Graphic Designer (12 Month Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (12 Month Contract)

Company: Vacances Air Canada Vacations / Air Canada Rouge

Location: Montreal, QC, Canada

Job Type: Temporary

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Experience Level: 4+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for supporting marketing initiatives through creative visual asset development, focusing on brand consistency and campaign execution across various media.

• The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in translating creative concepts into tangible marketing materials, ensuring alignment with overall branding strategies.

• Key responsibilities include the adaptation of designs for 360-degree advertising campaigns, encompassing both digital and print collateral.

• The position requires a strong command of design software and an understanding of design trends to produce high-quality, accurate, and impactful visual content for a growing travel brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is explicitly for a Graphic Designer, its placement within "Marketing" and the emphasis on "advertising campaigns," "branding strategies," and "marketing materials" strongly suggests a role that bridges creative execution with marketing operations. The need to "liaise with the marketing department" and ensure "uniform layout and design of all marketing, communications and creative pieces" indicates a function that supports broader marketing objectives and operational consistency. Therefore, it's categorized under Marketing Operations / Creative Services to reflect this operational alignment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Adapt creative concepts into visually compelling assets for comprehensive 360-degree advertising campaigns, ensuring brand integrity across all touchpoints.

• Maintain a consistent and uniform layout and design across all marketing, communication, and creative materials to uphold brand identity and professional standards.

• Ensure all creative projects are integrated into holistic advertising campaigns, demonstrating an understanding of how individual pieces contribute to the larger strategic narrative.

• Participate actively in the production of primary campaign assets, including the design of printed and digital brochures, advertisements, and other promotional materials.

• Collaborate closely with the marketing department to gather all necessary information and insights required for project production, ensuring creative output aligns with marketing objectives.

• Provide accurate time estimates for design tasks, facilitating efficient project planning and resource allocation within the marketing team.

• Execute thorough proofreading and revision of all creative projects to guarantee accuracy, quality, and adherence to specifications before final delivery.

• Take ownership of the quality and accuracy of content, managing the sign-off and final approval processes to prevent errors and ensure stakeholder satisfaction.

• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and contemporary design trends, incorporating innovative approaches to enhance visual communication and campaign effectiveness.

• Perform any other related tasks as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to supporting departmental goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed emphasize the tactical execution of design work within a marketing framework. The need to "adapt creative concepts," "maintain uniform layout," and "ensure each creative project is not isolated" highlights the operational aspect of ensuring brand consistency and campaign cohesion. The requirement to "liaise with the marketing department" further underscores the role's integration into marketing operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is essential for creating and manipulating design assets.

• Experience working within a Mac environment, which is standard for many creative agencies and design departments.

• Bilingualism in French and English, both orally and in writing, is crucial for effective communication with diverse stakeholders, especially given the company's presence across Canada.

• Demonstrated initiative and creativity in developing unique and effective design solutions.

• Strong judgment and professionalism in all aspects of work, from concept development to final output.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, coupled with a strong analytical sense to understand project requirements and client needs.

• Highly developed organizational skills enabling effective management of multiple projects simultaneously.

• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong problem-solving skills to address design challenges and find practical solutions.

• Proven ability to effectively manage multiple projects and consistently meet deadlines.

• Team spirit and the capacity to provide positive leadership and collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the travel industry is a significant asset, providing context for the specific visual language and marketing needs of the sector.

• Familiarity with video editing software for the production of dynamic visual content.

• Knowledge of HTML for creating animated web banners, bridging graphic design with digital marketing execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 4+ years of experience, a diploma, and specific software proficiency (Adobe CC, Mac environment) points to an intermediate-level designer. The emphasis on bilingualism, organizational skills, and ability to work under pressure are critical operational competencies for a role that supports campaign execution within a marketing department. The inclusion of "travel industry experience" as an asset suggests the company values domain-specific knowledge.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of four years of design experience, demonstrating a breadth of work across different media (print, digital, video).

