Senior Web Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Web Designer

Company: Verndale LLC

Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada / Remote (Canada)

Job Type: Full-time, Salaried

Category: Design & Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-26

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Remote (Canada)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the visual design and creative execution of enterprise websites and eCommerce experiences, driving client engagements from concept to completion.

• Champion user-centered design principles, accessibility standards (WCAG), and modern web technologies within a collaborative, cross-functional team environment.

• Develop and maintain sophisticated Figma design systems, component libraries, and reusable UI patterns to ensure brand consistency and efficient implementation.

• Leverage expertise in Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs) and eCommerce platforms to create scalable, high-quality digital solutions that meet business objectives and user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Web Designer, indicating a need for significant experience in leading design initiatives and mentoring junior team members. The emphasis on enterprise DXPs and eCommerce suggests a focus on complex, large-scale digital transformation projects rather than simpler website builds.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the visual design and creative execution of websites, eCommerce experiences, and digital experiences across multiple client engagements, ensuring high standards of craft and strategic thinking.

• Develop and refine creative concepts, mood boards, design directions, user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, high-fidelity interfaces, and responsive designs.

• Create, evolve, and maintain scalable Figma design systems, component libraries, variables, auto layout, design tokens, and developer-ready documentation.

• Translate business requirements, research insights, and content strategies into intuitive, user-centered digital experiences that align with client goals and brand standards.

• Define visual frameworks that balance user experience, accessibility, brand expression, and technical feasibility, accounting for the capabilities and constraints of enterprise DXPs and eCommerce platforms.

• Provide day-to-day guidance, mentorship, and constructive feedback to junior designers, helping to elevate the quality of work across the team.

• Lead design critiques, collaborative working sessions, and creative reviews, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

• Present design work confidently to clients and internal stakeholders, clearly communicating design rationale and guiding conversations around user experience, visual design, accessibility, and implementation.

• Partner with project managers, strategists, researchers, and developers to identify opportunities that improve both client outcomes and user experiences, ensuring successful design-to-development handoffs.

• Leverage AI-powered prototyping tools and evaluate emerging AI tools to accelerate exploration, improve workflows, and enhance the quality of design deliverables.

• Stay current on digital design trends, accessibility standards, emerging technologies, DXPs, and evolving web best practices, contributing ideas to improve design processes and systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility list is extensive, covering strategic leadership, hands-on design execution, mentorship, and technical proficiency in design systems and AI tools. This highlights the expectation for a well-rounded senior designer capable of managing multiple facets of complex digital projects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

Experience: 5–7 years of experience designing websites, digital products, or eCommerce experiences, with demonstrated experience leading creative direction and mentoring designers.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level proficiency in Figma, including extensive experience creating, maintaining, and evolving enterprise design systems, component libraries, variables, auto layout, design tokens, and developer-ready documentation.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional visual design, UX thinking, and modern web design execution across websites and eCommerce platforms.

• Deep experience designing enterprise websites and eCommerce experiences on leading Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs) and commerce platforms (e.g., Sitecore, Optimizely, Adobe Experience Manager, Contentful, Shopify, BigCommerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, WordPress, or similar).

• Strong understanding of responsive design principles, accessibility standards (WCAG), usability best practices, and eCommerce UX principles (customer journeys, product discovery, merchandising, conversion optimization).

• Proficiency in typography, layout, color, visual hierarchy, and interaction design.

• Ability to synthesize research, analytics, stakeholder input, and business requirements into effective design solutions.

• Experience collaborating closely with developers and supporting design-to-development handoffs.

• Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and modern front-end development concepts.

• Excellent communication, presentation, organization, facilitation, and collaboration skills.

• Familiarity with AI-assisted design workflows, interactive prototyping, experience simulation, and design system acceleration. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in an agency, consultancy, or digital product environment.

• Demonstrated ability to thoughtfully integrate AI into the design process while maintaining strong creative judgment, accessibility standards, and user-centered design principles.

• Understanding of platform capabilities, content modeling, personalization, merchandising, authoring workflows, and implementation considerations for DXPs and eCommerce platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "expert-level proficiency in Figma" and specific DXP/eCommerce platforms is critical. Candidates must showcase practical experience with these tools and technologies, not just theoretical knowledge. The mention of AI integration suggests a forward-thinking approach to design tools and processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5-7 years of design experience, with a strong emphasis on enterprise-level websites and eCommerce platforms.

• Demonstrate exceptional visual design skills, robust UX thinking, and modern web design execution across diverse projects.

• Include detailed case studies that highlight your process from discovery and concept development through to production-ready execution, showcasing problem-solving abilities and strategic design decisions.

• Showcase your experience with Figma, specifically demonstrating your ability to create, maintain, and evolve enterprise design systems, component libraries, variables, auto layout, and design tokens.

