Senior Graphic Designer

University Pension Plan Ontario - Toronto

Contract
Junior/Intermediate
Hybrid

About UPP

UPP is the first pension plan of its kind in Ontario’s university sector, proudly serving over 40,000 members across four universities and fourteen sector organizations. Our purpose is to bring greater retirement peace of mind to the university sector by investing with integrity and serving members with care. As a sector-wide plan designed for growth, our doors are open to all Ontario universities.

Together, we’re a team of progressive thinkers and agile doers operating within a fast-paced culture of collaboration and respect. We believe in bringing smart and capable people together to create, solve and grow with a clear shared vision and values of integrity, inclusivity, ingenuity, and impact.

Our culture is intentionally welcoming and purposefully rooted in equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation (EDIR). We believe diverse teams, perspectives, and lived experiences contribute to better decisions and a better workplace.

As a long-term investor, we recognize that environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors support risk management and value creation. As stated in our Responsible Investing Policy, we are committed to incorporating ESG considerations into our investment management activities, and we collaborate with other industry participants in the promotion of a sustainable economy and society.

Join us in building a bright future for our members, our organization and each other.

The role

The Senior Graphic Designer (12-Month Contract) will be responsible for executing on UPP’s brand through the creation of high-quality visual communications. This role involves producing a variety of creative collateral, including digital and print materials, to support member communications and enhance stakeholder engagement.

This role is based in downtown Toronto under a hybrid work policy, allowing employees the flexibility to work remotely and in-office (approximately two days per week in-office).

Specific accountabilities

Design and produce impactful creative collateral for both print and digital media, ensuring alignment with UPP's brand guidelines.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to flesh out creative development of ideas and tactical executions
Create production-ready design and layouts including reports, presentations, advertisements, digital campaigns, event displays, video, brand templates and other materials.
Develop original concepts, illustrations/graphics across print, digital, social and video disciplines and see through to competition
Prepare and vet creative briefs, advising on design style, format and production methods.
Understand and translate concepts to creation and communicate the vision of the project with innovative, creative solutions.
Liaise with external printers and vendors to ensure the quality and timely delivery of collateral.
Manage and distribute inbound graphic design requests to team members and external resources.
Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize deadlines while working on multiple projects.
Design original pieces, including illustrations and infographics.

Qualifications & experience

Minimum of 7 years of experience in graphic design, with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in both digital and print media.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office and other design software.
Strong understanding of design principles and execution.
Experience in producing high-quality visual content that adheres to brand guidelines.
Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, Fine Arts or a related field.
Agency experience, an asset.

Attributes

Keen eye for detail and a passion for producing high-quality design work.
Innovative and strategic thinker, capable of translating complex concepts into clear, visually compelling materials.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Collaborative team player who is proactive and takes initiative.
Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Personality traits

Self-driven
Creative
Strong work ethic
Passion for learning
Empathetic
Collaborative
Personable
Confident

Life at UPP

Do work that matters: We are duty-bound to serve our members’ interests, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly. That’s why we’ve ingrained sustainability in our work from day one—to ensure our members have a resilient future to retire into, both today and for generations to come.

Stronger together: Collaboration is how UPP was born, and it’s how we work with each other and our partner's day in, day out. No one at UPP is just a number (even if they are excellent at math) and every win is a shared win.

Grow every day. You’ll have the opportunity to work on unique, once-in-a-career projects that maximize your skill set and probably teach you some new ones—at any stage in your career.

Prioritize wellness: At UPP, wellness takes many forms. Ultimately, it’s about ensuring our people are cared for in the ways that matter to them. Check out some highlights of our inclusive employee-focused benefits program, including: