Senior Art Director/ Brand Designer - 3 Month Contract

Aipconnect; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AIP Connect seeks a versatile Senior Art Director/Brand Designer to lead visual storytelling across digital, print, motion, and physical environments. You will own brand systems, drive a major capital campaign, and mentor a creative team while collaborating with internal and client-side stakeholders.

The role is client-facing, reports to the Creative Director, and combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution in a fast-paced agency setting.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional graphic design or art direction experience.
• Expert command of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects).
• Proficiency in Figma or Adobe XD for digital layouts and prototyping.
• Ability to translate high-level campaigns into branded visuals across channels.
• Strong client-facing presentation and pitching skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead brand refreshes and capital campaigns with cohesive visual systems.
• Design print materials, environmental graphics, and campus activation assets.
• Create digital and motion assets for social, web, and video spots.
• Conceptualize multi-channel campaigns from idea to launch and pitch concepts.
• Collaborate with production studio and external partners to execute ideas.

Skills

Brand design

Art direction

Campaign branding

Print & environmental design

Digital & motion design

Conceptual thinking

Communication & presentation

Portfolio

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Adobe After Effects

Figma

Adobe XD

Job description

Our client is a fast-paced, nimble independent agency that gives team members the chance to make an immediate impact, touch major national brands, and see their work go live in-market in a matter of months.

We are looking for a versatile, highly conceptual Senior Art Director/ Brand Designer to join our client's creative team on a 3 month contract. You will serve as the brand design keeper and lead visual storytelling across digital, print, motion, and physical brand environments. Your core focus will be bringing fresh creative eyes to a major, long-standing client account, including leading an upcoming capital campaign, brand refresh, video spots, and interactive digital executions. This role is heavily client-facing and reports directly to Creative Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Brand Identity & Capital Campaigns: Lead comprehensive brand refreshes, develop cohesive visual systems (logos, typography guidelines, brand books), and conceptualize high-impact capital campaigns.
• Print & Environmental Design (~70% of execution): Design physical marketing materials, collateral, event themes, stage signage, scaffolding graphics, and campus activation materials.
• Digital & Motion Design (~30% of execution): Concept and adapt print assets into dynamic social media campaigns, web pages, display ads, and video spots. Collaborate with 3D vendors for interactive campus/rendering tools.
• Conceptual Strategy & Pitching: Think big-picture to concept innovative multi-channel campaigns from initial idea to launch. Act as a primary client-facing representative to present and pitch concepts.
• Production & Network Collaboration: Work closely with our internal production studio and peer designers. Leverage an existing network of industry partners (photographers, video production teams, 3D renders) to bring ideas to life.

Requirements

• Experience: 5+ years of professional graphic design or art direction experience in-house or agency side. Prior experience working with clients in education or alumni/capital fundraising is a major bonus.
• Software Mastery: Expert command of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects).
• UI/UX & Prototyping: Proficiency in Figma or Adobe XD for digital layouts, prototyping, and digital campaign extensions.
• Conceptual Thinking: Strong ability to bridge high-level campaign concepts with executional design detail, particularly adapting print campaigns into engaging social and motion assets.
• Communication & Presentation: High comfort level pitching ideas directly to clients and presenting creative work.
• Portfolio: A diverse portfolio showcasing strong brand systems, environmental concepts, digital design, and print collateral.

AIP Connect believes in equal opportunity. Our recruitment consultants are committed to inclusive recruitment and selection practices and will not discriminate based on age, colour, ability, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

Accessibility: If you need any accommodations during the interview process, please let us know.

Posted Salary: Actual compensation within this range will be determined based on job-related skills, relevant experience, education, and training. This range reflects base salary only and does not include eligibility for bonus program or other benefits.

For the most accurate and up-to-date details on this role, please refer directly to AIP Connect’s careers page, as third-party sites may not reflect current information.