• Examples of adaptation of creative concepts for 360-degree advertising campaigns, illustrating the ability to maintain brand consistency across multiple platforms.

• Case studies or examples of projects that highlight maintaining uniform layout and design across various marketing materials.

• Demonstration of proficiency in the Adobe CC suite through high-quality finished pieces and process examples.

Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate an understanding of design workflows, from initial concept development and information gathering to final proofreading and approval processes.

• Examples of how projects were executed within a campaign context, showing an awareness of integration and holistic campaign design.

• Evidence of ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines, which speaks to personal process efficiency and time management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a "Supporting portfolio" is a critical element for this role. For a Graphic Designer, this portfolio is the primary evidence of their skills, experience, and ability to execute. It should not only showcase aesthetic quality but also the ability to translate marketing objectives into effective visual communication, demonstrating an understanding of campaign strategy and brand guidelines.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Generous employee travel program with privileges available after 6 months of service.

• Eligibility for health and dental benefits for employees and their families (note: may apply primarily to permanent roles, but contract terms should be clarified).

• Access to training and development tools to foster professional growth and skill enhancement.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for overtime depending on project demands and campaign timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description notes that "these benefits apply to permanent, full-time employees." This is a crucial detail for contract positions. While travel privileges are mentioned as available after 6 months, other benefits like health and dental insurance may not be included for a 12-month contract. This needs to be explicitly clarified by the employer. The salary range is an estimation based on market data for a graphic designer with 4+ years of experience in Montreal, Canada.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Travel & Tourism, Aviation Services. Air Canada Vacations is a prominent player in the Canadian travel industry, offering a wide array of vacation packages, tours, and cruises. This context implies a fast-paced, client-focused environment driven by seasonal demands and a passion for travel.

Company Size: Air Canada Vacations is part of the larger Air Canada network, suggesting a substantial organization with established corporate structures and resources. The specific team size for marketing or creative services is not detailed but is likely a dynamic department within a large enterprise.

Founded: Air Canada Vacations has been operating for over 50 years, indicating a stable and experienced company with a long-standing reputation in the market.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will work within the Marketing department, collaborating closely with senior designers. This suggests a tiered creative team structure.

• Reporting will likely be to a Senior Graphic Designer or a Marketing Manager who oversees creative output.

Methodology:

• The team likely employs a campaign-centric approach, where design projects are aligned with broader marketing strategies and advertising initiatives.

• Emphasis is placed on maintaining brand consistency and adapting creative concepts across multiple channels (360-degree campaigns).

• A hybrid work model suggests a modern approach to team collaboration, balancing in-office synergy with remote flexibility.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "making dreams travel" and its long history in the travel industry suggest a culture that values passion for travel, customer satisfaction, and creating memorable experiences. The mention of a "dynamic and fast-paced work environment" within the requirements further reinforces this.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer, requiring a minimum of four years of experience. It's an execution-focused role that supports senior creative staff and marketing objectives.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to senior designers and likely a Marketing Manager. This structure provides opportunities for mentorship and learning from experienced professionals in both design and marketing strategy.

Operations Impact: While not a direct revenue-generating role, the Graphic Designer's work has a significant impact on brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, and customer engagement. High-quality visuals directly support sales efforts by making promotional materials more appealing and informative, ultimately contributing to lead generation and conversion rates.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas (e.g., digital advertising, video editing, motion graphics) through project exposure and potentially company-provided training.

• Creative Leadership: Potential to advance to a Senior Graphic Designer role by demonstrating strong creative output, project management skills, and a deep understanding of the company's brand and marketing goals.

• Broader Marketing Exposure: Working within the Marketing department provides exposure to campaign strategy, market research, and cross-functional marketing initiatives, which could lead to roles in marketing coordination or campaign management.

