Senior Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Visual Designer

Company: POD Marketing

Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-10-02

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the creation of compelling visual assets for diverse client brands, encompassing identity, campaigns, digital experiences, and motion graphics.

• Translate strategic brand concepts and creative briefs into cohesive, modern visual narratives, demonstrating strong conceptual thinking and design execution.

• Drive the development and maintenance of scalable design systems within Figma, ensuring brand consistency and efficient workflow.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including content strategists, project managers, and other creatives to deliver high-impact creative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Visual Designer, implying a need for strong autonomy, strategic contribution, and mentorship capabilities within the design function. The emphasis on "brand thinking and concept development" over just polished assets suggests a strategic design approach is highly valued.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Brand Identity & Campaign Development: Conceptualize and execute high-quality visual designs for brand identities, marketing campaigns, digital platforms, social media content, and print collateral.

• Strategic Translation: Interpret brand strategy and creative briefs to generate innovative visual concepts, moving beyond simple execution to strategic interpretation.

• Cross-Medium Design: Apply expertise in typography, layout, composition, color theory, and visual hierarchy to design across various mediums, ensuring a consistent and impactful brand presence.

• Motion & Animation Integration: Create engaging motion graphics and animated assets to enhance static creative concepts and bring ideas to life for digital and social channels.

• Design System Management: Build, maintain, and scale robust Figma files, components, libraries, and design systems to ensure brand consistency and facilitate efficient design workflows.

• Creative Collaboration: Actively participate in the early stages of the creative process, contributing ideas and visual thinking to project strategy and concept development.

• Stakeholder Communication: Confidently present and articulate creative decisions, design rationale, and strategic thinking to internal teams and potentially clients.

• Feedback & Iteration: Engage in a constructive feedback loop, providing and receiving critiques to refine and elevate the quality of creative output.

• Process Improvement: Proactively explore and implement new tools, techniques, and workflows to enhance creative capabilities and operational efficiency.

• Team Development: Share inspiration, knowledge, and best practices to contribute to the continuous improvement of the team's creative output and overall design standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and strategic input. The emphasis on "asking thoughtful questions" and "challenging assumptions" indicates a culture that values proactive problem-solving and creative leadership from its designers.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio and demonstrable experience in visual design are paramount. Candidates with degrees in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related fields may possess a foundational advantage.

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of professional design experience, preferably within a branding, marketing, agency, or fast-paced creative environment.

• Proven track record of conceptualizing and executing design across multiple brands and mediums.

• Demonstrated ability to manage projects from initial concept through final production with a high degree of autonomy. Required Skills:

• Expert-level Figma proficiency: Including advanced knowledge of components, libraries, auto layout, prototyping, and design system development.

• Advanced Adobe Creative Suite proficiency: Expertise in industry-standard design software.

• Brand Identity & Strategy: Strong understanding and practical application of brand thinking, concept development, and translating strategy into visual language.

• Motion Design/Animation: Ability to create compelling motion graphics and animations to enhance creative concepts.

• Core Design Principles: Mastery of typography, layout, composition, visual hierarchy, color theory, and contemporary design aesthetics.

• Communication & Presentation: Exceptional ability to articulate design decisions, rationale, and strategic thinking clearly and confidently.

• Collaboration & Feedback: Proven ability to work effectively within a team, provide constructive feedback, and incorporate critiques to improve work.

• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for asking probing questions, challenging assumptions, and identifying opportunities to enhance creative output.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in developing comprehensive brand identities and visual systems from inception.

• Proficiency with After Effects or other advanced motion/animation tools.

• Experience in campaign concepting and art direction.

• Skills in video editing, photography, or content creation.

• Direct client-facing experience and a history of presenting creative work to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Must-Have" skills list is extensive and emphasizes technical proficiency (Figma, Adobe) alongside conceptual and strategic design capabilities. The preference for candidates who can develop full brand systems and present directly to clients suggests a desire for a well-rounded, client-ready senior designer.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Brand Thinking & Concept Development: Showcase a portfolio that clearly demonstrates the ability to develop strategic concepts and translate them into cohesive visual executions, not just final polished assets.

• Process Documentation: Include case studies that outline your design process, from initial brief interpretation and research to concept exploration, iteration, and final delivery.

