Design Manager, TELUS Studios (Temporary-Full Time opportunity)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager, TELUS Studios (Temporary-Full Time opportunity)

Company: TELUS

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Management & Leadership / Art & Design

Date Posted: March 3, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end art and creative design processes for marketing and communications initiatives, from concept to final delivery and client presentations.

• Drive innovation and push creative boundaries across various platforms and media, including static and motion design.

• Articulate and champion design decisions and strategic rationale to diverse stakeholders, including clients and senior leadership.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to develop cohesive and impactful creative deliverables, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and business objectives.

• Coach and mentor junior designers, contributing to team growth and the consistent execution of creative concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a temporary, full-time backfill for a maternity leave, indicating a need for immediate impact and a self-sufficient candidate. The emphasis on leading processes, articulating decisions, and coaching others suggests a mid-to-senior level design management position within a corporate in-house creative agency setting. The operations context here is focused on the efficient and strategic execution of creative projects within a defined timeline and scope.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the creation of comprehensive graphic assets, from initial ideation and concept development through to final delivery and archiving.

• Proactively explore and implement innovative design approaches and formats to maximize audience engagement and campaign effectiveness.

• Present and defend design choices and strategic thinking to stakeholders at all organizational levels, ensuring clear communication and buy-in.

• Oversee the organization, management, and archiving of all creative assets, maintaining version control and ensuring accessibility for future use.

• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, technologies, and best practices, actively sharing knowledge and insights to foster a culture of continuous learning within the team.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, balancing independent work with collaborative efforts and effectively taking direction from senior stakeholders.

• Provide guidance and mentorship to other designers, offering constructive feedback and supporting the execution of their creative concepts or your own developed ideas.

• Collaborate with the broader TELUS Studios team, contributing to the development and refinement of motion graphics and other dynamic deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and leadership, common in in-house creative studio environments. The requirement to "question the brief" and propose alternatives emphasizes a strategic approach to creative problem-solving, which is a key operational aspect of ensuring project success and client satisfaction.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Diploma or degree in Graphic Design or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of industry experience in graphic design, art direction, or a related creative role.

• Agency experience is considered an asset, suggesting familiarity with fast-paced client service environments and project management.

Required Skills:

• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is essential for daily task execution.

• Demonstrated ability to produce creative assets for diverse marketing and communications channels, including ad campaigns, social media, promotions, events, reports, sales tools, and point-of-purchase materials.

• Proven capacity for rapid, creative thinking without compromising quality, a critical skill for thriving in high-intensity, focused work bursts.

• Solid understanding of fundamental design principles and the practical application of brand guidelines to ensure visual consistency and brand integrity.

• Exceptional aesthetic sensibility and a keen eye for detail in all creative output.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with Figma, with a demonstrated eagerness to learn new design and prototyping tools, reflecting adaptability in a dynamic tech environment.

• Knowledge or experience in User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), motion graphics, or app design, broadening the scope of potential contributions.

• Fluency in French is considered an asset, indicating potential for broader project engagement within a bilingual organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a strong technical design foundation coupled with strategic thinking and communication abilities. The "eagerness to learn new tools" points to a forward-thinking approach to design operations, ensuring the team remains competitive.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A current, robust online portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a strong aesthetic sensibility, diverse design projects, and a clear demonstration of design principles.

• Candidates should highlight projects that illustrate their ability to translate client needs and business objectives into compelling visual solutions.

• The portfolio should ideally include examples of work across various media and campaign types mentioned in the responsibilities.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as a deliverable, candidates are expected to articulate their design process during interviews and within their portfolio case studies.

• This includes demonstrating how they move from brief analysis to concept generation, stakeholder feedback incorporation, and final asset delivery.

• A structured approach to managing creative workflows, incorporating revisions efficiently, and ensuring brand consistency throughout the process is implicitly required.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design management role, the portfolio serves as the primary operational tool for assessing a candidate's capabilities. It's expected to reflect a well-defined and efficient creative process, demonstrating an ability to manage projects from inception to completion.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As this is a temporary role, compensation will likely be structured as a competitive hourly or fixed-term salary, commensurate with experience and the market rate for Design Managers in Vancouver, BC.

Benefits:

• As a temporary full-time employee, standard benefits may apply, potentially including:

• Health and dental benefits (may be prorated or provided through a third-party provider).

• Paid time off, accrued based on hours worked.

• Access to employee assistance programs.