• Industry Experience: Gaining valuable experience in the travel industry, a competitive sector that rewards creative and effective marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The 12-month contract nature implies that while there are opportunities for skill development and project experience, a permanent advancement path might depend on contract extension or conversion. However, the experience gained is valuable for future roles in operations or creative services.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as having a "Hybrid work model," indicating a blend of on-site work at the Montreal office and remote work. This suggests a modern workplace designed to accommodate both in-person collaboration and individual focused work.

Office Location(s): The primary office is in Montreal, QC, Canada. This location is specified as the base for the role.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model allows for collaborative sessions within the Montreal office, fostering teamwork and idea exchange, particularly with senior designers and the marketing team.

• Access to standard design tools and technology within the company's IT infrastructure will be provided, including a Mac environment and Adobe CC suite.

• Opportunities for interaction with colleagues in the marketing department will be regular, supporting project collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with flexibility offered through the hybrid model. The dynamic nature of the travel industry and marketing campaigns may require occasional adjustments to work hours to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, offering a balance that many professionals seek. This structure requires strong self-discipline and communication skills to ensure seamless collaboration regardless of location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of applications and resumes, with a strong emphasis on the submitted portfolio.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio to a panel, discussing their design process, rationale behind their work, and how they've met client objectives. Be prepared to elaborate on specific projects.

• Skills Assessment: Potentially a practical design test or a creative challenge to assess proficiency in Adobe CC and problem-solving abilities under simulated work conditions.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Questions will focus on teamwork, communication, ability to work under pressure, initiative, and alignment with the company's values (e.g., passion for travel, customer focus, DEI).

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with senior management or the hiring manager to discuss the role in detail and finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate the skills and experience relevant to the job description, especially those showing campaign adaptation, brand consistency, and digital/print collateral.

• Showcase Process: For key projects, briefly explain your design process, from understanding the brief to final execution. Highlight any challenges overcome and solutions implemented.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any designs led to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, click-through rates), include this information. For a designer, this might be about how the design effectively communicated the message.

• Highlight Bilingualism: If your portfolio includes work in both French and English, this is a strong advantage.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether it's a digital platform or a PDF.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Brief Interpretation: Practice quickly understanding and interpreting design briefs, identifying key objectives and constraints.

• Time Management: For any timed exercises, focus on delivering a complete concept rather than a perfectly polished final piece, unless otherwise specified.

• Brand Alignment: Be ready to explain how your proposed design aligns with Air Canada Vacations' brand guidelines and marketing campaign goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "Supporting portfolio" is paramount. Candidates must prepare a portfolio that not only showcases their design talent but also their ability to execute within a marketing framework, adhere to brand guidelines, and collaborate effectively. The hybrid nature of the role might mean some interview stages are conducted virtually.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency required in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for graphic design, layout, and image manipulation.

• Mac Environment: The role specifically states a Mac environment, so familiarity with macOS is essential.

• Video Editing Software: Experience with video editing tools (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro) is preferred for producing video content.

• HTML/Web Design Tools: Basic knowledge of HTML is beneficial for creating animated web banners, suggesting an interest in digital marketing execution.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tools are specified for this role, as it's focused on creative execution rather than sales/marketing operations management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirements revolve around design software. The mention of HTML and video editing suggests a desire for a versatile designer who can contribute to a broader range of digital marketing assets, bridging the gap between pure graphic design and digital content creation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Passion for Travel: A core value evident in the company's mission and employee benefits, suggesting a team that is enthusiastic about the travel industry.

• Customer Focus: Implicit in a travel company, emphasizing the importance of creating appealing and informative materials that serve the customer.

• Collaboration & Team Spirit: Highlighted in the requirements, indicating a preference for individuals who work well with others and contribute positively to team dynamics.

• Initiative & Creativity: Encouraged to foster innovation in design and marketing approaches.

• Quality & Accuracy: A strong emphasis on delivering high-quality work and ensuring accuracy in all creative output.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): A stated commitment, suggesting an inclusive workplace culture where diverse perspectives are valued.