• Figma & Design Systems: Highlight examples of complex Figma file structures, component libraries, and functional design systems you have built or contributed to.

• Motion & Animation Examples: Feature work that effectively integrates motion graphics or animation to enhance brand storytelling and user experience.

• Versatility: Demonstrate proficiency across a range of visual styles and mediums, showcasing adaptability to different brand identities and project requirements.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Document how you approach a design brief, including research methodologies, ideation techniques, and initial concept generation.

• Figma System Implementation: Detail your approach to building and managing Figma components, libraries, and design systems, including version control and collaboration strategies.

• Motion Workflow: Explain your process for creating motion graphics, from storyboarding and asset preparation to animation and final output.

• Feedback Integration: Illustrate how you incorporate feedback from team members and stakeholders to refine designs and achieve project goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily focused on demonstrating strategic thinking, process, and technical proficiency, particularly with Figma and design systems. Candidates should prepare to walk through their process and explain the rationale behind their design choices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $67,500 CAD per year.

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off: Three weeks of paid vacation, twelve flex days, and a dedicated "Passion Day" for personal pursuits.

• Wellness: Company-wide "MeMonday" initiative focused on prioritizing mental health.

• Flexibility: A thirty-day remote work policy for occasional changes of scenery.

• Community Impact: Twenty-six hours of paid volunteer time annually.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Financial Support: Spending accounts.

• Professional Development: Access to a mentorship program, in-house leadership development program, DiSC communication training, and ongoing learning opportunities.

• Office Perks: Discounted local vendor services, stocked office with coffee, snacks, and a collaborative environment.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility and remote work options available.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is for a "Senior Visual Designer" role in Calgary. This range is informed by the provided data and general market benchmarks for such positions in the Canadian market, considering the specified experience level (2-5 years) and the cost of living in Calgary. The benefits package is exceptionally generous, emphasizing work-life balance, professional growth, and employee well-being, which are strong indicators of company culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing, Consulting, and HR services. POD Marketing operates as a full-service agency addressing a broad spectrum of business challenges for its clients.

Company Size: The exact size isn't specified, but the mention of "multiple awards" and a "broad portfolio of clients" suggests a well-established and growing organization, likely mid-sized or larger within the agency landscape.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly stated, but the reference to "Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures" awards implies a history of sustained positive culture and growth.

Team Structure:

• Cross-Functional Design: Designers will work within a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with content strategists, project managers, motion/video specialists, and account teams.

• Collaborative Environment: The culture is described as trusting, supportive, and inspiring, with a strong emphasis on collective success and individual growth.

• Reporting: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Visual Designer would likely report to a Creative Director or Design Lead, with direct interaction with project managers and account leads.

Methodology:

• Strategic-First Approach: Emphasis on understanding brand strategy and business challenges before creative execution.

• Data-Informed Creativity: While not explicitly stated, the "full-service" nature and focus on solving "real business challenges" suggests an approach that balances creative intuition with measurable results.

• Continuous Improvement: A culture of feedback, learning, and exploration of new tools and techniques is encouraged.

Company Website: https://podmarketing.na.teamtailor.com

📝 Enhancement Note: POD Marketing positions itself as a culture-first organization that values employee well-being and growth, evidenced by their awards and comprehensive benefits. The "full-service" model implies designers will work on diverse projects across different client needs.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Senior Visual Designer" role, indicating a level of expertise beyond junior or mid-level positions. It requires autonomy, strategic contribution, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced designers. The role is expected to translate strategy into impactful visual solutions and contribute to the agency's overall creative output and standards.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Visual Designer will likely report to a Creative Director or Head of Design. They will collaborate closely with Project Managers on client deliverables and with other creatives (content strategists, motion designers) within project teams.

Operations Impact: The visual design output directly influences client brand perception, campaign effectiveness, and user engagement across digital and physical touchpoints. Strong visual design contributes significantly to client satisfaction, retention, and the agency's reputation for delivering high-quality, strategic creative work.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Access to an in-house leadership development program and mentorship opportunities suggests a clear path towards team lead or management roles.

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas like brand identity systems, motion design, or art direction through ongoing learning and project exposure.

