Web Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Web Designer (Temp - Fulltime)

Company: AutoTrader.ca

Location: Etobicoke, ON, Canada

Job Type: Temporary Full-time Contract

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: April 1, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years inferred)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and produce high-performing digital advertising creative for display, social, and performance marketing campaigns.

• Develop engaging animated and dynamic ad assets, motion graphics, and short-form video content.

• Translate campaign objectives and briefs into compelling visual concepts and storyboards.

• Optimize creative assets for various platforms, devices, and audience segments to maximize campaign effectiveness.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including developers and ad operations, to ensure technical feasibility and execution of creative assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Web Designer," the core responsibilities heavily emphasize digital advertising creative production and campaign execution. This role is more aligned with a Digital Designer or Advertising Creative Specialist focused on performance marketing assets rather than traditional website design. The "Temp - Fulltime" designation indicates a contract position.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce digital advertising creative across multiple channels, including display, social media, and performance marketing formats.

• Create animated and dynamic ads, ensuring scalability and performance across various digital placements.

• Develop engaging motion graphics and short-form video assets tailored for digital campaigns.

• Translate campaign objectives, client briefs, and performance data into compelling, high-performing creative concepts and storyboards.

• Optimize creative assets for diverse platforms, devices, and audience segments to enhance engagement and conversion rates.

• Collaborate independently with stakeholders to iterate on designs based on performance data and feedback.

• Occasionally design and enhance client website elements within platform constraints, ensuring brand consistency.

• Ensure all creative outputs adhere strictly to brand guidelines, accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG), and platform-specific technical requirements.

• Work closely with developers and ad operations teams to ensure assets are technically sound, executable, and delivered on time.

• Communicate effectively with stakeholders and clients to gather feedback, manage revisions, and secure approvals for creative assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on performance marketing creative. The emphasis on "high-performing," "performance data," and "optimization" suggests that the ideal candidate will not only be creative but also understand how design directly impacts campaign KPIs. The mention of "occasional support for website design initiatives" indicates this is not the primary focus but a supplementary task.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Graphic Design diploma, Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, or a community college diploma in a related field.

Experience:

• Proven experience in designing digital advertising creative, with a focus on campaign-based work.

• Demonstrated ability to translate campaign objectives into compelling visual concepts.

• Experience in creating animated and dynamic ads, motion graphics, and short-form video assets.

• Familiarity with optimizing creative for various platforms, devices, and audience segments.

• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams (developers, ad ops, marketing).

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Fundamentals: Strong understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Digital Advertising Creative: Expertise in designing for display, social media, and performance marketing channels.

• Motion Graphics & Animation: Proficiency in creating animated and dynamic ad assets.

• Design Software Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator) and Figma.

• Cross-Platform Design: Ability to design for compatibility across various platforms, devices, and screen sizes.

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication for stakeholder interaction and feedback.

• Brand Adherence: Ability to strictly follow brand guidelines and accessibility standards.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with HTML5/dynamic ad platforms (e.g., Flexitive, Google Web Designer, or similar).

• Familiarity with digital marketing channels and key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Click-Through Rate (CTR) and conversion rates.

• Basic video editing and storytelling skills for asset development.

• Experience with Content Management System (CMS) platforms, such as WordPress.

• Bilingual (French/English) communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required tools and skills clearly point towards a digital-first creative role. The emphasis on "performance-driven creative" and "data" in the portfolio section suggests that candidates who can demonstrate how their designs impact business outcomes will be highly favored. The explicit mention of "Flexitive" as a preferred tool points to a need for experience with ad-serving platforms.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong, curated design portfolio is mandatory.

• Showcase a diverse range of digital campaign work, including display ads, social media creative, and performance marketing assets.

• Include examples of motion graphics, animation, and short-form video content.

• Highlight creative concepts that demonstrate an understanding of performance-driven design and campaign objectives.

• Present case studies or examples where design decisions were informed by performance data and resulted in measurable improvements.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated, candidates are expected to articulate their design process, from brief interpretation to final asset delivery.

• Be prepared to discuss how you translate campaign objectives and briefs into visual concepts and storyboards.

• Demonstrate how you incorporate feedback and performance data into design iterations.

• Explain your workflow for collaborating with developers and ad operations teams to ensure technical feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evaluation tool. It needs to go beyond aesthetic appeal to demonstrate a strategic understanding of digital advertising and its impact on business goals. Candidates should be ready to discuss the "why" behind their design choices and their quantifiable results.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD $50,000 – CAD $60,000 per year (Base Salary)

Benefits:

• As a temporary contract role, benefits may be limited. However, based on industry standards for similar contract positions at established companies, potential benefits could include:
  • Access to company-provided technology and software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, etc.).
  • Opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement through challenging projects.
  • Potential for extension or conversion to a permanent role based on performance and business needs.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, likely 40 hours per week.

• The role is hybrid, requiring some in-office presence at the Etobicoke, ON location. Specific in-office days will be determined by the team's hybrid work policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is for the base compensation. The note about "total rewards package may also include benefits, bonus, and other employee offerings" suggests there might be additional components, but for a temporary contract, these are less common and likely limited. The salary range is competitive for a mid-level digital designer role in Toronto, especially for a contract position.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Automotive Solutions / Online Marketplaces

Company Size: Part of AutoScout24 group (Europe's largest online car marketplace), with TRADER being a Canadian leader. TRADER itself likely comprises multiple brands and a significant employee base.

Founded: TRADER Corporation has a long history in the Canadian automotive digital space. AutoScout24 was founded in 2000.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the AutoSync team, which supports over 3,500 dealerships nationwide.

• The Web Designer will be part of a team of designers, developers, and creative analysts.

Methodology:

• The team operates in a fast-paced, agile, commercial online environment.

• Emphasis on performance data to inform creative decisions and iterations.

• Digital advertising campaigns are a primary focus, indicating a data-driven approach to marketing and sales enablement.

Company Website: http://tradercorporation.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: TRADER's position as a leader in the Canadian automotive digital space, coupled with its integration into the larger AutoScout24 group, suggests a dynamic and technologically oriented work environment. The AutoSync team's focus on dealership support implies a B2B marketing context where creative directly impacts client success.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Digital Designer (Contract). This role offers practical experience in a high-volume digital advertising environment.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a manager within the AutoSync team, likely a Creative Lead or Marketing Manager, and collaborates closely with designers, developers, and ad operations specialists.

Operations Impact: The creative assets designed directly influence the performance of digital advertising campaigns for AutoTrader.ca and its clients (dealerships). This impact is measurable through KPIs like CTR, conversion rates, and ultimately, customer acquisition and sales for dealerships.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in performance-driven creative, motion graphics, and dynamic ad production. Gain experience with specific ad platforms like Flexitive.

• Industry Exposure: Develop a strong understanding of the digital automotive marketplace and performance marketing strategies within this sector.

• Portfolio Development: Build a robust portfolio with high-impact digital campaign examples.

• Networking: Collaborate with experienced designers, developers, and marketing professionals.

• Potential for Extension/Conversion: Successful performance in this contract role could lead to further opportunities within TRADER or the AutoScout24 group.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, the experience gained in designing for a major digital marketplace like AutoTrader.ca is valuable. The emphasis on performance marketing and data-driven design aligns with current industry trends, offering a solid foundation for future growth in marketing operations or creative roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid position, requiring a mix of remote and in-office work. The specific balance will be determined by company policy.

Office Location(s): Etobicoke, ON, Canada. This location provides access to a major urban center and business hub.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative team environment with designers, developers, and analysts.

• Access to industry-standard design tools and software.

• Fast-paced, commercial online environment focused on delivering results for digital advertising campaigns.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week).

• Hybrid arrangement offers some flexibility in how work is structured, balancing in-office collaboration with remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect of the work environment, offering a balance between in-person collaboration and the flexibility of remote work. The Etobicoke location places the role within a significant business district in the Greater Toronto Area.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: Review of application, resume, and portfolio.

2. Portfolio Review & Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager and/or creative lead. This will focus on your portfolio, design process, and relevant experience.

3. Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or a short creative challenge related to digital advertising concepts to assess your practical skills and problem-solving abilities.

4. Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with team members (designers, developers, ad ops) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and technical understanding.

5. Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader for final evaluation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select your strongest work that directly aligns with the job description, prioritizing digital campaign creative, motion graphics, and performance-driven examples.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the objective, your role, your design process, the tools used, and the outcome (especially if performance data is available).

• Highlight Performance: If possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased CTR, conversion rates).

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples that show your ability to adapt to different platforms, styles, and client needs.

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and any other mentioned tools.

• Motion & Animation: Dedicate a clear section to your motion design and animation work.

• Accessibility & Brand: If possible, include examples where you've adhered to specific brand guidelines or accessibility standards.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that requires you to create a digital ad concept (display, social, or motion) based on a brief.

• Practice translating objectives into visual ideas quickly.

• Focus on demonstrating your understanding of target audiences, platform best practices, and measurable outcomes.

• Be ready to articulate your thought process and justify your design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong design portfolio" and the potential for a "creative challenge" means candidates must be prepared to visually demonstrate their skills and strategic thinking. The interview process will likely assess both creative talent and the ability to work within a performance-oriented marketing context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop (for image editing and static ad creation), After Effects (for motion graphics and animation), Illustrator (for vector graphics and illustrations).

• Figma: For collaborative design, prototyping, and potentially UI elements.

• Flexitive: Preferred tool for creating dynamic and interactive digital ads.

• Google Web Designer: Alternative or supplementary tool for HTML5 ad creation.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this role's primary function, but understanding how digital ads integrate with broader marketing funnels could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma is essential. Experience with dynamic ad platforms like Flexitive is highly preferred, indicating a need for specialized skills in digital advertising production beyond static graphics.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Performance-Driven: A strong emphasis on delivering creative that drives measurable results and supports campaign objectives.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within cross-functional teams (design, development, ad ops) to achieve common goals.

• Agility & Speed: Thriving in a fast-paced, commercial online environment where quick turnarounds and adaptability are key.

• Innovation: Conceptualizing engaging and high-performing creative that stands out in a competitive digital landscape.

• Attention to Detail: Ensuring all creative adheres to brand guidelines, accessibility standards, and technical specifications.

Collaboration Style:

• Independent collaboration with stakeholders for feedback and design iteration.

• Close teamwork with developers and ad operations to ensure technical execution.

• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback professionally within the creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be dynamic, results-oriented, and highly collaborative, typical of a leading digital media company. The values emphasize both creative excellence and the practical application of design to achieve business objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to tight deadlines and high-volume campaign demands.

• Data-Informed Design: Balancing creative vision with performance data and client objectives.

• Platform Versatility: Creating effective creative across a wide range of digital platforms and devices.

• Iterative Design: Managing feedback and revisions efficiently to meet stakeholder expectations.

• Temporary Role: Adapting quickly and delivering impact within a contract period.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Digital Advertising Specialization: Deepen expertise in performance marketing creative and dynamic ad production.

• Tool Mastery: Gain hands-on experience with specialized ad creation tools like Flexitive.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Learn from developers and ad operations specialists about technical implementation and campaign execution.

• Industry Insights: Understand the dynamics of the digital automotive marketplace.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be quickly integrating into a fast-paced team and delivering impactful creative under contract terms. The growth opportunities lie in specializing in high-demand areas of digital advertising creative.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a campaign brief and translating it into a compelling digital ad concept."

• "How do you balance creative vision with performance data and client objectives when designing digital ads?"

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where your design directly contributed to campaign success. What were the key metrics?"

• "How do you approach designing for different platforms (e.g., social media vs. display banners) and devices?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for AutoTrader.ca and the AutoSync team?"

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?"

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, agile environment."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a concise story: the problem, your solution (design), and the result.

• Highlight Key Projects: Focus on 2-3 of your strongest projects that best align with the role's requirements (digital ads, motion, performance).

• Demonstrate Process: Be ready to explain your workflow, tool usage, and decision-making for each piece.

• Quantify Impact: If you have metrics, present them clearly.

• Technical Readiness: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and any dynamic ad platforms.

• Conciseness: Respect the interviewer's time; aim for clear, impactful presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to thoroughly articulate your design process, demonstrate your creative versatility, and showcase how your work drives business results. The interview will likely involve a practical assessment of your skills and your ability to integrate into a performance-focused team.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Web Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link.

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight experience in digital advertising creative, motion graphics, and performance marketing. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., "digital advertising creative," "display," "social," "performance marketing," "motion graphics," "Adobe Creative Suite," "Figma").

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (online link preferred) and showcases your best work relevant to this role. Organize it to highlight campaign creative, animation, and any performance-driven examples. Be ready to walk through specific projects during an interview.

• Research AutoTrader.ca: Understand their brand, target audience, and the automotive digital marketplace. Review their current digital advertising efforts if possible.

• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to discuss your design process, how you interpret briefs, and how your creative aims to achieve specific campaign objectives. Practice explaining your portfolio pieces concisely.

⚠️ 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.