UI Designer Winter 2026 Co-Op (8-months)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Designer Winter 2026 Co-Op (8-months)
Company: CIBC
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Job Type: Full-Time (Temporary/Intern)
Category: Digital Design / User Experience
Date Posted: 2025-10-03
Experience Level: 0-2 Years (Intern/Co-Op)
Remote Status: Hybrid (2-3 days in-office per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• This 8-month Co-Op position focuses on delivering modern, visually stunning, and highly usable UI experiences for CIBC Investor's Edge digital platforms.
• You will collaborate closely with a cross-disciplinary User Experience team, including UI Designers, UX Designers, Researchers, and Content Designers, to optimize online and mobile properties.
• The role requires creating high-fidelity UI screens and components that adhere to design system, product experience goals, usability, accessibility, and brand guidelines.
• You will be responsible for production delivery, including preparing specifications and guiding the work through to implementation within an agile/iterative design and development environment.
• This is an excellent entry-level opportunity to gain practical experience in a major financial institution's digital design landscape, focusing on user-centric design principles and collaborative workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core role is UI Design, the description alludes to "creative solutions" and "prototypes and presentation decks," suggesting a need for strong conceptualization and communication skills beyond just pixel-perfect execution. The emphasis on "relationship-oriented bank" and "doing what's right for our clients" implies a need for empathy and client-centric thinking in design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and create high-fidelity UI screens, components, and interactive prototypes that align with CIBC's design system, product experience objectives, and brand guidelines.
• Ensure all UI designs meet usability, accessibility standards (WCAG), and regulatory requirements relevant to financial services.
• Collaborate effectively with UX Designers, Researchers, Product Managers, and Technology teams throughout the agile development lifecycle to translate user needs and business requirements into intuitive interfaces.
• Prepare detailed design specifications, including redlines, asset exports, and interaction notes, to guide developers during implementation.
• Participate actively in design reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback to refine designs and ensure consistency across digital platforms.
• Contribute to the evolution of the design system by creating new components or updating existing ones based on project needs and emerging best practices.
• Conduct user testing and gather feedback on UI designs, iterating based on insights to improve user flows and overall experience for CIBC Investor's Edge clients.
• Stay updated on the latest UI design trends, tools, and technologies, particularly within the FinTech and financial services sectors, and propose innovative solutions.
• Assist in the creation of presentation decks and visual aids to effectively communicate design rationale and proposed solutions to stakeholders and peers.
• Manage multiple concurrent design tasks and objectives, prioritizing effectively to meet project deadlines within a fast-paced, iterative environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for not just design execution but also active participation in the product development lifecycle, including specification creation, developer collaboration, and user feedback integration, typical of a mid-level UI designer role, but framed for an intern.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Currently enrolled in a post-secondary education program (e.g., Bachelor's or Diploma) in Design (Graphic Design, UX/UI Design, Interaction Design, Digital Media) or a related field.
• Must be returning to full-time studies in the subsequent academic term (Winter 2026).

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience through academic projects, personal portfolios, or previous internships in UI design and prototyping.
• Familiarity with working in an agile or iterative development environment is a plus.

Required Skills:

• UI Design Proficiency: Strong visual design skills, including screen layout, composition, typography, color theory, illustration, and iconography.
• Figma Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency with Figma for design and prototyping. This is the primary tool for the role.
• Prototyping: Ability to create interactive prototypes to demonstrate design concepts and user flows.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design rationale and present ideas effectively to peers and stakeholders.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment, collaborating with cross-functional disciplines.
• Time Management: Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Attention to Detail: A keen eye for detail in design execution, ensuring consistency and adherence to guidelines.
• Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze problems, understand user needs, and inform decision-making through thoughtful design solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Graphics & Video Editing: Proficiency in Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects for creating dynamic design elements or presentations.
• AI Tools: Familiarity or experience with AI tools such as Figma Make, Midjourney, Gemini, or ChatGPT for design ideation or asset generation.
• Web Technologies: Working knowledge of CSS and HTML as an asset for understanding implementation constraints and possibilities.
• Design Systems: Experience contributing to or working within established design systems.
• Accessibility Standards: Understanding of WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and experience designing for accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "0-2 Years" experience level is inferred from the "Co-Op" designation and the emphasis on academic projects and returning to studies. The AI tools mentioned are a significant differentiator for this role, indicating CIBC's interest in forward-thinking design practices.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing UI design projects, demonstrating a range of skills from concept to final execution.
• Projects should highlight your ability to create visually appealing, intuitive, and user-friendly interfaces for digital products.
• Include examples of high-fidelity UI screens, component design, and interactive prototypes.
• Demonstrate your understanding of design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and iconography.
• Showcase projects that required adherence to design systems, brand guidelines, and accessibility standards.

Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate your design process, including:
  • Ideation and concept development (e.g., mood boards, initial sketches).
  • User flow mapping and wireframing (even if not the primary focus, showing consideration for user journeys).
  • UI design execution using tools like Figma.
  • Prototyping and user testing (if applicable).
  • Collaboration with other disciplines (e.g., UX, development).
• Be prepared to discuss the rationale behind your design decisions and how you addressed specific project challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Co-Op role, the portfolio is crucial. It should emphasize raw talent, design thinking, and the ability to learn and apply concepts, rather than extensive professional experience. Demonstrating familiarity with Figma and AI tools in the portfolio will be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As this is a Co-Op/Intern position, compensation will be commensurate with industry standards for similar roles in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Based on current market data for student/intern UI Designer roles in major Canadian financial institutions, a range of CAD $20 - $30 per hour is anticipated. This will vary based on the candidate's specific qualifications and year of study.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation (hourly wage).
• Banking Benefits: Potential access to employee banking packages with preferential rates.
• Wellbeing Support: Resources and programs aimed at supporting employee mental and physical health.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
• Social Recognition Program (MomentMakers): A platform for peer-to-peer recognition and celebrating achievements.
• Purpose Day: A paid day off dedicated to personal growth and development.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours for the term, typically 37.5 hours per week.
• A hybrid work arrangement is specified, requiring 2-3 mandatory days per week on-site at the Toronto office, with other days being remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical Co-Op compensation in the Canadian financial sector and Co-Op roles in Toronto. Detailed benefits are drawn directly from the provided text.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Banking. CIBC is a leading Canadian financial institution with a focus on building a "relationship-oriented bank for the modern world." Company Size: CIBC is a large, established financial institution, employing tens of thousands of people globally. This means access to extensive resources, structured processes, and a wide array of career paths. Founded: CIBC was founded in 1864, signifying a long history and deep roots in the Canadian financial landscape. This heritage often translates into a culture that values stability, trust, and long-term client relationships, while also adapting to modern digital demands.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Investor's Edge User Experience team, which is described as a "cross-disciplinary team" comprising UI Designers, UX Designers, Researchers, and Content Designers.
• This structure promotes collaboration and a holistic approach to digital product development.
• You will collaborate closely with other UI designers and engage with Product and Technology teams, indicating a matrixed or project-based reporting structure for project work.

Methodology:

• The team operates within an "agile/iterative design & development environment," emphasizing speed, flexibility, and continuous improvement.
• Design decisions are informed by user experience goals, usability, accessibility standards, and brand guidelines.
• The company promotes a culture where employees are "empowered at work" and "truly valued for who they are and what they contribute."

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "relationship-oriented" aspect is a key cultural differentiator for CIBC, suggesting that designs should foster trust and ease of interaction, even in a digital context. The mention of "doing what's right for our clients" implies an ethical and client-first design approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level, temporary Co-Op/Intern position designed for students. It provides foundational experience in UI design within a large corporate setting. Reporting Structure: You will report to a UI Design lead or manager within the Investor's Edge User Experience team. You will also work closely with Product Managers and Development teams, receiving project direction and feedback from multiple stakeholders. Operations Impact: As a UI Designer, your impact will be on the client-facing digital interfaces of CIBC Investor's Edge. Your work will directly influence client engagement, satisfaction, and ease of use for online and mobile trading and investment platforms. Well-designed interfaces can lead to increased client retention and operational efficiency by reducing support queries.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen proficiency in Figma and gain exposure to AI design tools, motion graphics (Adobe Premiere/After Effects), and potentially front-end code (CSS/HTML).
• Industry Exposure: Experience working within the financial services industry, understanding its unique design challenges, regulatory landscape, and client expectations.
• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a strong portfolio with real-world projects from a reputable financial institution, showcasing your ability to contribute to professional design outcomes.
• Networking: Build connections with experienced designers, UX professionals, product managers, and developers at a major Canadian bank.
• Potential for Future Opportunities: Successful co-op students often gain valuable references and may be considered for future internships or even entry-level positions upon graduation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed around skill acquisition and practical application, crucial for a Co-Op student aiming to build a career in design. The mention of "Purpose Day" highlights CIBC's commitment to employee development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is hybrid, requiring 2-3 days per week in the CIBC office located at 81 Bay Street, Toronto, 16th Floor. This implies a corporate, professional office setting. Office Location(s): Primarily Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The specific office address is 81 Bay Street, 16th Floor. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The UX team is cross-disciplinary, fostering a collaborative atmosphere. You'll be working alongside peers and other teams, likely in open-plan or team-oriented office spaces designed for interaction.
• Tools and Technology: You will have access to CIBC's standard technological toolkit and design software, with a primary focus on Figma.
• Team Interaction: Expect regular team meetings, design critiques, and project sync-ups, both in-person and potentially remotely, depending on the hybrid schedule.

