Senior Designer

Markage; Canada; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Markage in Canada is seeking a Senior Designer to join our on-site team based in Calgary, Vancouver, or Toronto. You will lead multidisciplinary design workstreams across complex client assignments, owning concepts and systems and collaborating with strategy, production, technology, and client teams in a busy studio environment.

This role blends hands-on design with guidance and review. You will present ideas clearly, mentor junior designers, maintain organized design files, and ensure

Qualifications

• Strong portfolio showing senior-level design thinking.
• Experience owning design workstreams from concept to delivery.
• Advanced knowledge of professional design tools and workflows.
• Ability to explain decisions clearly and give useful feedback.

Responsibilities

• Lead significant design workstreams from brief to final delivery.
• Develop strong visual concepts and translate them into clear systems and applications.
• Set high standards for typography, composition, hierarchy, and production quality.
• Present design thinking clearly to internal teams and clients when required.
• Guide revisions and resolve design problems without losing the intent of the work.
• Provide practical direction and review for designers working on related assignments.
• Coordinate with strategy, production, technology, and client teams on complex deliverables.
• Prepare or oversee accurate final files, handoffs, specifications, and implementation materials.
• Maintain organized design files, systems, components, and key decisions.
• Use judgment to identify quality, scope, timing, or production risks early.

Skills

Design leadership

Workstream ownership

Presentation skills

Mentoring designers

Cross-discipline collaboration

Education

DEX-PSS certification

Tools

Design tools

Job description

Markage is looking for a Senior Designer to join our Canadian team in an on-site role based in Calgary, Vancouver, or Toronto.

This role focuses on leading multidisciplinary design work within the studio across complex client assignments. You will own significant design workstreams, contribute to concepts and systems, and work closely with other disciplines in an on-site studio environment. The role combines hands-on design with practical guidance and review.

You will work with design directors, strategists, industrial and digital designers, producers, developers, and client-service teams. Clear communication, reliable follow-through, and careful work are expected.

AI-assisted tools may be used for research, concept exploration, visual development, presentation preparation, and production coordination. All AI-assisted work must be reviewed for accuracy, relevance, confidentiality, and fit before it is shared or used.

One in-house opening. This role may be based in Calgary, Vancouver, or Toronto. These are alternative work locations for the same position, not separate vacancies.

Essential duties:

• Lead significant design workstreams from brief and concept through final delivery.
• Develop strong visual concepts and translate them into clear systems and applications.
• Set a high standard for typography, composition, hierarchy, consistency, and production quality.
• Present design thinking clearly to internal teams and clients when required.
• Guide revisions and resolve design problems without losing the intent of the work.
• Provide practical direction and review for designers working on related assignments.
• Coordinate with strategy, production, technology, and client teams on complex deliverables.
• Prepare or oversee accurate final files, handoffs, specifications, and implementation materials.
• Maintain organized design files, systems, components, and key decisions.
• Use judgment to identify quality, scope, timing, or production risks early.

Essential requirements:

• Strong professional portfolio showing senior-level design thinking and finished work.
• Experience owning design workstreams and carrying work from concept through delivery.
• Advanced working knowledge of professional design tools and production workflows.
• Ability to explain decisions clearly and give useful design feedback to others.
• Holds a valid Dex Professional Senior Specialist Certification (DEX-PSS) in the Arts, Media & Creative Production domain.

Preferred qualifications:

• Agency, studio, or multi-client experience.
• Experience contributing to design systems, brand systems, or multidisciplinary programs.
• Experience guiding junior or mid-level designers.