📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Director
🔹 Company: Reitmans (Canada) Ltée/Ltd
🔹 Location: Montréal, QC, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Retail, Fashion
🔹 Date Posted: April 24, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 7-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and leading integrated creative strategies for the PENN brand
- Managing a team of 3, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration
- Analyzing trends to define innovative creative directions across all channels
- Ensuring adherence to brand graphic standards and timely production of creative assets
- Directing the creative brief process and managing project-specific needs
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and creative visionary who can balance multiple projects and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing and leading integrated creative strategies for the PENN brand, ensuring perfect alignment with its DNA
✅ Creating creative processes and infrastructure to support alignment between marketing and creative strategy within the team
✅ Analyzing trends to define innovative creative directions for the brand across all channels
✅ Defining and ensuring adherence to brand graphic standards across all media and teams
✅ Identifying project-specific needs and establishing creative roadmaps for seasonal campaigns across all channels
✅ Ensuring the timely and high-quality production of creative assets, from digital and print to social media, in-store visuals, and advertising
✅ Leading and managing a team of 3, fostering a culture of innovation, creativity, and collaboration
✅ Directing the creative brief process, distributing tasks, and ensuring effective management of deadlines and deliverables within the team
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of creativity, strategic thinking, and project management skills to ensure the brand's visual consistency and appeal across various channels.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: University degree in Marketing or Fashion
Experience: 7 to 10 years of experience in a leadership role within a creative team
Required Skills:
- In-depth expertise in brand image, interior design (decor), and print media
- Proven experience in experiential marketing and managing large-scale creative projects
- Ability to build and maintain trusted partnerships
- Strong understanding of creative processes
- Proficiency with visual communication tools for various channels (digital, in-store, print)
- Bilingual French and English
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with AI-assisted design tools (an asset)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in creative leadership, with a proven track record in brand management and creative project execution.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Creative Director role in Montréal, QC, the estimated salary range is CAD 120,000 - CAD 160,000 per year. This range takes into account the candidate's experience level and the company's size.
Benefits:
- Ultimate flexibility: Enjoy a hybrid work environment
- Well-being first: Access a comprehensive benefits program
- Flexible time off: Paid leave, sick days, and vacation time
- Exclusive discounts: Enjoy 50% off regular-priced items from Penningtons, Reitmans, and RW&CO.
- Referral rewards: Refer your professional network and earn a bonus
- Growth opportunities: Annual bonuses, career advancement, and tuition reimbursement
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility to work additional hours as needed to meet project deadlines
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's specific experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Retail, specifically in the fashion apparel sector. Reitmans (Canada) Ltée/Ltd operates under three flagship brands: Reitmans, PENN., and RW&CO.
Company Size: Reitmans (Canada) Ltée/Ltd has 5,001-10,000 employees, making it a mid-sized company. This size allows for ample opportunities for career growth and collaboration while maintaining a supportive work environment.
Founded: Reitmans (Canada) Ltée/Ltd was founded in Montréal, Quebec, almost 100 years ago. The company has since grown to become a Canadian fashion retail icon with hundreds of stores across the country.
Company Description:
- At RCL, every moment revolves around customers and a love for fashion, empowering them to put their best foot forward.
- The company believes in creating memorable customer experiences, backed by a strong brand portfolio and passionate people.
- RCL is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, fostering a workplace where everyone can have a voice and make a real difference.
Company Specialties:
- Retail
- Clothing
- Digital and Fashion
Company Website: http://www.reitmanscanadalimited.com
ASSUMPTION: Reitmans (Canada) Ltée/Ltd is a well-established company with a strong presence in the Canadian fashion retail industry, offering a supportive work environment and opportunities for career growth.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, reporting directly to the Vice President of Marketing.
Reporting Structure: The Creative Director will report to the Vice President of Marketing and oversee a team of 3 creative professionals.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with a combination of on-site and remote work. The specific work arrangement may vary depending on the team's needs and project requirements.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career advancement within the creative department or other areas of the business
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and campaigns, driving brand awareness and growth
- Access to training and development resources to enhance skills and advance career goals
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, allowing them to make a tangible impact on the brand's creative direction and expand their leadership skills.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: The company's headquarters is located in Montréal, Quebec, with a modern and collaborative work environment.
Office Location(s): 250 Rue Sauvé Ouest, Montréal, QC H3L 1Z2, Canada
Geographic Context:
- Montréal is a vibrant, multicultural city with a rich history and a thriving fashion scene
- The city offers a high quality of life, with numerous cultural attractions, restaurants, and outdoor activities
- Montréal has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters
Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is typically Monday to Friday, with flexibility to work additional hours as needed to meet project deadlines
ASSUMPTION: Working in Montréal offers a unique blend of urban and cultural experiences, with a dynamic fashion industry and a high quality of life.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or creative team members
- Final interview with the Vice President of Marketing
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creativity and strategic thinking
- Leadership and team management skills
- Understanding of brand image and graphic standards
- Project management and organizational skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your creative vision and leadership capabilities
- Research the company and its brands to demonstrate your understanding of their creative direction and values
ATS Keywords: Creative strategy, brand image, interior design, print media, experiential marketing, project management, team leadership, trend analysis, visual communication, bilingual communication, collaboration, coaching, innovation, initiative, prioritization
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's creative vision, leadership skills, and understanding of the brand's creative direction.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- AI-assisted design tools (an asset)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard creative software and project management tools is essential for this role, with AI-assisted design tools being a valuable asset.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Passion for fashion and customer experience
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Innovation and continuous improvement
Work Style:
- Creative and strategic thinking
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
- Strong communication and leadership skills
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest fashion trends and creative directions?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully managed a team to deliver a large-scale creative project?
- How do you balance creativity and strategic thinking to drive brand growth and awareness?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be passionate about fashion, creative, and strategic thinkers, with strong leadership and collaboration skills to thrive in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team with varying levels of experience and expertise
- Balancing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Adapting to changes in the fashion industry and consumer behavior
- Ensuring consistent brand messaging and visual identity across all channels
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, adaptability, and strategic thinking to navigate successfully.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other creative director roles, this position focuses on a specific brand (PENN.) within a larger retail organization, requiring a deep understanding of the brand's DNA and target audience
- This role offers the opportunity to work on high-impact projects and campaigns, driving brand awareness and growth within the Canadian fashion retail industry
- Career progression may include opportunities to lead creative teams for additional brands or advance to a vice president or chief creative officer role
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to other creative director positions, with a focus on driving brand growth and awareness within the Canadian fashion retail industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive creative strategy for the PENN. brand relaunch, including visual identity, marketing campaigns, and in-store experiences
- Managing a team to create and produce high-quality creative assets for seasonal campaigns, from digital and print to social media, in-store visuals, and advertising
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent brand messaging and visual identity across all channels, including e-commerce platforms and social media
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and collaborative nature of the creative director role at Reitmans (Canada) Ltée/Ltd.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the creative direction and vision for the PENN. brand, and how this role will contribute to its evolution?
- How does the creative team collaborate with other departments, such as marketing and merchandising, to ensure consistent brand messaging and visual identity?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the creative department and the organization as a whole?
- How does the company support work-life balance, and what resources are available to employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of creative campaigns, and how are they tracked and analyzed?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help candidates better understand the role's responsibilities, the company culture, and the opportunities for professional growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your creative vision and leadership capabilities
- Research the company and its brands to demonstrate your understanding of their creative direction and values
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
