Investor’s Edge, UI Designer (Design System) Fall 2026 Co-Op (8-months)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Investor’s Edge, UI Designer (Design System) Fall 2026 Co-Op (8-months)

Company: CIBC

Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary (Fixed Term)

Category: UI/UX Design, Design Systems

Date Posted: June 08, 2026

Experience Level: Entry Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (2-3 days on-site per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• This is a co-op position focused on UI Design within CIBC's Investor's Edge User Experience team, specifically contributing to the evolution and maintenance of their design system.

• The role involves the creation, documentation, and implementation of scalable UI components and patterns to ensure consistency, accessibility, and efficiency across digital platforms.

• A key aspect of this role includes exploring and leveraging AI-powered design tools to enhance design system development and innovation.

• This position offers an 8-month work term, providing hands-on experience in a hybrid work environment within a large financial institution.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is for a UI Designer, the emphasis on design systems, component libraries, and cross-functional collaboration with technology teams aligns it with broader operations principles of standardization, efficiency, and scalable solutions, particularly relevant for roles supporting product development lifecycle. The mention of AI integration also points towards a forward-thinking approach to operational efficiency in design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, development, and ongoing maintenance of a comprehensive design system, including UI components, patterns, and style guides.

• Document design system assets with clarity and precision, ensuring they are easily discoverable and usable by product teams.

• Collaborate closely with UI designers, UX designers, researchers, and technology teams to ensure seamless integration and adoption of the design system.

• Apply and advocate for design system standards to maintain visual consistency, brand alignment, and accessibility across all digital products.

• Explore and integrate AI-powered design tools and workflows to enhance the efficiency and scalability of design system creation and maintenance.

• Prepare production-ready design specifications and documentation, ensuring accurate implementation within an agile development framework.

• Provide guidance and support to product teams on the effective utilization of the design system and its components.

• Proactively identify opportunities for design system improvement, innovation, and scalability.

• Stay current with industry best practices in design systems, accessibility standards, front-end development, and AI applications in design.

• Manage multiple design tasks and objectives concurrently, prioritizing effectively to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on process standardization (design system), efficiency (reusable components, AI tools), and cross-functional collaboration, all core tenets of operations roles that support product and technology delivery.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Currently enrolled in a post-secondary program in Digital Design, Product Design, Interaction Design, or a related design field.

• Expected graduation date of April 2027 or later. Experience:

• Demonstrated passion for building and maintaining design systems, component libraries, and scalable UI solutions.

• Experience working within a team environment, collaborating on design projects.

• Familiarity with agile/iterative development methodologies. Required Skills:

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in using Figma for component creation, documentation, prototyping, and design system management.

• Visual & Interaction Design: Strong understanding of layout, composition, typography, color theory, and accessibility principles.

• Design System Fundamentals: Solid grasp of design system concepts, component-based design, and pattern libraries.

• Communication Skills: Ability to clearly articulate design principles, rationale, and system standards to peers and stakeholders.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design execution, ensuring pixel-perfect consistency and accuracy.

• AI Curiosity: Eagerness to explore and apply AI tools and workflows in the design process.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with design system plugins and design tokens within Figma.

• Familiarity with front-end technologies such as CSS and HTML, and their relationship to design systems.

• Exposure to tools like Storybook or similar component documentation platforms.

• Understanding of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

• Experience with prototyping tools beyond Figma.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, design systems, and front-end technology familiarity highlights the technical proficiency required for modern design operations roles. The "AI-Curious Designer" requirement signals a forward-thinking approach to operational efficiency through technology adoption.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design System Focus: A significant portion of the portfolio should showcase work related to design systems, component libraries, or reusable UI patterns.

• Figma Examples: Demonstrate proficiency in Figma by including examples of component creation, states, variations, and documentation within the tool.

• Process Documentation: Include examples of how design system elements were documented, including rationale, usage guidelines, and best practices.

• Consistency & Scalability: Highlight projects where design system principles were applied to ensure consistency and enable scalability across multiple products or features.

• Accessibility Considerations: Showcase any work that specifically addresses accessibility in design system components or UI patterns.

Process Documentation:

• Include case studies or project descriptions that illustrate your understanding of design workflows, from ideation to implementation.

• Detail how you approach problem-solving within a design context, emphasizing efficiency and user-centric solutions.

• Demonstrate an ability to document processes and guidelines clearly for others to follow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio showcasing design system work is critical. This allows candidates to demonstrate their ability to create standardized, repeatable, and scalable design assets, which directly translates to operational efficiency and consistency in product development.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The expected annualized base salary range for this role is $52,890 to $68,440 CAD.

• This range is determined by factors including candidate skills, experience, job-related knowledge, geographic location (Toronto), and specific business needs.

• CIBC's compensation philosophy supports ongoing growth, allowing for progression within this range as team members advance. Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation package.

