Managing Director

Start date: March 1st, 2026 (or sooner, if available) Application deadline: January 31st, 2026 Salary: OTE of $130,000 - $150,000 (salary + bonus) About White Canvas White Canvas is a purpose-driven, women‑led creative agency that breathes colour into brand stories. Through the combination of creative, code, and campaigns, we build meaningful brands for organizations that care deeply about impact, growth, and community. Located in Langley, just outside of Vancouver, our boutique agency is built on a high‑performing team of do‑ers. We are proud to be an all full‑time team rooted in the Lower Mainland, supporting working parents, local creatives, and purpose‑driven organizations. Our work spans branding, graphic design, website design, social media, and integrated creative services. We believe great work comes from clarity, trust, and strong leadership. We work hard, value flexibility and balance, and invest deeply in our people. Ongoing development, thoughtful systems, and collaborative problem‑solving are core to how we operate. The Role We are seeking an experienced Managing Director to oversee the day‑to‑day leadership and operational health of the agency. This is a senior executive role designed for a proven operator who has experience running a business end‑to‑end and thrives in a role that blends financial stewardship, people leadership, client relationships, and operational excellence. The Managing Director will translate strategic vision into execution, accountability, and sustainable growth. This role partners closely with the Founder & CEO and plays a critical part in ensuring White Canvas continues to scale with intention, profitability, and strong culture. This is not a project‑level or functional management role. It is a business leadership role with full accountability across financial performance, team leadership, client experience, and internal operations. Core Responsibilities 1. Financial Leadership, Visionary Execution & Governance Own the overall financial health of the agency, including P&L oversight, cash flow management, and profitability targets Work closely with the fractional CFO on forecasting, budgeting, financial reporting, and strategic planning Review and approve all invoices, project agreements, expenses, accounts receivable, and vendor payments Ensure strong financial controls, accurate reporting, and disciplined decision‑making across the business Takes the CEO's ideas, long‑term direction, and big goals into a clear, actionable strategic path that White Canvas can follow. Ensuring leaders understand, buy into, and consistently operate in support of the company’s vision and strategic priorities. Identify, manage, and mitigate risk (legal, financial, operational, people, reputational) to protect the company’s assets, people, and long‑term sustainability. Ensure compliance and transparency through accurate reporting, ethical practices, and effective communication with the CEO and Owner Directly manage and support the Business Development Manager, holding revenue targets, pipeline health, and sales performance accountable Balance growth ambitions with sustainable margins, resourcing, and operational capacity Serve as the senior leader for the management team, with all middle managers reporting directly to this role, making values‑based decisions as needed Conduct monthly 1:1s with direct middle management reports and provide coaching, performance feedback, and leadership development Oversee HR responsibilities for leadership team members, including performance management, goal setting, compensation input, and succession planning Approve payroll and ensure staffing plans align with utilization, profitability, and workload demands Hold managers accountable to team KPIs, utilization targets, and performance expectations Embed and enforce core values by translating them into clear expectations, systems, and behaviours across hiring, performance, recognition, and exits Protect and scale the culture by reinforcing trust, healthy conflict, and consistency as the organization grows and faces pressure. 3. Brand Ambassador & Client Leadership Act as a senior representative of White Canvas at industry events, sponsorships, panels, networking opportunities, and key community initiatives Build and maintain strong relationships with senior client stakeholders Step in to support or resolve complex client challenges with confidence, empathy, and strategic problem‑solving Partner with the CEO and Business Development team on high‑stakes pitches, renewals, and strategic client conversations Uphold and champion the White Canvas brand, values, and reputation in all external engagements 4. Operational Excellence & Systems Oversight Work closely with the Project Manager and Office Manager to ensure all production, operational, and administrative systems are running efficiently Oversee agency workflows, resourcing models, utilization tracking, and performance metrics - eliminating silos, resolving cross‑functional friction, and ensuring no department succeeds at the expense of the whole. Ensures White Canvas functions as a single, integrated system, with strong, aligned departments working together toward shared outcomes. Ensure teams are accountable to timelines, budgets, and quality standards Lead continuous improvement initiatives across operations, including the evaluation and implementation of new technologies and AI‑enabled tools Identify operational gaps, inefficiencies, or risks and proactively implement solutions Ensure systems and processes scale effectively as the agency grows Experience & Qualifications 10+ years of senior leadership experience , ideally within a creative agency, marketing firm, or professional services environment Proven experience running a business or division with responsibility for financial performance, people leadership, and operations Strong financial acumen, with hands‑on experience reviewing P&Ls, managing budgets, and partnering with finance professionals Demonstrated success leading managers and building high‑performing teams Confident client‑facing leader with experience navigating complex stakeholder relationships Comfortable making decisions, setting direction, and holding others accountable Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Finance , or a related field considered a strong asset What Sets You Apart You think like an owner and operate with a long‑term, strategic mindset You are equally comfortable in financial reviews, people conversations, and client meetings You bring structure, clarity, and calm to complex environments You have strong judgment and are trusted to make decisions independently You value culture as much as performance and know how to balance both You are energized by helping founders and leadership teams scale sustainably Why Join White Canvas This is a rare opportunity to step into a true executive leadership role within a growing, values‑driven agency. You will have meaningful influence, autonomy, and partnership at the highest level of the business, while working alongside a passionate team that cares deeply about quality, community, and balance. If you are a seasoned leader who loves building strong businesses and empowering people to do their best work, we’d love to hear from you. #J-18808-Ljbffr