Manager, Design

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.

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Time Type:
Full time

Employment Type:

Permanent

Hiring Range: $95,538.29 - $

Primary Purpose University of Waterloo is a leading global innovation hub that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. With more than 41,000 students, we are home to the world's largest co-op education talent pipeline, to game-changing research and technology, and to an unmatched entrepreneurial culture. Together, these create partnerships and solutions to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.

At the university, the Marketing and Communications function is responsible for enhancing and protecting the university’s reputation. The marketing function specifically leads through advertising and promotion, while developing governance, protocol and templates to uphold consistent, unified and effective marketing activities across campus. The Manager, Design leads the day-to-day delivery of the design function within Waterloo’s in-house Creative Studio. The role translates brand direction, studio priorities and approved briefs into coordinated design execution across print and digital formats.

The role manages workflow, allocates resources, ensures quality and develops a team of designers to deliver accessible, high-quality creative work aligned to institutional priorities within a shared-services model.

Design Operations and Service Delivery Leads the design team within the Creative Studio, accountable for day-to-day delivery, quality, and team effectiveness. Manages team resources and day-to-day operations to achieve service objectives and maintain effective performance. Assigns work and allocates design resources based on priorities, timelines, project complexity, and team capability. Maintains effective team operations and promotes a service-oriented approach to delivery.

Monitors workload and throughput to maintain service levels and ensure consistent, high-quality output.

Quality, Standards and Brand Alignment Ensures all design outputs align with institutional visual identity, accessibility standards and quality expectations. Reviews team output and provides clear direction to maintain consistency and usability. Identifies recurring issues and implements process or template improvements. Escalates high-risk or high-visibility work where additional review is required.

Design Planning and Coordination Translates approved briefs and studio priorities into structured workplans, timelines, and assignments. Manages competing requests and production pressures within established service model and capacity. Partners with Project Managers, the Director, and peer managers to coordinate workflow, priorities, resources, and delivery requirements. Provides feedback on intake quality, timelines, capacity requirements, and feasibility to support effective planning and delivery.

Stakeholder Support and Service Integration Works with clients and internal partners to clarify requirements and support effective delivery. Provides practical advice on format, approach and production considerations. Manages relationships with internal clients and partners to support effective service delivery and resolution of design-related issues. Ensures consistent application of brand and design standards across…