Contract Senior Website Visual Designer (UX/UI) - Remote | Canada

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Contract Senior Website Visual Designer (UX/UI)

Company: Kanopi Studios

Location: Remote (Must reside and work in Canada)

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Design Operations / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: February 25, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This contract role focuses on leading end-to-end visual and UX design for complex website projects, emphasizing user-centered and accessible design principles.

• The ideal candidate will possess strong presentation skills, capable of confidently articulating design decisions and guiding clients through the design process.

• Responsibilities include creating a range of design deliverables from wireframes and user flows to high-fidelity prototypes and scalable design systems.

• Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Content Strategists, Developers, and Project Managers, is crucial for ensuring cohesive and technically sound project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core of this role is visual design and UX, its placement within a "Design, Development & Support Agency" specializing in Drupal & WordPress suggests a strong emphasis on practical application and integration within content management systems. The "Operations" aspect comes from the structured approach to project delivery, client management, and the need for efficient, repeatable design processes, particularly in a remote, distributed team environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the complete visual and UX design lifecycle for sophisticated website projects, from initial discovery and research phases through to final launch, ensuring a clear and consistent design direction.

• Develop accessible and user-centric design solutions, including detailed wireframes, comprehensive user flows, intuitive UI designs, high-fidelity interactive prototypes, and robust, scalable design systems to maintain long-term visual consistency.

• Articulate and defend design choices with clarity and confidence to diverse audiences, translating complex design rationale into easily understandable terms and grounding recommendations in user needs and project objectives.

• Plan, facilitate, and lead discovery workshops, effectively translating client requirements, user research, and data insights into actionable UX deliverables such as sitemaps, detailed user journeys, and representative user personas.

• Foster close collaboration with Content Strategists, Developers, and Project Managers throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring design solutions are integrated seamlessly, technically feasible, and implemented accurately, including conducting design reviews during the development phase.

• Represent the Creative Services department in client pitches and sales engagements, contributing strong design thinking and compelling presentations to secure new business opportunities.

• Actively contribute to Kanopi's marketing initiatives and thought leadership efforts by participating in webinars, delivering presentations, and engaging in other public-facing opportunities to showcase expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level role requiring not just design execution but also strategic leadership, client-facing communication, and team collaboration. The emphasis on "setting a clear design direction" and "guiding clients and internal teams toward confident decisions" points to a need for strong project ownership and influence, akin to a Project Lead or Design Lead within an operations framework.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field, demonstrated through a portfolio and experience, is expected.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in designing responsive web experiences, with a minimum of 3 years specifically within an agency environment.

Required Skills:

• A compelling portfolio showcasing thoughtful, user-centered UI/UX design for responsive websites, with clear examples of accessibility best practices, usability considerations, and high-quality visual craft.

• Proven confidence in presenting and defending design work to various stakeholders, effectively incorporating feedback while maintaining a clear and cohesive design direction.

• Fluency in Figma and modern design workflows, complemented by experience with collaboration tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Workspace.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects concurrently, adapt to shifting project requirements, and work effectively within both Agile and Waterfall project management methodologies.

• Comfort and proficiency in working remotely within a distributed team structure.

Preferred Skills:

• Direct coding experience (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript) is considered a valuable asset.

• Familiarity with analytics and user research tools such as Google Analytics 4 (GA4), heatmapping platforms, and various user testing tools.

• Prior experience working with mission-driven organizations, non-profits, or similar client types is preferred.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience, with 3 in an agency, and specific tool proficiencies (Figma, Adobe CC, Google Workspace) clearly positions this as a senior role. The preference for coding knowledge and analytics tools indicates a need for a designer who understands the broader context of web development and performance, aligning with an operations-focused approach to design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase detailed case studies of complex responsive website projects, highlighting the end-to-end design process from discovery to launch.

• Demonstrate a strong focus on user-centered design methodologies, including research, wireframing, user flows, UI design, and prototyping.

• Provide clear examples of how accessibility standards (WCAG compliance) were integrated into the design process and final deliverables.

• Illustrate the creation and application of design systems, showing how consistency and scalability were achieved across projects.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly outline the steps taken in discovery and research phases, detailing methodologies used for translating insights into design strategies.

• Document the iterative design process, including how wireframes, user flows, and prototypes were developed and refined.

• Explain how collaboration with developers and content strategists was managed to ensure design integrity and technical feasibility.

• Provide examples of how design decisions were presented and defended to clients, demonstrating strong communication and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior visual designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just aesthetics and demonstrate a structured, process-driven approach to solving user problems and achieving business objectives. This aligns with operations' focus on repeatable processes, efficiency, and measurable outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55 - $70 CAD per hour. This hourly rate is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: As a contract position, standard employee benefits may not apply. However, the role offers:

• Flexible work arrangements through a fully remote setup.

• The opportunity to work with a distributed, expert team on mission-driven projects.

• Exposure to a variety of complex website projects in a dynamic agency environment.

• Potential for ongoing contract work and professional growth within Kanopi Studios.

