The role
Job description
Markage is looking for a Design Director (Packaging) to join our Canadian team in an on-site role based in Calgary, Vancouver, or Toronto. This role focuses on leading packaging design strategy, creative direction, systems, and production quality. You will direct packaging programs from early concept through approved design and final production. The role requires strong packaging judgment, the ability to lead multiple SKUs or ranges, and confidence balancing brand, consumer, technical, and production needs. You will work with strategists, senior designers, artwork specialists, producers, client directors, and production partners. Clear communication, reliable follow-through, and careful work are expected. AI-assisted tools may be used for packaging research, concept exploration, presentation development, specification review, and production documentation. All AI-assisted work must be reviewed for accuracy, relevance, confidentiality, and fit before it is shared or used.
Essential duties
- Set creative direction for packaging programs, concepts, redesigns, and range extensions.
- Translate brand and commercial objectives into clear packaging systems and design principles.
- Direct senior and mid-level designers through concept development, refinement, and rollout.
- Oversee pack architecture, visual hierarchy, mandatory content, imagery, typography, and range consistency.
- Present major creative decisions and recommendations to senior client stakeholders.
- Review design against production constraints, dielines, materials, finishes, and implementation needs.
- Work with artwork and production teams to maintain quality through final files and release.
- Resolve conflicts between design intent, regulatory content, technical requirements, and timing.
- Support scoping, resourcing, schedules, and quality standards for packaging workstreams.
- Develop clear standards that help teams deliver consistent packaging across products and markets.
Essential requirements
- Substantial senior design experience with a portfolio showing leadership of major work.
- Experience setting creative direction and guiding multidisciplinary designers through delivery.
- Strong presentation, critique, decision-making, and client-facing communication skills.
- Ability to balance creative ambition with scope, timing, production, and business constraints.
- Holds a valid Dex Management Area Director Certification (DEX-MAD) in the Arts, Media & Creative Production domain.
Preferred qualifications
- Deep packaging-specific agency or studio experience.
- Experience leading large SKU ranges, multilingual packs, or multi-market packaging programs.
- Knowledge of print production, materials, finishes, dielines, and artwork workflows.