Senior Graphic Designer

JOEY Restaurants
Full-time$80k-100k/year (CAD)Vancouver, Canada

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: JOEY Restaurants

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design

Date Posted: July 31, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Senior)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead the creative vision and execution for JOEY Restaurants' marketing initiatives, translating brand strategy into compelling visual assets across all guest touchpoints.

  • Drive concept development, design, and production for integrated campaigns, performance marketing, digital channels, menus, and in-store materials.

  • Provide senior creative direction and mentorship to the Graphic Designer, fostering professional growth and ensuring high standards of creative output.

  • Collaborate closely with marketing, growth, and cross-functional teams to align creative with business objectives and brand voice.

  • Leverage emerging technologies, including generative AI and automation tools, to enhance creative workflows, accelerate production, and drive efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor with leadership responsibilities, focusing on both strategic creative direction and hands-on execution. The emphasis on integrating AI and automation suggests a forward-thinking approach to design operations within the marketing department.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Translate brand, campaign, and business strategies into compelling visual storytelling across integrated channels, including digital, print, in-store, experiential, and new restaurant marketing.

  • Lead concept development, design, and production for integrated campaigns, advertising, and other high-priority creative initiatives, encompassing menus, promotional assets, store requests, campaign adaptations, photography retouching, and video editing.

  • Develop high-performing digital creative for paid social, display, search, email, web, and other performance marketing channels, adapting creative to platform requirements, audience needs, and campaign objectives.

  • Partner with Marketing and Growth stakeholders to review creative performance, interpret results, and apply learnings through testing, iteration, and optimization.

  • Collaborate with the Director of Marketing, Growth Lead, Graphic Designer, broader Marketing team, and other cross-functional stakeholders to ensure creative work is strategically grounded and aligned with each brand's voice, visual identity, and creative outcomes.

  • Contribute to brainstorms, creative reviews, and campaign debriefs, bringing fresh ideas, constructive feedback, and informed creative perspective.

  • Provide art direction to internal and external collaborators, including freelance designers, photographers, videographers, and production partners, with accountability for the quality and consistency of their output.

  • Creatively direct and lead photo and video shoots within established visual standards.

  • Manage and provide senior creative direction to the Graphic Designer, including actionable feedback and supporting their professional growth.

  • Own assigned creative work from intake through final delivery, managing briefs, timelines, competing priorities, approvals, and deadlines while communicating status, risks, and blockers early.

  • Develop scalable design systems, reusable templates, and production standards that improve consistency, reduce rework, and increase efficiency.

  • Integrate AI and automation tools into creative workflows to accelerate ideation, versioning, image development, retouching, and repetitive production tasks while maintaining brand integrity and quality standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic creative leadership and tactical execution. The emphasis on performance marketing creative, A/B testing, and iterative optimization points to a data-informed design approach, crucial for GTM success. The expectation to manage direct reports and external vendors indicates a need for strong leadership and vendor management skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Marketing, or a related field is typically expected for senior roles.

Experience: 6-7+ years of progressive graphic design experience, with a proven track record in a senior capacity.

Required Skills:

  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and After Effects.

  • A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating exceptional craft and versatility across brand campaigns, digital, performance marketing, print, and production work.

  • Proven ability to translate brand and marketing strategy into compelling creative across multiple brands, audiences, and channel requirements.

  • Strong performance marketing and digital creative experience, with an understanding of platform best practices, creative testing, and conversion-focused design.

  • Experience managing, developing, or providing senior creative direction to designers.

  • Exceptional project management and organizational skills, with a track record of independently delivering multiple concurrent projects from brief through completion.

  • Practical experience integrating generative AI, automation, or other emerging tools into creative workflows to improve speed, scalability, and efficiency.

  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to present creative rationale, receive feedback constructively, and translate feedback into clear next steps.

  • A contemporary, aspirational design sensibility and the judgment to apply emerging creative and cultural trends in a way that is relevant and distinctive to each brand.

  • A strategic, resourceful approach to problem-solving, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, changing environment. Preferred Skills:

  • Hospitality, restaurant, retail, or consumer-brand experience.

  • Experience with motion design, short-form video, or dynamic paid-media creative.

  • Proficiency in CapCut or similar video editing software.

  • Experience developing creative testing frameworks or modular asset systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for advanced After Effects and video editing skills, along with preferred experience in motion design and CapCut, indicates a growing need for dynamic visual content in digital marketing, particularly for performance-driven campaigns. The emphasis on integrating AI tools suggests a proactive approach to staying ahead in design technology.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Demonstrate a strong understanding of visual hierarchy, typography, color theory, and layout principles across various media.