• Opportunities to contribute to impactful projects within a well-established organization.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours for this full-time, temporary position are expected to be 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines and client needs, typical of a fast-paced creative environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimations are based on general market data for similar roles in Vancouver, Canada, and the specified experience level. Specific compensation details would be provided by TELUS during the hiring process. The temporary nature of the role may influence the benefits package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Telecommunications, Technology, and Media Services. TELUS is a diversified telecommunications company that offers a wide range of products and services, including wireless, wireline, and digital solutions. TELUS Studios operates within this ecosystem as an internal creative powerhouse.

Company Size: TELUS is a large, publicly traded corporation, employing tens of thousands of individuals globally. This scale offers significant resources and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: TELUS was founded in 1993, though its roots trace back to 1902. This long history signifies stability and a deep understanding of its markets.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will report to the Manager, TELUS Studios – Design & Copywriting.

• TELUS Studios is described as a team of professionals who are "restless in their search for new ways to engage audiences," fostering a culture of collaborative learning and innovation.

• The team likely includes graphic designers, copywriters, motion designers, and potentially project managers, working together to deliver creative solutions.

Methodology:

• The team operates in a fast-paced environment, pushing boundaries while adhering to and advancing the TELUS brand.

• A strategic approach to design is expected, where work is considered within the broader context of brand, business objectives, and client needs.

• The culture encourages "questioning the brief" to ensure the most effective solutions are proposed, valuing proactive problem-solving and alternative solution generation.

• Emphasis is placed on continuous learning, sharing knowledge, and adapting to new trends and tools.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: TELUS Studios functions as an in-house agency, implying a dynamic, results-oriented environment focused on delivering high-quality creative output that aligns with TELUS's brand and business goals. The culture values innovation, strategic thinking, and collaborative problem-solving.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Design Manager level within TELUS Studios. It requires significant prior design experience (5+ years) and the ability to lead creative processes, articulate strategy, and mentor others. This is a step towards senior creative leadership or specialized design management roles.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager reports to the Manager, TELUS Studios – Design & Copywriting. This indicates a clear hierarchy within the creative production team, with opportunities to learn from a more senior leader and contribute to team strategy.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's work directly influences marketing and communications effectiveness, brand perception, and ultimately, TELUS's business objectives. By leading the creation of compelling visual assets, they contribute to customer engagement, lead generation, and internal communication strategies. The role's success is measured by the quality, timeliness, and strategic alignment of the creative output.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: While temporary, this role offers a chance to deepen expertise in managing creative projects, client presentations, and team leadership within a large corporate structure. Exposure to diverse projects across TELUS business units provides broad experience.

• Networking: Opportunity to build strong relationships with internal clients and colleagues within TELUS Studios and other departments, potentially leading to future opportunities within TELUS.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Successful execution of high-impact projects can significantly bolster a designer's portfolio, demonstrating leadership and strategic contribution.

• Potential for Permanent Roles: Depending on performance and business needs, there might be opportunities for permanent positions within TELUS Studios or other creative departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The temporary nature of the role means that direct career progression might be limited within the contract itself, but the experience gained in a large corporate creative studio is highly valuable for future opportunities, both within TELUS and externally. The focus is on demonstrating immediate impact and leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based on-site in Vancouver, BC, suggesting a collaborative office environment within TELUS's facilities. TELUS Studios operates as an in-house creative production team, implying a studio-like atmosphere conducive to creative collaboration.

Office Location(s): Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (specific office address may vary within the city).

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as fast-paced, encouraging collaborative learning and pushing creative boundaries.

• Designers will likely work in an open-plan or shared studio space, facilitating easy communication and spontaneous idea sharing.

• Access to necessary design tools, software, and potentially hardware for motion graphics and high-resolution asset creation is expected.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week, with potential for extended hours to meet critical project deadlines, which is common in creative agency settings.

• The on-site nature ensures direct team collaboration and immersion in the creative workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is crucial for fostering the collaborative "studio" environment described, enabling real-time feedback and teamwork essential for creative production.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of resumes and, critically, the online portfolio to assess aesthetic quality, technical skills, and relevant experience.

• Portfolio Presentation/Interview: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, their design process, strategic rationale, and how they handled challenges. This is where they articulate their "strong opinions on design."

• Skills Assessment: A potential design challenge or case study might be given to evaluate problem-solving abilities, creativity under pressure, and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with the hiring manager and potentially other team members or internal clients to assess cultural fit, communication style, and collaborative capabilities.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate the required skills: static and motion design, social media formats, campaign visuals, and client presentation.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the strategic objectives, your design process, key decisions made, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Showcase Brand Application: Include examples of how you've successfully applied brand guidelines or adapted creative for different platforms.

• Highlight Leadership & Mentorship: If possible, include examples where you've led a creative effort or guided other designers.

