Canva has announced a series of organisational changes designed to shape its next phase of development, with co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Melanie Perkins outlining a revised operating structure focused on product integration, team ownership and closer collaboration. In an update published on November 3, Perkins explained how the company plans to reorganise its teams, consolidate responsibilities and align its workforce with the changing requirements of the global technology industry. The announcement reflects Canva’s intention to revisit the operating approach that supported its growth into a design platform used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The changes will affect 1,271 employees, representing approximately 22% of its workforce, through a combination of role adjustments, relocation opportunities and departures. Canva operates across 37 countries, and the company said implementation will follow applicable local requirements and processes. Perkins described the changes as part of preparing the business for its next decade, with an emphasis on helping teams work more closely, make decisions efficiently and maintain a stronger connection between product development and user needs.
A central element of the revised structure is the integration of Canva’s Product, Growth and Platform teams into a single Product Organisation. The company intends to bring these functions closer together so teams can take greater responsibility for projects from development through delivery, reducing the number of handovers between departments. The revised model will also involve broader roles, fewer management layers and the consolidation of overlapping responsibilities. According to Perkins, the objective is to give teams clearer ownership and greater autonomy while allowing specialists with complementary skills to work together on shared priorities. Canva also plans to increase collaboration between employees working on connected projects. Sydney will become the primary base for more product teams and selected specialist roles, while the company will continue maintaining its international presence in locations where proximity to customers, markets and communities is important. From January 2027, most hybrid employees are expected to work from offices approximately two to three days each week, depending on local arrangements. The company expects closer collaboration to support shared decision-making and a more integrated approach to building its platform.
The organisational update also comes as Canva continues investing in artificial intelligence and new creative technologies. The rapid development of AI is changing how people produce visual content, presentations, marketing materials and other digital assets, creating new expectations for design platforms. Canva has been expanding its AI capabilities as part of its broader effort to make creative tools accessible to individuals, businesses and organisations. Its revised operating structure is intended to bring the teams responsible for product development, growth and platform infrastructure into closer alignment as the company responds to these changes. The company said its decisions were guided by its mission and future goals, with the organisational requirements, skills and locations considered before individual roles were assessed. The update also outlines support for employees whose roles are affected. These measures include at least six months of salary, continued healthcare coverage for 12 months in countries where the benefit is provided, career coaching, interview preparation and one year of LinkedIn Premium. Employees leaving the company will also be allowed to keep their Canva MacBooks, while an alumni talent directory will help connect them with potential opportunities through Canva’s industry network.
Canva is additionally introducing the Canva Collective Fund, which will provide US$10,000 grants to departing employees interested in launching businesses or pursuing community initiatives. The company said recipients will retain ownership of the ventures they create through the programme, with no equity or ownership taken by Canva. Employees will have until December 14, 2026, to register their interest in the fund. The company is also arranging individual meetings with affected employees to explain available support and next steps, while further organisational details are expected to be shared through internal meetings scheduled for November 10 and 11. These arrangements form part of the transition to the revised operating model across Canva’s international workforce. Founded in 2013, Canva has developed from an online graphic design service into a broader visual communication platform used for presentations, documents, social media content, websites and other creative projects. Its latest organisational changes place greater emphasis on integrated product development, broader team responsibilities and collaboration as it prepares for the next stage of its business. The company’s progress will now depend on how effectively the revised structure supports product innovation and its continuing expansion across global markets.
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