Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer Company: Shakepay Location: Remote, Canada Job Type: Full-Time Category: Creative Operations / Marketing Operations Date Posted: July 24, 2025 Experience Level: Senior (5+ years) Remote Status: Fully Remote (Canada)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the visual execution of brand campaigns and marketing initiatives, translating business objectives into compelling creative assets.
• Drive the evolution of Shakepay's visual identity and brand language through innovative design and original illustration.
• Develop and produce motion graphics content to enhance user engagement and communicate product value propositions.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing and product, to conceptualize and deliver high-impact creative solutions.
• Establish and maintain scalable design systems and templates to empower internal teams and ensure brand consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Graphic Designer, indicating a need for strategic design thinking, leadership in visual execution, and the ability to mentor or guide junior designers if applicable. The emphasis on expanding the visual world and evolving the brand suggests a key contributor role in shaping Shakepay's brand perception.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design a wide range of creative assets across multiple channels, including social media graphics, digital advertising campaigns, landing pages, email marketing templates, merchandise, and event collateral.
• Conceptualize and execute original illustrations that expand upon Shakepay's established playful brand universe, while also exploring new visual territories.
• Create engaging motion content for marketing campaigns, product explainers, and UI polish, utilizing tools like After Effects or equivalent software.
• Partner with Marketing, Product, and other stakeholders to brainstorm creative concepts, develop project briefs, and ensure the timely delivery of impactful creative work that meets defined brand and business objectives.
• Proactively evolve Shakepay's visual identity and design language, ensuring clarity, consistency, and brand adherence across all customer touchpoints, from digital platforms to physical touchpoints.
• Develop and maintain scalable design templates, style guides, and frameworks to support internal teams, enabling efficient content creation and consistent brand application.
• Analyze creative performance data and audience feedback to iterate on designs, optimize effectiveness, and maintain a sharp, relevant, and impactful creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic brand stewardship and hands-on creative execution. The expectation to "stretch the brand" and "design with insight" points towards a role that requires not just technical skill but also a keen understanding of marketing objectives and data-driven optimization within a fast-paced fintech environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field is implied by the nature of the role and the portfolio requirements. Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a proven track record of excellence in illustration, animation, and brand creative development.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in design software, specifically Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), and After Effects (or equivalent motion graphics software).
• Exceptional visual design instincts, including a strong command of layout, color theory, typography, and composition, with a demonstrated ability to create work that resonates effectively online.
• Proven experience in brand creative development and the ability to extend and evolve a visual identity while maintaining consistency.
• Strong illustration skills with a portfolio showcasing original artwork and creative exploration.
• Experience in creating motion graphics and animation for digital platforms.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to give and receive constructive feedback effectively.
• Highly self-directed and motivated, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a remote work environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with or a genuine interest in Bitcoin, Canadian culture, or the consumer fintech industry.
• Experience designing for consumer-facing digital products and marketing campaigns.
• Understanding of user experience (UX) principles as they relate to visual design.
• Experience in developing and managing design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience and proficiency in specific tools like Figma and After Effects indicates a need for a seasoned professional. The preference for Bitcoin/fintech interest suggests a desire for candidates who can quickly align with Shakepay's mission and market.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of design work demonstrating a breadth of skills across various formats (social media, digital ads, email, web).
• A strong showcase of original illustration work, highlighting stylistic range and conceptual depth.
• Examples of motion graphics projects, including animated explainer videos, social media animations, or UI animations.
• Case studies that detail the design process, from initial concept and collaboration to final execution and impact.
• Work that demonstrates an ability to extend and evolve a brand's visual identity across different touchpoints.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio pieces should ideally include context on the design process, problem-solving approach, and any collaboration involved.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how design choices contribute to business goals and user engagement metrics.
• Showcase the ability to build scalable design systems or templates that facilitate efficient workflows for internal teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio in illustration, animation, and brand creative" implies that these areas will be heavily scrutinized. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process for creating these types of assets and how they contribute to brand evolution and business objectives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Senior Graphic Designer title, 5+ years of experience, and a fully remote Canadian location, a competitive salary range for this role is estimated to be between CAD $80,000 and $110,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior creative roles in the Canadian tech sector, adjusted for the remote nature of the position and the company's focus on growth and innovation.

