Graphic Designer, VPI (Value Partners Investments)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer, VPI (Value Partners Investments)

Company: The Canada Life Assurance Company

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Job Type: Permanent Full Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: August 13, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Designs and produces professional marketing materials to enhance communication and transparency for investment products and services.

• Manages the visual consistency and appeal of all marketing collateral, ensuring brand integrity across various platforms.

• Utilizes graphic design software and digital marketing tools to create engaging content for advisors, clients, and staff.

• Collaborates with marketing and investment teams to translate complex financial information into clear, visually compelling graphics.

• Contributes to the ongoing improvement and effectiveness of company websites and digital presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Value Partners Investments (VPI), a subsidiary of The Canada Life Assurance Company, focusing on financial services. Therefore, the "Graphic Designer" title is enhanced to reflect a specialized role within marketing operations and creative services, emphasizing the need for clear communication of complex financial topics. The "Hybrid" work arrangement is inferred from the "#LI-Hybrid" tag in the original description.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and design a wide range of marketing collateral, including newsletters, presentation slides, brochures, and detailed investment reports.

• Create visually appealing event-specific materials such as invitations, agendas, and engaging landing pages.

• Execute email marketing campaigns through Constant Contact, designing visually effective and on-brand email templates.

• Generate content for various social media channels, including designing visuals, writing compelling copy, and scheduling posts.

• Maintain, update, and monitor the performance and effectiveness of company websites to ensure optimal user experience and information delivery.

• Support miscellaneous graphic design projects as required by the marketing and VPI teams.

• Continuously enhance the professionalism, consistency, and visual appeal of all VPI marketing materials to align with brand guidelines and strategic objectives.

• Ensure all digital and print assets comply with digital accessibility standards (e.g., PDF, PowerPoint, Video, Web), promoting inclusivity and broader reach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities have been expanded to detail the specific types of marketing materials and digital assets this Graphic Designer will be expected to produce, aligning with the financial services industry context of Value Partners Investments. Emphasis is placed on translating complex financial information visually and adhering to accessibility standards, which are critical in regulated industries.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a proven track record in creating marketing collateral.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint for presentation design, Excel for data visualization, and Outlook for email integration.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration and content creation.

• Exceptional attention to detail to ensure accuracy and polish in all design outputs.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team environment, contributing to shared project goals.

• Aptitude for transforming complex financial topics into simple, easily understandable graphics and visuals.

• Experience meeting digital accessibility standards for various formats including PDF, PowerPoint, Video, and Web. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with email marketing software, specifically Constant Contact.

• Familiarity with social media content creation and management platforms.

• Basic understanding of web content management systems.

• Experience in the financial services or investment industry.

• Knowledge of SEO principles for web content optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills have been refined to emphasize the specific software proficiency (Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite) and soft skills (communication, attention to detail, team collaboration) crucial for a graphic designer in a corporate environment, particularly one dealing with financial information. The ability to simplify complex topics visually and meet digital accessibility standards are highlighted as key differentiators.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of design projects, including marketing collateral, presentations, digital assets, and social media graphics.

• Demonstrate the ability to translate complex information into clear, impactful visuals, with specific examples from financial or business contexts if available.

• Highlight projects that adhere to brand guidelines and maintain visual consistency across multiple deliverables.

• Include examples of designs that meet digital accessibility standards, explaining the considerations made.

• Present case studies that detail the design process, challenges faced, and the impact of the final design on project objectives. Process Documentation:

• Ability to document design workflows from concept to final delivery, including client feedback integration.

• Experience in managing design assets and version control to ensure accurate and up-to-date materials.

• Understanding of print production processes and digital asset optimization for various platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role, a strong portfolio is paramount. This section details what a compelling portfolio should include, focusing on the ability to handle complex information visually and adhere to accessibility standards, which are critical in the financial sector. The emphasis is on demonstrating process and impact, not just aesthetics.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $62,800 - $94,200 CAD annually. This range represents base salary only and does not include potential bonuses or other variable compensation.

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, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit.

• Time Off: Generous vacation and personal days, plus a dedicated volunteer day to support community involvement.

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

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

• Community Focus: Support for employee engagement through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs, and events.

Working Hours: This is a permanent full-time position, typically involving a standard 40-hour work week. While specific daily hours are not defined, the hybrid nature suggests flexibility in scheduling within operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range has been integrated. The benefits have been detailed based on the input, categorized for clarity, and highlighted for their relevance to a professional in the financial services sector. The working hours are inferred from "Permanent Full Time" and the typical industry standard.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Investment Management). Value Partners Investments (VPI) is an investment firm managing significant assets, operating within a sector that demands high levels of trust, precision, and client-centricity. Canada Life, as the parent company, reinforces a culture focused on financial well-being and community support.

Company Size: Part of The Canada Life Assurance Company, a large, established financial institution. VPI itself manages over $6.9 Billion in assets, indicating a significant operational scale. This size offers stability and resources while potentially maintaining a focused team environment within VPI.