  • Showcase case studies of integrated marketing campaigns, detailing the strategic brief, creative process, execution across channels (digital, print, social), and measurable results.

  • Include examples of high-performing digital creative for performance marketing, illustrating adaptation to platform-specific requirements and conversion-optimization techniques.

  • Present examples of brand identity development or application, highlighting consistency in visual storytelling and adherence to brand guidelines.

  • Feature work that demonstrates proficiency in photo retouching and video editing, showcasing attention to detail and creative application.

  • Incorporate examples of process improvements or efficiency gains achieved through design systems, templates, or the integration of new tools like AI. Process Documentation:

  • Candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to managing creative briefs, from intake to final delivery, including timeline management, stakeholder approvals, and risk mitigation.

  • Articulate how they collaborate with marketing and growth teams to interpret creative performance data and iterate on designs for optimization.

  • Explain their methodology for providing art direction and feedback to internal team members (Graphic Designer) and external partners (freelancers, vendors).

  • Detail their experience in developing and implementing design systems, templates, or production standards to ensure brand consistency and operational efficiency.

  • Be ready to discuss specific instances of integrating AI or automation into their design workflows and the impact on speed, scalability, and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior role, the portfolio should not just display final work but also the candidate's strategic thinking, process, and ability to drive measurable outcomes. Demonstrating the application of AI and automation in creative workflows will be a key differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000 CAD per year. This range is dependent on skill and work experience.

Benefits:

  • Extended health, dental, and life insurance coverage.

  • Long-term disability and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.

  • Ongoing Leadership Development Courses, supporting professional growth.

  • 50% off food & beverage at any JOEY Restaurants, LOCAL Public Eatery, SALTLIK, or Earls Restaurants location (some restrictions apply).

  • Pursue personal and professional development through a Coaching Partnership, offering ongoing support and feedback.

  • Industry partner incentives.

  • Referral bonus programs.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with an on-site work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Senior Graphic Designer role in Vancouver, BC, considering the experience level and responsibilities. The comprehensive benefits package, especially the coaching partnership and leadership development, suggests a focus on employee growth and well-being, which is attractive to senior professionals. The on-site requirement implies a need for regular collaboration within the marketing department.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Hospitality (Restaurants)

Company Size: JOEY Restaurant Group operates over 50 restaurant locations throughout North America, indicating a large, established organization with a significant corporate structure supporting its operations.

Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly stated, the company's scale suggests a long history and established presence in the hospitality sector.

Team Structure:

  • The marketing department is likely structured with a Director of Marketing overseeing various functions, including creative. This role reports to a senior marketing leader (e.g., Director of Marketing or Growth Lead) and manages the Graphic Designer.

  • The team collaborates closely with other corporate functions such as Operations, HR, and potentially IT, to ensure brand consistency and support business objectives across all restaurant locations.

  • Cross-functional collaboration is essential, as the design team will work with stakeholders from various departments to develop creative assets for different initiatives, from menu updates to new restaurant openings. Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Creative: The role emphasizes interpreting creative performance data and applying learnings through testing and iteration, indicating a data-informed approach to design and marketing.

  • Process Optimization: Development of scalable design systems, reusable templates, and production standards points to a focus on efficiency, consistency, and workflow improvement.

  • Innovation & Technology Integration: The explicit requirement to integrate AI and automation tools highlights a commitment to leveraging emerging technologies to enhance creative output and operational efficiency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value ambition, drive, curiosity, and engagement, fostering a high-performing team committed to development and growth. The emphasis on individual potential and a journey starting here suggests an environment that supports career progression, particularly within the corporate office.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor / Team Lead. This role is a step above a standard Graphic Designer, requiring advanced skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to guide others. It involves ownership of significant creative projects and direct management of a junior designer.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Director of Marketing or a similar senior marketing leader. They will, in turn, manage and mentor the Graphic Designer.

Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the brand's perception, guest experience, and marketing campaign effectiveness. By translating brand strategy into compelling visuals, they influence customer acquisition, engagement, and retention across all JOEY Restaurants locations, contributing significantly to revenue goals and market presence.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Creative Director or Marketing Manager role, overseeing larger teams and broader marketing strategies within JOEY Restaurant Group or its sister brands.

  • Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like performance marketing creative, motion graphics, or AI-driven design workflows.