• Feature examples of responsive designs across desktop, tablet, and mobile, along with designs that adhere to accessibility standards (WCAG).

• Include examples of your experience with DXP and eCommerce platform integrations, illustrating how you've designed solutions considering platform capabilities and implementation constraints.

• Evidence of your ability to mentor junior designers and lead creative direction on projects. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the design process, from initial client brief and discovery workshops to final design delivery and developer handoff.

• Provide examples of how you translate business goals and user needs into tangible design artifacts (user flows, wireframes, prototypes, high-fidelity designs).

• Illustrate your approach to building and managing design systems, including version control, documentation, and collaboration with development teams during implementation.

• Showcase how you leverage AI tools within your design workflow to enhance efficiency, explore creative options, or improve deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. It needs to go beyond just showcasing pretty screens; it must deeply illustrate the candidate's process, problem-solving skills, technical proficiency in Figma and design systems, and experience with enterprise-level platforms. Demonstrating leadership and mentorship through case studies is also key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While not explicitly stated, for a Senior Web Designer role with 5-7 years of experience in Montreal, Canada, a competitive salary range would typically fall between CAD $85,000 - $115,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major Canadian tech hubs, considering the company's focus on enterprise solutions and remote work flexibility.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package.

• Top-of-the-line Health Insurance.

• Comprehensive coverage for medical and dental needs.

• Life Insurance.

• Disability Insurance.

• RRSP Savings Plan.

• Generous company-paid holidays, vacation, and paid sick time, available from day one.

• Regular training and professional development opportunities to advance careers.

• Monthly perks customized to meet individual employee needs.

• Support for a healthy work-life balance.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with a commitment to supporting a healthy work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary information is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in Montreal. The benefits package is robust, highlighting Verndale's commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, which is attractive to senior-level candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs), eCommerce, Consulting, Agency Services. Verndale operates at the intersection of technology, design, and business strategy, helping enterprises build and optimize their digital presence.

Company Size: Verndale LLC is a medium-sized company, likely employing between 50-200 individuals, given the description of it being "rapidly growing" and "scrappy and entrepreneurial" since its founding in 1998. This size often fosters a blend of structured processes and agile, collaborative workflows.

Founded: 1998. This long history suggests stability, accumulated expertise, and a deep understanding of the evolving digital landscape.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely includes a mix of designers, potentially with specializations in UX, UI, visual design, and interaction design. The Senior Web Designer will likely report to a Design Director or similar leadership role.

• This role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration with UX Strategists, Developers, Project Managers, and client teams, indicating a matrixed or project-based team structure.

• The Senior Web Designer is expected to mentor junior designers, implying a hierarchical structure within the design discipline. Methodology:

• Verndale focuses on solving complex business problems through technology, data, and design, suggesting a data-driven and analytical approach to their work.

• They emphasize client satisfaction and employee satisfaction as key metrics, indicating a client-centric and people-focused operational philosophy.

• The company culture fosters continuous learning and professional development, likely through structured training programs, workshops, and by encouraging exploration of new technologies like AI in design.

Company Website: verndale.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Verndale's culture appears to be a blend of entrepreneurial spirit, technical expertise, and a strong focus on employee and client success. The emphasis on continuous learning and embracing new technologies like AI is a significant differentiator.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role, requiring significant expertise and the ability to lead and mentor. It sits above junior designer roles and potentially below a Design Director or Head of Design. The scope includes leading creative direction, managing design quality, and client interaction.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Web Designer will likely report to a Design Director or a similar senior design leadership role. They will also collaborate closely with Project Managers, UX Strategists, and Development Leads on a project-by-project basis.

Operations Impact: The Senior Web Designer's impact is directly tied to the success of client digital experiences. By creating engaging, user-centered, and technically sound websites and eCommerce platforms, they contribute to client business goals such as increased conversion rates, improved user engagement, enhanced brand perception, and efficient content management. Their expertise in design systems and DXPs ensures scalability and maintainability, directly impacting long-term operational efficiency for clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Design Lead, Art Director, or Design Director role, managing larger teams and more strategic client accounts.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like DXP design, eCommerce UX, design system architecture, or AI-driven design methodologies.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning is encouraged, with opportunities for training, certifications, and exposure to cutting-edge design tools and technologies, including AI.

• Client Relationship Management: Developing stronger client-facing skills and becoming a trusted strategic partner.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career progression within design leadership and specialization, supported by the company's commitment to professional development. The emphasis on mentoring junior designers also provides leadership experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While Verndale offers remote work in Canada, the company culture is described as having a "fun, diverse, and respectful company environment." This suggests that even in a remote setting, there's an effort towards creating a collaborative and engaging virtual workspace.

Office Location(s): Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and Remote (Canada). This offers flexibility for candidates within Canada.

