Senior Designer (Packaging)

Who are we?

Marks is a consumer experience agency creating engaging moments across the entire brand spectrum – from brand design and packaging to content and consumer connections. Rooted in a deep understanding of human behaviour, we are uniquely constructed to enable brands to win in an age of constant change.

A super‑charged experience powerhouse – 700 people strong, with subject‑matter experts working collaboratively across 12 studios and 8 countries – we have helped some of the world’s biggest brands connect to their audiences and tackle the biggest challenges and opportunities of today’s consumer landscape.

About the Team

The Packaging Design Group is powered by a large, dynamic and multiskilled team of creatives. This group lives and breathes packaging design in all its expressions and outputs, from printed packaging to digital eCommerce. They work across a range of clients, brands and categories – from beauty to food and coffee to spirits. The team is uniquely constructed to deliver solutions that range from packaging design refreshes and redesigns, to new product innovations, category and line extensions. This powerhouse group manages every scale of a project from one‑off “gotta have it” new editions to some of the Globe’s most iconic and large‑scale private brand programmes.

About the Role

As a Senior Designer, you are responsible for delivering creative concepts from across a broad spectrum of design, with a big‑picture mindset and an eye for the details. You are a master in your craft – working independently or collaboratively within a team. You’ll execute ideas with a high level of skill and as a problem‑solver, you excel in all things design, from branding to packaging and beyond. A strategic thinker that can also deliver on client objectives, you are able to solve for complex packaging systems, helping oversee programs as they roll out across large‑scale adaptive design projects.

Senior Designers play an important role in our culture – you will be able to mentor and coach Junior and Intermediate Designers alike, monitoring the progress of their work across projects to ensure the success of the team. You may also take a lead role on projects and/or accounts, ensuring the quality of work is consistent and high, collaborating with the account team so that project objectives, plans, and timelines are met. You will support and exhibit behaviours consistent with Company values and beliefs, maintain and enhance Marks’ philosophy and practice.

On any given day you might

• Question every idea to ensure that you understand it strategically and creatively
• Interpret client briefs into successful and effective concepts
• Conduct competitive audits and build case studies
• Participate in brainstorms, and help to establish creative territories for concept development
• Execute creative concepts that exceed client expectations
• Champion design integrity and intent, maintaining it across design and adaptive projects
• Develop storyboards and presentation decks for complex and/or high‑profile client presentations, and ensure creative work is presented for maximum clarity and impact
• Present your work with the confidence that comes from knowing that you have done all that you can
• Thrive in the demands of pressing deadlines and confidently manage multiple priorities
• Liaise with clients
• Play an active role in supporting both your immediate colleagues and those across the agency, and mentor junior team members
• Take personal responsibility and guardianship for your projects – ensuring accurate, consistent, and timely completion of high quality work
• Provide support to Creative and Adaptive teams alike
• Prepare for and art‑direct photo shoots
• Be an active participant in agency life and get involved with internal initiatives

The Ideal Person

• Has great design chops and a killer portfolio!
• Brings the ability to execute concepts at a level that is among the top tier in the industry
• Is a strategic problem solver with experience in Consumer Packaged Goods
• Enjoys collaboration with a team and the chance to bring their experience to other channels and disciplines
• Is a strong communicator and can confidently convey the rationale behind design solutions
• Ideally has experience in food and drink categories
• Can jump into and own the art direction of photo shoots
• Understands consumer purchase behaviour and can think in design systems
• Has an excitement for their discipline that is contagious
• Has an understanding of packaging print processes and their technical limitations
• Brings a roll‑up‑your‑sleeves‑and‑get‑it‑done attitude

You Bring

• Diploma/Degree in Communication, Graphic, or Packaging Design (or related field)
• 6+ years (minimum) working as a graphic designer in a packaging studio or creative firm
• Well‑rounded portfolio showcasing excellent understanding of brand building and packaging solutions
• A solid understanding of Mac OS, Adobe Creative Suite (Expert knowledge of Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign), Microsoft Word, Excel, and Keynote

The Ontario pay range for this position is $70,000 – $80,000 CAD annually. Ultimately, in determining pay, we will consider the successful candidate's experience, skills, knowledge, and other job‑related factors.

We remain committed to ensuring equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, including recruitment. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, particularly those who may contribute to the further diversification of our organization. If you require any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let us know. Together, we strive to foster an environment where everyone can thrive and be their authentic selves.