Creative Designer (Graphic & Video)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Designer (Graphic & Video)

Company: Sun Life

Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing / Creative Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-10

Experience Level: 3-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is central to the Creative Studio's output, focusing on producing high-impact graphic and video assets for diverse digital channels.

• The position requires a strong blend of graphic design, motion design, and video editing skills to support marketing campaigns, social media content, and advertising initiatives.

• Collaboration is key, as the designer will work closely with Creative Managers, Designers, Writers, and Marketing partners to bring creative briefs to life.

• Success hinges on the ability to execute against creative objectives with precision, ensuring all deliverables adhere to Sun Life's brand standards, campaign goals, and performance metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Creative Designer," the emphasis on "Graphic & Video" and the specific software proficiencies (After Effects, Premiere Pro) indicate a specialized role within a broader creative function, likely within a marketing or internal communications department. The "Creative Studio" context suggests a dedicated team focused on content production.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Creative Asset Production: Design and produce high-quality visual assets, including static graphics, motion graphics, and short-form video content tailored for digital platforms.

• Video Editing & Optimization: Edit and assemble video content, ensuring it is optimized for various formats such as social media, digital advertising, and multi-channel campaigns.

• Creative Brief Execution: Translate creative briefs into compelling visual outputs that align with Sun Life's brand guidelines and specific campaign objectives.

• Motion Graphics & Animation: Create engaging motion graphics and animations to enhance storytelling, improve user engagement, and elevate the overall creative output.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work collaboratively with Creative Managers, Writers, and Designers to ensure cohesive campaign asset development and delivery.

• Feedback Integration: Incorporate feedback from stakeholders and creative leadership effectively to refine and improve the quality and impact of creative deliverables.

• Workflow Adherence: Execute creative work within established workflows, production schedules, and timelines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

• Brand Consistency & Quality Assurance: Ensure all creative output strictly adheres to Sun Life's brand guidelines and maintains a high standard of quality and attention to detail.

• Format Optimization: Adapt creative assets for various digital and social media formats, understanding the unique requirements and best practices for each platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on execution role with a strong emphasis on digital and social media content. The need to "optimize creative for various formats" and "performance-driven creative" suggests an understanding of digital marketing effectiveness and a focus on measurable results.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Film Production, or a related field is typically expected for roles requiring this level of creative proficiency and experience.

Experience: 3–5 years of experience in graphic design, motion design, video editing, or a closely related creative role.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A strong portfolio is mandatory, showcasing demonstrable expertise in both graphic design and video/motion work, with a preference for social-first content.

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Advanced skills in After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Illustrator are essential for executing design and video tasks.

• Digital & Social Media Savvy: A solid understanding of digital and social media formats, emerging trends, and best practices for content creation and distribution.

• Visual Storytelling: Excellent command of visual storytelling principles, composition, typography, and layout design to create compelling narratives.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to brand standards across all deliverables.

• Animation & Motion Graphics: Capability to create engaging motion graphics and animations.

• Video Editing: Proficiency in editing and assembling video content for various digital platforms.

Preferred Skills:

• Performance Creative: Experience creating performance-driven creative assets specifically for paid social media or digital advertising campaigns.

• Motion Design Systems: Familiarity with motion design systems or templated content production workflows to increase efficiency.

• Studio/Agency Experience: Prior experience working within an in-house studio or agency environment.

• Collaborative Platforms: Knowledge of tools like Figma or other collaborative creative platforms.

• Camera & Sound Equipment: Proficiency with professional digital SLR video cameras and related sound equipment for potential shooting needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Must-have" and "Nice-to-have" sections clearly delineate essential proficiencies from advantageous ones. The emphasis on a "social-first" portfolio and "performance-driven creative" indicates that the role is deeply embedded within digital marketing efforts and aims to drive tangible results.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Dual Focus: The portfolio must clearly demonstrate proficiency in both graphic design and video/motion graphics. A strong emphasis on social media content creation is highly valued.

• Case Studies: Include case studies that highlight specific projects, detailing the creative challenge, your approach, the tools used, and the impact or results of your work (e.g., engagement rates, campaign performance).

• Format Variety: Showcase a range of outputs, including static graphics, animated elements, short-form videos, and any examples of optimized content for different digital platforms.

• Brand Alignment: Demonstrate an understanding of brand guidelines and the ability to produce work that is consistently on-brand, as exemplified by Sun Life's established visual identity.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Execution: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience working within established creative workflows, detailing how they manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and incorporate feedback efficiently.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to articulate your experience and comfort level with the specified Adobe Creative Suite tools (After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator) and any preferred collaborative platforms.

• Optimization Strategies: Be prepared to discuss how you approach optimizing creative assets for different digital channels and performance goals, referencing examples from your portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative role, the portfolio is paramount. The "Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements" section emphasizes not just the final output but also the candidate's understanding of workflow, tool utilization, and strategic optimization – crucial for a role supporting marketing campaigns.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $58,000 - $93,000 CAD per year.

📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is estimated for a Creative Designer with 3-5 years of experience in the Canadian market, specifically in major metropolitan areas like Toronto and Waterloo, Ontario. This range aligns with industry benchmarks for graphic and motion designers with specialized video editing skills within financial services or large corporations. Factors influencing placement within the range include the depth of video editing and motion graphics experience, portfolio strength, and specific campaign performance experience.

Benefits:

• Incentive Plans: Eligible Sun Life employees may participate in various incentive plans, with payment subject to individual and company performance.

• Hybrid Work Flexibility: The company offers a hybrid work model, providing employees the flexibility to work from both the office and virtually.

• Health & Wellness: While not explicitly detailed, Sun Life typically offers comprehensive benefits packages that may include health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as retirement savings plans.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and skill development within a dynamic creative environment.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility within the hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The listed benefits are based on the provided information and general knowledge of corporate benefits at companies like Sun Life. The "Hybrid Work Flexibility" is a key benefit highlighted in the job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Insurance, Investments, Wealth Management). Sun Life is a global financial services leader committed to helping its clients achieve their financial goals and feel more confident about their future.

Company Size: Sun Life is a large, global organization with a significant employee base, indicating a structured corporate environment with established processes and resources.

Founded: Sun Life was founded in 1865, signifying a long-standing history, stability, and deep-rooted expertise in the financial services sector.

Team Structure:

• Creative Studio: This role is part of a dedicated "Creative Studio," suggesting a centralized function for content creation and design expertise.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The designer will collaborate with Creative Managers, Designers, Writers, and Marketing partners, indicating a matrixed reporting or project-based team structure.

• Reporting: Reports likely to a Creative Manager or Head of Creative within the studio.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: The emphasis on "performance needs" and "performance-driven creative" suggests that creative decisions are informed by data and campaign effectiveness.

• Brand-Centric Production: A strong focus on adhering to brand guidelines and maintaining visual consistency across all channels.

• Agile Content Creation: The mention of a "fast-paced, high-volume environment" implies agile workflows and efficient content production cycles.

Company Website: https://www.sunlife.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Sun Life's long history and global presence suggest a stable yet innovative environment. The "Creative Studio" implies a professional creative department that values craft and strategic output to support core business objectives in financial services.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an individual contributor with 3-5 years of experience, focusing on specialized creative execution within the marketing and creative function. It's a craft-focused role where mastery of design and video tools, coupled with an understanding of digital marketing, is key.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a Creative Manager and collaborate with cross-functional marketing and creative teams. This structure allows for mentorship and guidance while fostering collaboration across different disciplines.

Operations Impact: The Creative Designer's work directly impacts Sun Life's brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, and client engagement across digital and social media channels. High-quality, engaging creative assets are crucial for driving lead generation, customer acquisition, and brand loyalty in the competitive financial services market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in motion graphics, video editing, and specific digital advertising creative strategies.

• Broader Creative Exposure: Exposure to high-visibility campaigns across brand and performance marketing, potentially leading to work on more complex projects.

• Creative Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Creative Designer role, mentoring junior designers, or moving into a Creative Manager position, overseeing projects and teams.

• Motion Design Systems: Development of skills in creating and managing motion design systems, contributing to greater efficiency and brand consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for this role likely involves deepening technical skills, expanding creative scope, and potentially moving into leadership or specialized creative roles within the marketing or communications departments.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Sun Life is a hybrid organization, meaning this role will involve a blend of working from home and working from the office. The office environment is likely professional and collaborative, designed to support creative brainstorming and team interaction.

Office Location(s): The primary office locations are in Waterloo and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Both are major urban centers offering access to talent and resources.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment is expected to foster collaboration, with opportunities for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and feedback exchanges with colleagues.

• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design and video editing software (Adobe Creative Suite), and potentially other collaborative creative platforms.

• Creative Studio Setting: Working within a dedicated "Creative Studio" suggests an environment that understands and supports creative processes, offering the necessary tools and a culture that values design excellence.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility, allowing for a balance between focused individual work at home and collaborative, in-person interaction at the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a significant aspect of the work environment, offering flexibility. The office locations in major Canadian cities suggest a dynamic professional setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and creative capabilities.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deeper dive into your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your creative process, and your technical proficiency with design and video editing tools. Expect questions on your approach to problem-solving, brand adherence, and performance optimization.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: Potentially a practical exercise or a take-home assignment to evaluate your design and video editing skills in a simulated scenario.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and your understanding of Sun Life's brand and marketing objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase both graphic design and video/motion graphics expertise, with a clear emphasis on social-first and performance-driven work.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, your creative process, the tools used, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use Sun Life's brand as a potential reference point for how you'd approach their needs.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Illustrator, and how you leverage these tools to achieve specific creative effects or efficiencies.

