Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: The Canada Life Assurance Company (operating Financial Horizons)

Location: London, Ontario, Canada & Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Permanent Full Time

Category: Marketing & Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-18

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the strategic planning and execution of multi-channel design projects, spanning digital, print, and video content creation.

• Key responsibilities include developing engaging animations, social media assets, and professional presentations, all while rigorously adhering to established brand standards.

• A significant emphasis is placed on video production, encompassing animations for social media, edited video content, and dynamic video creation.

• The position requires close collaboration with internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure successful project delivery and the continuous development of in-house design capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the extensive focus on video production (animations, social media clips, dynamic videos) and strategic planning suggests this role bridges traditional graphic design with motion graphics and content strategy, often seen in more integrated marketing operations functions. The financial services industry context implies a need for clear, compliant, and professional visual communication.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategically plan, design, and execute a diverse range of digital and print marketing collateral from concept to completion, collaborating with various business stakeholders.

• Develop and produce high-impact animations and comprehensive video content, including social media animations, edited video segments, and dynamic video presentations.

• Provide essential design support for a broad spectrum of marketing communications initiatives, such as social media graphics, digital advertisements, website elements, video storyboards, e-newsletters, brochures, print ads, magazines, posters, banners, signage, presentation materials, trade show graphics, and overall branding elements.

• Design and produce professional, visually compelling presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint, ensuring consistency with brand guidelines.

• Conduct thorough proofreading and quality assurance checks on all design assets to maintain high standards of accuracy and polish.

• Proactively engage with different departments to understand their unique design requirements and translate them into effective visual solutions.

• Stay abreast of current design trends, digital best practices (including accessibility standards), and financial industry developments to ensure creative output remains relevant and aligned with the Financial Horizons brand.

• Collaborate effectively with members of the Marketing & Communications team and other company partners to foster a cohesive and productive working environment.

• Manage relationships with print and promotional vendors, coordinating efforts to ensure successful project execution and timely delivery.

• Actively contribute to the enhancement of in-house design capabilities, including the proactive creation of design system assets and the updating and maintenance of templates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a versatile designer capable of handling both static and dynamic content, with a strong emphasis on video. The mention of "design system assets" and "updating of templates" points towards a role that contributes to operational efficiency and scalability of design resources, a key aspect of marketing operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Post-secondary education in Graphic Design or a related field.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional experience as a Graphic Designer.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Foundational understanding of Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects for video editing and animation.

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, with a particular emphasis on PowerPoint for presentation design.

• Expertise in preparing print-ready files and understanding of print production processes.

• Familiarity with digital best practices, including web accessibility standards.

• Ability to set up and maintain design files for efficient team collaboration.

• Exceptional eye for detail and commitment to quality assurance.

• Proven time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written) for effective stakeholder engagement.

• High level of creativity and a strategic approach to design problem-solving.

• Proactive, resourceful, and adaptable mindset. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects.

• Experience within the financial services or insurance industry.

• Knowledge in setting up and maintaining design files for team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "3+ years professional experience" combined with "post-secondary education" and a required portfolio aligns with a mid-level designer role. The specific mention of Premiere Pro and After Effects as a "plus" indicates that while proficiency is desired, candidates with strong core design skills in Adobe Creative Suite and a willingness to learn video tools will be considered. The "strategic" and "resourceful" soft skills suggest the company values proactive problem-solvers.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing strong design principles applied across various media (digital, print, video).

• Evidence of successful adherence to brand standards and guidelines in past projects.

• Demonstrations of strategic thinking and creative execution in solving design challenges.

• Examples of animation and video content creation, highlighting technical skills and storytelling ability.

• Case studies or project examples that illustrate the design process from brief to final deliverable. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how design files are organized and maintained for team collaboration and version control.

• Any documentation or templates created to standardize design elements or workflows.

• Case studies that detail the approach to managing projects from initial concept through to final production, including stakeholder feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Graphic Designer role, especially one with a marketing operations component, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill, but also process understanding, brand compliance, and the ability to deliver across different media. Explicitly seeking examples of file organization for collaboration hints at a need for process discipline.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $53,500 - $80,200 CAD annually (based on base salary only).

Benefits:

• Career Development: Opportunities for advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs, and up to $2,000 annually for education reimbursement.

• Health & Wellness: Flexible health and dental benefits, and a $5,000 mental health benefit.

• Time Off: Regular vacation and personal days, plus a dedicated volunteer day.

• Financial Security: Company-matching pension plan, share ownership program, and additional investment options.

• Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, and employee discounts.

• Community Focus: Workplace connections through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs, and events.