• Client Engagement: Potential to grow into roles with more direct client interaction and presentation responsibilities.

• Creative Direction: Advancement to roles such as Art Director or Creative Director, overseeing broader creative strategies and teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career growth at POD Marketing is framed around both leadership potential and skill specialization, supported by structured development programs. This suggests a commitment to nurturing talent from within and providing clear progression pathways for senior team members.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The description mentions a "bright, modern" downtown Calgary office, suggesting a professional and contemporary workspace. It's likely a collaborative office environment where designers can interact face-to-face.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located at 117 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1B4. This is a central downtown location, likely accessible by public transit and surrounded by amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office serves as a central point for team interaction, brainstorming, and client meetings.

• Resource-Rich: The office is equipped with essential amenities like good coffee, snacks, and technology to support daily work.

• Team Synergy: The environment is designed to foster collaboration, energy, and mutual respect among team members.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the "Hybrid" work arrangement and "thirty-day remote work policy" indicate flexibility. This allows for a mix of in-office collaboration and remote workdays, balancing team cohesion with individual needs and preferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is presented as a blend of modern office-based collaboration and flexible remote work. This hybrid model is designed to leverage the benefits of both in-person interaction and individual autonomy, catering to the needs of a senior creative professional.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Hiring managers will carefully review resumes, cover letters (or video cover letters), and portfolios, prioritizing cultural alignment and passion alongside skills and experience.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: Expect a thorough review of your portfolio, focusing on your design process, conceptual thinking, and ability to articulate creative decisions. Be prepared to discuss specific projects in detail.

• Cultural Fit Assessment: Interviews will likely assess alignment with POD Marketing's core values and culture, looking for drive, ambition, and passion.

• Skills & Experience Validation: Discussions will focus on validating your expertise in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, brand strategy, and motion design.

• Problem-Solving/Case Study: A design challenge or case study may be presented to assess your approach to problem-solving, creative thinking, and workflow under realistic project conditions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Show Your Process: Clearly articulate your design journey for each project. Explain the brief, your research, ideation, iterations, and the rationale behind your final decisions.

• Highlight Strategic Thinking: Emphasize how your design solutions address the client's business objectives and brand strategy.

• Demonstrate Figma Proficiency: Showcase examples of well-structured Figma files, component libraries, and design systems.

• Quantify Impact (If Possible): If you have metrics or client feedback demonstrating the success of your designs, include them.

• Tailor to the Role: Ensure your portfolio and presentation highlight skills and experience relevant to the Senior Visual Designer role at POD Marketing.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If presented with a design challenge, take time to fully understand the objectives, target audience, and any constraints.

• Think Strategically: Approach the challenge by considering the brand strategy and desired outcomes, not just aesthetics.

• Articulate Your Reasoning: Be prepared to explain your design choices and thought process clearly and concisely.

• Manage Your Time: Allocate your time effectively to complete the challenge within the given timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: POD Marketing places a significant emphasis on cultural fit and the candidate's approach to applying. They encourage authenticity and a genuine demonstration of passion, advising candidates to review and edit any AI-generated content to reflect their personal voice and ensure accuracy.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI/UX design, prototyping, design systems, and collaborative workflows. Expect advanced usage including components, libraries, auto layout, and prototyping features.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Crucial for graphic design, image editing, and illustration. Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is expected.

• Motion Design Tools: After Effects is preferred for motion graphics and animation. Other similar tools may also be relevant.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly mentioned for this design role, designers may interact with analytics dashboards to understand user behavior and campaign performance, informing design iterations. Tools like Google Analytics or platform-specific analytics might be relevant contextually.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the Senior Visual Designer role, but understanding how design assets are deployed within marketing automation platforms or CRM systems might be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack for this role is heavily design-centric, with Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite being paramount. The emphasis on Figma, including design systems and prototyping, points to a modern, collaborative design workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Drive, Ambition, Passion: These are highlighted as core values that are difficult to teach and are highly sought after by the company.

• Trust & Support: The company culture is built on an environment where people feel trusted, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

• Growth & Success: There's a strong emphasis on employee development, career progression, and mutual success.

• Inclusivity: POD Marketing is committed to being an equal opportunity employer, valuing diversity and ensuring all qualified candidates are evaluated fairly.