Work Schedule:

• 37.5 hours per week.
• Hybrid arrangement: 2-3 mandatory days in the office, with the remainder remote. This offers a balance between structured in-person collaboration and flexible remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model suggests a modern work environment that balances the benefits of in-person collaboration for design sprints and ideation with the flexibility of remote work for focused design tasks.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume (max 2 pages), cover letter (max 1 page), and unofficial transcript as a single document in the "Resume" section.
• Attribute-Based Assessment/Skills Tests: Be prepared for skills tests, which may include simulations, coding challenges (though less likely for pure UI), French proficiency (if applicable), and MS Office assessments.
• Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely review applications and conduct initial phone screenings.
• Portfolio Review: Expect to present your portfolio to the hiring team (UI Designers, UX Leads, Hiring Manager). This is a critical stage.
• Design Challenge: A practical design exercise or case study might be given, either as a take-home assignment or an in-interview task, to assess your problem-solving and design skills.
• Behavioral Interviews: Questions will assess your alignment with CIBC's values (trust, teamwork, accountability) and your ability to "act like an owner," embrace change, and demonstrate passion for design.
• Final Interviews: May involve meeting with senior members of the UX team or department leads.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Wisely: Select 2-3 of your strongest UI design projects that best showcase your skills relevant to this role (Figma, visual design, prototyping, client-centricity).
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges you faced, your design decisions, and the outcome or learnings. Focus on why you made certain choices.
• Highlight Figma & AI: Explicitly show examples of your work in Figma and mention any use of AI tools if applicable.
• Showcase Visual Design: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your visual design skills – layout, typography, color, iconography.
• Accessibility & Usability: If possible, demonstrate how you considered usability and accessibility in your designs.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio efficiently, focusing on key aspects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a challenge, quickly grasp the problem statement and the target user context for CIBC Investor's Edge.
• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a clear, logical design process, even if you can't complete every step within the allotted time.
• Communicate Rationale: Be vocal about your thought process. Explain your assumptions, design choices, and trade-offs.
• Visual Representation: Be ready to sketch or use digital tools (if provided) to visualize your ideas.
• Client-Centricity: Frame your solutions in terms of client needs and business objectives for CIBC.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an "attribute-based assessment" and "skills tests" suggests CIBC uses a structured, skills-focused approach to hiring. The instructions about submitting documents as one file are a critical detail for applicants.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is the primary design and prototyping tool. Deep proficiency is essential.
• Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Adobe Premiere: Preferred for video editing.
  • Adobe After Effects: Preferred for motion graphics.
• AI Tools: Familiarity with tools like Figma Make, Midjourney, Gemini, or ChatGPT is preferred for design ideation and asset generation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this UI role, understanding that the designs will eventually be measured by analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) and reporting dashboards is beneficial. Awareness of how UI impacts key metrics like conversion rates, engagement, and task completion is important.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the UI Designer role, but awareness of CIBC's broader technology stack and how user experience contributes to client relationship management is valuable context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma as the "main design and prototyping tools" and the preferred skills in Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and AI tools clearly define the technical expectations for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Trust: Emphasized as a core value, suggesting a need for reliability, honesty, and integrity in all work and interactions.
• Teamwork: Crucial for a cross-disciplinary UX team. Collaboration and mutual support are key.
• Accountability: Taking ownership of tasks and outcomes, delivering on commitments, and being responsible for one's contributions.
• Doing What's Right for Clients: A guiding principle for all roles, meaning designs should prioritize client needs, security, and positive experiences.
• Empowerment: The culture aims to empower employees, encouraging initiative and contribution.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Works closely with UI Designers, UX Designers, Researchers, Content Designers, Product Managers, and Technology teams.
• Agile/Iterative: Embraces flexibility, continuous feedback, and rapid iteration in the design and development process.
