Multimedia Designer

Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) - Toronto

Full Time
Intermediate
Hybrid

This is a hybrid position based out of the CIFAR office located in the MaRs Discovery building. Staff are required to be in the office three days a week, ensuring a balance of in-person collaboration and flexibility.

About CIFAR:

The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) is a globally influential research organization proudly based in Canada. We mobilize the world’s most brilliant people across disciplines and at all career stages to advance transformative knowledge and solve humanity’s biggest problems, together.

For more information please visit our website.

Purpose of the Position:

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Strategy & Design, the Multimedia Designer will be a key contributor to the in-house Design team. The Multimedia Designer will produce and develop a wide breadth of visual assets for both digital and print. They will also assist in updating the CIFAR website, developing print layouts for a variety of marketing materials and reports, and will create digital and motion graphics.

In close collaboration with the Design team, the Multimedia Designer will create materials for internal and external communications channels, considering audiences, positioning, brand and strategic messaging, while meeting departmental partner expectations. The incumbent is required to manage the creative process and apply sound judgment in an environment that includes a range of perspectives.

Responsibilities:

Visual ID and Branding

Create visual concepts that adhere to the CIFAR brand
Create motion graphics and animations for a variety of media (i.e., website and social media)
Contribute to CIFAR’s visual identity by advising internal departmental partners on appropriate use of corporate Visual ID and guidelines
Maintain and update the photo archiving system, ensuring appropriate credits are on file for photo re-use and sharing
Ensures that photo releases are obtained and filed for all photos in bank use; effectively organizes and maintains files for the Digital Asset

Graphic Design Support

Conceptualize and execute day-to-day graphic design support across various marketing channels for web, print, events, social media, and digital advertising reflective of CIFAR's vision and brand standard. Incumbent will design marketing collateral which includes, but is not limited to:
Web story updates on WordPress CMS platform
Print publication, reports, and event collateral
E-newsletters and email campaigns on MailChimp
Development and updating of templates, presentation decks, PDF forms and other internal communications materials.
Creating motion graphics for digital channels
Editing and assembling raw video footage
Ensure creative/concept transfers effectively into French language and meets AODA requirements

Project Ownership

The Multimedia Designer must multitask multiple briefs on different communication channels and complete projects within a defined budget and production schedule
Full project life cycle ownership: successfully deliver projects from project kick-off to implementation/deployment.
Participation in project and campaign evaluation post launch
Collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders to help create compelling designs

Education/Experience required:

Formal Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Graphic Design from an accredited university/college
Minimum 2-3 years professional work experience in a Multimedia Designer or Graphic Designer role
Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) designation considered an asset
Experience with web design and page/post creation in a CMS platform
Experience using Mailchimp for e-newsletters and email campaigns
Strong design portfolio that includes a variety of work and formats
Excellent communication skills, ability to clearly explain design concepts and solutions and accept constructive feedback while providing constructive solutions

Considered an asset:

Understanding of web development processes; basic knowledge of front-end coding (XML, HTML5 and CSS)
Photography and videography skills
Illustration abilities
UX and UI best practices
French

Core Professional/Technical Knowledge & Skills required for the position:

An in-depth understanding of graphic design principles
Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (especially InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and AfterEffects) in a Mac OS platform
Fluent knowledge and skills in photo retouching
Advanced skills using Google Office and the Microsoft Office Suite
Ability to synthesize information from multiple sources into clear and compelling visual solutions and knowledge of production methods in print, digital and environmental graphics
A reliable self-starter, organized, and efficient with attention to detail
Known team player, committed to supporting the success of others by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, courteous and respectful, and to actively participate in maintaining a positive collaborative environment
Ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders, negotiate timelines, track project progress, provide account management to stakeholders to ensure projects run smoothly, prioritize deliverables, and meet deadlines
Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Competencies:

Accountability & Dependability: Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and achieves results with little oversight.
Results Focused: Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how best to achieve them in order to get the job done.
Self Management: Manages own time, priorities, and resources to achieve goals.
Thoroughness: Ensures that work is complete and accurate; independently follows up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled.