Director, Project Design

Colonial Group; Pointe-Claire; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Education reimbursement

Health & dental benefits

RRSP matching

On-site gym

Dedicated onboarding buddy

Job summary

Vortex is seeking a Director of Project Design to lead experience design, spatial storytelling, and master planning across diverse venues. You will mentor the design team, set creative standards, and drive the narrative from concept to execution on flagship projects, including hospitality and commercial environments.

You will collaborate with engineers, landscape architects, and clients, translating complex ideas into compelling visual stories while advancing the practice through scalable

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive design experience, with at least 3 years in design leadership or creative direction.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating experiential and user-centered design in themed environments, hospitality, resorts, or public spaces.
• Experience leading complex projects from concept through execution.
• Strong 3D visualization and design communication skills; proficiency with 3ds Max, SolidWorks, Unreal Engine or similar.
• Experience collaborating across disciplines including engineering, project management, fabrication, or construction.

Responsibilities

• Elevate design practice by establishing scalable methodologies, standards, and presentation approaches.
• Lead design vision for complex, high-profile projects in hospitality and resort environments.
• Create compelling narratives and presentations that communicate experience as part of the design intent.
• Collaborate with clients, landscape architects, engineers, PMs and partners to carry design intent from concept to execution.

Skills

Design leadership

Mentorship

Storytelling

Client presentations

Team collaboration

English and French

Education

Professional degree in Landscape Architecture or related design discipline

Tools

3ds Max

SolidWorks

Unreal Engine

Job description

Director, Project Design

At Vortex, we create aquatic play environments that bring people together — from community splashpads to destination resorts and immersive commercial venues around the world.

We’re looking for an exceptional design leader to help shape the next chapter of our creative practice.

As Director, Project Design, you’ll elevate how we approach experience design, spatial storytelling, master planning, and design communication. You’ll establish methodologies and creative standards that strengthen our design practice while taking a hands‑on leadership role in some of our most ambitious projects.

You’ll be equally comfortable presenting a master plan narrative to a resort developer, collaborating with landscape architects and engineers, and mentoring designers on how a space can tell a more compelling story.

What you’ll do

Elevate our design practice

• Provide creative direction and mentorship to our project design team, setting a high bar for design craft and communication.
• Develop scalable design methodologies and frameworks for user experience, spatial storytelling, and master planning.
• Establish design standards, visual language, and presentation approaches that strengthen the Vortex brand and customer experience.
• Foster a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Lead ambitious projects

• Lead the design vision for complex and high‑profile projects, particularly within resort, hospitality, amusement, and commercial environments.
• Create compelling design narratives and presentations that communicate the experience and vision behind a space — not simply its technical layout.
• Collaborate with customers, landscape architects, engineers, project managers, and other partners to carry design intent from concept through execution.

Inspire product and experience innovation

• Identify opportunities for new products and experiences through project work, customer insights, site observations, and emerging design trends.
• Engage customers and end users to uncover unmet needs and opportunities.
• Partner with product and commercial teams to translate design insights into meaningful new concepts and development opportunities.

What you bring

• 8+ years of progressive design experience, including at least 3 years in design leadership or creative direction.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating experiential and user‑centered design in areas such as themed environments, hospitality, resorts, public spaces, landscape architecture, or attractions.
• Experience leading complex projects from early concept and storytelling through design development and execution.
• Strong understanding of 3D visualization and design communication workflows; experience with tools such as 3ds Max, SolidWorks, Unreal Engine, or comparable platforms is an asset.
• Experience collaborating across disciplines, including engineering, project management, fabrication, or construction.
• A professional degree in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Interior Design, Industrial Design, Environmental Design, or a related discipline.
• Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills, with the ability to translate spatial and technical concepts into compelling narratives.
• Strong communication and presentation skills in English and French.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence across teams and functions.

A professional licensure such as PLA, AIA, NCIDQ, or equivalent is an asset, but the strength of your experience and portfolio matters most.

Why join Vortex?

At Vortex, innovation, collaboration, and fun are at the heart of what we do. Our work creates opportunities for people to play, connect, and make memories around the world.

We offer:

• The opportunity to shape projects enjoyed by families around the world.
• A collaborative, creative, and supportive culture.
• Hybrid work for eligible roles.
• Company‑paid training and education reimbursement.
• Health and dental benefits, telemedicine, Employee Assistance Program, RRSP matching, and bonus program.
• Free on‑site gym and parking.
• Personalized onboarding with a dedicated buddy.

Ready to help shape the future of play?

Bring your design leadership, curiosity, and imagination to Vortex — and help us create extraordinary experiences that bring more play to the world.