Working Hours: This is a contractor role, with an expected workload equivalent to 40 hours per week. Specific working hours are flexible, allowing individuals to work when and where they perform best, within the constraints of client and team collaboration needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified hourly rate range is essential for contract roles. The "benefits" section, while limited for contractors, highlights the advantages of remote work, team expertise, and project diversity, which are attractive to operations professionals seeking challenging and flexible engagements. The standard 40-hour work week is typical for contract roles, with flexibility in scheduling.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Design, Development & Support Agency, specializing in Drupal & WordPress websites.

Company Size: Kanopi Studios operates as a distributed team, indicative of a medium-sized agency with a focus on specialized expertise rather than large corporate overhead.

Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly stated, the company's established presence in Drupal and WordPress development suggests a history of delivering complex web solutions.

Team Structure:

• The design team is part of a broader agency structure comprising experts in Drupal and WordPress.

• This role reports to the Director of Strategy and Creative, indicating a clear line of reporting and strategic oversight within the creative department.

Methodology:

• Kanopi emphasizes a user-centered approach to design and development, aligning with modern web standards and best practices.

• The agency focuses on creating websites that help "mission-driven" clients thrive, suggesting a value system centered around impact and purpose.

• Their distributed team model implies a strong reliance on digital collaboration tools and asynchronous communication, fostering efficiency and autonomy.

Company Website: [Kanopi Studios website - assumed based on domain derived]

📝 Enhancement Note: Kanopi's mission-driven focus and specialization in Drupal/WordPress provide a specific context for operations. Designers need to understand the technical constraints and capabilities of these platforms and how to best serve clients with specific goals, often in the non-profit or public sector. The distributed nature of the team necessitates robust operational processes for communication, project management, and quality assurance.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level contract role, requiring significant independent work and leadership in design execution and client interaction. It represents a high level of specialization within the design discipline, focusing on strategic UX/UI implementation.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Website Visual Designer reports directly to the Director of Strategy and Creative. This suggests a collaborative relationship where strategic direction is provided, but the designer is expected to lead project-level design execution.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts project success by ensuring high-quality, user-centered, and accessible website designs that meet client objectives and enhance user experience. This contributes to client satisfaction, project efficiency, and the agency's reputation for delivering effective web solutions. The role also supports business development through client pitches.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced UX/UI design, accessibility standards, and design systems.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop stronger skills in client communication, presentation, and strategic advisory.

• Leadership Experience: Gain experience in leading design efforts on complex projects and potentially mentoring junior designers, even within a contract capacity.

• Industry Exposure: Work with a diverse range of mission-driven clients, broadening understanding of different sector needs and challenges.

• Potential for Long-Term Contracts: Successful contractors may be considered for future projects or extended engagements based on performance and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role, "growth" often translates to increased project complexity, opportunities for direct client leadership, and the acquisition of new skills through diverse project exposure. The reporting structure to a Director indicates a high level of trust and autonomy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This means the work environment is home-based, requiring self-discipline and effective remote collaboration tools.

Office Location(s): Canada-wide. While the role is remote, candidates must reside and be legally able to work in Canada.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Operates within a distributed team, necessitating strong reliance on digital communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, video conferencing, project management tools).

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to and proficiency with industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud) and collaboration suites (Google Workspace) is essential.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with project teams, including strategists, developers, and project managers, will occur via digital channels.

Work Schedule: While the role is expected to align with a standard 40-hour work week, the primary emphasis is on flexibility. This allows designers to manage their schedules effectively to meet project deadlines and personal needs, provided they remain accessible for critical team and client interactions during core working periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature is a significant aspect of the work environment. It requires individuals to be proactive in communication, self-motivated, and adept at using digital tools to maintain connection and productivity, which are key operational considerations for distributed teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Review: Initial screening of resumes and cover letters, with particular attention to portfolio quality and relevance.

• Initial Questions: A short set of questions may be sent to assess initial fit and understanding of the role.

• Interviews: Multiple interviews with various team members (likely including the Director of Strategy and Creative, and potentially other designers or project leads) to discuss experience, design philosophy, and cultural fit.

• Skills Assessments: Candidates may be asked to complete one or two short design tasks or exercises to evaluate their practical design skills and approach to problem-solving.

• Ongoing Communication: Kanopi aims to keep applicants informed throughout the process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Case Study Structure: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the process followed, key decisions made, solutions implemented, and the outcomes/impact.

• Accessibility Focus: Explicitly highlight how accessibility was a consideration in your design process and showcase examples of accessible design elements.

• Figma Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your workflow in Figma and potentially demonstrate interactive prototypes or design system components.

• Presentation Readiness: Practice articulating your design rationale concisely and confidently, as if presenting to a client. Be ready to explain your thinking behind UI choices and UX flows.

• Tailor to Kanopi: Review Kanopi's website and client work to understand their style and mission-driven focus. Align your portfolio presentation with their values and project types.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a skills assessment is given, expect it to be a focused task related to website UI/UX design, possibly involving wireframing, mockups, or a design critique.

• Practice time management for design tasks.