• Showcase Adaptability: Demonstrate your ability to adapt your style and approach to different brand guidelines and campaign objectives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Sun Life's Brand: Research Sun Life's current marketing campaigns, social media presence, and brand guidelines.

• Practice with Briefs: Familiarize yourself with common creative briefs for digital advertising and social media content.

• Time Management: If given a creative challenge, practice working under time constraints and prioritizing tasks effectively.

• Articulate Your Process: Be ready to clearly explain your design and editing decisions, focusing on how they align with project goals and brand strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential creative challenge underscores the practical, skill-based nature of this role. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their capabilities directly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • After Effects: For motion graphics, animation, and visual effects.
  • Premiere Pro: For video editing, assembly, and final output.
  • Photoshop: For graphic design, image manipulation, and asset creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and scalable design elements.

• Figma (Preferred): For collaborative design, prototyping, and potentially templated content creation.

• Digital SLR Camera & Sound Equipment: Proficiency with professional video capture equipment is a plus, indicating potential for hands-on shooting.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly stated as a requirement for the designer, an understanding of how their creative assets perform on digital platforms (e.g., engagement rates, click-through rates) is crucial. Familiarity with analytics dashboards used by marketing teams would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to this design role, but understanding how creative assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms or CRM-driven campaigns could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirements are centered around the Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on After Effects and Premiere Pro for motion and video work. Figma is a valuable addition, reflecting modern collaborative design workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Craft Excellence: Sun Life's Creative Studio values high-quality design and motion work, encouraging continuous improvement in creative skills.

• Brand Stewardship: A strong commitment to upholding and enhancing Sun Life's brand identity and standards across all visual communications.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive environment where designers, writers, and managers work together to achieve common goals.

• Efficiency & Performance: Delivering creative assets efficiently and with an understanding of how they contribute to marketing campaign performance and business objectives.

• Continuous Learning: An environment that encourages staying updated with evolving design trends, tools, and digital marketing best practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with various marketing and creative functions to ensure cohesive campaign execution.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: An open culture for constructive feedback to refine creative outputs and drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, new techniques, and insights within the creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes both creative excellence and strategic alignment with business goals. The hybrid model likely influences collaboration, requiring intentional efforts to maintain connection and synergy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High Volume, Fast Pace: Managing multiple projects simultaneously in a high-volume, fast-paced environment while maintaining quality.

• Performance Optimization: Continuously adapting creative approaches to meet evolving digital marketing performance metrics and platform trends.

• Brand Consistency: Ensuring strict adherence to brand guidelines across a diverse range of creative outputs and platforms.

• Technological Evolution: Staying current with new design tools, software updates, and emerging digital media formats.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Creative Skills: Opportunities to hone expertise in advanced motion graphics, video editing techniques, and animation.

• Digital Marketing Insights: Gaining deeper understanding of performance marketing, paid social strategies, and how creative impacts campaign success.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Exposure to broader marketing strategies, brand management, and other creative disciplines within the company.

• Industry Trends: Access to training, workshops, or industry events related to graphic design, video production, and digital marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for a creative professional to grow their technical skills and strategic understanding of digital marketing within a stable, large organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to create a video asset for a specific social media platform. What were the key considerations, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on platform optimization and results).

• "How do you ensure your graphic designs and videos align with brand guidelines while still being creative and engaging?" (Highlight balance between brand and creativity).

• "Walk us through a complex motion graphic project from your portfolio. What was your process, and what challenges did you overcome?" (Demonstrate workflow and problem-solving). Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in graphic design, motion graphics, and video editing?" (Show continuous learning).

• "What interests you about Sun Life and our brand?" (Research Sun Life's mission and recent campaigns).

• "How would you contribute to a collaborative, hybrid creative team environment?" (Discuss communication and teamwork strategies). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin with your strongest, most relevant project that best showcases your graphic and video skills for a digital/social context.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data to demonstrate the effectiveness of your work (e.g., increased engagement, click-through rates, views).

• Explain Your "Why": Clearly articulate the strategic thinking behind your design and editing choices, linking them back to the project brief and objectives.

• Be Prepared for Technical Q&A: Have ready answers about your tool usage, techniques, and any challenges you encountered during specific projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative talent, technical proficiency, strategic thinking, and an understanding of how creative work drives business results in a digital marketing context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Sun Life careers portal, ensuring all required fields are completed.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful graphic design and video/motion projects, specifically highlighting social media content and any performance-driven creative work. Organize it for easy viewing (e.g., a dedicated website or PDF).

• Tailor Your Resume: Update your resume to emphasize your 3-5 years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator), and any experience with Figma or performance creative. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio pieces, articulating your creative process, the challenges you faced, and the results achieved. Be ready to discuss your approach to Sun Life's brand.

• Research Sun Life: Understand Sun Life's brand, their recent marketing campaigns, and their presence on digital and social media platforms. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

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