• Banking Benefit (specifics subject to program terms and conditions).

• Wellbeing Support.

• Employee and Family Assistance Programs.

• MomentMakers, CIBC's social, points-based recognition program. Working Hours:

• This is a full-time temporary position with a standard work week of 37.5 hours.

• The role operates within a hybrid work arrangement, requiring 2-3 days per week on-site in the Toronto office, with other days remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided, which is helpful for candidates. The hybrid work arrangement details are also crucial for operational planning. The benefits listed are standard for co-op/intern roles but are presented with clear context.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking)

Company Size: Large Enterprise (CIBC is a major Canadian bank with tens of thousands of employees globally).

Founded: 1864 (CIBC has a long history, indicating stability and established processes).

Team Structure:

• The role is within the CIBC Investor’s Edge User Experience team.

• This team is cross-disciplinary, comprising UI Designers, UX Designers, Researchers, and Content Designers.

• The UI Designer will focus specifically on Design Systems.

• Collaboration is expected with other UI designers and Technology teams. Methodology:

• The team operates within an agile/iterative environment.

• Emphasis on delivering cohesive, scalable, and engaging digital experiences.

• Design system development and maintenance are core operational processes for ensuring consistency and efficiency.

• Proactive exploration of AI integration into design workflows.

Company Website: https://www.cibc.com/en/about-cibc.html

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding CIBC as a large, established financial institution provides context for the importance of robust design systems and operational efficiency. The cross-disciplinary nature of the UX team implies a collaborative environment where clear communication and standardized processes are paramount.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Co-op/Internship (Entry Level)

Reporting Structure: The UI Designer will report to a manager within the Investor’s Edge User Experience team, likely a Lead UI Designer or UX Manager, and will collaborate closely with developers.

Operations Impact: While this is a design role, the impact is operational through the creation and maintenance of a design system. This system enables other teams to deliver digital experiences more efficiently, consistently, and with higher quality, directly impacting client satisfaction and brand perception. The focus on AI integration also points towards optimizing future design operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in design systems, UI component creation, Figma, and accessibility standards. Gain practical experience in a corporate, hybrid work environment.

• Industry Exposure: Learn about the financial services industry from a digital product perspective.

• AI in Design: Opportunity to gain hands-on experience with emerging AI design tools and workflows.

• Networking: Build professional connections within CIBC's UX and technology departments.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Gain significant, real-world project experience to enhance a professional portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: This co-op role serves as a foundational step for a career in design operations or product development. The growth opportunities are focused on practical skill acquisition and exposure to enterprise-level design system management, crucial for future operational roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work arrangement, requiring 2-3 days per week on-site in a corporate office environment.

Office Location(s): Toronto, ON (81 Bay Street, 16th Floor).

Workspace Context:

• The role involves collaboration with a cross-disciplinary UX team and technology teams, suggesting a dynamic and interactive workspace.

• Access to CIBC's technological toolkit and resources to support innovation.

• The hybrid model balances focused individual work (remote) with collaborative team activities and in-person interaction (on-site). Work Schedule:

• Standard work week of 37.5 hours.

• Specific daily schedules may vary but are expected to align with team needs and hybrid work expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment is a key operational consideration, requiring effective time management and communication strategies to ensure productivity and team cohesion across remote and on-site days.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume (max 2 pages), cover letter (max 1 page), unofficial transcript, and portfolio as a single PDF in the resume section. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

• Initial Screening: Review of submitted application materials, focusing on educational background, portfolio content, and alignment with required skills.

• Skills Assessment (Potential): May involve a design challenge or technical assessment, particularly focusing on Figma and design system thinking.

• Interviews: Likely include discussions with hiring managers and team members to assess design skills, problem-solving abilities, communication, and cultural fit. Emphasis will be placed on design system experience and AI curiosity.

• Final Evaluation: Assessment of overall fit, potential contribution, and alignment with CIBC's values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Design System Work: Clearly label and present projects demonstrating your involvement in design systems, component libraries, or pattern development.

• Showcase Figma Skills: Include detailed examples of your Figma workflow, component variations, states, and documentation.

• Explain Your Process: For each project, describe your role, the problem you solved, your design process, and the outcome. Quantify impact where possible.

• Demonstrate AI Exploration: If you have explored AI tools in design, include examples and explain your findings and learnings.

• Focus on Consistency & Accessibility: Point out how your work promotes consistency and adheres to accessibility best practices.

• Keep it Concise: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and highlights your most relevant work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Figma Exercises: Be prepared for exercises that test your Figma proficiency, such as creating components, building variants, or organizing a design system file.

• Design System Thinking: Anticipate questions about how you would approach building or scaling a design system, document components, or handle design system adoption.