• Be prepared to articulate your thought process and justify your design decisions under time constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a thorough evaluation of both technical design skills (portfolio, assessments) and soft skills (presentation, communication, collaboration). The inclusion of a specific cover letter question ("What’s your favorite piece of technology, and why?") suggests a desire to understand the candidate's passion and analytical thinking beyond just design.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for end-to-end UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and design systems. Proficiency is critical.

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Likely used for asset creation, image editing, and potentially other design tasks (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator).

• Google Workspace: Standard for collaboration, document sharing, and communication (e.g., Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics 4 (GA4): Familiarity is preferred for understanding website performance and user behavior, informing design decisions.

• Heatmapping Platforms: Tools like Hotjar or Crazy Egg would be beneficial for visualizing user interaction patterns on websites.

• User Testing Tools: Experience with platforms for conducting usability tests and gathering user feedback is an asset.

CRM & Automation: While not explicitly mentioned for the designer, understanding how designs integrate with Content Management Systems (CMS) like Drupal and WordPress is crucial.

• Drupal & WordPress: Working knowledge of these platforms is highly beneficial, understanding their thematic structures and capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma as a primary tool, alongside Adobe CC and Google Workspace, highlights the modern digital design agency's tech stack. The preferred familiarity with analytics and user testing tools underscores the "operations" aspect of design—using data to inform and validate design decisions for maximum effectiveness.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A foundational value, ensuring all designs prioritize user needs, accessibility, and usability.

• Mission-Driven Impact: A strong focus on helping clients achieve their goals, particularly those with a social or community mission.

• Craftsmanship & Quality: Commitment to delivering high-quality, visually appealing, and technically sound design work.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and teamwork are essential, especially within a distributed environment.

• Continuous Learning: Encouraging growth and adaptation to new design trends, technologies, and best practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Distributed Team Dynamics: Relies heavily on digital communication tools and asynchronous collaboration.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with strategists, content experts, and developers, fostering a holistic project approach.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: Openness to receiving and giving constructive feedback is encouraged to improve work and processes.

• Agile & Adaptable: Willingness to adjust plans and approaches based on project needs and feedback, common in agency settings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Kanopi's commitment to mission-driven clients and its distributed team structure shape its culture. Operations professionals in this environment need to be highly organized, communicative, and adaptable, valuing efficiency and impact in their work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining effective communication and strong working relationships within a fully distributed team requires proactive effort.

• Balancing Client Needs & Design Integrity: Navigating client feedback and project constraints while upholding strong design principles and accessibility standards.

• Technical Integration: Ensuring designs are feasible and optimized for CMS platforms like Drupal and WordPress.

• Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling priorities and deadlines across several concurrent client engagements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to refine skills in complex UX problem-solving, advanced prototyping, and comprehensive design system development.

• Client Strategy Involvement: Gaining exposure to strategic client discussions and contributing to overall project strategy beyond pure design execution.

• Industry Best Practices: Staying current with evolving web design trends, accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.2), and new design technologies.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Understanding the nuances of content strategy and front-end development to foster more integrated design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the operational complexities of a remote agency environment. The growth opportunities focus on deepening specialized design skills and expanding strategic involvement, aligning with senior-level career progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to user-centered design, specifically how you incorporate user research and testing into your workflow.

• Explain how you prioritize and integrate accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) into your design process from the outset.

• Describe a time you had to defend a design decision to a client or stakeholder. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?

Company & Culture Questions:

• Research Kanopi Studios' website, client projects, and mission. Be ready to discuss what attracts you to their specific work and values.

• How do you approach collaboration within a remote, distributed team environment?

• What are your thoughts on working with mission-driven clients, and how might that influence your design approach?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate your end-to-end design process, user-centricity, and accessibility considerations.

• For each project, clearly articulate the client's problem, your specific role and contributions, the methodologies you employed, key design decisions, and the final outcome or impact.

• Be ready to walk through your Figma files or prototypes, explaining your design choices and interactions.

• Practice delivering your portfolio presentation concisely (aim for 15-20 minutes per project, allowing time for questions). Focus on storytelling and clear rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill but also strategic thinking, client management capabilities, and a strong understanding of operational best practices in design, especially within a remote agency context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Use the ‘Apply for this Job’ button on the Workable page.

• Complete all required fields on the application form.

• Upload a resume and a cover letter.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and highlights projects that best align with Kanopi's work, emphasizing user-centered design, accessibility, and your process. Prepare to discuss specific case studies in detail.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in agency environments, with senior-level design responsibilities, proficiency in Figma, and experience with Drupal/WordPress. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Improved user task completion by X%" or "Designed accessible interfaces that met WCAG 2.1 AA standards").

• Cover Letter Focus: Address the prompt directly: "What’s your favorite piece of technology, and why?" Use this as an opportunity to showcase your analytical thinking and passion for well-designed, functional systems. Briefly explain why you are a strong fit for Kanopi and this specific role.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Kanopi Studios' mission, values, and the types of clients they serve. Understand their specialization in Drupal and WordPress.

⚠️ 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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