Benefits:

• Ownership: Stock options are provided as part of total compensation, allowing employees to share in the company's success.
• Performance-Based Growth: Yearly salary assessments ensure compensation keeps pace with performance and market value.
• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Access to health and dental coverage, supplemented by health and wellness spending accounts for personalized well-being needs.
• Remote Work Flexibility: The ability to work from anywhere in Canada, with optional access to office spaces in Montreal and Toronto.
• Professional Development: An annual budget of $2,000 for courses, certifications, and training to support continuous career growth and skill enhancement.
• Generous Time Off: 20 days of vacation per year, with an incentive of a $1,000 bonus for utilizing all vacation time, promoting work-life balance.
• Supportive Parental Leave: A parental leave top-up program offering up to 100% of salary for 18 weeks.
• Team Engagement: Quarterly offsite events (team-specific or company-wide) to foster connection and collaboration among employees.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are expected to be 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. Flexibility in scheduling may be available, common in remote work environments, as long as core responsibilities and collaborative needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package indicates a strong focus on employee well-being, professional development, and long-term commitment, including stock options and a generous vacation policy. The $2,000 annual learning budget is a significant perk for continuous skill development relevant to a Senior Graphic Designer.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech (specifically, Bitcoin and cryptocurrency services). Shakepay operates within the rapidly evolving financial technology sector, focusing on making Bitcoin accessible and easy to use for Canadians. Company Size: While not explicitly stated, Shakepay is described as having "more than one million Canadians" using their app, suggesting a significant user base and likely a scaling organization. LinkedIn data typically places companies with this user reach in the 50-200 employee range or higher as they grow. Founded: 2015. This indicates a company with established roots in the crypto space, having navigated market cycles and built a foundational platform.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Graphic Designer will likely be part of the Marketing or Creative team, reporting into a Creative Director or Head of Marketing.
• Collaboration will be extensive with marketing specialists (campaign managers, social media managers), product managers, and potentially engineering teams for UI-related assets.
• The company culture emphasizes "doing work that matters, winning as a team, and celebrating success," suggesting a collaborative and achievement-oriented environment.

Methodology:

• A "build with us" mentality suggests an agile and iterative approach to product and marketing development.
• The emphasis on "shipping fast" points to a culture that values execution and rapid iteration.
• "Sharing your ideas openly" promotes transparency and a collaborative brainstorming process.
• "Design with insight" indicates a data-informed approach to creative decision-making, where feedback and performance data are used to refine work.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Shakepay's mission to "usher in the Bitcoin golden age" and "reimagine financial services" indicates a forward-thinking and potentially disruptive company culture. The emphasis on Bitcoin suggests an environment where employees are passionate about the underlying technology and its potential.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Senior Individual Contributor position within the creative operations function. It requires a high degree of autonomy, creative leadership, and the ability to influence visual direction. The responsibilities suggest a role that bridges hands-on design execution with strategic brand development. Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Lead, Art Director, or Head of Marketing. They will collaborate closely with marketing managers and product teams, acting as a key creative partner across departments. Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's work will directly impact customer acquisition, brand perception, user engagement, and overall marketing effectiveness. By creating compelling visuals and expanding the brand's aesthetic, they will play a critical role in Shakepay's growth and its mission to onboard more Canadians onto the Bitcoin platform.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Visual Strategy: Opportunity to shape and evolve the company's visual identity and creative direction.
• Skill Expansion: Deepen expertise in illustration, motion graphics, and brand system development through hands-on project work and the provided learning budget.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain exposure to marketing strategy, product development, and user acquisition tactics within the fintech industry.
• Potential for Team Leadership: As the company scales, there may be opportunities to mentor junior designers or lead specific creative projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title, coupled with responsibilities like "evolve our visual identity" and "build scalable systems," suggests this role is designed for an experienced professional who can operate with significant independence and strategic input. The growth opportunities are tied to increasing creative influence and potentially moving into leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While Shakepay offers optional office access in Montreal and Toronto, the role is designated as fully remote. This means the primary work environment will be home-based, requiring self-discipline and effective remote collaboration tools. Office Location(s): Optional access to offices in Montreal and Toronto. This provides flexibility for those who prefer occasional in-person collaboration or a change of scenery.

