Interim Senior Designer - Marketing & Communications Department

tso.ca; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is seeking an Interim Senior Designer in the Marketing & Communications Department. This role provides creative leadership, overseeing design projects and ensuring high-quality outputs. Ideal candidates have significant design experience and will manage multiple projects while collaborating with various teams. The position is a temporary contract from June 2025 to June 2026 with a salary range of $75,000 to $85,000 per year.

Benefits

Complimentary tickets for performances

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Graphic Design.
• 7-10 years in a Graphic Design / Production role.
• Advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite.

Responsibilities

• Provide creative leadership across design projects.
• Oversee creation of high-quality materials for marketing.
• Engage with patrons during concert duty.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project Management

Design Principles

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Project Management Tools (e.g., Asana)

Job description

Interim Senior Designer - Marketing & Communications Department

About the TSO

For over a century, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has played a fundamental role in shaping and celebrating Canadian culture. The TSO’s commitment to musical excellence and ability to spark connection remain as strong as ever. With a storied history of acclaimed concerts and recordings, Canadian and international tours, and impactful community partnerships, we are dedicated to engaging and enriching local and national communities through vibrant musical experiences.

Music Director Gustavo Gimeno brings an expansive artistic vision, intellectual curiosity, and sense of adventure to programming the 93-musician Orchestra that serves Toronto—one of the world’s most diverse cities. The TSO performs over 100 concerts annually, offering a variety of programming from the classical to music composed in our time.

As a group of artists, teachers, and advocates who share the belief that music has the power to heal, inspire, and connect people from all walks of life, we engage audiences young and old through an array of community-access, health-and-wellness, and education initiatives including the TSO-affiliated Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra—a tuition-free training program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of Canadian artists.

Join us for a concert at Roy Thomson Hall , or experience the TSO in your neighbourhood . Visit TSO.CA or newsroom.tso.ca .

About the Opportunity

Title : Interim Senior Designer

Reports To : Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Status : Temporary Fixed Term Contract - One-year appointment to start on or around June 16, 2025 through June 16, 2026.

Compensation : Salary range $75,000 to $85,000 per annum based on work experience. Complimentary tickets offered to most performances.

Position Summary :

The Interim Senior Designer will provide creative leadership across the organization, overseeing design projects that support both departmental and institutional goals. This includes offering day-to-day guidance and support to the in-house Graphic Designer, and collaboration with colleagues across the Marketing & Communications team, as well as other departments organization-wide.

This is a temporary, fixed-term contract position, with an expected commitment of 35 or more hours of work per week. Priority will be given to candidates who are able to dedicate their full focus to the role without side projects or clients. Agency and / or freelance retainer arrangements are not being considered at this time.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Reporting to the VP, Marketing & Communications, the Senior Designer provides creative leadership, overseeing design projects that advance both departmental and institutional goals.
• Leads design and development of high-quality materials across all outputs / channels, working closely with the in-house Graphic Designer and the Marketing & Communications, Development, and Education teams, as well as freelance and agency partners. Manages the creation of a wide range of assets including brochures, ads (print and digital), direct mail pieces, signage, event collateral, and email / social / web assets, as well as stakeholder communications such as presentation decks, proposals, and brand materials.
• Oversees design projects from start to finish, including concept development, design execution, creative reviews, pre-press vendor coordination, and final delivery.
• Reviews in-house work to ensure accuracy, brand consistency, and strategic alignment across broader campaigns; monitors creative asset development through third-party partners.
• Prepares, updates, and maintains design templates.
• Manages creative intake processes and resource allocation within the internal team, including receiving and reviewing briefs, gathering project details, and facilitating project discussions.
• Builds workback schedules and manages timelines using project management tools to keep projects on track.
• Liaises with external vendors and suppliers for project coordination (printers, mail houses, Roy Thomson Hall and other venue partners).
• As part of the Marketing & Communications team, this role includes participation in rotating in-person concert duty (typically 2–3 times per month during the TSO’s concert season) — engaging with patrons, answering basic questions, and providing information and materials. Some evenings and weekends are required.

Experience & Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Graphic Design or related field.
• 7–10 years in a Graphic Design / Production role, including at least 5 years of experience in print design, and 3 years in a supervisory capacity.
• Advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite programs and a strong understanding of design principles, including colour theory, typography, layout, and accessibility design best practices.
• Advanced knowledge of print production, including pre-press, printing techniques, and print-ready file preparation.
• Strong project management experience using project management tools. Familiarity with Asana is a strong asset.
• Detail- and deadline-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, involving various project stakeholders.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Strong portfolio showcasing a range of print and digital materials, and a refined design aesthetic.
• Knowledge and appreciation of classical music and / or the performing arts is an asset.

Additional Traits and Work Style

• Thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with competing priorities and tight timelines—stays calm under pressure and manages time effectively.
• Comfortable working with a wide range of colleagues, from junior staff to executive leadership.
• Values relationship-building and collaboration to support project success and fosters a positive work environment.
• Accountable and acts with integrity.
• Ability to clearly articulate visual concepts to both creative and non-creative stakeholders.

How to Apply :

Visit the TSO website at www.tso.ca / employment and refer to the job posting. Qualified candidates are asked to submit their resume, a cover letter, and a link to their portfolio (in the resume or attachment) by clicking on the Apply Button. Submissions will be accepted until 5 : 00pm on May 28, 2025. Initial HR screenings will be conducted virtually upon receipt of qualified applications.

Round 1 interviews will take place virtually between May 29th and June 3, 2025.

Round 2 finalists will be interviewed in-person on June 4 and 5, 2025.

TSO thanks all applicants for their interest, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the City of Toronto and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide unique perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.

The TSO is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require accommodation, the TSO will work with you to meet your needs.

Working Conditions / Physical Demands :

• Hybrid work environment - opportunity to work remotely as well as in the office.
• Ability to use computer-based graphic design software and TSO-provided hardware for extended periods of time.
• Ability to communicate with and interact with the public during concert duty and other situations.
• Long periods (more than one hour) of standing during events and concert duty
• Occasional travel required to review proofs or attend press approvals.