Founded: VPI was founded in 2005. This indicates a company with over 15 years of operational history, suggesting established processes and a stable market presence.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer reports to the Marketing Manager, indicating a direct line of communication and collaboration within the marketing department.

• VPI operates as an investment firm, implying close collaboration with investment professionals, sales teams, and client relations to ensure marketing materials accurately reflect investment strategies and performance.

• The broader Canada Life organization provides a network of support and resources, potentially including specialized teams for compliance, legal, or advanced digital strategy. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasizing the need to translate complex financial data and performance metrics into clear, digestible visuals for advisors and clients.

• Strategic Communication: Focusing on clear, consistent messaging that supports VPI's mission to "build client wealth by investing wisely and communicating clearly."

• Process Optimization: Continuously improving the professionalism, consistency, and visual appeal of marketing materials to enhance client engagement and brand perception.

Company Website: https://www.canadalife.com/ (Canada Life); VPI likely has its own dedicated presence within or linked from the main site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context has been fleshed out by integrating information about VPI's founding, asset management scale, and mission. The industry context of financial services is emphasized, highlighting the importance of trust, clarity, and compliance in design. The team structure is inferred from the reporting line and the nature of the business.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Graphic Designer. This role is suited for individuals with foundational graphic design education and several years of practical experience. The responsibilities suggest a need for independent work on assigned projects, with guidance from a manager, and the ability to contribute to strategic visual communication efforts.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Marketing Manager. This suggests a collaborative relationship where design needs are integrated into broader marketing campaigns and strategies. Opportunities may exist to work with cross-functional teams, including investment analysts, sales, and client services.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer plays a crucial role in shaping the external perception of Value Partners Investments. By creating clear, professional, and compelling marketing materials, they directly influence advisor engagement, client understanding of investment products, and the overall brand reputation. Effective visual communication is key to VPI's mission of "communicating clearly" and building client wealth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in financial graphics, data visualization, or digital marketing design.

• Project Leadership: Take ownership of larger design projects, potentially managing external vendors or junior designers as the team grows.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Expand understanding of investment products and client needs by working closely with sales and portfolio management teams.

• Advancement within Canada Life: Potential to move into senior design roles, art direction, or marketing specialist positions within the broader Canada Life organization.

• Continuous Learning: Access to education reimbursement and industry training to stay current with design trends, software, and accessibility standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section contextualizes the role within the broader operations and career landscape. It outlines the expected level of responsibility, impact on the business, and potential pathways for professional development and advancement within the company, tailored to a graphic design function within a financial services context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This indicates a blend of in-office and remote work, allowing for flexibility while maintaining in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): Winnipeg, Manitoba. The office serves as the central hub for team meetings, collaborative design sessions, and access to company resources. Specific details regarding the office layout and amenities would be available upon inquiry.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model allows for focused individual work remotely and collaborative brainstorming, team meetings, and client-focused design sessions when in the office.

• Tools and Technology: Access to essential design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office) and potentially other marketing technology tools. The company likely provides necessary hardware and software licenses.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with marketing colleagues, investment professionals, and potentially client-facing teams, fostering a holistic understanding of business needs and design impact.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time roles, with flexibility inherent in a hybrid arrangement. The specific in-office days are likely determined by team needs and manager guidance, allowing operations professionals to balance project deadlines with personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" work arrangement is explicitly mentioned. This section details the implications of a hybrid setup for a creative role, focusing on how it facilitates both independent work and collaborative problem-solving within the Winnipeg office context.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and design aesthetic.

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: A deeper dive into your portfolio, potentially including a discussion of specific projects, design choices, and problem-solving approaches. Candidates may be asked to complete a short design exercise or case study related to financial services.

• Behavioral/Team Fit Interview: Discussions with the Marketing Manager and potentially other team members to evaluate communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and cultural alignment with VPI's values.

• Final Interview: May involve higher-level management to discuss career aspirations and overall fit within The Canada Life Assurance Company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best showcase your versatility, technical skills, and ability to handle complex information. Prioritize pieces relevant to financial services or B2B communications if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, be prepared to explain the brief, your design process, the tools used, challenges overcome, and the impact of your design. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "increased engagement by X%," "simplified complex data for clearer understanding").

• Highlight Accessibility: Be ready to discuss how you've incorporated digital accessibility principles into your designs.

• Showcase Versatility: Include examples of print (brochures, reports) and digital (web graphics, social media, email) designs.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether digital or physical.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: If a design exercise is provided, carefully read the brief, understand the target audience and objective, and allocate your time effectively. Focus on clarity, brand consistency, and meeting the prompt's requirements.

• Case Study Presentation: If asked to present a case study, structure your narrative logically. Focus on problem, solution, and results. Practice articulating your design rationale concisely.

