Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: The Mint Agency

Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design Leadership / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-16

Experience Level: 6-10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and elevate visual output across all client work, encompassing brand, campaign, and digital projects from concept to execution.

• Define and uphold a high standard of visual craft and creative excellence, ensuring exceptional quality in all design deliverables.

• Translate strategic insights into strong, ownable visual ideas and systems that resonate with target audiences.

• Provide clear direction, mentorship, and hands-on refinement to a team of designers, fostering their growth and elevating the collective output.

• Champion design thinking, innovation, and best practices within the agency, driving a culture of continuous improvement and creative exploration.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is on creative design leadership, the role's emphasis on translating strategy into visual systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams (strategy, account), and ensuring high-quality execution aligns it with aspects of Marketing Operations and GTM strategy enablement, particularly in visual branding and campaign execution. The "maker and leader" duality suggests a hands-on approach to operationalizing creative vision.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end design process for brand identity, campaign collateral, and digital interfaces, ensuring strategic alignment and creative integrity.

• Establish and maintain rigorous design standards, quality control measures, and best practices for visual execution across all client engagements.

• Conceptualize and develop compelling visual narratives and brand systems that effectively communicate client strategies and objectives.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with Creative Directors, Strategists, Account Managers, and other internal stakeholders to ensure integrated campaign development.

• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level designers, providing constructive feedback, skill development opportunities, and career path support.

• Actively participate in design refinement, offering hands-on contributions and expert critiques to elevate the quality of final deliverables.

• Articulate and present design concepts, strategies, and final work confidently and persuasively to clients and senior stakeholders.

• Drive innovation in design methodologies, tools, and creative approaches, encouraging experimentation and the adoption of emerging trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic creative leadership and operational execution. The emphasis on "defining standards," "translating strategy," and "championing design thinking" implies a structured approach to creative production, akin to operationalizing a creative workflow. Collaboration with strategy and account teams suggests involvement in the Go-To-Market (GTM) planning process from a visual branding perspective.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational background in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or a related field is highly beneficial.

Experience: 6–10+ years of progressive experience in design, with a significant portion ideally gained within a creative agency environment. Proven experience in leadership or mentorship roles is essential.

Required Skills:

• Design Leadership & Mentorship: Proven ability to lead design teams, provide clear direction, and mentor designers to achieve exceptional results.

• Brand Systems Development: Expertise in creating and managing comprehensive brand identity systems, including logos, color palettes, typography, and style guides.

• Campaign Design: Strong experience in developing impactful visual concepts and execution for integrated marketing campaigns across various channels.

• Digital Design Principles: Solid understanding of UI/UX principles, web design best practices, and creating engaging digital assets.

• Exceptional Visual Craft: Masterful command of typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy to create aesthetically compelling and effective designs.

• Conceptual Thinking: Ability to translate abstract strategies and insights into clear, ownable, and innovative visual ideas.

• Client Presentation & Communication: Confidence and skill in presenting design work, articulating rationale, and engaging effectively with clients and stakeholders.

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Advanced skills in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are mandatory.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Graphics & Animation: Experience with After Effects or similar tools for creating dynamic visual content.

• Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or InVision for creating interactive mockups.

• 3D Design: Experience with 3D modeling and rendering software.

• Interactive Design: Expertise in designing for interactive experiences and digital platforms.

• Brand Building from Scratch: Experience in developing new brand identities and positioning for emerging companies.

• Cultural Awareness: Keen interest in current culture, design trends, emerging technologies, and their application in creative work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 6-10+ years, coupled with leadership and agency preference, positions this as a senior role. The emphasis on a strong portfolio for brand systems and digital work, along with specific software proficiencies, are standard operational requirements for design leadership roles. The "Nice to Have" skills indicate areas where candidates can differentiate themselves and demonstrate broader operational capabilities in creative production.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 in-depth case studies detailing the design process from brief to final execution. Each case study should highlight the strategic brief, conceptual development, design rationale, and final output.

• Brand System Examples: Include examples of fully developed brand systems, demonstrating consistency across various touchpoints (e.g., logo usage, collateral, digital assets).

• Campaign Execution: Present examples of integrated campaign work, illustrating how visual strategy was applied across different media and platforms.

• Digital Design Samples: Showcase UI/UX design for websites, apps, or digital campaigns, emphasizing user-centered design principles and effective visual communication.