Working Hours: Full-time role, likely aligned with standard business hours (e.g., 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, totaling 40 hours per week).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is within the typical Canadian market for a mid-level Graphic Designer. The benefits package is robust, reflecting a large, established financial institution. The note about "base salary only" and "other variable compensation components" suggests potential for bonuses or other performance-based earnings not detailed here. Research into Toronto/London/Kitchener graphic designer salaries for similar experience levels supports this range.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Insurance and MGAs - Managing General Agents).

Company Size: Part of Canada Life, a large, established financial institution with over 13 million customers across Canada. Financial Horizons, the division this role supports, has over 30 offices and more than 350 employees.

Founded: Canada Life was founded in 1847. Financial Horizons was acquired by Canada Life in 2017.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing & Communications team, working closely with colleagues within this department.

• Collaboration extends across various business departments to fulfill their design needs.

• The role also involves interaction with external print and promotional vendors.

• The team is committed to developing in-house capabilities, suggesting a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role requires staying aware of industry trends, implying a data-informed approach to creative solutions.

• Process Optimization: Emphasis on developing design system assets and updating templates points to a process-oriented mindset aimed at efficiency and consistency.

• Collaboration and Communication: The role inherently involves extensive communication with stakeholders and colleagues to understand needs and deliver projects effectively.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Operating within a large, reputable financial institution like Canada Life, and specifically within its MGA arm, Financial Horizons, suggests a culture that values professionalism, stability, and compliance, balanced with a drive for growth and innovation within the financial advisory space. The integrated approach to marketing and design is evident.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level Graphic Designer role, responsible for executing design projects with strategic input and collaborating across departments. It's not an entry-level position but offers a foundation for specialization or advancement within marketing and creative operations.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to a manager within the Marketing & Communications team. Collaboration will be cross-functional, impacting various departments.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the company's brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and communication clarity. High-quality design for digital, print, and video assets is crucial for engaging advisors, supporting business growth, and maintaining brand consistency in the financial services sector.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in video production (Premiere Pro, After Effects) and animation, potentially moving towards a Motion Graphics Designer or Video Specialist role.

• Design Systems & Operations: Potential to take on more responsibility in developing and managing design systems, contributing to the operational efficiency of the marketing team.

• Industry Knowledge: Gaining deeper insight into the financial services industry can open doors to specialized design roles within finance.

• Team Leadership: With experience, potential for a Senior Graphic Designer role, mentoring junior designers, or leading specific creative projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "strategic" and "proactive" nature of the role, coupled with opportunities for developing in-house capabilities, indicates that high performers can influence the direction of design operations within Financial Horizons, moving beyond pure execution to strategic contribution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, meaning it involves a combination of working from the office and remotely. The specific split is not detailed but aligns with modern work arrangements.

Office Location(s): The role is based in either London, Ontario, or Kitchener, Ontario.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close interaction with colleagues on the Marketing & Communications team and other departments, suggesting an open and collaborative office setting.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office) and potentially other internal collaboration tools.

• Team Interaction: Regular meetings, brainstorming sessions, and project reviews with team members and stakeholders.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely 40 hours per week, with potential for some flexibility depending on project needs and company policy. The hybrid nature allows for a degree of autonomy in managing one's work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key aspect, allowing for the benefits of in-person collaboration and team engagement while also offering the flexibility of remote work. For a designer, this balance can be crucial for focus and well-being.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, potentially including a brief screening call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates will present their portfolio. Expect to walk through key projects, explaining your design process, strategic thinking, and the outcomes achieved.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: A practical design exercise or case study may be given to assess specific skills (e.g., creating a social media graphic, editing a short video clip, or designing a presentation slide) under timed conditions.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with members of the Marketing & Communications team and potentially other department heads to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and understanding of business needs.

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and final confirmation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills required for this role (digital, print, and video).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem or objective, your role, the design process you followed, the tools you used, and the measurable results or impact.

• Highlight Brand Adherence: Showcase examples where you successfully worked within brand guidelines, and if applicable, show how you might have evolved them.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples of different types of collateral to show your range.

• Video Emphasis: Pay special attention to showcasing any video or animation work, detailing the software and techniques used.

• File Organization: Be prepared to briefly discuss how you organize and manage your design files for collaboration.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice Core Skills: Refresh your skills in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and basic Premiere Pro/After Effects.

• Understand Brand: Familiarize yourself with Canada Life/Financial Horizons' brand guidelines if publicly available.

• Scenario-Based Thinking: Prepare to answer questions about how you'd approach design challenges for financial services or specific marketing campaigns.