• Open Communication: Encourages sharing ideas, seeking feedback, and advocating for design rationale.
• Value-Driven: Decisions and interactions are guided by CIBC's core values.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Trust, Teamwork, and Accountability" are specific values that candidates should be prepared to demonstrate through examples during the interview process.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Designing cutting-edge user experiences within the highly regulated financial services industry requires careful navigation of compliance and security requirements.
• Adhering to Strict Brand and Design Systems: Ensuring all designs meet CIBC's established brand guidelines and design system standards while still being creative and user-centric.
• Hybrid Work Model: Effectively collaborating and maintaining strong team cohesion in a hybrid environment, ensuring seamless communication and workflow between in-office and remote days.
• Fast-Paced Agile Environment: Adapting to rapid iterations, tight deadlines, and evolving project requirements typical of agile development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• UI Design Specialization: Gain hands-on experience in creating polished UI screens and components for a major financial institution.
• Tool Proficiency: Master Figma and gain exposure to advanced tools like Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and emerging AI design technologies.
• Industry Insight: Understand the unique design considerations and user needs within the FinTech sector.
• Professional Development: Utilize the "Purpose Day" to pursue personal learning goals, attend webinars, or explore relevant design topics.
• Mentorship: Learn from experienced UI/UX designers and other professionals within the CIBC UX team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Highlighting the "balancing innovation with regulation" challenge is specific to the financial services sector and demonstrates an understanding of the industry's complexities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through a UI design project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your role, your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on Figma use, design rationale, and client-centricity).
• Collaboration: "Describe a time you collaborated with other designers or developers on a project. How did you handle disagreements or different perspectives?" (Highlight teamwork, communication, and accountability).
• Problem-Solving: "Imagine you're tasked with redesigning a key feature for CIBC Investor's Edge. What would be your first steps, and how would you approach it?" (Demonstrate critical thinking, user focus, and understanding of the financial context).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Values Alignment: "How do you embody CIBC's values of Trust, Teamwork, and Accountability in your work?" (Prepare specific examples).
• Motivation: "Why are you interested in a UI Design Co-Op at CIBC, specifically with Investor's Edge?" (Show genuine interest in CIBC, finance, and the specific product).
• Work Style: "How do you prefer to work in a hybrid environment? How do you ensure effective communication with your team?" (Address the hybrid requirement and communication skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the "Situation," "Task," "Action," and "Result" (STAR method).
• Focus on Visuals: Let your designs speak, but be ready to explain the 'why' behind them.
• Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Show your workflow within Figma, including component usage, prototyping, and any advanced features you utilized.
• Quantify Impact (if possible): Even for academic projects, discuss potential impact or learnings that could lead to positive outcomes.
• Enthusiasm for AI/New Tech: If you have experience with AI tools, be ready to discuss how they can enhance design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific examples that align with CIBC's stated values (Trust, Teamwork, Accountability) and the "client-first" ethos will be highly impactful.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Designer Co-Op position:

• Submit Your Application: Apply through the CIBC careers portal and upload all required documents (resume, cover letter, transcript) as a single PDF file in the designated "Resume" section.
• Tailor Your Resume & Cover Letter: Highlight your UI design skills, proficiency in Figma, relevant academic projects, and any experience with AI tools or motion graphics. Explicitly mention your enrollment status and return to full-time studies.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest UI design projects that demonstrate visual design, prototyping capabilities, and adherence to design principles. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., a link provided in your resume or cover letter) and clearly showcases your Figma work.
• Prepare for Skills Assessments: Be ready to complete attribute-based assessments and potential skills tests as part of the application process.
• Research CIBC Investor's Edge: Familiarize yourself with CIBC Investor's Edge products and services to better understand the context of the UI designs you'll be working on. Understand CIBC's brand and values.

⚠️ 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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