Collaboration Style:

• The role involves close collaboration with senior designers and the marketing department, suggesting a team-oriented approach where feedback is exchanged and projects are developed collectively.

• The hybrid model necessitates effective virtual and in-person communication strategies.

• A willingness to adapt designs based on feedback and integrate them into broader campaign strategies is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company emphasizes DEI, which is an increasingly important factor for job seekers. This suggests an inclusive environment where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are actively welcomed and valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Guidelines: The primary challenge will be to produce innovative designs that are also strictly aligned with Air Canada Vacations' established branding and marketing objectives.

• Managing Multiple Projects and Deadlines: Juggling various campaign assets, print collateral, and digital needs within tight timelines is a common challenge in marketing departments.

• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Staying current with design trends and new technologies while ensuring they serve the brand's strategic goals requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Working in a Hybrid Environment: Effectively collaborating and maintaining productivity while splitting time between office and remote work requires strong self-management and communication skills.

• Contract Duration: Knowing it's a 12-month contract may present a challenge in terms of long-term project ownership or career pathing within the company, though it offers excellent project experience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to 360-Degree Campaigns: Opportunity to gain hands-on experience in designing assets for integrated marketing campaigns across diverse channels.

• Industry-Specific Design: Developing expertise in the visual language and marketing nuances of the travel and tourism sector.

• Mentorship: Learning from senior designers and marketing professionals within a well-established company.

• Skill Enhancement: Potential for training in areas like video editing or HTML to broaden design capabilities.

• Networking: Building professional connections within the marketing and creative fields of a major airline subsidiary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "challenges" section is framed to highlight areas where growth is possible. For instance, managing multiple projects under pressure is a skill that can be honed and demonstrated, making the candidate more valuable.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Campaign Design: "Describe a time you adapted a creative concept for a multi-channel advertising campaign. How did you ensure brand consistency across different platforms?" (Focus on process, rationale, and results).

• Brand Adherence: "How do you balance creative innovation with strict adherence to brand guidelines? Can you provide an example?" (Demonstrate understanding of brand strategy and creative execution).

• Project Management: "Walk us through your process for managing multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How do you prioritize your workload?" (Highlight organizational skills, time management, and communication).

• Problem Solving: "Describe a challenging design brief you received. What was your approach to solving it, and what was the outcome?" (Showcase critical thinking and creative solutions).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Air Canada Vacations, specifically within the travel industry?" (Show genuine enthusiasm for the company and sector).

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, particularly in a hybrid work setting?" (Emphasize teamwork, communication, and adaptability).

• "How do you stay current with design trends and new technologies?" (Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a compelling story that includes the brief, your creative process, the challenges you faced, and the final outcome.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is visually stunning and easy to navigate. Use high-resolution images and clear descriptions.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out how specific projects demonstrate your proficiency in Adobe CC, bilingualism, and campaign adaptation.

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize projects that are most relevant to the travel industry or large-scale marketing campaigns.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, technical skills, and ability to work under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice is tailored to the specific requirements of a graphic designer role within a marketing context, emphasizing not just artistic skill but also operational efficiency, brand alignment, and collaborative capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Air Canada Vacations Careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your existing portfolio or create a concise presentation highlighting your most relevant work, focusing on campaign adaptation, brand consistency, and digital/print collateral. Ensure it showcases your proficiency with the Adobe CC suite and your bilingual capabilities.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 4+ years of graphic design experience, your diploma, proficiency in Mac environments and Adobe CC, and any experience in the travel industry. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, creative rationale, and problem-solving skills. Prepare to discuss specific projects from your portfolio and how you handle deadlines and collaboration in a hybrid setting. Rehearse answers to common interview questions, especially those related to creativity, teamwork, and adaptability.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Air Canada Vacations' current marketing campaigns, brand aesthetic, and mission. Understand their commitment to DEI and their values to better align your responses during the interview.

⚠️ 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.