• Care & Consideration: The company applies the same level of care to supporting its team as it does to its clients.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to collaborate closely with strategists, project managers, and other creatives, integrating their visual expertise into broader project teams.

• Constructive Feedback Culture: The team encourages open communication, constructive critique, and the use of feedback to elevate the quality of work.

• Shared Learning: There's an emphasis on sharing inspiration, knowledge, and ideas to foster continuous improvement across the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at POD Marketing is strongly defined by its people-centric approach, emphasizing intrinsic qualities like passion and drive, coupled with a supportive and inclusive environment. Collaboration is seen as a key driver of both creative excellence and employee well-being.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Client Needs: A common challenge in agency environments is aligning strong personal creative direction with diverse client expectations, brand guidelines, and strategic objectives.

• Managing Multiple Projects: As a senior designer, juggling various client projects with competing deadlines and priorities will require strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Adapting to Diverse Brands: Consistently producing high-quality work across a wide range of client brands and visual styles demands versatility and adaptability.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: The fast-paced nature of design and marketing requires continuous learning to stay current with emerging tools, technologies, and aesthetic trends.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Training: Access to an in-house leadership development program provides a pathway for those interested in managing teams or projects.

• Mentorship Program: Connect with experienced professionals for guidance, skill development, and career advice.

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like motion design, brand systems, or art direction through project work and dedicated learning.

• Industry Exposure: Potential for participation in industry events, workshops, or online courses to stay abreast of the latest design trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role in a dynamic agency setting, focusing on strategic execution, project management, and continuous skill development. The growth opportunities are well-defined, highlighting a structured approach to career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you translated a complex brand strategy into a compelling visual identity. What was your process, and what were the key challenges?" (Focus on your strategic thinking, concept development, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you approach building and maintaining design systems in Figma? Walk us through a component library you've developed and its benefits." (Prepare to demonstrate your Figma expertise and understanding of scalability.)

• "Imagine you're given a brief for a new campaign with limited direction. How would you start? What questions would you ask?" (Showcase your initiative, curiosity, and ability to drive creative direction.)

• "Describe a project where you had to balance a strong creative vision with client feedback or constraints. How did you navigate that situation?" (Highlight your communication, negotiation, and collaborative skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What aspects of POD Marketing's culture, as described in the job posting, resonate most with you and why?" (Connect your personal values and work style to the company's stated culture.)

• "How do you stay current with design trends and emerging technologies in the visual design space?" (Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and passion for the craft.)

• "Based on what you know about POD Marketing, how do you see your skills and experience contributing to our client work and internal culture?" (Show your understanding of the company's business and your potential impact.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as stories. Start with the challenge or brief, walk through your process and key decisions, and conclude with the outcome or impact.

• Focus on Process: For each project, highlight how you arrived at the solution, not just the final visuals. Emphasize your strategic thinking and problem-solving.

• Figma Deep Dive: Be ready to screen-share and walk through a Figma file, demonstrating your knowledge of components, libraries, auto layout, and design systems.

• Motion Integration: If you have motion work, explain how it enhances the static design and contributes to the overall message or user experience.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Select 3-4 strong projects that best represent your capabilities for this specific role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating strategic thinking, technical proficiency (especially in Figma), cultural alignment, and a clear, process-driven approach to design. Candidates are strongly advised to personalize their applications and showcase their unique voice.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Visual Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Apply directly through the POD Marketing careers website.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your brand thinking, concept development, Figma proficiency, and motion design skills. Ensure your portfolio clearly illustrates your design process.

• Personalize Your Cover Letter/Video: Write a compelling cover letter or record a video cover letter (under 2 minutes) that highlights your passion for this specific role and POD Marketing. Explain why you're a strong fit, referencing your skills and experience.

• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 4+ years of experience, highlights your expertise in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and uses keywords from the job description.

• Prepare for the Interview: Research POD Marketing's client work and culture. Practice articulating your design process and strategic rationale for your portfolio pieces. Be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and problem-solving.

• Review and Edit: Carefully proofread your entire application for any errors, especially the company name and job title. If using AI assistance, thoroughly review and edit the content to ensure it reflects your personal voice and is factually accurate.

⚠️ 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.