Workspace Context:

• The remote setup necessitates strong communication and collaboration via digital platforms (e.g., Slack, video conferencing).
• The "Ideas, not titles" culture suggests an environment where contributions are valued regardless of hierarchy, fostering open dialogue and idea sharing.
• The emphasis on "winning as a team" implies a supportive and cooperative atmosphere, even in a distributed setting.

Work Schedule: Typically 40 hours per week. Remote work often allows for some flexibility in daily hours, provided that team collaboration and project deadlines are met. This flexibility can be beneficial for individuals who manage their workflow around personal commitments, particularly when working across different Canadian time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of the role requires candidates to be comfortable with asynchronous communication and self-management. The optional office access is a perk for those who value occasional face-to-face interaction, but the core expectation is effective remote collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative output.
• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: You will likely be asked to present your portfolio, discussing key projects, your design process, and how your work aligns with Shakepay's brand and objectives. Expect behavioral questions related to collaboration, feedback, and problem-solving.
• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: Potentially a small, timed design exercise or a take-home assignment to evaluate specific skills (e.g., illustration, motion graphics, campaign concepting) and your approach to creative briefs.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with members of the marketing team, product team, or potential direct reports/peers to assess cultural fit and collaborative ability.
• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills required for this role (illustration, motion, brand evolution, digital campaign design).
• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your thought process, design iterations, problem-solving, and the final outcome. Use visuals to tell the story.
• Highlight Impact: Where possible, quantify the results of your designs (e.g., engagement rates, conversion improvements, brand recognition).
• Demonstrate Brand Alignment: Include work that shows your ability to adapt to and evolve a brand's visual language.
• Prepare for Discussion: Be ready to talk about your experience with Figma, Adobe CC, After Effects, and how you handle feedback and collaboration.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Shakepay: Research Shakepay's current branding, marketing campaigns, and target audience. Understand their mission and values.
• Anticipate Creative Briefs: If a challenge is given, think about how you would approach a brief for a fintech company targeting young Canadians interested in Bitcoin. Consider their playful brand universe.
• Focus on Core Skills: Practice creating quick conceptual designs or storyboards related to illustration or motion graphics that align with a fintech brand.
• Articulate Your "Why": Be prepared to explain your design decisions and how they serve the business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should meticulously select projects that showcase their illustration and motion graphics capabilities, as these are specifically called out as key areas. Being able to articulate the "why" behind design decisions and demonstrate a collaborative spirit will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows. Proficiency in creating design systems and components within Figma is highly valued.
• Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital painting.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logo design, and illustration.
  • InDesign: For layout design of marketing collateral, presentations, and potentially print materials.
• After Effects: Required for creating motion graphics, animations, and visual effects for campaigns, product explainers, and UI polish.
• Other Potential Tools:
  • Premiere Pro: For video editing and assembly.
  • Procreate/Sketchbook: For digital illustration workflows.
  • Project Management Tools: (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello) for managing creative projects and workflows.
  • Collaboration Tools: Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace for communication and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary responsibility, understanding how to interpret performance data (e.g., social media engagement, ad click-through rates) to inform creative decisions will be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Less directly relevant for a graphic designer, but awareness of how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms (e.g., email marketing tools) is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator and Photoshop, is non-negotiable. After Effects proficiency is a key differentiator for this role due to the explicit mention of motion content creation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Doing Work That Matters: A commitment to contributing to a mission-driven company that is transforming financial services.
• Winning as a Team: Emphasis on collaboration, mutual support, and shared success across all departments.