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and showcases high-quality visuals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to common design challenges: tight deadlines, conflicting feedback, creative blocks, or translating complex ideas into simple visuals.

• Practice articulating your design decisions concisely and persuasively, as if presenting to a client or senior leader.

• Understand TELUS's brand identity and recent campaigns to demonstrate you've done your research and can align with their aesthetic and messaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the most critical component of the application for this role. Candidates must be prepared to not only show their work but also to deeply explain the strategy, process, and results behind it, demonstrating their value as a design leader.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency is required in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. These are the core tools for graphic design and asset creation.

• Figma: Familiarity is preferred, indicating a move towards collaborative design and prototyping tools.

• Other Design Software: Eagerness to learn new tools is highlighted, suggesting the team may utilize other industry-standard or specialized design and motion graphics software.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities, but an understanding of how marketing campaigns are managed and deployed within a CRM context could be helpful for aligning creative with broader marketing operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is heavily on the Adobe Creative Suite, with Figma as a key emerging tool. Candidates should be comfortable demonstrating their proficiency with these tools and expressing a willingness to adapt to others.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Pushing Boundaries: A core value is to constantly seek new and better ways to engage audiences, encouraging creative risk-taking and forward-thinking design.

• Strategic Thinking: Design is not just about aesthetics; it's about understanding the "why" behind the work—how it serves client needs, business objectives, and brand integrity.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within the TELUS Studios team and with various business units is paramount. Sharing knowledge and supporting colleagues are key.

• Brand Stewardship: Protecting and advancing the TELUS brand is a fundamental responsibility, ensuring all creative output is consistent and on-brand.

• Client Focus: Understanding and meeting the needs of internal and external clients is essential, requiring strong communication and a willingness to propose optimal solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• The team fosters a culture of "collaborative learning," suggesting an environment where sharing ideas, feedback, and expertise is encouraged.

• Proactive communication and a willingness to "question the brief" indicate a style that is both supportive and constructively challenging, aiming for the best possible outcome.

• Team members are expected to work both independently and as part of a cohesive unit, contributing to shared goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be a blend of creative freedom and strategic discipline, typical of successful in-house creative agencies. It values proactive contributions, continuous improvement, and strong interpersonal skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Temporary Role Dynamics: Adapting quickly to a new team, learning existing workflows, and delivering impactful results within a defined contract period can be challenging.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Constraints: Effectively translating creative ideas while strictly adhering to TELUS's brand guidelines and client objectives.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Articulating design rationale and navigating feedback from diverse stakeholders, some of whom may have limited design understanding.

• Pace of Work: Thriving in a fast-paced environment that requires quick thinking and execution without sacrificing quality.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working with various TELUS business units provides exposure to different marketing challenges and creative needs.

• Mentorship from Senior Leadership: Learning from the Manager, TELUS Studios – Design & Copywriting, and other experienced team members.

• Mastering Tools and Technologies: Gaining experience with TELUS's specific creative workflows and potentially new design software.

• Internal Networking: Building connections within a large, established organization like TELUS.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge for a temporary role is rapid integration and impact. The growth opportunities are significant in terms of practical experience and professional networking within a major corporation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to leading creative projects from concept to completion. For example, "Describe a time you led the design for a major marketing campaign. What was your process, and what was the outcome?"

• Expect questions about how you handle client feedback and push back on briefs. "How do you balance your creative vision with a client's specific (and sometimes conflicting) requests?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Research TELUS's current marketing campaigns, brand messaging, and values. Be ready to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with these.

• Understand the role of TELUS Studios within the larger TELUS organization and how creative production supports business goals.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your solution, your role, the process, and the results. Use strong visuals and concise descriptions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates, positive client feedback).

• Highlight Strategic Thinking: Emphasize how your design choices were driven by strategic objectives, not just aesthetics.

• Showcase Versatility: Present a range of work that spans different media (static, motion, social) and campaign types.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's engaging, concise, and within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviews for this role will heavily focus on your portfolio and your ability to articulate the strategic and operational aspects of your design process. Demonstrating leadership potential and strong communication skills will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the TELUS careers portal (link provided).

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, showcases your best work relevant to marketing and communications across various media, and clearly articulates your design process and strategic thinking for each project.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of industry experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and any relevant design software, and specific experience with ad campaigns, social media, and client presentations. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design philosophy, your approach to leadership and mentorship, and how you handle creative challenges and stakeholder feedback. Be ready to present your portfolio confidently.

• Research TELUS: Familiarize yourself with TELUS's brand, recent campaigns, and company values to demonstrate your understanding of their context and how your creative vision aligns.

⚠️ 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.