User Experience Designer

Join to apply for the User Experience Designer (Contract) role at Conestoga College. Position Summary Temporary 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. Responsibilities Website planning, design and front‑end production Plan 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 responsiveness. Communicate with management and faculty to determine their website needs. Collaborate 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 demographic. Manage and prioritize time‑sensitive project deadlines. Present initial ideas to clients, soliciting feedback and refining concepts. Continuously improve the website by benchmarking other websites, reviewing analytics, conducting customer research and maintaining user‑friendly design and mapping. Perform ongoing analysis of the website, including link structure and information architecture, to improve website analytics and user experience. Review changes to the corporate website to ensure quality assurance standards are met before production. Test websites to ensure design standards and functionality are met. Ensure testing is complete before client sign‑off. Content and information architecture Collaborate with the Web Services team to develop and maintain website navigation by categorizing content and funneling traffic, ensuring visitors accomplish their goals and find information quickly and easily. Utilize user‑centred design tools (e.g., card sorting, task flow analysis, usability tests) to optimise design for the best web experience across all devices (desktop and mobile). Visual design Develop 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 partners. Create detailed website specifications, designing sample page layouts including text size and colours. Design graphics and manipulate digital photographs for maximum impact. Maintain site appearance by developing and enforcing content and display standards. Support other marketing staff in developing web material. Continuously update knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications and blogs, maintaining professional networks and participating in professional organisations. Act as a thought leader in advancing user experience and functionality of the site. Qualifications Three‑year diploma or degree in Web Design, Interaction Design, Multimedia, or Graphic Design is required. Minimum five years of experience designing and developing complex websites with an understanding of corporate branding and layout in digital media. Demonstrated 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 Optimisation (SEO) and web analytics platforms is an asset. Proficiency 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 development. Excellent visual design skills with sensitivity to user‑system interaction. Strong project management skills, including organisational and time‑management skills. Ability to multitask, manage many priorities and remain composed in high‑pressure situations. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a high degree of tact. Proven ability to articulate and sell ideas. Flexible and adaptive to feedback. Ability to solve problems creatively and effectively with strong attention to detail. Team player who is results‑oriented and dedicated to team success. Naturally inquisitive with an eagerness to learn new technologies to expand personal capabilities and skillset. Seniority level Mid‑Senior level Employment type Full‑time Job function Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology Industry Higher Education #J-18808-Ljbffr