📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Designer (1 Year Contract)
🔹 Company: AutoTrader.ca
🔹 Location: Greater Toronto Area
🔹 Job Type: Temporary Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Creative
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-15
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing high-quality, engaging creative assets for digital, social, and traditional marketing channels
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring marketing campaigns to life
- Creating visually stunning static assets and compelling video content
- Ensuring brand consistency across all marketing channels
- Managing multiple design projects simultaneously and meeting tight deadlines
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong creative thinker with a passion for storytelling through both static and video content, as well as excellent communication and project management skills.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Create visually stunning static assets (banners, email templates, display ads, social media content, etc.) that align with brand guidelines
✅ Produce compelling video content for online platforms, from concept to execution, including animation, editing, and post-production
✅ Work closely with the Consumer Marketing team to understand campaign objectives, target audience, and key messaging
✅ Participate in brainstorming sessions to generate creative concepts and deliver innovative design solutions
✅ Ensure that all creative assets adhere to AutoTrader's brand standards, maintaining consistency in visual identity across all marketing channels
✅ Tailor creative assets to suit the specific requirements and specifications of different platforms
✅ Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of creative assets while maintaining high quality
✅ Coordinate with stakeholders to prioritize design requests and incorporate feedback effectively
✅ Stay up to date with the latest design trends, industry best practices, and emerging technologies to keep AutoTrader's marketing materials fresh and innovative
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of creative and project management tasks, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field (or equivalent work experience)
Experience: 3+ years of experience in a design role with a focus on digital and video content creation
Required Skills:
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro, etc.)
- Strong video editing and motion graphics skills
- Experience creating assets for social media, websites, digital ads, and other marketing channels
- Strong understanding of design principles (typography, composition, color theory) and how to apply them across different media
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly and take feedback positively
- Self-motivated with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with automotive industry trends and marketing
- Experience with UX/UI design principles
- Knowledge of 3D design and motion graphics
- Familiarity with video content optimization for various social media platforms
ASSUMPTION: While a degree in graphic design is preferred, relevant work experience may be considered equivalent. Familiarity with the automotive industry is a plus but not required.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD 60,000 - 80,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a mid-level graphic designer in Toronto)
Benefits:
- Gym discounts
- Employee and Family Assistance program
- Virtual wellness events
- Conferences & Training Budget
- Regular internal training programs
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for a mid-level graphic designer in Toronto. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: AutoTrader.ca operates in the online audio and video media industry, focusing on the automotive sector
Company Size: AutoTrader.ca has 501-1,000 employees, providing a medium to large-sized company environment with opportunities for collaboration and growth
Founded: 1975, with over 45 years of experience in the automotive industry
Company Description:
- AutoTrader.ca is Canada's largest and most trusted automotive marketplace, offering the largest inventory of new and used cars
- The company provides advertising, conversion, and operational support to dealers and manufacturers, with over 25.7 million visits per month
- AutoTrader.ca is part of TRADER Corporation, which also includes AutoSync and Dealertrack Canada
Company Specialties:
- Canadian Automotive Expertise
- Leading Dealership Advertising Partner
- Robust Audience of Used & New Car Shoppers
- Unrivaled Audience Data & Industry Insights
- Digital Retailing Services
Company Website: https://go.trader.ca/
ASSUMPTION: AutoTrader.ca's extensive experience and large user base provide a stable and well-established environment for employees.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the marketing department and the broader organization
Reporting Structure: The Creative Designer will report directly to the Consumer Marketing team and collaborate with various departments, including copywriting and social media
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of hybrid or remote work in the future, depending on the company's policies
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Senior Creative Designer or Art Director role
- Expanding skills to include UX/UI design or motion graphics
- Transitioning to a management or leadership position within the marketing department
ASSUMPTION: With AutoTrader.ca's large user base and extensive marketing efforts, there are ample opportunities for creative designers to grow and make a significant impact on the company's success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: AutoTrader.ca's headquarters is a modern, collaborative workspace with state-of-the-art technology and amenities
Office Location(s): 405 The West Mall, Etobicoke, Ontario M9C 5J1, CA
Geographic Context:
- The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is the most populous metropolitan area in Canada, offering a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities
- The GTA has a robust public transportation system, making it easy to commute to work