• Stakeholder Communication: Be prepared to discuss how you would engage with stakeholders (e.g., Marketing Manager, Investment team) to gather requirements, present concepts, and incorporate feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates applying for this role. It outlines a typical interview process for a creative position in a corporate setting, emphasizing the importance of a targeted portfolio and the ability to articulate design strategy and impact, especially within the financial services context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all graphic design work, with a strong emphasis on Photoshop (image editing, manipulation), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, illustrations), and InDesign (layout, typography, print/digital publishing).

• Microsoft Office Suite: Crucial for integration with other business functions, particularly PowerPoint for presentation design, Excel for data visualization, and Word/Outlook for document creation and communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics for monitoring website performance, understanding user engagement with designed content.

• Email Marketing Platforms: Experience with Constant Contact for designing, sending, and tracking the performance of email campaigns.

CRM & Automation:

• Marketing Automation Platforms: While not explicitly mentioned, awareness of how design assets integrate into marketing automation workflows (e.g., emails, landing pages) is beneficial.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Experience with platforms for updating and maintaining company websites.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section specifies the core design tools and related technologies relevant to the role. It highlights the essential Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office components, along with common marketing technology tools like Constant Contact and web analytics platforms that a graphic designer might interact with.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Do the Right Thing: Upholding ethical standards in design, ensuring accuracy in financial representations, and respecting client privacy. This value is critical in the financial services industry.

• Deliver with Impact: Creating designs that effectively communicate VPI's value proposition, drive engagement, and contribute to business objectives. This means designs must be not only aesthetically pleasing but also strategically effective.

• Step Up: Proactively identifying design needs, taking initiative on projects, and collaborating effectively with team members to solve challenges. This includes stepping up to learn new skills or adapt to evolving project requirements.

• Customer-Centricity: Designing with the end-user (advisors, clients) in mind, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and a positive user experience in all visual communications.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with marketing, investment, and sales teams to ensure design solutions align with business goals and product strategies.

• Feedback-Driven Process: Openness to constructive criticism and iterative design improvements based on feedback from managers and stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a culture where design best practices, creative solutions, and learnings are shared among team members to foster collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values section is populated based on Canada Life's stated values ("step up, do the right thing, and deliver"). These are interpreted through the lens of a graphic designer in the financial services sector, emphasizing accuracy, impact, and client focus.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Financial Data: The primary challenge is to distill intricate investment concepts, performance data, and market analysis into clear, engaging, and accurate visual graphics.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring a unified visual identity across a wide array of marketing materials, digital platforms, and communication channels for both VPI and potentially Canada Life.

• Adapting to Evolving Digital Trends: Staying current with design software advancements, digital marketing best practices, social media trends, and evolving accessibility standards.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Business Objectives: Integrating creative ideas with strict marketing goals, compliance requirements, and brand guidelines inherent in the financial sector.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Financial Graphics Specialization: Opportunity to become an expert in designing for the financial services industry, mastering data visualization and clear communication of investment products.

• Digital Design & UX: Enhancing skills in web design, UI elements, and user experience principles to improve digital asset effectiveness.

• Marketing Technology Integration: Learning how design assets are utilized within marketing automation platforms, CMS, and social media management tools.

• Professional Development: Utilizing education reimbursement for courses, workshops, or certifications in advanced design techniques, accessibility, or specific industry software.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges specific to a graphic designer in the financial services industry and outlines concrete growth opportunities that align with the role's responsibilities and the company's focus on development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to simplify a complex topic for a visual presentation. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your ability to translate financial data and your problem-solving approach.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple marketing channels and materials?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and your systematic approach.)

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you had to meet specific accessibility standards. What were the challenges and how did you address them?" (Demonstrate your technical knowledge and commitment to inclusivity.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on our company mission, how would your design work contribute to VPI's goal of 'communicating clearly'?" (Show your understanding of the company's purpose and how design supports it.)

• "How do you approach receiving and incorporating feedback on your designs, especially from non-designers?" (Assess your collaboration and communication style.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or remote environment. How do you maintain productivity and collaboration?" (Evaluate your adaptability to the work arrangement.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin with your strongest, most relevant projects.

• Context is Key: For each project, clearly state the client/objective, your role, the problem you were solving, your design process, and the results achieved. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., engagement rates, clarity improvements).

• Showcase Process: Briefly explain your thought process, tool choices, and any challenges you overcame.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, technical skills, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides tailored interview preparation advice, including specific strategy questions that probe the candidate's ability to handle financial information, work within a corporate structure, and present their portfolio effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

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

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and any experience in financial services or B2B marketing. Emphasize achievements related to simplifying complex information visually and meeting accessibility standards.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your best work that showcases your versatility, technical skills, and ability to design for both print and digital media. Ensure it includes examples demonstrating your approach to complex information and accessibility.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse walking through your portfolio, focusing on articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss how your skills align with VPI's mission and values.

• Research VPI and Canada Life: Familiarize yourself with VPI's investment offerings, mission, and the broader values of The Canada Life Assurance Company. Understand their target audience and communication style to better tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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.