Full-Time

Director of User Experience

Critical Mass

Critical Mass

1,001-5,000 employees

Digital experience design and marketing solutions

No salary listed

Calgary, AB, Canada

Hybrid

Office attendance required: minimum 3 days per week.

Category
UI/UX & Design (1)
Required Skills
UI/UX Design
Usability Testing/Engineering
Adobe Creative Suite
Figma
Branding/Brand Strategy
Machine Learning
Sketch
Web Development
Information Architecture
Adobe XD
Graphic Design
Product Design
Requirements
  • Six to eight or more years of related industry experience in UX, Product Design, Visual Design, Digital Product, new media, information technology, communications, or adjacent creative disciplines.
  • Three or more years of experience in a supervisory or management role leading UX/Design teams.
  • Demonstrated expertise in both UX/Product Strategy and visual design/art direction, with a portfolio showing strong visual design sensibility across both disciplines.
  • Experience designing and optimizing user experiences across owned and third-party platforms, including social media, advertising platforms, and external partner interfaces.
  • Proven experience designing with artificial intelligence in mind, including leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning as design tools and creating next-generation user experiences powered by AI.
  • Familiarity with AI Agent design patterns, conversational interfaces, and emerging paradigms like vibe-coded experiences.
  • A strategic and creative mindset thriving at the intersection of data, design, art, and technology.
  • Exceptional storytelling and communication skills in verbal, written, and visual forms.
  • Excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills with strong client relations and team environment comfort.
  • Proven track record leading cross-level teams and delivering excellent user experiences for leading brands.
  • An experienced, innovative, and forward-thinking approach to large-scale projects from concept to completion.
  • Thorough, detail-oriented, and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
  • Flexibility and adaptability in fast-paced, changing environments.
  • Deep understanding of UX fundamentals including research, information architecture, usability testing, and their application to compelling digital experiences.
  • Advanced proficiency in design and prototyping tools including Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, InVision, Principle, and Axure.
  • Strong expertise across the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly for visual design, motion design, and art direction.
  • Experience with AI-assisted design tools and workflows.
  • Portfolio demonstrating creative problem-solving, visual excellence, and expertise across digital platforms, with demonstrated knowledge of design systems, accessibility, personalization, and emerging AI-driven systems.
  • Familiarity with WCAG 2.0 A/AA standards and accessibility best practices.
Responsibilities
  • Lead a multi-disciplinary team of UX and Product Designers to build and test user interface and product experiences that meet or exceed customer and stakeholder expectations.
  • Guide and mentor UX and product design team members through delegating, follow-up, and coaching.
  • Champion the user’s perspective, appropriately challenging senior stakeholders when user goals are compromised, and ensure all UX and design deliverables demonstrate visual excellence and interaction elegance.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with creative teammates, account managers, strategists, content strategists, marketing science, and producers.
  • Act as an account lead, effectively visualizing and verbalizing design ideas to clients through compelling presentations and narratives.
  • Facilitate design and brainstorming workshops with internal teams and clients, synthesizing diverse perspectives into cohesive design direction.
  • Partner with media teams and platforms to design compelling interface experiences across owned and third-party touchpoints, maximizing impact in the interface layer of social, advertising, and external platforms.
  • Lead the integration of AI design principles and tools into projects—from AI-assisted design workflows to architecting AI Agent interfaces and conversational experiences that feel natural and intuitive.
  • Develop and champion AI-influenced user experiences that leverage machine learning, predictive personalization, and intelligent automation while maintaining user agency and trust—including emerging paradigms like vibe-coded interfaces where tone and personality drive interaction design.
  • Oversee multiple high-visibility client projects, effectively pivoting between focus areas as needed.
  • Collaborate with leadership and creative leads to define, manage, and evolve the vision for the UX and Product Design discipline.
  • Lead recruiting and resourcing efforts while cultivating an effective team with diverse skill sets (UX research, visual design, interaction design, front-end development).
  • Coach direct reports to maximize their impact, professional development, and contribution to project and agency success while helping define and promote team culture.
  • Embody agency leadership values and promote culture in all interactions (internally and externally).
  • Demonstrate advanced working knowledge across visual design, art direction, motion design, front-end development, brand strategy, content strategy, and AI/machine learning principles.
  • Be recognized throughout the agency as a UX and Product Design leader sought after for strategic input.
  • Represent the agency as an ambassador at industry conferences and meetings, particularly around emerging AI design practices.
  • Contribute UX and Product Design expertise to business development and sales initiatives.
Desired Qualifications
  • None

Critical Mass is a digital experience design agency that builds websites, marketing campaigns, and data analytics tools for brands in sectors like automotive and healthcare. The agency works by collaborating directly with clients to design and develop custom digital solutions that simplify complex technical challenges into user-friendly interfaces. Unlike many competitors, Critical Mass integrates specialized talent development programs like Trailhead and CM AIR to foster internal creativity and ensure a steady pipeline of emerging industry talent. Their goal is to use comprehensive digital strategies and creative partnerships to deliver impactful online experiences that connect brands with their target audiences.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

M&A

Total Funding

$238K

Headquarters

Calgary, Canada

Founded

1996

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Generative AI tools accelerate 30-40% faster UX design iterations.
  • Voice AI interfaces adoption by 60% enterprises boosts service demand.
  • Omnichannel personalization lifts customer lifetime value 40%.[1]

What critics are saying

  • AI automation replaces 30-50% design work in 12-24 months.
  • Client consolidation cuts vendors to WPP, Publicis in 12-24 months.
  • Omnicom cost-cutting erodes autonomy, loses $50M revenue in 18-36 months.

What makes Critical Mass unique

  • Critical Mass excels in uncompromising design standards and customer focus.[1]
  • Artist-in-residence program fosters unique creative talent development.[1]
  • Global 12-office network delivers full-service digital ecosystems.[1]

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Your Connections

People at Critical Mass who can refer or advise you

Benefits

Professional Development Spending Account that can be used for conferences, courses, subscriptions, books

Competitive pay and benefits

Match charitable donations up to $100USD

Flexible, reasonable work-from-home arrangements whenever possible

Company News

Daniel Diosi & Partners
Jan 28th, 2026
Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Advertising and Workplace Success

Navigating the evolving landscape of advertising and workplace success. The advertising landscape is undergoing significant transformation as companies increasingly embrace innovative strategies and a renewed focus on employee well-being. Recent developments have highlighted shifts in workplace culture, marketing approaches during major events, and the evolving dynamics of digital platforms. As organizations strive to enhance their engagement and effectiveness, understanding these trends is essential for industry stakeholders. Top insights today. * WorkLife Awards showcase a new paradigm of workplace success. * Coca-Cola's World Cup campaign emphasizes unity in divided times. * Google revamps its mid-market agency strategy with a seasoned executive. * Ritz prepares for the Super Bowl with a humorous teaser featuring Bowen Yang. * Uncertainty surrounds TikTok creators following major ownership changes. WorkLife Awards showcase a new paradigm of workplace success. This year's WorkLife Awards honored companies like Critical Mass, Rare Beauty, and Olipop, reflecting a significant shift in how success is defined within corporate environments. The emphasis on learning, creativity, and employee well-being suggests that organizations are recognizing the importance of nurturing a positive workplace culture. Notably, the winners have adopted new technologies to enhance collaboration and growth among teams, signaling a departure from traditional metrics of success. Coca-Cola's World Cup campaign emphasizes unity in divided times. Coca-Cola's latest advertising campaign for the World Cup leverages the shared excitement of fans, underscoring the beverage giant's strategy of tapping into the unifying emotions of sports. Set to a cover of Van Halen's "Jump," the campaign is particularly poignant in today's politically fragmented climate. By aligning its messaging with the spirit of togetherness that sporting events engender, Coca-Cola aims to resonate deeply with consumers, fostering brand loyalty during a time of division. Google revamps its mid-market agency strategy with a seasoned executive. In a strategic move to enhance its mid-market agency operations, Google has appointed a veteran advertising executive to lead the charge. This shift signifies a recognition of the unique needs and challenges faced by mid-market marketers, who require tailored solutions and support. By focusing on this segment, Google aims to strengthen its partnerships and improve overall service delivery, demonstrating a commitment to evolving with market demands. Ritz prepares for the Super Bowl with a humorous teaser featuring Bowen Yang. As anticipation builds for the Super Bowl, Ritz crackers has launched a playful teaser featuring comedian Bowen Yang. This promotional strategy highlights the brand's intent to engage audiences with humor while capitalizing on the cultural significance of the Super Bowl. By leveraging celebrity endorsements and relatable content, Ritz aims to capture viewer attention in a crowded advertising space, showcasing the importance of creativity in marketing initiatives. Uncertainty surrounds TikTok creators following major ownership changes. The recent shake-up in TikTok's ownership has sent shockwaves through its creator community, leaving many scrambling amid chaos and uncertainty. This transition raises concerns regarding platform stability and the future of monetization opportunities for creators. As TikTok navigates this ownership change, it remains crucial for the platform to maintain creator trust and provide clarity on its operational direction to mitigate disruptions in content creation and engagement. As Danieldiosi analyze these developments, it is evident that the advertising and workplace landscapes are continuously evolving. Companies must remain agile and responsive to the changing expectations of both employees and consumers. The emphasis on unity, creativity, and technology-driven solutions will likely define the future trajectory of marketing strategies and workplace cultures, highlighting the need for organizations to adapt and innovate in order to thrive.

Clio Awards, LLC
Sep 13th, 2023
This Car Prototype Addresses the Dangers of 'Driving While Black'

The Courageous Conversation Global Foundation worked with Goodby Silverstein & Partners, Critical Mass and The Mill to develop a prototype for such a car.

Cision
Jul 1st, 2022
Designrush Recognizes The Best Canadian Digital Marketing Companies In...

According to Statista, Canada is one of the largest advertising markets globally. Their digital ad expenditure is expected to increase from CAD 8.45 billion to over CAD 12 billion in just four years. In honor of Canada Day, DesignRush, a B2B marketplace connecting businesses with agencies, recognizes the best digital marketing companies in Canada that help organizations target and convert their online audiences successfully

BlackSquare
Jun 1st, 2022
BlackSquare Inc. partners with Critical Mass, Inc.

This rebrand has been the result of a strong ongoing partnership between BlackSquare and Diageo, and in close collaboration with the talented team from Critical Mass that was responsible for the striking new design.

Oxus Society
Dec 13th, 2021
Critical Mass, Inc. launched research report on Dec 13th 21'.

On December 13, 2021, The Critical Mass (TCM) released a new research report, “Contaminated Trust: Public Health Disinformation and Its Societal Impacts in Georgia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine,” which provides front-line perspectives on how medical disinformation impacts healthcare decision-making in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine.