Senior Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Brand Designer

Company: Clio

Location: Burnaby, Canada; Vancouver, Canada; Toronto, Canada; Calgary, Canada

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: June 01, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the conceptualization and execution of multi-channel brand campaigns, defining visual direction and strategy.

• Own complex design projects from initial brief through stakeholder alignment, creative decision-making, and final delivery.

• Drive the evolution of Clio's visual brand identity, systems, and overall brand narrative.

• Architect and scale visual identities and design systems for sub-brands and core brand initiatives.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Marketing, Demand Generation, and Events to shape creative strategy beyond initial briefs.

• Mentor and develop junior and intermediate designers, elevating the team's overall craft and process.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor with significant leadership responsibilities in shaping brand direction and mentoring junior talent. The emphasis on "moving beyond executing great work and is ready to shape what great looks like" signifies a strategic and influential position within the Creative team, requiring not only strong design execution but also a proactive approach to brand evolution and team development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Set the strategic visual direction for major brand campaigns and integrated, multi-channel marketing initiatives.

• Lead the concept development and execution of creative assets, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and brand guidelines.

• Take full ownership of complex design projects, managing stakeholder expectations, making critical creative decisions, and ensuring timely, high-quality delivery.

• Proactively identify opportunities for Clio's visual brand to grow and evolve, leading the charge in implementing these advancements.

• Develop and maintain robust visual identities and scalable design systems for Clio's sub-brands and product offerings.

• Partner closely with leaders in Product Marketing, Demand Generation, and Events to contribute creative insights and strategies that extend beyond standard campaign briefs.

• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior and intermediate designers, fostering their skill development through constructive feedback, process sharing, and exemplary work.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Creative team's processes, tools, and overall quality of work.

• Direct and guide motion design efforts, including storyboarding concepts and defining the look and feel for animated assets.

• Develop high-impact presentation designs for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring brand consistency and clarity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic brand leadership, hands-on design execution, and team development. The emphasis on "owning the full arc of complex projects" and "accountable for the calls, not just the craft" indicates a high level of responsibility and decision-making authority, typical of a senior role focused on driving business impact through design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• 5-8 years of dedicated brand design experience.

• Significant experience working across both agency and in-house environments is highly preferred, demonstrating adaptability and a broad understanding of different creative contexts.

• Proven track record of leading complex, multi-channel brand initiatives from conception through to final delivery.

• Experience in architecting and scaling design systems that are utilized by broader teams.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and guide junior designers. Required Skills:

• Creative Leadership: Proven ability to shape brand direction, set creative strategy, and lead projects with strategic vision.

• Systems Thinking: Expertise in developing and implementing design systems that ensure brand consistency and scalability across various touchpoints.

• Digital Design Proficiency: Deep expertise in Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Brand Evolution: Ability to identify and drive the necessary growth and evolution of a visual brand identity.

• Stakeholder Management & Communication: Strong skills in presenting and defending creative decisions to marketing leadership and cross-functional partners with clarity and conviction.

• Typography Expertise: Deep understanding and strong opinions on typography, with the ability to apply and articulate its strategic use.

• Mentorship: Experience and aptitude for mentoring junior and intermediate designers, fostering their growth and elevating team craft.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience directing motion design, including conceptualization, storyboarding, and defining visual style.

• Fluency in presentation design tools such as Keynote and Google Slides.

• Familiarity with AI design tools (e.g., Midjourney, Krea) and their integration into a senior creative practice.

• Experience in SaaS, legal tech, or other complex, regulated industries.

• Proven experience managing agency relationships or leading external creative partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize strategic thinking, leadership, and advanced technical proficiency. The inclusion of AI design tools and experience in regulated industries suggests the company values forward-thinking creatives who can navigate complex environments and leverage emerging technologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Creative Leadership Evidence: Showcase projects where you led the strategic direction and evolution of a brand, not just executed existing guidelines.

• Systems Thinking Demonstration: Include examples of design systems you've built or significantly contributed to, highlighting their structure, scalability, and impact.

• Multi-channel Campaign Examples: Present case studies of integrated campaigns across various channels (digital, print, social, etc.), detailing your role from concept to execution.

• Problem/Solution Framework: For each project, clearly articulate the business challenge, your strategic approach, the design solutions implemented, and the measurable impact on the brand or business objectives.

• Technical Proficiency Showcase: Demonstrate your command of Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud through the quality and complexity of your design work.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Highlight instances where you've defined or refined design workflows to improve efficiency, collaboration, and output quality within a team.

• System Implementation & Scaling: Provide examples of how you've rolled out design systems or brand guidelines and ensured their adoption and consistent application across multiple projects or teams.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Include examples of how you've tracked the performance of design initiatives and used data to inform future creative strategies and improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Brand Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond showcasing aesthetic skills to demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership capability, process ownership, and a clear understanding of how design drives business outcomes. The emphasis should be on "systems," "evolution," and "leadership."

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The listed expected salary range for this role in Canada is $90,800 to $122,800 CAD annually. This range is designed to accommodate varying levels of experience and expertise within the stated requirements, with the midpoint typically reserved for candidates with substantial experience and proven impact. The final offer will be adjusted based on geographical region, candidate experience, and skill set.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Top-tier health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible time off policy with an encouraged minimum of 20 days per year.

• Mental Wellness Support: An annual counseling benefit of $2,000.

• Retirement Planning: RRSP matching and RESP contribution options.

• Employee Recognition: Clioversary recognition program with acknowledgments at 3, 5, 7, and 10 years of service.

• Hybrid Work Environment: Expectation to work from the office a minimum of twice per week in local hubs (Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto).

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated as a fixed number, the standard for a full-time role is typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid work model suggests flexibility in scheduling, with an emphasis on achieving objectives and collaborating effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to Canada. It's important to note that for roles with multiple listed locations across different regions (e.g., if this role were also in the US or Europe), separate salary bands would apply based on local market rates and cost of living. The company explicitly states that the top portion of the band is for sustained high performance, and new hires may start below the midpoint, indicating a performance-driven compensation structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Clio operates in the Legal Tech industry, specifically focusing on Legal AI Technology. This sector is characterized by rapid innovation, a need for robust security and compliance, and a mission to improve access to justice and professional efficiency.

Company Size: Clio is a significant player in its field, indicated by its global presence and likely substantial employee count (though not explicitly provided in the raw data, the description implies a large, established organization). This size suggests structured processes, dedicated departments, and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: Clio was founded with a mission to transform the legal experience, aiming to better the lives of legal professionals and increase access to justice. This foundational purpose likely permeates the company culture, fostering a sense of mission-driven work and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Creative team likely comprises various design disciplines, including brand design, product design, and potentially UX/UI.

• This Senior Brand Designer will be part of the Creative team, reporting into a Creative Director or Head of Brand.

• The role involves close collaboration with Product Marketing, Demand Generation, Events, and potentially Product teams, requiring strong cross-functional partnership.

• The team structure supports mentorship, with senior members guiding junior designers. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: Clio emphasizes using AI to improve operations, suggesting a data-informed approach to decision-making across all departments, including creative.

• Process Optimization: The company's focus on efficiency and transforming the legal experience implies a commitment to optimizing workflows and leveraging technology for better outcomes.

• Systemic Approach: The requirement for design systems indicates a preference for scalable, repeatable solutions that ensure consistency and efficiency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Clio's positioning as a "global leader in legal AI technology" and its mission-driven approach ("bettering the lives of legal professionals while increasing access to justice") are key cultural indicators. This suggests a workplace that values innovation, impact, and a strong sense of purpose, which will likely influence the expectations for its creative team and their contributions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is designated as "Senior," indicating a level of expertise and responsibility beyond an intermediate designer. It implies the ability to lead projects independently, mentor others, and contribute strategically to brand development. The "5-8 years" experience requirement further solidifies this senior standing.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Brand Designer will report into a leadership role within the Creative department, likely a Creative Director or Head of Brand. They will also have direct reports or mentees among junior and intermediate designers, establishing a leadership pipeline.

Operations Impact: The Senior Brand Designer's impact extends beyond aesthetic output. They are expected to influence the strategic direction of Clio's brand, shape creative strategy in collaboration with other departments, and contribute to the overall perception and market positioning of the company. Their work will directly affect how Clio is perceived by its target audience, partners, and employees, impacting brand recognition, customer acquisition, and client retention through consistent and compelling visual communication.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential progression to Art Director, Creative Director, or Head of Brand roles, managing larger teams and broader creative initiatives.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like brand system architecture, motion design direction, or AI-driven creative processes.

• Cross-functional Influence: Develop deeper strategic partnerships with marketing, product, and sales teams, potentially leading to roles with broader GTM or product marketing responsibilities.

• Mentorship & Team Development: Hone leadership and coaching skills by actively mentoring junior designers, contributing to the growth and development of the creative talent pool.

• Industry Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in the legal tech sector, becoming a subject matter expert in branding for complex, regulated industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities highlight a clear path for career progression within Clio's Creative department, emphasizing leadership, specialization, and strategic influence. The role is designed not just for execution but for developing future leaders within the company's operations and creative functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Clio operates a hybrid work environment. For roles based in local hubs such as Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto, employees are expected to be in the office a minimum of twice per week. This suggests a blend of in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): The role is available in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver, Canada. These are major Canadian cities with established business centers. Specific office addresses are not provided, but Clio likely has modern office spaces designed to foster collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: The hybrid model implies office spaces designed for team interaction, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional meetings.

• Technology-Enabled: As a tech company, Clio likely provides designers with high-performance hardware and access to necessary software licenses (Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc.).

• Team Interaction: The in-office days are opportunities for direct collaboration with colleagues, mentorship interactions, and building team cohesion. The remote days allow for focused, independent work.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the hybrid model and flexible time off policy suggest a degree of autonomy in managing work hours, provided objectives are met and collaboration needs are fulfilled. The emphasis is on results and efficient workflow, supporting both deep work and team engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment. For a Senior Brand Designer, this means balancing focused, individual creative work with in-person collaboration for strategy sessions, feedback, and team building. Understanding how to maximize productivity in both settings will be crucial.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the required experience and skills.

• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, focusing on specific case studies that demonstrate creative leadership, systems thinking, and strategic impact. Expect questions about your process, decision-making, and how you've driven brand evolution.

• Cross-functional Interview: An interview with stakeholders from departments like Product Marketing or Demand Generation to assess your ability to collaborate, understand business objectives, and contribute beyond pure design execution.

• Team/Leadership Interview: A discussion with potential mentees or team members to evaluate your mentorship style and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader in Creative or Marketing to discuss vision, long-term strategy, and overall fit for the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your leadership, systems thinking, and strategic brand evolution capabilities.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, your specific contributions, the design solutions, and the measurable impact. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Systems: If you have design system examples, be prepared to explain their architecture, how they were built, and how they've been scaled.

• Defend Your Decisions: Be ready to explain the rationale behind your creative choices, especially in the context of business goals and stakeholder feedback.

• Showcase Mentorship: Include examples of how you've guided or mentored other designers, even if informally.

Challenge Preparation:

• Brand Strategy Exercise: You might be asked to analyze Clio's current brand or propose ideas for its future evolution. Research Clio's mission, values, and current market position thoroughly.

• Design System Thinking: Be prepared to discuss principles of good design system architecture and how you would approach building or improving one for a company like Clio.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Consider how you would handle common creative challenges, such as conflicting stakeholder feedback, tight deadlines, or evolving project scopes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily emphasizes the portfolio as a demonstration of strategic capability and leadership. Candidates should prepare to articulate not just what they designed, but why and how it drove results, showcasing their ability to think like a brand strategist and leader.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and design system development. Expect advanced usage and contribution to system components.

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for asset creation, manipulation, and final output.

• AI Design Tools: Familiarity with tools like Midjourney, Krea, or similar is a strong plus, indicating an openness to leveraging emerging technologies in the creative process.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a designer's tool, an understanding of how design impacts metrics tracked by analytics platforms (e.g., website conversion rates, engagement metrics) is beneficial. Familiarity with tools used for A/B testing design variations would be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM/automation tools are listed as requirements for this role, as it's primarily a design function. However, understanding how creative assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms and how they integrate with CRM data (e.g., for campaign tracking) can be helpful context. Presentation & Collaboration:

• Keynote & Google Slides: Fluency in creating professional presentations is required, indicating the need to communicate strategies and concepts effectively.

• Collaboration Platforms: Likely use of tools like Slack, Jira, or Asana for team communication and project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud is standard for designers. The inclusion of AI design tools and presentation software highlights Clio's modern approach to creativity and communication, expecting designers to be proficient in both execution and strategic articulation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centric Approach: Clio's mission to "better the lives of legal professionals" suggests a core value of empathy and a focus on user well-being in all product and brand development.

• Innovation & AI Integration: As a "legal AI technology" company, innovation and the strategic use of AI are likely deeply embedded values, expecting team members to embrace new technologies and approaches.

