📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Director
🔹 Company: Rakuten Kobo Inc.
🔹 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Creative & Design
🔹 Date Posted: July 10, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Flexible hours, 3 days in-office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the global creative strategy for the Kobo brand
- Overseeing creative execution across various channels
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to align creative with business objectives
- Mentoring and developing an internal team of copywriters and designers
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creative leadership, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration to drive the Kobo brand forward.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Define and own the global creative strategy in alignment with Kobo’s brand vision, business goals, and customer needs
✅ Lead the development of big-picture creative concepts and campaigns that build brand equity, drive customer engagement, and support innovation and growth
✅ Lead, mentor, and develop an internal team of copywriters and designers, collaborating closely with external creative partners/agencies
✅ Oversee creative execution across channels including digital campaigns, website, blog, email, social media, paid media, packaging, in-store materials, and partner co-marketing assets
✅ Provide hands-on art and copy direction to ensure all creative outputs meet the highest standards of storytelling, visual excellence, and audience engagement
✅ Collaborate with Marketing, Product, Content, Digital/CRM and Retail teams to align creative with campaign objectives, user experience, and business strategy
✅ Champion experimentation with new formats such as motion, interactive content, AI-generated creative, and localized storytelling—to enhance impact and relevance
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic brand leadership and hands-on creative direction, requiring a versatile and adaptable skill set.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Communications, Marketing, or a related field
Experience: 15+ years of experience in senior creative roles, ideally in a global creative leadership position
Required Skills:
- Proven success leading creative teams and delivering innovative work across digital, social, mobile, packing, retail and print platforms
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to translate complex business challenges into elegant, compelling creative solutions
- Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, with a passion for coaching and developing talent
- Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills—comfortable influencing at all levels
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working cross-functionally in agile environments, particularly with product, retail, and marketing teams
- Experience in the publishing, e-commerce, or technology industries
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong portfolio showcasing creative excellence in branding, campaign work, content and retail marketing are highly desirable.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD 120,000 - 160,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a senior creative director role in Toronto)
Benefits:
- Flexible hours and hybrid remote working environment
- Subsidized in-office lunches
- Full benefits starting from your first day
- Paid Volunteer days, unlimited sick days, and 3% RRSP matching
- Monthly commuting allowance for those who are hybrid
- Lifestyle spending account
- Talent and development training budget
- Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook
- Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions
- Maternity/paternity leave top up
- Dog friendly office
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible hours and a hybrid work arrangement (3 days in-office)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior creative director role in Toronto. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Rakuten Kobo Inc. operates in the Computers and Electronics Manufacturing industry, focusing on eBooks, eReaders, and digital reading services
Company Size: 201-500 employees (Mid-sized company offering a mix of startup-like culture and established processes)
Founded: 2009 (Relatively young company with a strong focus on innovation and growth)
Company Description:
- Rakuten Kobo Inc. is a global ecommerce company offering eBooks and audiobooks to over 30 million customers in 190 countries
- The company is owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto, Canada
- Kobo delivers the best digital reading experience through creative innovation, award-winning e-readers, and top-ranking mobile apps
Company Specialties:
- eBooks
- eReaders
- Global Service
- Reading Apps
- Self-Publishing
- Writing Life
- Open Platform
- Audiobooks
Company Website: https://www.kobo.com
ASSUMPTION: Working at Rakuten Kobo Inc. offers applicants the opportunity to contribute to a dynamic, global ecommerce company focused on making reading lives better for all readers.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior leadership role with a focus on creative strategy and team management
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Chief Marketing Officer and oversees an internal team of copywriters and designers, as well as external creative partners/agencies
Work Arrangement: Hybrid work arrangement with flexible hours and 3 days in-office
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to shape the global creative strategy and brand identity of a leading ecommerce company
- Opportunity to mentor and develop a talented internal creative team
- Possibility to collaborate with cross-functional teams and influence business strategy
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a lasting impact on the Kobo brand and business.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with a casual working environment and friendly team members
Office Location(s): 150 John St, 5th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3E3, CA
Geographic Context:
- Toronto is a multicultural city with a vibrant arts and culture scene, offering a high quality of life and numerous recreational opportunities
- The office is located in the heart of downtown Toronto, close to public transportation and various amenities
- Rakuten Kobo Inc. offers a hybrid work arrangement, allowing employees to balance work and personal life effectively
Work Schedule: Flexible hours with a hybrid work arrangement (3 days in-office)
ASSUMPTION: Working at Rakuten Kobo Inc. offers applicants the opportunity to enjoy a dynamic work environment in a bustling city, with a flexible work arrangement that supports work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- Creative challenge or test project
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and cross-functional team members
- Final interview with the Chief Marketing Officer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative portfolio and problem-solving skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Strategic thinking and brand stewardship
- Communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your creative leadership experience and relevant skills
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your creative excellence in branding, campaign work, content, and retail marketing
- Be ready to discuss your creative process, inspiration, and how you approach creative challenges
- Research the Kobo brand and understand their mission to make reading lives better for all readers
ATS Keywords: Creative Direction, Brand Strategy, Team Management, Visual Storytelling, Copywriting, Digital Marketing, Campaign Development, Collaboration, Mentoring, Problem Solving, Stakeholder Management, Innovation, Content Creation, Project Management, Agile Methodologies, Communication
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their creative leadership skills, strategic thinking, and ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Sketch or Figma
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Project management tools (Asana, Jira, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in industry-standard creative software and project management tools is essential for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Passion for reading and technology
- Customer-centric approach
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Innovation and continuous learning
Work Style:
- Casual and flexible work environment
- Strong focus on creativity, innovation, and problem-solving
- Cross-functional collaboration and open communication
- Support for work-life balance
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Kobo's mission to make reading lives better for all readers?
- How do you approach mentoring and developing creative talent?
- How do you balance strategic brand leadership with hands-on creative direction?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their fit with Kobo's company values and work style, as well as their ability to contribute to the company's mission and culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team of creatives with diverse skills and personalities
- Balancing strategic brand leadership with hands-on creative direction
- Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
- Keeping up with industry trends and emerging creative technologies
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to address these potential challenges and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other creative director positions in its focus on global brand stewardship and cross-functional collaboration within a mid-sized ecommerce company
- Industry-specific context: The publishing and ecommerce industries are highly competitive and rapidly evolving, requiring a strong understanding of both creative trends and consumer behavior
- Career path comparison: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to advance to a VP or Chief Creative Officer role within the organization
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider how this role compares to other creative director positions and how it aligns with their long-term career goals.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand style guide for a global ecommerce company
- Creating a cohesive visual identity for a new product launch or marketing campaign
- Designing and executing a multi-channel marketing campaign to drive customer engagement and brand awareness
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they approached creative challenges and opportunities.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall creative strategy and brand vision for Kobo?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
- How does the creative team collaborate with other departments, such as marketing, product, and retail?
- What opportunities are there for growth and development within the creative team and the organization as a whole?
- How does Kobo support work-life balance for its employees?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should prepare thoughtful questions to demonstrate their interest in the role and the company, as well as their understanding of the creative strategy and brand vision.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your creative leadership experience and relevant skills
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your creative excellence in branding, campaign work, content, and retail marketing
- Be ready to discuss your creative process, inspiration, and how you approach creative challenges
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
