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

📍 Job Overview

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

Company: Kanopi

Location: Remote (US & Canada)

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Design Operations / GTM Operations (Creative Services)

Date Posted: 2026-02-25

Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This contract role focuses on leading end-to-end visual and UX design for complex, mission-driven website projects, requiring a strong portfolio demonstrating accessibility and usability.

• The position emphasizes client-facing presentation skills, translating complex design thinking into clear, actionable insights for stakeholders and internal teams.

• It involves the creation of user-centered design solutions, including wireframes, user flows, UI designs, high-fidelity prototypes, and scalable design systems.

• The role demands close collaboration with cross-functional teams (Content Strategists, Developers, Project Managers) and a deep understanding of front-end best practices for seamless development integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Website Visual Designer," the responsibilities and requirements clearly indicate a strong UX/UI focus, making it relevant to operations roles that manage creative service delivery, client onboarding, and GTM asset creation. The emphasis on process, client management, and cross-functional collaboration aligns with GTM and Design Operations functions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the complete visual and UX design lifecycle for sophisticated website projects, from initial discovery and research through to final launch, establishing a clear design trajectory and guiding clients and internal project teams to informed decision-making.

• Develop accessible, user-centric design solutions, encompassing detailed wireframes, intuitive user flows, polished UI designs, interactive high-fidelity prototypes, and robust, scalable design systems to ensure enduring design consistency.

• Articulate and defend design decisions with confidence and clarity to diverse audiences, effectively translating complex design rationale into straightforward language and substantiating recommendations with solid reasoning.

• Plan and expertly facilitate discovery workshops, synthesizing research findings and strategic insights into practical UX deliverables such as comprehensive sitemaps, detailed user journey maps, and user personas.

• Foster close, collaborative partnerships with Content Strategists, Developers, and Project Managers to ensure the seamless integration of design solutions, verifying technical soundness and adherence to intended design specifications through diligent work reviews during the development phase.

• Act as a representative for Creative Services in client pitches and throughout the sales cycle, contributing to business development by showcasing strong design thinking and compelling presentation abilities.

• Contribute to Kanopi's external engagement and thought leadership initiatives through participation in webinars, public presentations, and other outreach activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level design function that interfaces directly with clients and internal teams, requiring strong project management, communication, and strategic thinking skills, which are core to operations roles managing creative workflows and client engagements.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience is paramount. A background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is beneficial.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in designing responsive web experiences, with a minimum of 3 years within an agency environment, is required. Direct experience in leading end-to-end design projects is essential.

Required Skills:

• A robust portfolio showcasing thoughtful, user-centered UI/UX design for responsive websites, with clear evidence of accessibility, usability, and visual craft.

• Proven ability to present and defend design work confidently to various stakeholders, effectively incorporating feedback while maintaining design integrity and direction.

• Fluency in Figma and proficiency with modern design workflows and tools.

• Experience utilizing collaboration platforms such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Workspace.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects concurrently, adapt to evolving project requirements, and operate effectively within both Agile and Waterfall development methodologies.

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

Preferred Skills:

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

• Experience working with mission-driven or nonprofit organizations.

• Direct coding experience is considered a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio, presentation skills, and collaboration tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud are critical for operations roles that oversee creative asset development and client communication. The preference for agency and mission-driven experience suggests a focus on client satisfaction and impact.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 5 years of professional web design experience, with at least 3 years in an agency setting, clearly demonstrating end-to-end project ownership.

• Provide detailed case studies of responsive website designs, with specific emphasis on user-centered UI/UX principles, accessibility standards (WCAG compliance), and demonstrable usability improvements.

• Include examples of creating and utilizing scalable design systems, illustrating how they maintain brand consistency and streamline future design and development efforts.

Process Documentation:

• Document the workflow for leading discovery workshops, including methodologies for translating research and insights into actionable UX deliverables like sitemaps and user journeys.

