Contract Senior Website Visual Designer (UX/UI) - Remote | Canada
π Job Overview
Job Title: Contract Senior Website Visual Designer (UX/UI)
Company: Kanopi
Location: Remote (Canada)
Job Type: CONTRACTOR
Category: Design & User Experience Operations
Date Posted: February 25, 2026
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Fully Remote
π Role Summary
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This role is focused on leading end-to-end visual and UX design for complex website projects, from discovery through launch, requiring a strong emphasis on user-centered design principles and accessibility standards.
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The position demands a senior-level designer capable of creating accessible, user-centric solutions including wireframes, user flows, UI designs, high-fidelity prototypes, and scalable design systems.
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A critical aspect of this role involves presenting and defending design work with clarity and confidence to clients and internal teams, translating complex design thinking into plain language and client-understandable reasoning.
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The designer will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Content Strategists, Developers, and Project Managers, to ensure cohesive, technically sound solutions and will be involved in client pitches and sales processes.
π Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Website Visual Designer (UX/UI)", the responsibilities and requirements suggest a deep integration with GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy through client pitches and sales process involvement, as well as a strong operational component in managing design systems and ensuring technical feasibility through collaboration with developers. This is not just a creative role but one that impacts business development and project execution.
π Primary Responsibilities
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Lead the complete visual and UX design lifecycle for intricate website projects, from initial discovery phases to post-launch support, establishing a definitive design direction and guiding stakeholders toward informed decisions.
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Develop intuitive and accessible, user-centric design solutions, encompassing wireframes, comprehensive user flows, detailed UI designs, high-fidelity interactive prototypes, and adaptable design systems to ensure long-term visual consistency and maintainability.
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Articulate and advocate for design decisions with confidence and clarity to diverse audiences, translating technical and user-centric rationale into easily understood explanations and solid justifications for proposed solutions.
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Plan, organize, and facilitate discovery workshops, effectively translating research findings and user insights into actionable UX deliverables such as sitemaps, detailed user journeys, and representative personas.
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Foster close collaboration with Content Strategists, Developers, and Project Managers to guarantee that all design solutions are integrated seamlessly, technically feasible, and implemented according to specifications, including active participation in design reviews during the development phase.
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Represent the Creative Services department in client pitches and throughout the sales cycle, contributing to the acquisition of new business through compelling design thinking and persuasive presentations.
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Contribute to Kanopiβs external brand presence and thought leadership by participating in webinars, delivering presentations, and engaging in other public-facing knowledge-sharing initiatives.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic GTM involvement (client pitches, sales process) and core operational design execution (design systems, cross-functional collaboration, technical feasibility). The emphasis on "leading end-to-end" and "setting a clear design direction" points to a senior role with significant autonomy and influence over project outcomes and client relationships.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Web Design, or a related field is often preferred for senior roles in this domain. Equivalent practical experience and a strong portfolio will be considered.
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in designing responsive web experiences, with at least 3 years specifically within an agency environment, demonstrating a track record of successful project delivery.
Required Skills:
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A robust portfolio showcasing a strong foundation in user-centered UI/UX design for responsive websites, with clear evidence of expertise in accessibility, usability, and high-quality visual craft.
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Proven ability to present and defend design work effectively to various stakeholders, adept at incorporating feedback while maintaining a clear and consistent design direction.
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Advanced proficiency in Figma and modern design workflow methodologies, complemented by experience with collaboration tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Workspace.
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Demonstrated capability to manage multiple complex projects concurrently, adapt to shifting project requirements, and perform effectively in both Agile and Waterfall project management environments.
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Comfort and experience working autonomously within a fully remote, distributed team structure.
Preferred Skills:
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Direct experience in coding or a strong technical understanding that bridges design and development.
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Familiarity with analytics and user research tools, including but not limited to Google Analytics 4 (GA4), heatmapping platforms, and various user testing methodologies.
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Prior experience working with mission-driven organizations, non-profits, or clients with similar social impact goals.
π Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience, with 3+ in an agency, coupled with the need for strong presentation and client-facing skills, indicates a senior-level role where strategic thinking and client management are as important as design execution. The preference for analytics and non-profit experience suggests a potential focus on data-informed design and mission-aligned projects.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, featuring detailed case studies that illustrate the candidate's approach to user-centered UI/UX design for responsive websites.
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Case studies should explicitly demonstrate the application of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG compliance) and highlight improvements in usability and user experience metrics.
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Showcase examples of creating and implementing scalable design systems, including UI components, style guides, and best practices for maintaining design consistency across projects.
Process Documentation:
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Candidates are expected to demonstrate a structured approach to the design process, from initial discovery and research through to final handoff and post-launch review.
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Evidence of facilitating design workshops, conducting user research, and translating findings into actionable design deliverables is crucial.
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The ability to document design decisions, user flows, and system components for collaboration with developers and other team members must be evident.
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A clear understanding of design iteration, feedback incorporation, and quality assurance processes, particularly in a remote and collaborative setting, is expected.
π Enhancement Note: For a senior-level design role, especially in a contract capacity, the portfolio serves as the primary evaluation tool. It's not just about showcasing finished work but demonstrating a robust, repeatable, and collaborative design process that aligns with agency operations and client expectations for quality and efficiency. The emphasis on accessibility and design systems points to a need for operational rigor in design.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The hourly rate for this contract position is between $55/hour and $70/hour CAD
Application Requirements
Candidates must possess a strong portfolio showcasing thoughtful, user-centered UI/UX design for responsive websites, including accessibility examples, backed by 5+ years of professional web design experience, with at least 3 years in an agency setting. Fluency in Figma and strong presentation skills are essential for guiding clients and teams.