance in this contract role could lead to opportunities for extension or permanent positions within Sobeys' creative or marketing teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional "Revenue Operations" role, a Creative Designer significantly impacts revenue through effective marketing collateral. The growth opportunities lie in deepening specialized creative skills and gaining exposure to high-volume, multi-channel marketing operations within a large retail organization. This role offers a chance to build a strong portfolio in digital and performance-oriented creative.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, indicating a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration.

Office Location(s): Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Specific office details are not provided, but it's expected to be in a professional business setting within Toronto.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative office environment where designers, copywriters, and marketing teams work together on creative projects.

• Access to necessary design software and potentially hardware for creative production.

• Opportunities to interact with colleagues, share ideas, and receive feedback on creative work.

• A dynamic pace, typical of eCommerce and retail marketing, requiring adaptability and efficiency.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with potential for flexibility depending on project demands and team agreements. The hybrid nature allows for some autonomy in managing work location.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model suggests a balance between individual focused work and team collaboration. For a creative role, in-office days are likely crucial for brainstorming sessions, team critiques, and leveraging shared resources. The "In-House Creative eCommerce team" environment implies a focus on agile workflows and rapid content iteration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and creative style.

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth discussion about the candidate's portfolio, focusing on specific projects, design rationale, and technical skills (especially After Effects, Premiere Pro, and AI tools).

• Creative Challenge (Potential): Candidates might be asked to complete a short design exercise or present a case study related to a typical eCommerce marketing scenario.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Discussion about cultural fit, collaboration style, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of Sobeys' brand and eCommerce objectives.

• Final Interview: May involve a broader team or stakeholder interview.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase your strongest work relevant to digital, social, motion, and video. Prioritize projects that demonstrate creativity, technical skill, and an understanding of marketing objectives.

• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your portfolio clearly features examples of Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and AI tool usage. Explain your role and contributions for each project.

• Tell a Story: For each project, briefly outline the brief, your creative process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the results or impact.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Include examples of how you've adapted creative for different platforms or channels, showcasing responsive design principles and social-first thinking.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about your software proficiency, workflow, and approach to specific design challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Sobeys' current marketing campaigns, brand aesthetics, and target audience.

• Practice articulating your creative process and design decisions clearly and concisely.

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach designing for specific eCommerce scenarios (e.g., a social media campaign for a new product, a promotional banner for the website).

• Be ready to discuss your experience with generative AI tools and how you envision using them to enhance creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the portfolio, especially demonstrating proficiency in motion graphics, video editing, and social media creative. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their creative process, how they leverage specific tools (including AI), and their understanding of retail eCommerce marketing objectives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro (core requirement).

• Generative AI Tools: Exploration and integration of emerging AI platforms for creative ideation and production (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, Adobe Firefly).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Understanding of how creative performance is measured through analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, social media platform insights) to inform future designs.

• Familiarity with A/B testing creative variations to optimize performance. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, an understanding of how creative assets are used in CRM campaigns (email marketing, personalized content) is beneficial.

• Awareness of marketing automation platforms and how creative assets are integrated into automated workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro as core requirements places them at the forefront of essential tools. The inclusion of generative AI tools signals Sobeys' interest in leveraging new technologies for creative efficiency and innovation. Familiarity with analytics and how creative impacts performance is also crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging new ideas, embracing emerging technologies (like AI), and pushing creative boundaries.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams, sharing ideas, and contributing to a cohesive team environment.

• Brand Stewardship: Ensuring all creative outputs are consistent with Sobeys' brand guidelines and maintain a high standard of quality and accuracy.

• Efficiency & Agility: Adapting to fast-paced project demands, managing multiple deliverables, and leveraging tools to optimize the creative process.

• Customer-Centricity: Designing creative that resonates with target audiences and drives engagement and conversion in eCommerce channels.

Collaboration Style:

• Open communication and active participation in team discussions and brainstorming sessions.

• Willingness to provide and receive constructive feedback on creative work.

• Partnering closely with copywriters, marketing managers, and other stakeholders to achieve project goals.

• A proactive approach to problem-solving and contributing to team success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes innovation, particularly with the integration of AI. Collaboration is key, as the designer will work within a team environment to produce integrated marketing campaigns. A strong sense of brand ownership and a drive for efficiency are also likely core to the team's ethos.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace of eCommerce: Keeping up with the rapid evolution of digital marketing trends and consumer behavior in the fast-paced retail sector.

• Multi-Channel Adaptation: Ensuring creative consistency and effectiveness across a wide range of platforms and formats (print, digital, social, video, etc.).

• Balancing Brand & Performance: Creating visually appealing and brand-aligned creative that also drives measurable performance metrics (e.g., click-through rates, conversions).

• Integrating New Technologies: Effectively incorporating AI tools and other emerging technologies into existing workflows while maintaining quality and efficiency.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Collaborating with diverse internal teams and ensuring all creative needs are met within project timelines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Skills: Deepening proficiency in After Effects, Premiere Pro, and exploring new features or plugins.

• AI Creative Tool Mastery: Becoming adept at using generative AI for ideation, asset creation, and workflow enhancement.

• Digital Marketing Strategy: Gaining a better understanding of performance marketing, social media strategy, and eCommerce campaign objectives.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Developing stronger communication and project management skills through interaction with various marketing departments.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Building a robust portfolio with diverse and impactful creative work relevant to the retail and eCommerce industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around staying current in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, particularly with the integration of AI and the demands of multi-channel marketing. Growth opportunities are strongly tied to skill development in specialized creative software and emerging technologies, as well as gaining strategic insight into performance-driven marketing.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a social media campaign for a new product launch for one of Sobeys' banners, considering different platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook?"

• "Describe your process for creating a short promotional video for an eCommerce sale, from concept to final edit."

• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and emerging technologies like AI, and how have you incorporated them into your work?"

• "Can you walk us through a project in your portfolio where you successfully adapted creative assets for multiple channels?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Sobeys and our brands? How do you see your design skills contributing to our eCommerce success?"

• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you typically work with copywriters and marketing teams?"

• "How do you ensure your creative work aligns with brand guidelines while still being innovative and engaging?"

• "What are your thoughts on the role of AI in creative design, and how do you see it impacting the future of marketing content?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (social, video, digital) or by campaign. Start with your strongest, most relevant work.

• Storytelling: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your creative process, the tools used (especially After Effects, Premiere Pro, AI), any challenges you overcame, and the outcome or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Specific Skills: Explicitly point out examples of motion graphics, video editing, social-first design, and any use of AI tools.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have data on how your creative performed (e.g., increased engagement, click-through rates), be ready to share it.

• Be Prepared for Live Demos/Screen Shares: You might be asked to briefly demonstrate your skills in After Effects or discuss your workflow live.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing a strong portfolio with clear examples of motion graphics, video editing, and social media content. Candidates must be ready to discuss their creative process, their experience with Adobe Creative Cloud (especially After Effects and Premiere Pro), and their understanding of AI tools in a marketing context. Demonstrating an understanding of Sobeys' brands and eCommerce objectives will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Dayforce platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest work in digital-first design, motion graphics, and video editing, specifically highlighting social media and performance marketing examples.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 3+ years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (especially After Effects and Premiere Pro), and any experience with AI creative tools or the retail/eCommerce sectors.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your creative process, discussing your portfolio projects in detail, and preparing answers for questions related to brand alignment, collaboration, and your approach to digital marketing trends.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Sobeys' various brands, their current marketing efforts, and their eCommerce presence to demonstrate your understanding of their business and how your creative contributions can add value.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.