Company Overview
Windmill Microlending is a registered charity serving newcomers to Canada since 2005. We offer low-interest microloans of up to $15,000 to help skilled immigrants and refugees pay for the costs of accreditation, education, training and professional development. We also offer wraparound client success coaching, a mentorship program and financial literacy training. Funded by the public and private sectors, Windmill is Canada’s only national non-profit organization offering financial support to new Canadians, empowering them to unleash and reach their full career potential in their new country.
About the job
About Windmill Microlending:
Windmill Microlending enables immigrants and refugees to build careers in Canada while reducing poverty and labour shortages. We do this by offering affordable loans along with career assessment coaching, financial literacy training, and mentorship for newcomers who lack access to mainstream credit.
Since 2005, Windmill has provided over 12,000 loans to clients in healthcare, IT, financial services, law, engineering, and many other fields to triple their incomes as a result of our affordable loans and support. Windmill is a registered Canadian charity supported by donations and community bonds from the private sector and grants from the public sector.
At Windmill, you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of thousands of newcomers. Join a diverse, dynamic team at a leading Canadian not-for-profit where empowering our clients starts with creating an enjoyable workplace for our staff. Our commitment to a fulfilling environment is evident in our 85+% average employee engagement scores on our annual survey.
The role:
The Graphic Designer is passionate about storytelling through creative means and loves coming up with compelling ideas and ways to bring marketing and branding to life. You’re inquisitive about design and technology. You follow the latest design trends, possess a keen eye for detail and have a knack for turning briefs into big ideas.
Reporting to the Manager, Marketing, the Graphic Designer oversees Windmill’s visual brand identity while driving Windmill’s objective of supporting more skilled immigrants and refugees each year. Your work will increase Windmill’s visibility, reputation and community support through graphic design, motion graphics, video, print, production management and brand management.
Key responsibilities:
Digital marketing design (50%)
Design highly impactful creative assets for digital mediums, including digital advertisements, websites, email marketing, social media, event banners, videos, presentations and e-newsletters
Collaborate with external advertising vendors to develop Windmill’s creative assets, ensuring all specifications are met and final files are delivered on time
Create templates in Canva for use by other team members across the organization
Proven expertise in effective digital design, including designing for small dimensions, leveraging motion to capture attention, and creating compelling call-to-action elements
Produce and edit small video projects, from concept development to production and final delivery
Collaborate with external professional videographers for larger video projects as needed
Produce marketing collateral in both English and French, fluency in French is an asset
Leverage AI tools to enhance creativity, design images and find efficiency in the design process
Print marketing design (20%)
Design printed marketing collateral including Windmill’s annual impact report, donor booklets, brochures, postcards, flyers, banners and business cards
Design printed advertising assets including billboards, transit posters, magazine and newspaper advertisements
Proven expertise in effective print design principles and print production, including an understanding of paper selection and finishes
Liaise with and manage relationships with printing partners
Develop marketing collateral in both English and French, fluency in French is an asset
Brand (15%)
Elevate and refresh Windmill’s brand guidelines in collaboration with the Manager, Marketing
Develop fresh, original, and impactful concepts while maintain a consistent, cohesive and powerful brand experience
Champion the Windmill Microlending brand, ensuring brand compliance across the organization and with external partners
Curate and organize stock photography and videography assets to align with the brand
Research and recommend design best practices and highlight emerging industry trends
Advertising campaigns (10%)
Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to brainstorm and develop creative concepts and visuals for Windmill’s national advertising campaigns, targeting both donor and client audiences
Design advertising assets across various mediums, including digital, social media, out-of-home, magazines and newspapers
Execute production design for all advertising assets, ensuring accuracy in details and adherence to specifications
Demonstrated understanding of effective ad design principles such as font selection, information hierarchy, and compelling call-to-action elements
File management and production (5%)
Manage file conversions, exports and delivery of correct file formats
Organize, package and maintain design files within Windmill’s file management systems
Ensure flawless execution of deliverables that meet both the aesthetic and technical production standards
Ideal candidate:
You are a creative powerhouse with a passion for storytelling through design, transforming ideas into impactful visual assets that elevate brand identity and captivate diverse audiences. Your portfolio showcases your talent for producing stunning digital, print and multimedia content. You eagerly embrace AI technologies to amplify creativity and optimize workflows, ensuring efficiency and innovation. With extensive experience in end-to-end production, you are a trusted expert in delivering cohesive, high-quality campaigns.
A collaborative and enthusiastic team player, you excel in working with a dynamic marketing and communications team while also demonstrating the ability to work independently. You skillfully manage multiple projects under tight deadlines, relying on your exceptional organizational skills and proactive approach to deliver projects with minimal supervision. Driven by a passion for building brand awareness and loyalty, you consistently produce innovative and creative solutions that reflect industry best practices and the latest trends.
Qualifications and knowledge:
Diploma or degree in graphic design, fine arts or a related field
Minimum of five years of proven experience in graphic design, with a strong portfolio showcasing digital, brand and print projects
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), video editing tools (Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro), Canva and Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint
Awareness of current and emerging trends in design, branding and multimedia
Experience incorporating AI tools into design workflows
Proficiency in French is an asset
Core competencies:
Creative, innovative and proactive in design, with the ability to provide multiple design options
Skilled at interpreting briefs and developing conceptual solutions to effectively address business challenges
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to clearly communicate the rationale behind design decisions
Able to take constructive feedback and apply it thoughtfully to design work
Manage and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines in fast-paced environment
Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail, particularly during the revision stage to ensure all necessary changes are captured
Capable of working independently, as part of a local team and within a national team structure
Self-motivated with an entrepreneurial mindset, eager to grow, evolve and continuously improve
Compensation and benefits:
Starting salary range $70,000-$75,000 annually, based on skills and experience required for the role
Full-time position, 40 hours/week
Hybrid work solution with a minimum two (2) days in office, up to three (3) days from home
Position available in Calgary, Toronto or Montreal
Three weeks’ vacation, plus a company-wide winter break
Benefits plan – medical, dental, short & long-term disability, and life insurance
Annual Wellness Budget to support personal well-being
Access to Group RRSP with matching employer contributions
Evolving DEI initiatives – our staff is representative of our client base
Opportunities for advancement in a supportive and inclusive environment
How to apply:
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