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

📍 Job Overview

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

Company: Kanopi

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: UX/UI Design & Web Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-02-25T22:31:53.785Z

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote (Must be based in Canada)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end visual and UX design for complex website projects, from discovery through launch, setting a clear design direction and guiding clients and internal teams toward confident decisions.

• Create accessible, user-centered solutions including wireframes, user flows, UI designs, high-fidelity prototypes, and scalable design systems that support long-term consistency.

• Present and defend your work clearly and confidently to clients and stakeholders, explaining your thinking in plain language and standing behind your recommendations.

• Collaborate closely with Content Strategists, Developers, and Project Managers to ensure cohesive, technically sound solutions and review work during development.

• Represent Creative Services in client pitches and sales processes, contributing to winning new business through strong design thinking and presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is crucial for bridging the gap between user needs, business objectives, and technical execution within a digital agency setting. The emphasis on "mission-driven clients" suggests a need for designers who can translate organizational goals into impactful digital experiences. The "fully remote" aspect with a Canadian residency requirement highlights the importance of strong asynchronous communication and self-management skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the visual and UX design phases for complex website projects, managing the entire lifecycle from initial discovery and research to final launch and post-launch review.

• Develop comprehensive user-centered design deliverables, including detailed wireframes, intuitive user flows, polished UI mockups, interactive high-fidelity prototypes, and robust, scalable design systems.

• Conduct and facilitate discovery workshops, effectively translating client needs, user research, and analytics insights into actionable UX deliverables such as sitemaps, detailed user journeys, and user personas.

• Present design concepts and strategic rationale to clients and internal stakeholders, articulating the "why" behind design decisions and adeptly incorporating feedback while maintaining design integrity.

• Actively participate in client pitches and sales presentations, leveraging design expertise to articulate Kanopi's capabilities and secure new project opportunities.

• Ensure design solutions adhere to accessibility best practices (WCAG standards) and are inclusive for a wide range of users from the outset of the design process.

• Review and provide constructive feedback on development builds to ensure design fidelity and adherence to specifications, collaborating closely with the development team.

• Contribute to Kanopi's thought leadership and marketing initiatives through participation in webinars, presentations, and other public-facing engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities indicate a senior-level role requiring not just design execution but also strategic thinking, client management, and business development contributions. The emphasis on "leading," "setting clear direction," and "guiding clients" points to a need for strong leadership and persuasive communication skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and mastery of design principles is paramount.

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

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in end-to-end UI/UX design for responsive websites, evidenced by a strong portfolio showcasing accessibility, usability, and visual craft.

• Demonstrated ability to create user-centered design solutions, including wireframes, user flows, UI designs, and high-fidelity prototypes.

• Proficiency in Figma and modern design workflows; experience with collaboration tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Workspace.

• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale, defend work confidently, and incorporate feedback effectively.

• Experience managing multiple complex website projects simultaneously within both agile and waterfall methodologies.

• Comfort and proven success working remotely within a distributed team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for mission-driven or nonprofit organizations.

• Familiarity with Drupal and WordPress CMS platforms.

• Direct coding experience (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) is a plus.

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

• Experience in developing and maintaining scalable design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for specific experience years and agency background, coupled with proficiency in Figma and presentation skills, clearly defines a senior-level designer capable of independent project leadership and client interaction. The preference for agency and mission-driven experience suggests a candidate who can navigate client expectations and align with Kanopi's core values.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in designing responsive websites, with at least 3 years of agency-specific work.

• Clear examples within the portfolio demonstrating thoughtful, user-centered UI/UX design, with a specific focus on accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG compliance) and usability best practices.

• Case studies that highlight the end-to-end design process, from initial discovery and wireframing through to high-fidelity prototyping and final UI design, explaining the strategic thinking behind each stage.

• Evidence of strong visual craft and aesthetic sensibility, alongside functional design solutions that meet user needs and business objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies detailing the facilitation and outcomes of discovery workshops, including the creation of sitemaps, user journeys, and personas.

• Examples of how design decisions were clearly presented and defended to clients or stakeholders, illustrating the ability to receive and incorporate feedback effectively.

• Documentation of collaboration with developers and content strategists, showing how designs were translated into development and reviewed for accuracy.

• Demonstrations of experience with modern design workflows and collaboration tools like Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and Google Workspace.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the primary evaluation tool for this role. Candidates must demonstrate not only design execution but also strategic thinking, client-facing capabilities, and an understanding of the entire web design lifecycle, with a strong emphasis on accessibility.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55 - $70 CAD per hour.

Benefits:

• Contract-based role with flexible working hours.

• Opportunity to work on diverse, mission-driven client projects.

• Collaboration with a fully distributed, expert team of Drupal & WordPress specialists.

• Potential for ongoing contract work based on performance and project needs.

• Exposure to various client types and project complexities within a supportive agency environment.

Working Hours: This is a contract position. While specific daily hours are not defined, it's expected to be a full-time commitment commensurate with a senior designer role, allowing for flexibility in scheduling as long as project deadlines and client needs are met. The role requires working within Canadian time zones for effective collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to contract work in Canada for a senior-level designer. The benefits listed are typical for contract roles, focusing on flexibility and project variety rather than traditional employee benefits. The hourly rate is directly tied to experience and the ability to deliver high-quality, client-facing design work.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Agency (Web Design, Development, and Support), specializing in Drupal & WordPress.