• Efficiency & Smarter Work: The goal to help legal professionals "work smarter, faster, and more securely" implies a value placed on efficiency, optimization, and driving tangible results.

• Data-Driven Decision-Making: The use of AI in recruitment and operations points to a culture that values data to inform decisions and measure impact.

• Access to Justice: This core mission suggests a commitment to social impact and making services more accessible, which can foster a sense of purpose among employees.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires strong collaboration with Product Marketing, Demand Gen, and Events, indicating a culture that breaks down silos and encourages integrated teamwork.

• Feedback-Oriented: As a senior role focused on mentorship, a culture of constructive feedback and continuous improvement is expected within the Creative team.

• Strategic Partnership: Collaboration is likely viewed as a strategic partnership, where designers contribute insights and influence decisions beyond just executing briefs.

• Open Communication: With a hybrid work environment, clear and open communication channels are essential for effective collaboration, whether in-person or remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: Clio's stated mission and its embrace of AI point to a culture that is forward-thinking, purpose-driven, and values both innovation and human impact. The ideal candidate will be someone who thrives in a collaborative, results-oriented environment and is excited by the prospect of shaping a brand in a rapidly evolving industry.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Strategic Vision with Execution: As a senior designer, you'll need to lead brand evolution while still ensuring high-quality, timely execution for campaigns and projects.

• Navigating a Complex Industry: Legal tech involves specific nuances, regulations, and a distinct audience. Adapting brand messaging and visuals to this context can be challenging.

• Mentoring and Managing Up: Effectively mentoring junior designers while also influencing and managing expectations with marketing leadership requires strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Integrating AI Tools: Staying ahead of AI in design and effectively integrating new tools into workflows while maintaining quality and ethical standards.

• Hybrid Collaboration: Maximizing effectiveness and team cohesion in a hybrid work environment, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration across in-office and remote team members.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Brand Strategy: Deepen expertise in brand architecture, identity systems, and long-term brand planning within a leading tech company.

• AI in Design: Explore and master emerging AI tools and techniques for creative ideation and execution.

• Leadership & Mentorship Skills: Develop and refine leadership capabilities through direct mentorship and team collaboration.

• Industry Specialization: Gain in-depth knowledge of the legal tech landscape and its unique branding requirements.

• Cross-functional Project Leadership: Contribute to high-impact GTM strategies and product launches, expanding experience beyond pure design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior creative role in a growing tech company. The opportunities for learning and development are substantial, particularly in the areas of AI, leadership, and strategic brand management within a specialized industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the evolution of a brand's visual identity. What was your strategy, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on strategic thinking, leadership, and impact.)

• "How do you approach building and scaling a design system? Walk us through a project where you implemented one." (Demonstrate systems thinking and process.)

• "How do you balance creative vision with stakeholder feedback and business objectives?" (Showcase communication and negotiation skills.)

• "What is your philosophy on mentoring junior designers? How do you provide constructive feedback?" (Highlight leadership and team development approach.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Clio's mission to transform the legal experience?" (Show your understanding of the company's purpose.)

• "How do you see AI impacting the future of brand design, and how would you incorporate AI tools into your workflow here?" (Assess your forward-thinking and tech adoption.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. How do you ensure effective collaboration?" (Evaluate your adaptability to the work model.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by key projects. For each, provide a brief overview, the challenge, your role and process, the solution, and the results.

• Focus on Leadership: Emphasize projects where you took initiative, made strategic decisions, or led the creative direction.

• Showcase Systems: If you have design system work, clearly explain its components, purpose, and impact.

• Metrics Matter: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. For brand work, this could be brand recognition, campaign engagement, or consistency improvements.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to elaborate on any aspect of your work, including your tools, your creative rationale, and your collaboration process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership, and a deep understanding of brand systems and their business impact. Candidates should be ready to articulate their process, defend their creative decisions, and showcase their ability to mentor and collaborate effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Clio's careers site.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating creative leadership, systems thinking, and brand evolution. Prioritize case studies that showcase your strategic approach and measurable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 5-8 years of experience, emphasizing roles where you led brand initiatives, built systems, and mentored designers. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio with a focus on storytelling, strategic rationale, and quantifiable results. Prepare answers to common interview questions related to creative leadership, mentorship, and AI in design.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Clio's mission, values, products, and current brand presence. Understand their position in the legal tech industry and how your design skills can contribute to their goals.

⚠️ 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.