• Process Documentation: Briefly explain your approach to design challenges, including how you gather insights, collaborate with teams, and iterate on concepts.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate understanding of how to structure and manage design workflows, from initial concepting through to final asset delivery, ensuring efficiency and quality control.

• Tool Integration: Explain how you leverage design tools (Adobe Suite, prototyping, etc.) and potentially integrate them with project management or collaboration platforms for seamless project execution.

• Quality Assurance: Outline your methods for ensuring design quality, consistency, and strategic alignment before final client delivery.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Illustrate how you document and communicate design decisions and progress to non-design stakeholders (strategy, account, clients) to ensure shared understanding and alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Director role, the portfolio is paramount. The requirements focus on demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also the ability to operationalize design strategy, manage creative processes, and collaborate effectively. This aligns with the operational aspect of ensuring creative output is consistently high-quality, strategically sound, and delivered efficiently.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is $110,000 to $155,000 CAD. Individual compensation within this range will be determined based on job-related factors such as experience, skills, level of responsibility, internal equity, and business needs.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Potential for employer matching contributions to a pension or retirement savings plan.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, and paid holidays.

• Professional Development: Budget and opportunities for continuous learning, including courses, workshops, conferences, and access to design resources.

• Wellness Programs: Initiatives focused on employee well-being, such as mental health support and fitness allowances.

• Team Events & Socials: Regular opportunities for team building and social interaction to foster a strong company culture.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, there may be flexibility for occasional remote work or adjusted hours based on project needs and team collaboration, subject to management approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to Toronto, Canada, reflecting local market rates for senior design leadership roles. The benefits listed are typical for professional roles in Canada and are presented with operations-relevant context (e.g., professional development for skill enhancement). The working hours are standard but note potential flexibility, which is often a consideration for operational roles requiring dedicated focus.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Advertising & Marketing Services / Creative Agency. The Mint Agency operates within a dynamic and competitive landscape, focusing on building brand love through creative, strategic, and multidisciplinary expertise.

Company Size: The provided data doesn't specify exact numbers, but the description "independent creative agency made of culture creatures with multidisciplinary expertise" suggests a medium-sized agency, likely with specialized teams for various marketing disciplines. This size often fosters a collaborative, agile environment where individuals can have a significant impact.

Founded: The founding date is not specified. However, the agency's positioning as "independent" and its focus on "culture creatures" and "bespoke teams" implies a modern, forward-thinking approach to agency operations and client service.

Team Structure:

• Multidisciplinary Expertise: The agency comprises teams with expertise across Advertising, Design & Branding, Strategy, Social Media, Digital, Content Creation, Experiential Marketing, Public Relations, and Talent & Influencer management.

• Bespoke Team Formation: Clients are serviced by "bespoke teams" built to address specific business problems, indicating a flexible and project-driven organizational structure rather than rigid departmental silos.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The Design Director will work closely with Creative, Strategy, and Account teams, highlighting a highly collaborative environment where design is integrated from the outset of client projects.

Methodology:

• Partnership Approach: The agency emphasizes working as an extension of and advisor to clients, fostering true partnerships.

• Data-Driven Creativity: While "driven by creativity and inspired by humanity," the agency's multidisciplinary nature suggests that data and insights inform creative output and strategic decisions.

• Impact-Focused Work: The goal is to produce creative work that makes a positive impact on culture and the future, indicating a focus on measurable outcomes and broader societal relevance.

Company Website: [Company URL - Placeholder as not provided]

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of Mint Agency as an "independent creative agency" with "multidisciplinary expertise" and a "bespoke team" model suggests an operational structure that prioritizes agility, client-centricity, and cross-functional integration. This environment is ideal for operations professionals who thrive on adaptability and direct impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a senior leadership position within the creative function. As a Design Director, you are expected to be a key contributor to the agency's creative output, client success, and internal operational excellence in design. This level requires strategic thinking, team management, and a deep understanding of design's role in achieving business objectives.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director likely reports to a Chief Creative Officer (CCO), Executive Creative Director (ECD), or a similar senior creative leadership role. They will, in turn, manage and mentor a team of designers. This structure ensures alignment with overarching creative strategy and provides a clear hierarchy for decision-making and feedback.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's impact on operations is significant, primarily through:

• Ensuring Brand Consistency: Upholding brand integrity across all client touchpoints, which is critical for brand recognition and market perception.