Company Size: Kanopi Studios operates as a distributed agency, suggesting a team size that allows for specialized expertise across various roles while maintaining a collaborative, close-knit feel. The exact employee count isn't specified, but the emphasis on "fully distributed team" implies a significant number of remote professionals.

Founded: Kanopi Studios was founded with the mission of building a better web for everyone, focusing on mission-driven clients. The company culture prioritizes the well-being, growth, and success of its team members, believing that thriving employees lead to thriving client outcomes.

Team Structure:

• The design team is part of a larger, distributed agency structure.

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

Methodology:

• Kanopi utilizes a client-centric approach, focusing on understanding and supporting the missions of their clients.

• The agency emphasizes collaboration, expertise in Drupal and WordPress, and a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in web design.

• Design processes likely integrate discovery, user-centered design principles, and iterative development, supporting both agile and waterfall project methodologies.

Company Website: kanopi.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Kanopi's culture appears to be focused on impact, expertise, and employee well-being, particularly within a remote-first model. The emphasis on "mission-driven" clients suggests a desire for designers who are passionate about contributing to meaningful projects and aligning with client values.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Contract role, indicating a high level of expertise and autonomy. The position is focused on leading design initiatives rather than managing a team directly, though it involves guiding internal teams and clients.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Director of Strategy and Creative, placing it within the creative and strategic leadership of the agency. This offers visibility to senior decision-making processes.

Operations Impact: The Senior Visual Designer directly impacts project success by translating client needs into effective, accessible, and visually compelling websites. Their work influences client satisfaction, user engagement, and the achievement of client mission goals. They also contribute to business development through client pitches.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like advanced accessibility design, complex design system development, or UX research methodologies.

• Client Relationship Management: Grow capabilities in client communication, presentation, and strategic consultation by leading client interactions.

• Thought Leadership: Contribute to Kanopi's reputation and marketing efforts through webinars and presentations, enhancing personal brand and industry recognition.

• Project Leadership: Gain experience leading design on a variety of complex, mission-driven projects, potentially leading to more senior or specialized contract roles within the agency or expanding into other areas of design strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role, "growth" often translates to expanding the scope of projects, deepening expertise, and potentially securing longer-term engagements or higher rates based on performance and demonstrated value. The role offers significant exposure to client strategy and business development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This means the work environment is at the contractor's chosen location, emphasizing autonomy and self-discipline.

Office Location(s): Must be based and legally able to work in Canada. Specific city or province beyond general Canadian residency is not a strict requirement for the role itself, but the salary range may be influenced by regional cost of living.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: While remote, collaboration is a key aspect, facilitated through digital tools like Figma, Slack, Google Workspace, etc. Regular virtual meetings and communication are expected.

• Tools & Technology: Access to and proficiency in industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud) and collaboration platforms is essential.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction with a diverse, distributed team of experts, fostering a learning environment through shared knowledge and project collaboration.

Work Schedule: This is a contract position, allowing for flexibility in daily hours as long as project deadlines and client meeting requirements are met. It implies a focus on output and results rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule. Coordination with Canadian time zones will be necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature of Kanopi means the work environment is highly dependent on the contractor's personal setup and self-management skills. The emphasis on collaboration within a distributed team highlights the need for proactive communication and digital tool proficiency.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Review: Initial screening of resumes, cover letters, and portfolios.

• Initial Questions: A short set of questions to gauge initial fit and gather more information.

• Interviews: Multiple interviews with various team members to assess skills, experience, cultural fit, and alignment with Kanopi's mission. This will likely include discussions with the Director of Strategy and Creative and potentially other designers or project leads.

• Skills Assessments: Potential for one or two short, practical tasks to evaluate design approach, problem-solving skills, and proficiency with design tools.

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

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Thoughtfully: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that best showcase your UI/UX design skills for responsive websites, accessibility expertise, and your ability to lead projects.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate your role, the problem you were solving, your design process (discovery, wireframing, prototyping, UI design), and the rationale behind your decisions. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Showcase Accessibility: Explicitly detail how you incorporated accessibility principles (e.g., WCAG guidelines, user testing with diverse groups) into your designs.

• Demonstrate Presentation Skills: If possible, include a link to a video walkthrough or a highly interactive prototype that simulates how you would present the work to a client.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include any measurable outcomes or client feedback that demonstrates the success of your designs.

• Tailor to Kanopi: Briefly mention why your skills and experience align with Kanopi's focus on mission-driven clients and their expertise in Drupal/WordPress.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve taking a brief, identifying user needs, sketching initial concepts, and then developing a key screen or user flow.

• Presentation Practice: Rehearse presenting your portfolio projects and any work from a design challenge. Focus on clarity, conciseness, and confidently explaining your strategic thinking. Practice answering questions about your process and defending your design choices.

• Accessibility & Usability: Be ready to discuss your approach to accessibility and usability in detail, referencing specific standards or techniques.

