Design Lead (6 month FTC)

Dept Agency; Toronto; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative agency is seeking a Design Lead to spearhead creative projects and mentor a talented design team. In this pivotal role, you will ensure the highest standards of design quality while managing both online and offline outputs. Your leadership will drive the creative direction and commercial success of the department, making a significant impact on client projects. With a flexible hybrid working policy and a commitment to mental health support, this position offers a dynamic environment where creativity thrives. Join a company that values diversity, equity, and inclusion while working with a diverse range of clients across various industries.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid working policy

Mental health support

Full dental and healthcare cover

15 days paid holiday

Refreshments in the office

Social and Cultural Events

Inspirational Talks

Learning and Development opportunities

Buddy Programme

Global DEPT Cares Month

Qualifications

• Experience managing successful design teams is essential.
• Strong knowledge of design software and brand development required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor design teams to ensure high-quality creative output.
• Manage design processes and ensure projects are delivered on time.

Skills

Leadership

Design Software (Adobe, Sketch, Figma)

Brand Development

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Feedback Delivery

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Design or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Sketch

Figma

Job description

This role is part of our Personalized Creative team. We create emotive yet conversion-focused ideas, products and campaigns at scale and speed. Our specialty is hyper-personalized, digital communications that change perceptions, shape new behaviors, and shift market share for our clients including eBay, Ancestry, Walmart, and more!

JOB PURPOSE

As a Design Lead, you will develop and manage all aspects of design and creative output for a specific account or piece of business. This is a leadership role, with accountability for online and offline design output and commercial success of the design and creative department. You will lead and mentor Designers and Senior Designers to follow the agency’s creative direction, making sure the quality of the output is up to the highest standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Be a brand guardian, and master brand guidelines to suggest, define and identify what is on/off brand.
2. Continuously be aware of the team's workload, and when necessary, help define design briefs.
3. Lead and develop Senior Designers and wider team aligned with company and Design Department needs.
4. Look for efficiencies in the design and production process to make sure projects are on budget.
5. Ensure projects are delivered on time.
6. Work with the Design Director setting the direction for different campaigns involved in their scope of work.
7. Delegate appropriately, alongside provision of direction and support. Demonstrate good judgement when being more hands-on is necessary to set teams up for success.
8. Maintain a good knowledge of the latest industry design trends and benchmarks, and regularly share insights with their team.
9. Gain and maintain global reach and knowledge of the work of other lines of business.
10. Understand and can articulate user journeys and the synergy between the different touch points, ensuring consistency.
11. Be constant support to the team, acting as an advocate for DEPT values.
12. Undertake any other duties as required and in response to business needs.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

1. Experience managing successful design teams.
2. Working knowledge of design software; Adobe, Sketch, Figma.
3. A strong working knowledge of on and off-line design, brand development and the creative process.
4. Fine eye for detail.
5. Strong communication and presentation skills to peers and clients to be perceived as a design thought leader.
6. Strong interpersonal skills.
7. Ability to deliver constructive feedback, even in difficult situations, in a sensitive and professional manner.
8. Solid understanding across other design disciplines - Brand, Business and Product Design.
9. Experience carrying out strategic opportunity discovery work within a design practice that creates value for our Clients.
10. Demonstrates credibility at this level when liaising with departments and stakeholders, such as UX Designers, Developers and Clients.
11. Holistic approach to copy and design to see how an overall piece of communication is being delivered.

WE OFFER:

1. A flexible, hybrid working policy.
2. Mental health support, and company sick pay scheme.
3. Full dental and healthcare cover starting from Day 1.
4. 15 days paid holiday (plus Public Holidays).
5. Refreshments are provided in the office all week.
6. Social and Cultural Events, plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues through organized activities and celebrations.
7. Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events.
8. Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance.
9. Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks at DEPT.
10. A reputation for doing good. DEPT has been a Certified B Corp since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
11. Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT you’ll get the opportunity to work with clients of all sizes and across all industries. And we celebrate all of our successes together!
12. The opportunity for possibility. We want to enable you to do what you do best and help you develop your skills further with training, development and certifications.
13. Global annual DEPT Cares Month in which employees come together and donate their skills to support local charities.

WHO ARE WE?

We are pioneers at heart. What does that mean? We are always looking forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency, with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. That’s why we hire curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating.

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning, that with people across 30+ countries, we’re big enough to provide you with the best tools, global opportunities, and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you, your growth, your team, and giving you the autonomy to solve our clients' problems, no matter where you are in the world.

DEPT is committed to making a positive impact on the planet and since 2021 has been Climate Neutral and B Corporation certified.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

At DEPT, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us. Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.

#LI-Hybrid