• Illustrate the process of creating and managing high-fidelity prototypes, detailing how they are used for client reviews and user testing.

• Provide examples of collaboration processes with Content Strategists, Developers, and Project Managers, showing how design integrity is maintained through development and launch.

• Demonstrate experience in adapting design processes to fit both Agile and Waterfall project management frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, a portfolio is crucial for demonstrating process management, client communication efficiency, and the ability to translate strategy into tangible deliverables. This section emphasizes the need to showcase not just the final output, but the methodology and collaborative processes behind it.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60 - $80 per hour. This hourly rate is commensurate with experience and reflects the senior level of expertise required for this contract position.

Benefits:

• Fully Remote Work: Flexibility to work from anywhere within the US or Canada, promoting work-life balance and autonomy.

• Flexible Schedule: Option to work when and where you do your best, focusing on output and results.

• Access to Top Talent: Opportunity to collaborate with a highly skilled and diverse global team, fostering continuous learning and professional development.

• Contract Engagement: Project-based work with varying hours, offering flexibility and the opportunity to engage in diverse projects.

Working Hours: This is a contract position with variable hours, not guaranteed. It is expected that the role will require a significant time commitment, aligning with the demands of complex website projects. A standard 40-hour work week is a common baseline, with flexibility offered.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided based on the job posting's stated hourly rate. Benefits are inferred from the company's general description of its remote work philosophy and team structure, emphasizing flexibility and access to talent. The working hours are clarified as variable due to the contract nature.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

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

Company Size: Kanopi Studios operates with a fully distributed team, suggesting a medium-to-large employee base typical of specialized agencies that scale through remote talent.

Founded: Kanopi Studios was founded with a mission-driven approach, aiming to build websites that empower their clients' missions and contribute to a better web for everyone. This founding principle continues to shape their culture.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Director of Strategy and Creative, indicating a structured creative department within the agency.

• The designer will work within project-specific teams, collaborating closely with Content Strategists, Developers, and Project Managers, reflecting a cross-functional, project-based team model common in agencies.

Methodology:

• Client-Centric Design: A core methodology is designing with mission-driven clients in mind, translating their goals into effective digital solutions.

• Accessibility-First Approach: Designing with accessibility from the outset is a key process, ensuring inclusivity and usability for all users.

• Agile & Waterfall Integration: The ability to work within both Agile and Waterfall project management frameworks demonstrates flexibility in process adoption.

• Data-Informed Decisions: While not explicitly stated for this role, the mention of analytics tools suggests a data-informed approach to design and strategy.

Company Website: https://www.kanopi.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Kanopi's focus on mission-driven clients and their distributed team structure implies a culture that values impact, collaboration, and autonomy. The operations aspect lies in managing these diverse projects and client needs efficiently.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level contract role, indicating an expectation of independent work, leadership within project teams, and significant expertise in visual and UX design for websites. It's a position for an individual contributor who can guide design direction and mentor others implicitly through their work and presentation style.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Director of Strategy and Creative. This suggests a clear line of communication for strategic alignment, performance feedback, and project oversight within the creative services department.

Operations Impact: The Senior Website Visual Designer (UX/UI) has a direct impact on client success by creating user-centered, accessible, and visually compelling websites that support their missions. Their ability to translate client needs into effective designs and present these solutions confidently influences client satisfaction, project outcomes, and Kanopi's reputation, thereby contributing to business development and client retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in accessibility, specific CMS platforms (Drupal/WordPress), or advanced prototyping techniques.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Opportunity to lead design efforts on complex projects, influence design strategy, and informally mentor junior designers through collaboration.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop stronger client-facing skills, potentially leading to more strategic advisory roles or involvement in higher-level client pitches and strategy sessions.