  • Cross-Brand Exposure: Potential to work on creative for other brands within the JOEY Restaurant Group portfolio, broadening experience and impact.

  • Skill Development: Access to ongoing leadership development courses and coaching partnerships provides structured opportunities for professional and personal growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career progression within a large hospitality group. The combination of strategic leadership, hands-on design, and team management provides a well-rounded experience for aspiring creative leaders in the GTM space.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an in-office role based in Vancouver, BC, indicating a traditional office setting rather than a remote or hybrid model.

Office Location(s): Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Specific office details are not provided, but it's assumed to be a professional corporate office environment.

Workspace Context:

  • The workspace is expected to be collaborative, requiring close interaction with the Director of Marketing, Growth Lead, Graphic Designer, and other marketing team members.

  • Access to necessary design tools and technology, including the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite and potentially AI-powered design software, is implied.

  • Opportunities for team interaction will be frequent, fostering a dynamic environment where ideas can be shared and creative challenges tackled collectively.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with an estimated 40 working hours per week. While the core hours are likely standard business hours, the nature of creative project deadlines may occasionally require flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, team synergy, and hands-on creative direction, which can be crucial for high-level creative roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, qualifications, and creative output against the job requirements.

  • Portfolio Presentation & Interview: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, walking through key projects, explaining their strategic approach, design process, and the impact of their work. This stage will also involve behavioral and technical questions.

  • Creative Challenge (Potential): A design task or case study may be assigned to evaluate problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and ability to execute within specific constraints. This might involve adapting existing creative or developing new concepts for a given brief.

  • Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with the Director of Marketing, Graphic Designer, and potentially other cross-functional stakeholders to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and strategic alignment.

  • Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., VP of Marketing) to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase versatility across brand campaigns, digital performance marketing, and production.

  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the strategic objectives, your creative process, the challenges faced, and the quantifiable results or impact achieved. Focus on the "why" behind your design decisions.

  • Highlight AI Integration: Showcase specific examples where you've used generative AI or automation tools to improve efficiency, speed up production, or create innovative visual solutions. Be prepared to discuss the tools and the outcomes.

  • Demonstrate Craftsmanship: Ensure your presentation is visually polished and reflects your attention to detail and creative judgment.

  • Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle feedback, your experience managing junior designers, and your approach to performance-driven creative.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research JOEY Restaurants' brand identity, target audience, current marketing efforts, and competitive landscape.

  • Focus on Strategy: If given a challenge, prioritize understanding the strategic objectives before diving into design. Think about the target audience and the desired outcome.

  • Show Your Process: Even in a timed challenge, demonstrate your thought process. Sketching, mood boards, or brief concept outlines can be helpful.

  • Efficiency Mindset: Be mindful of time. If a challenge involves adapting creative, think about how you'd create scalable assets or leverage templates, reflecting the job requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on performance marketing, AI integration, and managing junior designers suggests the interview process will assess not only creative talent but also strategic thinking, operational efficiency, and leadership potential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Cloud: Advanced proficiency required in Photoshop (image manipulation, retouching), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, illustrations), InDesign (layout, print production), and After Effects (motion graphics, video editing).

  • Generative AI Tools: Practical experience integrating tools like Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, or Adobe Firefly into creative workflows for ideation, asset generation, and versioning.

  • Video Editing Software: Proficiency in After Effects for professional video editing, with preferred experience in CapCut or similar for shorter-form or social media video content.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Understanding of analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics) to interpret creative performance data and inform design iterations.

  • Familiarity with A/B testing principles for creative optimization. CRM & Automation:

  • While not a direct CRM role, understanding how creative assets are deployed through marketing automation platforms and CRM-integrated campaigns is beneficial.

  • Experience with templating systems or design automation tools that streamline asset creation and deployment for various channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of AI and automation tools, alongside advanced Adobe Suite skills, indicates a modern, tech-forward design operations environment. Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience with these tools and their impact on efficiency and creativity.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Creative Excellence: A commitment to high standards of design craft, visual storytelling, and brand consistency across all touchpoints.

  • Strategic Impact: Value placed on creative work that directly supports business objectives, drives engagement, and contributes to measurable marketing results.

  • Efficiency & Scalability: Emphasis on developing streamlined workflows, reusable assets, and leveraging technology (like AI) to increase output and reduce rework.

  • Collaboration & Mentorship: A culture that encourages teamwork, constructive feedback, and the professional development of team members.

