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

📍 Job Overview

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

Company: Kanopi

Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Remote)

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: UX/UI Design & Web Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-02-25

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on leading end-to-end visual and UX design for complex website projects within a fully distributed, mission-driven design agency.

• Key responsibilities include creating accessible, user-centered solutions, from initial discovery and wireframing to high-fidelity prototypes and scalable design systems.

• The position requires strong client presentation skills, ability to translate research into actionable design deliverables, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams including Developers and Content Strategists.

• This is a contract position requiring a senior-level designer adept at managing multiple projects, adapting to evolving requirements, and contributing to business development through client pitches.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Website Visual Designer," the responsibilities and required skills strongly indicate a focus on UX/UI design operations, with an emphasis on user-centered design principles, accessibility, and translating business needs into functional, aesthetically pleasing digital experiences. The "operations" aspect is inherent in the systematic approach to design, project management, and client collaboration required.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the complete visual and user experience (UX) design process for intricate website projects, from the initial discovery phase through to post-launch support.

• Develop a clear and compelling design direction, guiding both clients and internal project teams toward confident and informed design decisions.

• Craft accessible, user-centered design solutions, including detailed wireframes, intuitive user flows, polished UI designs, high-fidelity interactive prototypes, and robust, scalable design systems to ensure long-term visual consistency and maintainability.

• Effectively plan and facilitate discovery workshops, translating complex research findings and user insights into practical UX deliverables such as sitemaps, comprehensive user journeys, and detailed user personas.

• Foster close collaboration with Content Strategists, Developers, and Project Managers to ensure that all designed solutions are cohesive, technically feasible, and implemented accurately as intended, including performing design reviews during the development lifecycle.

• Act as a representative of the Creative Services department in client pitches and throughout the sales cycle, contributing to winning new business through compelling design thinking and persuasive presentations.

• Contribute to Kanopi's broader marketing and thought leadership initiatives by participating in webinars, delivering presentations, and engaging in other public-facing opportunities that showcase the agency's expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic and client-facing role within design operations. The emphasis on "leading end-to-end," "setting a clear design direction," and "representing Creative Services in client pitches" points to a senior-level individual contributor expected to manage projects autonomously and contribute to business growth, rather than solely executing tasks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is implied by the senior-level requirements. Candidates with equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

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

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to lead end-to-end visual and UX design for complex website projects, demonstrating a strong understanding of the full design lifecycle from discovery to launch.

• Expertise in creating accessible, user-centered design solutions, including detailed wireframes, user flows, UI designs, and high-fidelity prototypes.

• Demonstrated proficiency in developing and implementing scalable design systems to ensure visual consistency and efficiency.

• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design rationale, defend design decisions, and confidently present work to diverse client audiences.

• Experience in planning and facilitating discovery workshops, translating research and insights into actionable UX deliverables (sitemaps, user journeys, personas).

• Fluency in modern design and collaboration tools, specifically Figma, and familiarity with the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and Google Workspace.

• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, adapt to evolving project requirements, and work effectively within both Agile and Waterfall development methodologies.

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

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with mission-driven or nonprofit organizations, understanding their unique operational and communication needs.

• Direct coding experience, particularly with front-end technologies, is a plus.

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

• Experience with Drupal and WordPress CMS platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" are framed to emphasize the operational aspects of design, such as managing workflows, collaborating across disciplines, and ensuring technical feasibility. The "Preferred Skills" add value by identifying candidates who can hit the ground running with specific client types or have complementary technical proficiencies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a minimum of 5 years of experience in designing responsive websites with a strong emphasis on user-centered UI/UX principles.

• The portfolio must clearly demonstrate a deep understanding and practical application of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG compliance) and usability best practices in all presented projects.

• Include examples of high-fidelity prototypes and scalable design systems, illustrating the ability to create robust and maintainable design assets.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how you plan and facilitate design discovery workshops, including sample outputs like sitemaps, user journey maps, or personas.

• Provide case studies or project descriptions that detail your end-to-end design process, from initial research and wireframing through to final UI design and collaboration with developers.

• Demonstrate your approach to ensuring design accessibility and usability, including any specific methodologies or checks you employ.

• Illustrate your experience with design systems, including how you've created, maintained, or contributed to them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are tailored to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also a systematic and process-oriented approach to UX/UI design, which is critical for operations roles. The emphasis on process documentation and specific deliverables (wireframes, personas, design systems) aligns with operational expectations for clarity and replicability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55 - $70 CAD per hour

Benefits:

• Contractual Engagement: This is a contract position, offering flexibility and project-based work.

• Remote Work Flexibility: Fully remote position allowing work from any location within Canada.

• Opportunity for Growth: Involvement in client pitches and thought leadership contributes to professional development and visibility.

• Diverse Project Exposure: Work with mission-driven clients, offering meaningful project