• Thought Leadership: Contribute to Kanopi's public-facing content, enhancing personal brand and industry recognition.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role, "growth" often translates to expanding one's portfolio, gaining experience with diverse clients and complex projects, and enhancing reputation within a specialized field. The senior level implies a role where leadership is demonstrated through expertise and influence rather than direct management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully remote, allowing for work from any location within the US or Canada. This fosters an environment where employees can choose their optimal work setting.

Office Location(s): While the company is distributed, the core operations and client base may be influenced by its US & Canada focus. Specific client engagements might dictate time zone considerations for real-time collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Digital Space: The environment relies heavily on digital collaboration tools (Figma, Google Workspace, Adobe CC) to connect a distributed team. This necessitates strong digital communication skills and a proactive approach to engagement.

• Technology-Rich: Access to modern design and collaboration software is fundamental. The company's expertise in Drupal/WordPress suggests an environment that values technical proficiency in web development platforms.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Opportunities for interaction will primarily be with project teams, including Content Strategists, Developers, and Project Managers, emphasizing a team-oriented approach to project execution.

Work Schedule: The role offers flexibility, allowing individuals to structure their workdays to maximize productivity. While project deadlines and client meetings will necessitate structured time, the overall schedule is adaptable, supporting a healthy work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the work environment is a significant factor. For operations professionals, this means a focus on asynchronous communication, self-management, and proficiency with remote collaboration tools.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Review: Initial screening of resumes and cover letters, with a strong emphasis on portfolio quality and relevance.

• Initial Questions: A short questionnaire to gauge initial fit and specific skills.

• Interviews: Multiple rounds with team members to assess technical skills, design philosophy, collaboration style, and cultural alignment. Expect discussions with peers and leadership.

• Skills Assessments: Potential for one or two short practical design tasks or case study presentations to evaluate real-world problem-solving and design execution.

• Ongoing Communication: Kanopi aims for transparency and timely follow-up throughout the process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your end-to-end UI/UX design process for responsive websites, highlighting accessibility, usability, and visual craft. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Detail Your Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process undertaken (discovery, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, testing), your rationale behind key decisions, and the outcomes achieved.

• Showcase Presentation Skills: Include examples or descriptions of how you presented your work to clients or stakeholders, demonstrating clarity, confidence, and your ability to defend design choices.

• Highlight Accessibility: Explicitly call out how accessibility was integrated into your design process and deliverables, providing specific examples of considerations and solutions.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: If possible, illustrate how you collaborated with developers, content strategists, or other team members to bring designs to life.

Challenge Preparation:

• Review Kanopi's Work: Familiarize yourself with Kanopi's portfolio and client types (mission-driven organizations) to understand their aesthetic and design philosophy.

• Prepare for Design Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach common design challenges, such as redesigning a complex user flow, improving site navigation, or ensuring accessibility for a specific feature.

• Practice Articulating Design Rationale: Develop concise explanations for your design choices, linking them to user needs, business goals, and accessibility principles.

• Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready about the team, projects, challenges, and company culture to demonstrate engagement and critical thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes a robust portfolio and the ability to articulate design decisions, which are key indicators of an operations-minded individual who can manage complex creative workflows and client expectations.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

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

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Proficiency is expected for various design tasks, likely including Photoshop, Illustrator, and potentially After Effects for motion graphics or advanced prototyping.

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

Analytics & Reporting:

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

• Heatmapping Platforms (e.g., Hotjar): Preferred for visualizing user interactions on websites.

• User Testing Tools: Experience with platforms that facilitate user feedback and usability testing is an asset.

CRM & Automation: While not directly listed as a requirement for this designer role, the company's operations likely involve CRM systems for client management and project management tools for workflow automation. Understanding how design integrates into these broader systems is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud is critical. The preferred familiarity with analytics and user testing tools indicates an operations-centric approach to design, where data informs decisions and optimizes user experience.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven Impact: A strong commitment to helping clients' missions thrive, valuing work that contributes positively to society.

• Growth and Well-being: Dedication to supporting team members' professional development, personal growth, and overall well-being.