• Celebrating Success: A culture that acknowledges and rewards achievements, fostering a positive and motivating work environment.
• Openness and Transparency: Encouragement to share ideas freely and engage in open dialogue.
• Growth and Learning: A dedication to continuous professional development and skill enhancement.
• Speed and Agility: A focus on iterating quickly and shipping impactful work efficiently.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close work with Marketing and Product teams to align creative output with business and user needs.
• Feedback-Driven: An environment where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged to improve creative work.
• Idea Generation: Collaborative brainstorming sessions to foster creativity and innovation.
• Systems Thinking: Developing scalable design solutions that empower other teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The cultural values highlight a dynamic, collaborative, and growth-oriented environment. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to work effectively in a team, embrace feedback, and contribute to a fast-paced startup culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Evolution with Consistency: The need to innovate the visual identity while maintaining brand recognition and clarity across all touchpoints.
• Managing Diverse Creative Demands: Producing high-quality work across a wide array of formats and mediums (social, motion, illustration, web).
• Remote Collaboration Effectiveness: Ensuring seamless communication and creative synergy within a fully distributed team.
• Rapid Iteration in a Fast-Paced Market: Adapting creative strategies and execution to evolving market trends and business priorities in the fintech space.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Specialization: Enhance skills in illustration and motion graphics through dedicated project work and the annual $2,000 learning budget.
• Brand Strategy Influence: Contribute significantly to the development and refinement of Shakepay's visual brand language.
• Fintech Industry Acumen: Gain in-depth knowledge of the cryptocurrency and fintech sectors, understanding user behavior and market dynamics.
• System Design: Develop expertise in creating and managing scalable design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in expertly navigating the creative demands of a growing fintech company. The growth opportunities are significant for a designer looking to make a substantial impact on a brand's visual narrative and expand their skillset in specialized creative areas.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to evolve a brand's visual identity. What was your process, and what were the key outcomes?"
• "How do you approach creating original illustrations that align with a specific brand's voice and values?"
• "Walk us through your process for creating a piece of motion graphics content, from concept to final delivery."
• "How do you ensure your design work is informed by performance data and user feedback?"
• "Describe a challenging collaboration experience with a marketing or product team. How did you handle it, and what did you learn?"
• "How do you prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively in a remote work environment?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Shakepay's mission and the Bitcoin space?"
• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment?"
• "How do you receive and incorporate feedback on your creative work?"
• "What are your thoughts on Shakepay's current visual style?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative – the problem, your solution, the process, and the result.
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is clean, well-designed, and easy to follow, mirroring your design skills.
• Highlight Key Skills: Specifically point out projects that showcase your illustration, motion graphics, and brand evolution capabilities.
• Demonstrate Process: Be prepared to discuss your workflow, tool usage (Figma, Adobe CC, After Effects), and decision-making.
• Engagement: Make it interactive. Ask clarifying questions and be ready to discuss your work in detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to articulate your design process for illustration and motion graphics clearly. Demonstrate how you use Figma for system design and how you collaborate with others. Understanding Shakepay's brand and mission will be key to answering culture-fit questions effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features your strongest illustration, motion graphics, and brand creative work. Include case studies that detail your process and impact.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight the 5+ years of relevant experience, proficiency in Figma, Adobe CC, and After Effects, and any experience relevant to fintech or Bitcoin. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, focusing on your creative process, collaboration skills, and how you handle feedback. Practice answering behavioral questions related to initiative and problem-solving.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Shakepay's mission, values, current marketing campaigns, and brand aesthetic to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment during the interview process. Understand their target audience and their "playful brand universe."

⚠️ 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.