User Experience Designer (Contract)

Position SummaryTemporary Full-time Appendix D Support Staff, replacement contract position (Immediate need to May 29, 2026)The User Experience Designer is a member of the Corporate Communications team, responsible for the creative design and user experience of the corporate website. The website design strategy includes user experience, information architecture, visual design, usability, mobile responsiveness, accessibility and interaction design. The incumbent will collaborate with staff from across the Conestoga community, as well as with Conestoga’s Marketing, Corporate Communications, Web Services, and Information Technology (IT) teams, to design and maintain the corporate website.Successful candidates will be required to conduct work within Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the needs of the department through a hybrid work arrangement, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with one day on-site at 3065 King St. E in Kitchener and four days remote.ResponsibilitiesWebsite planning, design and front-end productionPlan website design by clarifying stakeholder goals, conducting research (web analytics, competitive best practices, technology review), and designing functionality that meets accessibility requirements and usability best practices, including mobile responsivenessCommunicate with management and faculty to determine their website needsCollaborate with the Web Services team to plan the long-term look and feel of the college's corporate website, including content flow, U/X design, branding specifications, typography, visual design, and mock-ups to effectively market the college to our targeted demographicManage and prioritize time-sensitive project deadlinesPresent initial design ideas to clients, soliciting feedback and refining conceptsContinuously improve the website by benchmarking other websites, reviewing analytics, conducting customer research and maintaining user-friendly design and mappingPerform ongoing analysis of the website, including link structure and information architecture, to improve website analytics and user experienceReview changes to the corporate website to ensure quality assurance standards are met before productionTest websites to ensure design standards and functionality are metEnsure testing is complete before client sign-offContent and information architectureCollaborates with the Web Services team to develop and maintain website navigation by categorizing content and funnelling traffic, ensuring visitors accomplish their goals and find information quickly and easilyUtilize user-centred design tools (e.g., card sorting, task flow analysis, usability tests) to optimize design for the best web experience across all devices (desktop and mobile)Visual designDevelop site visual content and graphics (logos, images, icons, banners, audio and video enhancements) by coordinating with graphic designers, photographers, third-party vendors (stock sites for web), and college and industry partnersCreate detailed website specifications, designing sample page layouts including text size and coloursDesign graphics and manipulate digital photographs for maximum impactMaintain site appearance by developing and enforcing content and display standardsSupport other marketing staff in developing web materialContinuously update knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications and blogs, maintaining professional networks, and participating in professional organizationsAct as a thought leader in advancing user experience and functionality of the siteQualificationsThree-year diploma or degree in Web Design, Interaction Design, Multimedia, or Graphic Design is requiredMinimum five years of experience designing and developing complex websites with an understanding of corporate branding and layout in digital mediaDemonstrated understanding of current web standards and best practices around UI/UX design (e.g. responsive design, cross-browser compatibility, consistent navigation, fonts and call-to-actions)Experience with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and web analytics platforms is an assetProficiency in HTML5 (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and advanced knowledge of PC and Macintosh platforms, graphic design, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, MS Office and other web prototyping tools and frameworks for rapid web concept developmentExcellent visual design skills with sensitivity to user-system interactionStrong project management skills, including organizational and time management skillsAbility to multitask, manage many priorities and remain composed in high-pressure situationsExcellent communication and interpersonal skills with a high degree of tactProven ability to articulate and sell ideasFlexible and adaptive to feedbackAbility to solve problems creatively and effectively with strong attention to detailTeam player who is results-oriented and dedicated to team successNaturally inquisitive with an eagerness to learn new technologies to expand personal capabilities and skillset