• Optimizing Creative Workflow: Streamlining the design process to improve efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and enhance team productivity.

• Elevating Client Deliverables: Directly contributing to the quality and effectiveness of client work, which influences client satisfaction, retention, and future business opportunities.

• Fostering Innovation: Driving the adoption of new tools and methodologies that can enhance the agency's creative capabilities and operational efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Creative Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into Executive Creative Director or Chief Creative Officer roles, taking on broader strategic and leadership responsibilities.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, digital product design, or brand strategy.

• Mentorship & Team Development: Developing strong leadership skills and building a high-performing design team.

• Agency Growth Contribution: Playing a key role in shaping the agency's creative offering and contributing to its overall business development and reputation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "maker and leader" aspect of the role indicates that growth can occur both through deepening hands-on creative skills and expanding leadership scope. The agency's structure, with bespoke teams, offers opportunities to work on diverse projects, broadening operational experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is specified as "On-site" in Toronto, ON, Canada. This suggests a collaborative office environment where in-person interaction, brainstorming, and team cohesion are valued. The agency's culture likely supports a dynamic workspace conducive to creative collaboration.

Office Location(s): Toronto, ON, Canada. This location offers access to a vibrant creative and business hub, with potential for easy access via public transportation and proximity to various amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is expected to foster spontaneous collaboration, brainstorming sessions, and team synergy, crucial for creative problem-solving.

• Creative Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially advanced creative technologies (motion, 3D, prototyping tools) will be available to support high-quality output.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with design team members, as well as cross-functional teams (Strategy, Account, Creative Directors), will be integral to the daily workflow and project success.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical for this on-site role. While core business hours will apply, the agency's independent and agile nature might allow for some flexibility, especially for focused creative work, provided operational needs and client demands are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration for creative roles. The description of the agency's culture ("culture creatures," "bespoke teams") suggests an environment that values human connection and dynamic interaction, which is key for operational effectiveness in a creative setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, qualifications, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through key case studies, explaining your design process, strategic thinking, and leadership approach. Be prepared to discuss your role in each project and your impact.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with members of Strategy, Account Management, and potentially other Creative Directors to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and cultural fit.

• Leadership & Vision Interview: A final interview, likely with senior leadership (CCO/ECD), to discuss your vision for design at the agency, leadership philosophy, and how you would drive creative excellence and innovation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your leadership, brand system development, campaign execution, and digital design capabilities. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the client's challenge, your strategic approach, the design solutions you developed, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Highlight Leadership: Explicitly detail your role in mentoring designers, guiding teams, and making critical design decisions. Quantify your impact where possible.

• Showcase Craft: Ensure your portfolio visually represents your exceptional skill in typography, layout, and visual storytelling.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle creative disagreements, your process for translating strategy, and your experience with specific tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• Conceptual Exercise: You may be asked to complete a short design exercise based on a hypothetical client brief. Focus on demonstrating your strategic thinking, conceptual approach, and ability to execute quickly and effectively.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach common agency challenges, such as tight deadlines, difficult client feedback, or managing competing priorities.

• Agency Fit: Understand Mint Agency's values (Empathy, Optimism, Audaciousness, Progressiveness, Kindness) and be ready to articulate how your approach aligns with them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Design Director emphasizes not only creative output but also leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to integrate with other agency functions. Portfolio preparation should focus on demonstrating operational aspects of design management and execution.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency required in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for graphic design, illustration, and layout.

• Prototyping Tools (Preferred): Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD for creating interactive mockups and collaborative design workflows.

• Motion Graphics (Preferred): Experience with Adobe After Effects for creating animated graphics, explainers, and dynamic visual content.

• 3D Software (Nice to Have): Proficiency in tools like Cinema 4D, Blender, or similar for 3D modeling and rendering.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct requirement for design, understanding how design impacts key metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement, brand recall) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics or social media analytics dashboards can provide valuable context for design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the Design Director role, but an understanding of how design assets are managed and deployed within marketing automation platforms or CRM systems could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite is standard for design roles. The "Preferred" and "Nice to Have" tools indicate the agency's investment in modern creative technologies and a desire for versatile designers who can contribute to a broader range of visual outputs, reflecting an operational focus on leveraging technology for creative advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Empathy: A commitment to understanding client needs, audience perspectives, and team member challenges to inform design decisions and foster supportive relationships.