• Excellence and Craft: A pursuit of high-quality work, demonstrated through expertise in design, development, and support.

• Inclusivity and Accessibility: A core value of building a web that works better for everyone, emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility in all design and development practices.

• Collaboration and Transparency: Fostering an environment where team members can connect, learn, and succeed together, with a commitment to open communication.

Collaboration Style:

• Distributed Team Synergy: Relies on strong digital communication, asynchronous workflows, and proactive engagement to maintain team cohesion and project momentum.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Emphasizes close collaboration between designers, content strategists, developers, and project managers to ensure cohesive and technically sound project delivery.

• Client-Centric Dialogue: A style that involves active listening, clear communication, and confident presentation to guide clients through the design process and ensure alignment with their goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Kanopi's values highlight a culture that is purpose-driven, people-focused, and committed to quality and inclusivity. For operations roles, understanding and embodying these values is key to successful client and team interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Client Needs: Effectively advocating for user-centered design and accessibility while meeting diverse client expectations and project constraints.

• Managing Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and efficient workflows within a fully distributed environment, requiring excellent communication and self-management skills.

• Translating Complex Ideas Simply: Clearly articulating sophisticated design concepts and technical requirements to non-technical stakeholders.

• Adapting to Evolving Project Scope: Navigating changes in project requirements or client feedback while maintaining design integrity and project timelines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge UX/UI trends, accessibility best practices, and new design tools.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gaining deeper insights into content strategy, Drupal/WordPress development, and project management through close collaboration.

• Client Strategy Engagement: Participating in client pitches and strategic discussions, enhancing business acumen and client advisory skills.

• Industry Visibility: Contributing to Kanopi's thought leadership through webinars and presentations, building a personal brand and network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in senior design roles within agencies, particularly in a remote setting. The growth opportunities focus on skill enhancement and strategic involvement, aligning with career progression in operations-adjacent creative fields.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for leading a complex website redesign from initial client brief to final design delivery. How do you ensure accessibility and usability are integrated throughout?" (Focus on your methodology, user-centered approach, and stakeholder management.)

• "Walk us through a project where you had to present a challenging design decision to a client who was resistant. How did you approach the conversation, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your presentation skills, negotiation tactics, and ability to defend design rationale with data and user needs.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Kanopi's mission-driven approach and our focus on Drupal/WordPress?" (Research Kanopi's values, client types, and technical specializations.)

• "How do you maintain a sense of connection and collaboration within a fully remote team?" (Discuss your strategies for asynchronous communication, virtual team building, and proactive engagement.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Storytelling: For each case study, tell a clear story: the client's challenge, your role and process, the design solutions you developed, and the positive impact or results achieved.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved usability scores, accessibility compliance achieved) to demonstrate the tangible value of your designs.

• Focus on Rationale: Be prepared to explain the "why" behind every design decision, linking it back to user needs, accessibility standards, and project objectives.

• Demonstrate Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your work concisely and engagingly, anticipating questions and preparing clear, confident answers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role requires a blend of design expertise, process understanding, and strong communication skills – all crucial for operations professionals managing creative projects and client relationships.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent creative position:

• Utilize the ‘Apply for this Job’ button located at the bottom of the job posting page on Workable.

• Customize Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your 5+ years of web design experience, with specific emphasis on UI/UX, accessibility, agency work, and client presentation. Use keywords from the job description.

• Develop a Compelling Cover Letter: Clearly articulate your fit for the role, addressing your passion for mission-driven work and your answer to the question: "What’s your favorite piece of technology, and why?"

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest website design projects that showcase end-to-end UI/UX process, accessibility, and client presentation skills. Ensure it is easily navigable and professionally presented.

• Prepare for Skill Assessments: Be ready to discuss your design process and potentially complete a short design exercise that demonstrates your problem-solving abilities and Figma proficiency.

⚠️ 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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