• AI in Design Discussion: Be ready to discuss your thoughts on AI's role in design, how it could be applied to design systems, and any tools you've experimented with.

• Behavioral Questions: Prepare responses to questions about teamwork, problem-solving, handling feedback, and working in a hybrid environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of a portfolio showcasing design system work and the rolling application review process are critical operational details for candidates. The emphasis on AI exploration in interviews suggests a focus on adaptability and future-proofing skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, component creation, prototyping, and design system management. Advanced proficiency is expected.

• Design System Platforms: While not explicitly named, the role implies working with or contributing to a structured design system, potentially involving tools like Storybook (preferred skill).

• AI Design Tools: Exploration and potential integration of AI-powered design tools and workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus of this UI role, understanding how designs translate into user data and performance metrics is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics concepts is a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UI design role, but awareness of how design impacts user journeys within CRM or automation platforms is a general benefit.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma as a primary tool is crucial. The "AI-Curious Designer" requirement suggests that candidates should be open to learning and integrating new AI tools as they become relevant for design operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Trust: Implied through collaborative work and the need for clear documentation and reliable components.

• Teamwork: Essential for a cross-disciplinary UX team and collaboration with technology.

• Accountability: Expected in managing tasks, meeting deadlines, and ensuring the quality of design system contributions.

• Relationship-Oriented: A core CIBC value, suggesting a focus on building strong working relationships and understanding user needs.

• Doing What's Right: Emphasizes ethical design and client-centricity.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-disciplinary collaboration within the UX team (UI, UX, Research, Content).

• Close partnership with Technology teams for implementation.

• Open communication and feedback exchange are vital for design system evolution.

• Working in an agile environment necessitates iterative collaboration and adaptation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on CIBC's values (Trust, Teamwork, Accountability) provides insight into the desired professional conduct and operational ethos within the team. The collaborative nature of the UX team reinforces the importance of communication and process adherence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Adoption of Design System: Ensuring that product teams effectively adopt and consistently use the design system can be a significant operational challenge.

• Balancing Innovation and Consistency: Evolving the design system while maintaining strict consistency and backward compatibility.

• Integrating AI Seamlessly: Exploring and integrating AI tools into existing workflows without disrupting productivity or compromising quality.

• Hybrid Work Management: Effectively collaborating and maintaining team cohesion in a hybrid work setup.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Working within an agile framework and meeting project deadlines in a large financial institution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Specialization: Developing deep expertise in design system architecture, maintenance, and governance.

• AI in Design Exploration: Gaining practical experience and insights into how AI can enhance design operations.

• Corporate Design Practices: Learning how design systems are managed and scaled within a large enterprise.

• Accessibility Standards: Enhancing knowledge of digital accessibility best practices and implementation.

• Professional Networking: Building connections within CIBC's design and technology communities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges provides candidates with a realistic view of the role and areas where they can demonstrate problem-solving skills. The growth opportunities are directly tied to developing specialized skills relevant to design operations and emerging technologies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience with design systems. What makes a design system successful, and what are common challenges in its implementation and adoption?"

• "How would you approach documenting a new UI component for a design system to ensure it's clear and usable for developers and other designers?"

• "What are your thoughts on the role of AI in UI design and design systems? Can you provide examples of how AI tools could potentially enhance our design system development process?"

• "Walk us through a project where you had to ensure UI consistency across multiple screens or features. What was your process?"

• "How do you ensure accessibility is considered when designing UI components?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about CIBC and this specific co-op opportunity?"

• "How do you approach collaboration within a cross-disciplinary team, especially in a hybrid work environment?"

• "Describe a time you received constructive feedback on your design work. How did you incorporate it?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in UI design, design systems, and AI?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, starting with your most relevant design system work. Use clear headings and concise descriptions.

• Storytelling: For each project, explain the problem, your role, your process, the design decisions you made, and the outcome. Highlight your contributions to consistency, scalability, and efficiency.

• Figma Walkthrough: Be prepared to share your Figma files and walk through specific components, demonstrating your understanding of structure, variants, and documentation.

• AI Integration Examples: If you've explored AI tools, present any prototypes or concepts you developed and explain your learnings.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the impact of your design system contributions.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions are tailored to probe for design system expertise, operational thinking (process, documentation, consistency), and forward-looking skills (AI). The portfolio presentation strategy emphasizes demonstrating practical application of design system principles.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent design position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is tailored to highlight your design system experience, Figma proficiency, and any exploration of AI in design.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize relevant coursework, design system projects, and any experience with front-end technologies, aligning keywords with the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, design system philosophy, and your approach to collaboration and problem-solving, especially concerning consistency and efficiency.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with CIBC's brand, digital offerings, and commitment to client relationships to demonstrate your understanding of their operational context.

⚠️ 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.