  • Innovation: Openness to exploring and integrating new creative tools and technologies to stay ahead of industry trends.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: The team works closely with marketing, growth, and operational stakeholders, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate diverse needs into creative solutions.

  • Feedback-Driven: A culture of constructive feedback is essential, both in receiving critiques on creative work and providing direction to junior designers and external partners.

  • Proactive & Resourceful: The team likely operates with a proactive mindset, anticipating needs, solving problems independently, and finding resourceful ways to achieve objectives in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to foster a dynamic and growth-oriented environment, valuing both individual drive and collective success. The emphasis on continuous learning and leveraging new technologies is a key aspect of their operational philosophy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Brand Consistency with Channel Optimization: Ensuring all creative assets adhere to JOEY Restaurants' brand identity while also being optimized for the specific requirements and performance goals of diverse digital platforms (social media, display, email).

  • Managing Competing Priorities: Effectively juggling multiple high-priority projects simultaneously, from integrated campaigns to daily store requests, while meeting tight deadlines.

  • Integrating Emerging Technologies: Successfully implementing and leveraging AI and automation tools into existing workflows, which may involve learning new processes, managing potential technical hurdles, and ensuring brand integrity.

  • Providing Effective Creative Direction: Mentoring and guiding the Graphic Designer to ensure their work meets senior standards and contributes effectively to team goals.

  • Adapting to Evolving Trends: Staying current with rapidly changing design trends, digital marketing best practices, and consumer behavior to ensure creative remains fresh, relevant, and impactful.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Leadership Development: Formal courses and coaching partnerships designed to enhance leadership, management, and strategic thinking skills.

  • Technical Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in advanced Adobe Creative Cloud features, motion graphics, AI-powered design tools, and creative testing methodologies.

  • Industry Exposure: Potential to gain insights into the hospitality and restaurant industry's marketing strategies and consumer engagement tactics.

  • Mentorship: Direct mentorship from senior marketing leaders and the opportunity to mentor a junior designer.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant opportunities for professional development, particularly in leadership and leveraging cutting-edge design technology within a large-scale hospitality brand.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you translated a complex brand strategy into a compelling visual campaign. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Prepare a case study demonstrating strategic thinking, creative execution, and measurable impact).

  • "How do you approach adapting creative assets for different performance marketing channels (e.g., paid social vs. email)? Walk us through your process for optimizing for conversion." (Be ready to discuss platform best practices, A/B testing, and data-informed design).

  • "Tell us about your experience managing or mentoring junior designers. How do you provide constructive feedback and foster their growth?" (Highlight your leadership style and experience in developing talent). Company & Culture Questions:

  • "Why are you interested in JOEY Restaurants specifically, and how do your design sensibilities align with our brand?" (Research the brand, its current marketing, and articulate your connection).

  • "How do you stay current with emerging creative and cultural trends, and how have you integrated them into your work?" (Be prepared to discuss specific examples, perhaps including AI).

  • "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. How do you manage competing priorities and communicate risks or blockers?" (Emphasize organizational skills and proactive communication). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: Begin with an overview of your experience and design philosophy. For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenge, your solution (design process, key decisions), and the outcome (metrics, impact).

  • Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively. Highlight the craftsmanship and strategic thinking behind your work.

  • Emphasize AI/Automation: If you have relevant examples, dedicate specific slides or talking points to how you've used AI/automation to improve efficiency or creativity. Be ready to discuss the tools and the benefits.

  • Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs.

  • Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, technical execution, and problem-solving approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a blend of creative talent, strategic thinking, operational efficiency (especially with AI/automation), and leadership potential. Demonstrating a data-driven approach to design will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

  • Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects that align with JOEY Restaurants' brand, demonstrate expertise in performance marketing creative, and showcase your experience with AI/automation tools.

  • Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 6-7+ years of experience, advanced Adobe Creative Cloud proficiency, project management skills, art direction/management experience, and any relevant hospitality or consumer brand background. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, strategic rationale, and quantifiable results. Prepare specific examples of how you've managed projects, mentored designers, and integrated new technologies.

  • Company Research: Thoroughly research JOEY Restaurants, its brand identity, marketing campaigns, and company values to articulate your fit and demonstrate genuine interest. Understand their position in the hospitality industry.

⚠️ 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.


Application Requirements

Candidates must have 6-7+ years of progressive graphic design experience with advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and a strong portfolio. The role requires proven expertise in performance marketing, project management, and the ability to integrate emerging tools like generative AI into creative workflows.