• Time Management: If given a timed exercise, practice working efficiently under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the most crucial element for this role. Candidates should be prepared to not only show their work but to deeply explain their creative process, strategic rationale, and the impact of their designs. The emphasis on video and digital trends means showcasing up-to-date skills is vital.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop (essential).

• Adobe Video/Motion Graphics: Premiere Pro, After Effects (basic understanding required, proficiency a plus).

• Microsoft Office Suite: Word, PowerPoint (essential for presentations and general document creation).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, a designer in a marketing role may interact with analytics platforms to understand the performance of digital assets. Familiarity with how design impacts engagement metrics is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design tasks, but understanding how marketing assets are deployed through CRM or marketing automation platforms can be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite for design. The inclusion of Premiere Pro and After Effects indicates a move towards integrated multimedia content creation, a common trend in marketing operations. Demonstrating an understanding of how design assets integrate into broader marketing campaigns is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Do the Right Thing: Implies a commitment to ethical practices, data privacy, and delivering on promises, especially crucial in the financial services sector.

• Step Up: Encourages initiative, proactivity, and taking ownership of tasks and challenges, aligning with the "proactive and resourceful" soft skills.

• Deliver: Focuses on execution, quality, and achieving results, emphasizing the importance of meeting deadlines and producing high-quality work that supports business objectives.

• Customer Focus: While not explicitly stated for this role, the company's broader mission to improve the well-being of Canadians suggests a customer-centric approach permeates all departments.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role demands close collaboration with various departments, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate diverse needs into visual solutions.

• Process Improvement Culture: Actively contributing to in-house capabilities and template development suggests a culture that values efficiency, standardization, and continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Working within a team and developing design systems implies opportunities for sharing best practices and learning from colleagues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values ("step up, do the right thing, deliver") are foundational and should be reflected in how candidates approach their work and interactions. For a designer, this translates to being proactive in problem-solving, ensuring brand integrity and compliance, and delivering high-quality assets on time.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative and Compliance: In the financial services industry, designs must be both visually appealing and compliant with strict regulations. This requires a keen eye for detail and an understanding of legal/compliance requirements.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Juggling design requests from various departments, each with potentially different priorities and feedback, can be demanding.

• Evolving Media Landscape: Staying current with rapidly changing digital design trends, video technologies, and accessibility standards requires continuous learning.

• Integration of Video: Developing robust in-house video production capabilities from a foundational understanding is a significant growth challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to master Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and potentially other motion graphics or video editing software.

• Financial Industry Design: Learning the nuances of design and communication within the financial services sector.

• Design Systems Management: Developing expertise in creating and maintaining scalable design systems for marketing operations.

• Mentorship: Access to mentorship programs within Canada Life can provide guidance on career progression and skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be harmonizing creative expression with the stringent requirements of the financial services industry. The growth opportunities are directly tied to the expanding scope of the role, particularly in video production and operationalizing design processes.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance creative vision with strict brand guidelines. How did you approach it?" (Focus on strategic compromise and brand adherence).

• "Walk me through a complex design project from concept to completion, highlighting your process and any challenges you overcame." (Prepare a case study for your portfolio).

• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends, especially in digital media and video?" (Showcase initiative and continuous learning).

• "Imagine a department needs a series of social media graphics and a short promotional video. How would you approach this project from a planning perspective?" (Demonstrate strategic planning and understanding of multi-channel campaigns). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Canada Life and Financial Horizons, and why are you interested in working for us?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent news).

• "How do you handle feedback on your designs, especially if it's critical?" (Demonstrate adaptability and professionalism).

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. What are the pros and cons for you?" (Show understanding of work-life balance and collaboration). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio presentation logically, perhaps chronologically or by project type (digital, print, video).

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a set timeframe (e.g., 15-20 minutes).

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups and clear visuals to showcase your work.

• Impact Metrics: If possible, include any quantifiable results your designs achieved (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates, brand recall).

• Interactive Elements: For video projects, be ready to play short clips and discuss your editing and animation choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a blend of technical skill, strategic thinking, and cultural fit. Your portfolio presentation is your primary opportunity to demonstrate these qualities. Be ready to articulate the "why" behind your design decisions, not just the "what."

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Canada Life careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your strongest digital, print, and video design work relevant to a corporate marketing environment, emphasizing brand adherence and strategic execution.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 3+ years of experience, proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and video editing tools, and any financial industry exposure. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your portfolio projects in detail, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to meet business objectives. Prepare for potential design exercises.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Canada Life's mission, values, and brand identity. Understand the role of Financial Horizons within the larger organization.

⚠️ 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.

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