Workspace Context:

• The remote-enabled environment suggests reliance on digital collaboration tools, asynchronous communication, and structured virtual meetings to maintain team cohesion and project momentum.

• Access to modern design tools like Figma, along with potential access to AI-powered design tools, will be integral to the daily workflow.

• Opportunities for interaction with the broader design team and cross-functional colleagues will occur through virtual channels, design critiques, and collaborative sessions.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely 40 hours per week, but the company emphasizes supporting a healthy work-life balance, suggesting flexibility in how hours are managed, provided project deadlines and client needs are met. This is crucial for operations roles that often require deep focus and analytical time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first approach necessitates strong self-discipline, excellent communication skills, and proficiency with digital collaboration tools. The company's emphasis on work-life balance is a key aspect of its employee value proposition.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review your resume and portfolio to assess experience alignment and basic qualifications.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A more in-depth review of your portfolio, focusing on specific case studies, your design process, your Figma expertise, and your experience with DXPs/eCommerce. Expect questions about your approach to problem-solving, collaboration, and client communication.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: You may be asked to complete a design exercise, either take-home or live, to assess your practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you approach specific design challenges relevant to the role. This could involve critiquing an existing design, proposing a solution for a hypothetical problem, or demonstrating your Figma skills.

• Team & Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with other designers, UX strategists, developers, and potentially project managers to evaluate your collaborative skills, cultural fit, and ability to articulate your design rationale to different audiences.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to confirm fit, discuss career aspirations, and finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your senior-level experience, leadership, and expertise in enterprise web/eCommerce design and Figma.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (discovery, ideation, design, testing, implementation), your design decisions, and the outcomes/impact. Emphasize your leadership in guiding the creative direction.

• Showcase Figma Mastery: Include examples of complex design systems, component libraries, variables, and auto layout usage. Detail how you ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced bounce rates).

• Address DXP/eCommerce: Ensure your portfolio includes relevant examples that demonstrate your understanding of these platforms and their design considerations.

• Be Prepared for AI Questions: Be ready to discuss how you've integrated AI into your workflow and your thoughts on its future in design.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling narratives that highlight your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, ensure you thoroughly understand the brief, the target audience, and the business goals.

• Focus on Process: Even with limited time, demonstrate your design process. Show your thinking, even if it's not fully polished.

• Prioritize: For live challenges, focus on the most critical aspects of the problem. Demonstrate your ability to make informed decisions and trade-offs.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale concisely and effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on portfolio content and practical design skills, particularly in Figma and enterprise DXP/eCommerce contexts. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process, leadership capabilities, and understanding of AI's role in design.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expert-level proficiency is mandatory. This includes deep experience with design systems, component libraries, variables, auto layout, design tokens, prototyping features, and collaboration tools within Figma.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma has robust prototyping, familiarity with other tools like InVision, Adobe XD, or specialized AI-powered prototyping tools may be beneficial.

• Design System Management Tools: Figma's built-in capabilities are key, but understanding principles of design token management and style guides is essential.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.

• Ability to interpret data and translate insights into design improvements. CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for a designer, understanding how designs integrate with CRM systems and marketing automation platforms (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) is advantageous, especially for eCommerce. Other Relevant Technologies:

• DXPs: Sitecore, Optimizely, Adobe Experience Manager, Contentful.

• eCommerce Platforms: Shopify, BigCommerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Magento.

• CMS Platforms: WordPress.

• Basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and front-end development concepts to facilitate collaboration with developers.

• AI-assisted Design Tools: Emerging tools for rapid prototyping, idea generation, or workflow optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone technology for this role. Candidates must demonstrate mastery. Experience with specific DXPs and eCommerce platforms is also a critical requirement for designing scalable, implementation-ready solutions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Relentless Curiosity: A drive to understand client problems deeply and explore innovative solutions. This translates to a proactive approach in design exploration and problem-solving.

• Client & Employee Satisfaction: A dual focus on delivering exceptional client outcomes and fostering a positive, supportive work environment. This means valuing collaboration, clear communication, and high-quality deliverables.

• Continuous Learning & Growth: A commitment to professional development and staying ahead of industry trends, especially in design technology and methodologies.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A celebration and championing of diverse perspectives, creating an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute their best work.

• Collaboration & Respect: Working together effectively, valuing diverse input, and maintaining professional and respectful interactions across all levels and teams.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively partners with UX Strategists, Developers, Project Managers, and client teams to ensure cohesive and successful project delivery.

• Design-Centric Leadership: Leads by example, mentors junior designers, facilitates design critiques, and guides collaborative working sessions.

• Open Communication: Emphasizes thoughtful communication, clear articulation of design rationale, and active listening to build trust and alignment with stakeholders.

