Freelance / Project-Based

Are you the kind of Visual Merchandiser who can walk into a retail space, quickly identify what is and isn’t working, explain why, and turn those observations into a strong, practical plan?

Can you move comfortably between an on-site merchandising day, a client strategy call, a space plan, and a detailed visual mock-up?

If so, we’d love to hear from you.

About VM ID
VM ID Inc. is a Toronto-based visual merchandising agency supporting retailers and retail communities with visual merchandising strategy, space planning, display development, sourcing, consulting and hands‑on execution.

Our projects span independent retailers, pop‑ups, showrooms, shopping centres, property groups and established retail organizations. The work varies from strategic consulting and store planning to visual directives, sourcing, training and on‑site execution, giving our freelance team exposure to a broad range of retail environments and project types.

We are expanding our freelance roster and looking for an experienced Senior Visual Merchandising Consultant who can confidently work across strategy, creative development, production and execution.

This is not a traditional full time position. It is best suited to an experienced VM professional looking to add interesting, varied projects to their existing freelance or portfolio career.

What You May Work On
Depending on the project, your role may include:

Participating in or leading client kick‑off consultations and gathering the information needed to understand the business, customer, product assortment and project goals

Assessing retail spaces and providing strategic VM recommendations

Developing concept boards and visual merchandising direction

Creating space plans, fixture layouts, product/category zoning and customer‑flow recommendations

Creating graphic mock‑ups, VM diagrams, renderings and visual directives

Translating approved concepts into transparent, practical recommendations that a client or VM team can execute

Sourcing fixtures, props, display tools and VM supplies, including researching dimensions, finishes, pricing and suppliers

Developing polished client‑facing reports and written recommendations

Presenting recommendations to clients and confidently explaining the business rationale behind them

Participating in on‑site merchandising, installations and store set‑ups

Leading or directing other Visual Merchandisers during larger installations when required

Making thoughtful real‑time decisions when conditions on‑site differ from the original plan

Reviewing completed work and identifying final refinements

What We’re Looking For
You should have:

Preferrably 10+ years of professional visual merchandising experience, including significant experience in a Senior VM, VM Manager, VM Lead or equivalent‑level role.

Strong knowledge of visual merchandising principles and their impact on customer behaviour,



shoppability and retail performance

Experience consulting with clients, store teams or senior stakeholders

Experience creating visual merchandising floor plans, fixture layouts and merchandise zoning

Experience creating graphic mock‑ups, renderings and/or VM directives

Strong working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and/or Illustrator, Affinity or comparable professional design software

The ability to work to specific dimensions and create accurate visual representations

Canva may be part of your toolkit, but it is not considered a replacement for professional photo‑editing or illustration software for this role.

Adobe software ownership is an asset but not mandatory if you work proficiently in an equivalent professional program.

You should also be:

Highly detail‑oriented

Organized and able to manage project files and deadlines independently

A strong written communicator

Comfortable presenting virtually and in person

Able to speak with confidence and credibility when advising clients

Friendly, team-oriented and professional, including when clients question or push back on recommendations

Reliable, trustworthy and punctual

Comfortable working independently while following an established project brief and VM ID process

Eager to learn, receive feedback and continue developing alongside a growing business

Comfortable representing VM ID as the client‑facing brand while working on VM ID projects

Technology + Working Requirements
You must have:

Your own computer/laptop suitable for graphic and project work

Reliable internet access

Strong working knowledge of PowerPoint

Comfort working in Google Drive and shared cloud‑based files

Professional email communication skills

Comfort hosting and participating in virtual client meetings

The ability to manage and communicate your availability digitally

Location + Travel
This role is based in the Toronto / GTA market.

Much of the planning, design, sourcing and report work can be completed remotely, but you must be available for scheduled client consultations, site visits and VM execution throughout the GTA.

Reliable access to transportation is required for assignments where public transit is not practical. Some projects may require travel outside the GTA; applicable mileage for approved out‑of‑area travel will be compensated.

Hours + Project Structure
This is a freelance, project‑based opportunity, not a guaranteed‑hours position.

Project volume naturally fluctuates.



We anticipate approximately 10 hours per week on average when projects are active, although some weeks may require less and certain project launches, installations or design phases may require more.

The ideal person has flexibility within their existing schedule and the ability to take on additional hours periodically when project timelines require it. Assignments are discussed and confirmed based on your availability.

Why Join the VM ID Freelance Team?
One of the biggest advantages of this role is getting access to a wide range of interesting retail projects without having to prospect for them yourself.

VM ID handles the business development and brings the projects to the team. You get to focus on the strategy, creativity and execution.

You’ll also have the opportunity to:

Work across a broad mix of retail categories, environments and business sizes

Build a more diverse portfolio of retail work

Work primarily remotely outside of scheduled on‑site projects

Maintain flexibility around your existing freelance work or other professional commitments

Participate in both creative and strategic assignments rather than only execution

Work directly with retailers, retail organizations and experienced industry professionals

Use established VM ID templates, briefs and processes rather than starting every project from scratch

Continue building your consulting, design and client‑facing experience

Grow with an established visual merchandising business as new opportunities develop

Compensation
This is a paid freelance opportunity, with compensation based on the nature of the assignment, level of responsibility and client‑facing requirements. Rates and expectations are discussed transparently with shortlisted candidates and confirmed before assignments are accepted.

Our Selection Process
Applicants whose experience appears aligned with the role may be invited to a conversation with VM ID. Selected candidates may also be given a short visual merchandising scenario based on a sample retail image and asked to explain what they see, what they would recommend and how they would communicate those recommendations to a client. This exercise is intended only to assess visual merchandising judgment and communication style. It will not involve completing work for an active VM ID client.

A Final Note
We are looking for more than someone who can make a display look beautiful. We are looking for someone who understands why the recommendation makes sense for the business, can communicate that reasoning clearly, and can turn strategy into something practical, visual and executable. If that sounds like you, we’d love to see your work.

VM ID Inc. welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Selection decisions are based on the qualifications and requirements of the role. Accommodation during the application and selection process is available upon request.

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📌 Senior Visual Merchandising Consultant – Freelance (Ontario)
🏢 VM ID
📍 Ontario