• Optimism: Maintaining a positive and solution-oriented mindset, even when facing creative challenges or project complexities, believing in the potential for great work.

• Audaciousness: A willingness to push creative boundaries, propose innovative ideas, and challenge conventional approaches to deliver distinctive and impactful designs.

• Progressiveness: Continuously seeking to evolve design practices, embrace new technologies, and disrupt the status quo to stay ahead of industry trends and deliver cutting-edge creative solutions.

• Kindness: Fostering a respectful, honest, transparent, and inclusive environment where team members feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Approach: Design is viewed as an integral part of the broader marketing and communication strategy, requiring close collaboration with strategy, account, and other creative disciplines.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: An open culture where constructive feedback is welcomed and utilized to refine concepts and elevate the quality of work.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, techniques, and inspiration among team members to foster collective growth and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The agency's explicitly stated values (Empathy, Optimism, Audaciousness, Progressiveness, Kindness) provide a strong framework for understanding the desired culture. For a Design Director, embodying these values means leading with compassion, fostering a positive and brave creative environment, and driving forward-thinking design practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Client Demands: Effectively translating client objectives and constraints into exceptional design solutions while maintaining creative integrity and pushing boundaries.

• Managing Team Dynamics and Workload: Leading a diverse team, ensuring equitable workload distribution, fostering individual growth, and maintaining high morale amidst project pressures.

• Staying Ahead of Design Trends and Technology: Continuously learning and adapting to the rapidly evolving landscape of design tools, platforms, and aesthetic trends to keep the agency's work relevant and innovative.

• Driving Strategic Impact: Demonstrating the tangible business value of design through compelling case studies and clear articulation of how creative solutions contribute to client success.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized areas like motion graphics, 3D design, or advanced digital/interactive design.

• Leadership Training: Development programs focused on effective team management, strategic leadership, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Industry Exposure: Attending design conferences, workshops, and networking events to stay current with industry best practices and foster new connections.

• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to mentor emerging designers and potentially receive mentorship from senior agency leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges outlined are typical for senior creative leadership roles and reflect the operational complexities of managing creative output, teams, and client relationships in a fast-paced agency environment. Growth opportunities are geared towards enhancing both creative and leadership capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for translating a client's business strategy into a compelling visual identity or campaign concept." Prepare to walk through a specific case study, detailing how you identified key strategic pillars and translated them into visual elements and messaging.

• "How do you ensure creative consistency and quality across a team of designers working on multiple projects simultaneously?" Focus on your systems for briefs, feedback loops, quality control, and team management.

• "Discuss a time you had to push back on a client's design direction. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" Highlight your ability to advocate for strong design while maintaining client relationships and understanding business needs. Company & Culture Questions:

• "How does your design philosophy align with Mint Agency's values of Empathy, Optimism, Audaciousness, Progressiveness, and Kindness?" Research the values thoroughly and prepare specific examples of how you embody them in your work and leadership.

• "Describe your ideal collaborative relationship with Strategy and Account teams." Emphasize how you see design as a partner in the GTM process and how you foster effective communication and integration.

• "What is your vision for the future of design in an agency setting like Mint?" Discuss your perspective on emerging trends, new technologies, and how design can continue to drive client success and innovation. Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating your leadership journey. Use clear headings and concise descriptions.

• Focus on Process & Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your role, your strategic approach, the design solution, and the resulting impact (e.g., increased engagement, brand recognition, successful launch).

• Highlight Leadership Moments: Explicitly call out instances where you mentored a designer, resolved a creative conflict, or guided a project to successful completion.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Expect detailed questions about your design decisions, tool choices, and problem-solving approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and an understanding of how design operations contribute to agency and client success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating brand systems, campaign execution, and digital design leadership, with specific emphasis on your strategic approach and team mentorship.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 6-10+ years of relevant experience, agency background, leadership roles, and proficiency in key design software, using keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio with a focus on storytelling, strategic rationale, and demonstrable impact. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers about the agency's creative process, team structure, and growth opportunities.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review The Mint Agency's website, values, and recent work to understand their culture, client base, and approach to creative problem-solving. Be ready to articulate how your skills and leadership style align with their mission.

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

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