• Client Communication: Practice framing your responses in a way that demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively with clients, understand their goals, and guide them through the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a thorough evaluation of design skills, strategic thinking, and client-facing capabilities. The portfolio review is paramount, and candidates should prepare to articulate their process and design decisions with clarity and confidence.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and design system development. Proficiency is a core requirement.

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Likely includes Photoshop and Illustrator for asset creation, image editing, and graphic design tasks.

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

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics 4 (GA4): Familiarity with web analytics is preferred for understanding user behavior and informing design decisions.

• Heatmapping Platforms (e.g., Hotjar, Crazy Egg): Preferred for visualizing user interactions and identifying areas for design improvement.

• User Testing Tools (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze): Preferred for qualitative and quantitative user feedback to validate design solutions.

CRM & Automation:

Other:

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools used by agencies (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello) is beneficial for understanding project workflows.

• Communication Platforms: Slack or similar for daily team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable for this role. The preferred skills in analytics and user testing tools indicate a desire for designers who are data-informed and focused on measurable outcomes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to helping mission-driven organizations thrive through effective web design and development.

• Expertise & Craft: Dedication to high-quality work, continuous learning, and mastery of Drupal and WordPress.

• Inclusivity & Accessibility: Designing for a wide range of users, ensuring digital experiences are usable and welcoming to all.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Working together effectively as a distributed team, communicating openly, and supporting each other's growth.

• Well-being & Growth: Prioritizing the health, happiness, and professional development of team members.

Collaboration Style:

• Distributed First: Emphasizes asynchronous communication and effective use of digital collaboration tools.

• Cross-Functional Teamwork: Close collaboration with content strategists, developers, project managers, and client stakeholders.

• Constructive Feedback: A culture that encourages open feedback exchange to improve designs and project outcomes.

• Client-Centric Problem Solving: Working with clients to understand their unique challenges and deliver tailored solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Kanopi's values emphasize purpose, quality, and people. The ideal candidate will align with these principles, demonstrating a collaborative spirit and a commitment to accessible, user-centered design within a remote team structure.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and communicating complex design ideas within a fully distributed team requiring strong asynchronous communication skills.

• Client Management: Navigating diverse client expectations, feedback loops, and ensuring alignment on design direction for mission-driven projects.

• Balancing Design Vision with Constraints: Maintaining design integrity while adhering to project scope, technical limitations, and development timelines.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: Continuously learning and adapting to evolving web design trends, tools, and accessibility standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Skill Development: Deepen expertise in specialized areas like interaction design, motion design, or advanced accessibility compliance.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Gain experience with a wide array of mission-driven clients and project types, expanding design versatility.

• Mentorship & Networking: Connect with experienced professionals within Kanopi's distributed network, fostering knowledge sharing and potential mentorship.

• Industry Engagement: Opportunities to contribute to thought leadership through webinars or presentations, enhancing professional profile and industry knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: This contract role offers hands-on experience with complex projects and diverse clients, fostering growth through practical application and exposure to a seasoned remote team. The primary challenge lies in excelling within a distributed, client-facing role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem Solving: "Walk me through a complex website project from your portfolio. What were the key challenges, how did you approach them, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your discovery, wireframing, UI, and prototyping process, and how you handled feedback.)

• Client Communication & Presentation: "How do you present your design work to clients, especially when there's pushback or differing opinions?" (Be ready to demonstrate your confidence, clarity, and ability to advocate for user needs while meeting business goals.)

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: "Describe your approach to designing accessible websites. Can you give an example where you specifically addressed accessibility needs?" (Refer to WCAG standards and practical implementation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding Kanopi's Mission: "Why are you interested in working with mission-driven clients?" (Connect your personal values or past experiences to this aspect of Kanopi's work.)

• Remote Work Experience: "What are your strategies for staying productive and collaborating effectively in a remote environment?" (Highlight your self-management, communication tools, and proactive approach.)

• Team Collaboration: "Describe a time you collaborated with developers or content strategists. How did you ensure seamless integration of your designs?" (Showcase your ability to work cross-functionally.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative – the challenge, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your slides or interactive prototypes are clean, well-organized, and visually appealing, reflecting your design skills.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on the most critical aspects of each project and be prepared to elaborate if asked.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out where your work demonstrates user-centered design, accessibility, and strong UI/UX craft.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, technical considerations, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating your design process, demonstrating client-facing skills, and showcasing your commitment to accessibility and user-centered design, all within the context of remote collaboration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this contract operations position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and cover letter are tailored to highlight your 5+ years of web design experience, agency background, and proficiency in Figma. Specifically, curate your portfolio to prominently feature responsive website designs, accessibility considerations, and case studies detailing your end-to-end design process.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your experience with Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Workspace, and any familiarity with Drupal, WordPress, GA4, or user testing tools. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Cover Letter Crafting: Address the prompt: "What’s your favorite piece of technology, and why?" Use this as an opportunity to showcase your passion for technology, design thinking, and how you approach innovation, aligning it with Kanopi's mission-driven ethos.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Kanopi's website, understanding their work with mission-driven clients, their approach to design and development, and their commitment to accessibility.

⚠️ 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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