• Process Improvement: Contributes ideas to enhance design processes, systems, and overall creative quality, fostering a culture of shared learning and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Verndale values a collaborative, learning-oriented culture that prioritizes both client success and employee well-being. The Senior Web Designer is expected to embody these values through their leadership, mentorship, and collaborative approach.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Technical Constraints: Effectively translating innovative design concepts into solutions that are feasible within DXP/eCommerce platform limitations and development budgets.

• Managing Multiple Client Engagements: Juggling diverse project needs, deadlines, and stakeholder expectations across various client accounts.

• Mentoring and Elevating Junior Talent: Providing effective guidance and feedback to help junior designers grow while maintaining high-quality output for clients.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Navigating the evolving landscape of AI in design, identifying valuable applications, and integrating them responsibly into workflows without compromising user experience or accessibility.

• Staying Ahead of Technology: Continuously learning about new DXP capabilities, eCommerce trends, design tools, and best practices to remain a leading expert.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Training: Deepening expertise in Figma's advanced features and best practices for enterprise-scale design systems.

• DXP/eCommerce Platform Certifications: Pursuing formal training or certifications for specific platforms like Sitecore, Adobe AEM, or Shopify Plus.

• AI in Design Workshops: Participating in workshops or courses focused on leveraging AI for design ideation, prototyping, or workflow optimization.

• Leadership and Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to hone leadership and mentoring skills through formal company programs or practical experience.

• Industry Conferences & Webinars: Attending relevant design, technology, and eCommerce events to gather insights and network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents challenges typical of senior positions in a fast-paced agency/consultancy environment, particularly around managing complexity and leading others. The growth opportunities are substantial, catering to those who want to deepen their technical design skills or move into design leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the creative direction for a complex enterprise website or eCommerce project. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on leadership, process, and results.)

• "How do you approach building and maintaining a scalable design system in Figma? Can you walk me through a specific example from your portfolio?" (Demonstrate Figma mastery, system thinking, and implementation considerations.)

• "Discuss a project where you had to balance demanding client business goals with challenging user needs and technical constraints. How did you navigate this?" (Highlight problem-solving, negotiation, and strategic design decisions.)

• "How have you integrated AI tools into your design workflow? What are your thoughts on the future of AI in web design and DXP implementation?" (Show forward-thinking, practical application of AI, and critical judgment.)

• "Tell me about a time you mentored a junior designer. What was your approach, and what was the impact on their development and the project?" (Assess leadership and mentorship capabilities.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Verndale and this Senior Web Designer role?" (Research Verndale's work, values, and industry position.)

• "How do you embody Verndale's values of relentless curiosity and client satisfaction in your day-to-day work?" (Connect your experience to their stated values.)

• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture?" (Assess cultural fit and collaboration style.)

• "How do you stay current with evolving web design trends, accessibility standards, and DXP technologies?" (Demonstrate commitment to continuous learning.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each selected case study, follow a clear story arc: Problem -> Your Role/Approach -> Process/Solutions -> Outcomes/Impact.

• Highlight Figma Expertise: Be ready to demonstrate specific Figma features used, especially design system components, variables, and auto layout. If possible, have a live Figma file ready to share or screen record a walkthrough.

• Showcase DXP/eCommerce Understanding: Explain how your designs accounted for the specific requirements and capabilities of the platforms you worked with.

• Quantify Success: Use concrete numbers (e.g., "% increase in conversion," "reduction in user error rates," "time saved in content authoring") to illustrate project success.

• Articulate Design Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made specific design decisions, linking them back to user needs, business goals, or technical considerations.

• Emphasize Leadership: For senior roles, highlight your contributions to creative direction, mentoring, and client communication.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your presentation to ensure it's within the allotted time and keeps the audience engaged.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on articulating your experience with Figma, enterprise DXPs/eCommerce, and your leadership/mentorship capabilities. Be ready to provide concrete examples from your portfolio that demonstrate these skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Web Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Verndale's careers portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords and responsibilities mentioned in the job description, focusing on your 5-7 years of experience, Figma expertise, DXP/eCommerce platform familiarity, and leadership/mentorship experience.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a strong portfolio showcasing 3-5 of your most relevant projects that demonstrate enterprise web/eCommerce design, Figma mastery, design system development, and your senior-level contributions. Ensure each case study clearly outlines your process, role, and impact.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating your design process, rationale, and the outcomes of your work. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Figma, DXPs, and AI in design.

• Research Verndale: Understand Verndale's company culture, values, and recent work to better tailor your application and interview responses to their specific needs and mission.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description has been created by analyzing the provided information and applying industry standards for Senior Web Designer roles within the digital experience and eCommerce sectors. All details, especially those inferred or estimated, should be verified directly with Verndale LLC during the application and interview process.