Design Director (Mississauga)

Design Director

Full‑Time, Hybrid – 40 Hours

About Apt. Agency

Based in Toronto, Ontario, Apt. Agency is a team of designers, strategists, producers and writers.

The Role

We are looking for a talented, solutions‑oriented, collaborative Design Director to help lead our team creatively. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader with a strong entrepreneurial sense and well‑developed critical thinking skills. The candidate can process, react to, and creatively solve problems for our clients in a timely manner while overseeing a small, talented design team. This role reports directly to the Creative Director and involves overseeing our design team, and working closely on projects ranging from brand identity and conception, through to web design, and content development, in a collaborative team workplace.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire our creative team to produce high‑impact and on‑brief work for our range of clients
• Help define and guide the creative direction across projects while ensuring work aligns with client objectives and Apt. creative standards
• Develop and design concepts to completion in addition to reviewing team work
• Maintain and apply brand identity systems, typography, photography, colour and other brand attributes to create innovative visual solutions that meet the needs of our client base
• Co‑lead presentations and participate in client conversations and stakeholder sessions with clarity, confidence, and strong narration
• 7‑10 years of experience as a Designer/Design Director – the role demands creative ideation and rapid execution so the ability to be dynamic and rigorous without being precious about process or outputs is essential
• Participate in all aspects of the design process including conceptual sketches, mood boards, brand narratives, conceptual imagery, brand touchpoints and executional considerations
• Liaise directly with various design consultants (illustrators, photographers, typographers, specialty designers and fabricators) as required

Must‑Have Qualifications

• Proven senior creative leadership experience within a creative agency environment, with a track record of delivering ambitious, culturally resonant work
• An exceptional portfolio spanning integrated, non‑traditional, and traditional campaigns that demonstrate creative originality, strategic depth, compelling storytelling, and lasting brand impact
• Demonstrated experience building and leading multidisciplinary creative teams — including art directors, copywriters, designers, and production partners — with a coaching‑led approach that brings out the best in people
• Outstanding presentation and communication skills, with the confidence to champion creative ideas and the interpersonal intelligence to cultivate trusted, long‑term client relationships
• Active involvement in new business development, from shaping pitch strategy to delivering compelling creative presentations that win
• A collaborative and empowering leadership style that creates the conditions for experimentation, innovation, and consistently high creative standards
• A sharp understanding of social‑first creative thinking, digital culture, and the trends and conversations shaping audiences today
• The ability to hold both creative ambition and strategic business objectives in tension — delivering work that is bold and effective in equal measure
• A strong working knowledge of AI tools and emerging technology platforms, with an understanding of how they are reshaping creative production, ideation, and storytelling, and a curiosity to stay ahead of the curve
• Experience partnering closely with production and operations teams to champion smart workflows, quality execution, and creative integrity from brief to delivery
• A progressive, future‑facing mindset with genuine openness to evolving ways of thinking, making, and collaborating

Experience

• 10+ years of industry experience
• Strong design portfolio (please provide a portfolio link)
• Ability to multi‑task with careful attention to detail
• Ability to provide critical analysis
• Comprehensive knowledge of Figma and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, After Effects, Adobe Acrobat Pro)
• Comprehensive understanding of AI tools and platforms (MidJourney, Adobe Firefly, Runway, SORA, Claude Code)
• Artistic sense and passion for design with an eagerness to collaborate
• Self‑motivated, organized and accountable
• Experience working and leading a team of designers, interactive developers and writers
• Well‑developed communication skills, including ability to articulate creative concepts to other team members and clients
• Interest in social and cultural trends in the advertising and marketing industries
• Degree or Diploma in Design, Art Direction, or another related field