- The area is home to a thriving automotive industry, providing ample opportunities for networking and professional growth
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours to accommodate project deadlines and team meetings
ASSUMPTION: The GTA's diverse and dynamic environment offers a rich pool of talent and resources for creative designers to draw inspiration from and collaborate with.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screening
- On-site or virtual portfolio presentation and design challenge
- Final round interviews with key stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Portfolio quality and relevance to the role
- Design skills and creativity
- Communication and presentation skills
- Problem-solving and project management abilities
- Alignment with AutoTrader.ca's brand and company culture
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your ability to create engaging static and video content for various marketing channels
- Practice presenting your work and be ready to explain your design choices and processes
- Research AutoTrader.ca's brand guidelines and ensure your portfolio aligns with their visual identity
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview, demonstrating your interest in the role and the company
ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Video Editing, Motion Graphics, Adobe Creative Suite, Brand Consistency, Project Management, Collaboration, Creativity, Communication, Design Principles, UX/UI Design, 3D Design, Content Optimization, Automotive Industry, Marketing
ASSUMPTION: AutoTrader.ca's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, creativity, and cultural fit, with a focus on portfolio quality and presentation skills.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro)
- Video editing and motion graphics software (e.g., Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Design collaboration platforms (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are industry-standard and widely used in the graphic design and marketing fields.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric
- Innovative and collaborative
- Data-driven and accountable
- Respectful and inclusive
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on meeting tight deadlines
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional communication
- Results-driven, with a focus on delivering high-quality creative assets that drive engagement and conversions
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you ensure that your design work aligns with a brand's visual identity and guidelines?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to manage multiple design projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines?
- How do you stay up to date with the latest design trends, industry best practices, and emerging technologies?
ASSUMPTION: AutoTrader.ca values candidates who are passionate about their work, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and can effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality creative assets.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple design projects simultaneously and meeting tight deadlines can be stressful and demanding
- Working in a fast-paced environment may require long hours and flexibility to accommodate project deadlines
- The automotive industry can be competitive and subject to market fluctuations, which may impact job security and workload
- The GTA's high cost of living may present financial challenges for some candidates
ASSUMPTION: While these challenges exist, AutoTrader.ca's large user base, extensive marketing efforts, and robust benefits package help mitigate many of these concerns.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to in-house design roles, this contract position offers the opportunity to gain experience working with a large, established company without the long-term commitment
- Compared to agency or freelance work, this role provides a steady stream of projects and the stability of a full-time position
- Compared to other creative designer roles, this position focuses heavily on video content creation, offering a unique opportunity for candidates with strong video editing and motion graphics skills
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of stability, creativity, and growth opportunities, making it an attractive choice for mid-career graphic designers looking to expand their skillset and advance their careers.
📝 Sample Projects
- Creating a series of engaging social media posts to promote a new car model launch
- Designing a visually appealing email campaign to drive user engagement and click-through rates
- Producing a compelling video ad for a dealership's website, showcasing their inventory and unique selling propositions
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the variety of creative assets and marketing channels that the Creative Designer will be responsible for, highlighting the role's breadth and depth.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most significant marketing campaigns currently in development, and how can this role contribute to their success?
- How does the Consumer Marketing team collaborate with other departments, such as copywriting and social media, to ensure consistent messaging and branding?
- What opportunities exist for professional growth and development within the marketing department and the broader organization?
- How does AutoTrader.ca support work-life balance for its employees, particularly in a fast-paced and demanding role like this one?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can the successful candidate overcome these obstacles?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and the company, and provides valuable information to help you make an informed decision about the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your ability to create engaging static and video content for various marketing channels
- Practice presenting your work and be ready to explain your design choices and processes
- Research AutoTrader.ca's brand guidelines and ensure your portfolio aligns with their visual identity
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview, demonstrating your interest in the role and the company
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
