Senior Design Strategist

Role Summary

• Lead the strategic development and execution of human-centered design initiatives to address complex challenges within the federal government and industry partners.
• Transform complex data, research findings, and technical concepts into compelling visual stories and actionable insights for executive-level clients.
• Drive strategic direction and decision-making by informing product, service, and program strategies through research-driven insights and robust information architecture.
• Design and facilitate high-stakes workshops, design sprints, and co-creation sessions to align diverse stakeholders and advance strategic outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of innovative, human-centered design strategies that directly address complex client challenges, leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and business objectives.
• Partner closely with engineering teams, futurists, and subject matter experts to ensure strategic direction is grounded in technical realities and user-centric principles.
• Act as a strategic bridge between technical and non-technical stakeholders, translating complex concepts into clear, actionable strategies and fostering alignment at program and portfolio levels.
• Inform product, service, and program strategy by conducting and synthesizing mixed-method user research, including interviews, contextual inquiry, and stakeholder analysis.
• Set the direction for information designers and collaborate with strategists to develop high-impact visual frameworks, journey maps, and decision-support tools that enhance executive-level understanding and decision-making.
• Design and lead high-stakes workshops, design sprints, and co-creation sessions, utilizing human-centered facilitation approaches to enable government teams to collaborate, innovate, and navigate complexity.
• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative inputs from research and workshops to identify critical insights, strategic opportunities, and alignment gaps, informing subsequent steps and strategic recommendations.
• Translate complex systems, research findings, and trade-offs into clear, accessible visual narratives and visualizations that enable executive-level evaluation and confident decision-making.
• Define content strategy and information architecture, guiding wireframing and content mapping efforts across cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive user experiences.
• Oversee and conduct primary and secondary research, integrating qualitative and quantitative findings into cohesive strategic perspectives that influence senior stakeholders.
• Elevate the clarity and rigor of research communication through compelling, accessible visual narratives and storytelling techniques.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and client relationships, ensuring successful delivery of design strategy initiatives within government contracting environments.

Skills & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Communication, Sociology/Psychology, or a related field.
• Experience: 10+ years of experience in design strategy, service design, experience design, or related strategic leadership roles.
• Required Skills:
  • Expert-level proficiency in human-centered design and design thinking methodologies.
  • Proven ability to transform complex data and research into impactful visual stories and strategic frameworks.
  • Extensive experience in various design areas including
  • service design, experience design, brand development, information design, and graphic design.
  • Demonstrated expertise in designing and facilitating design thinking and interactive research sessions with executive leaders and their teams.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
  • Proficient in collaborating effectively with clients and cross-functional teams, including engineers and subject matter experts.
  • Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud suite and other professional design tools.
  • Proven experience in government contracting environments.
• Preferred Skills:
  • Experience with information architecture and user journey mapping.
  • Familiarity with mixed-method research techniques and synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data.
  • Experience in defining content strategy and guiding wireframing efforts.
  • Background in organizational change, innovation consulting, or strategic communications within the federal sector.
  • Experience with agile methodologies and their application in design strategy.

Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

• Portfolio Essentials:
  • A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating expertise in design strategy, human-centered design, and visual storytelling.
  • Case studies that clearly articulate complex client challenges, the strategic approach taken, and the measurable impact of design solutions.
  • Examples of translating intricate systems, research findings, and trade-offs into clear, executive-level visualizations and decision-support tools.
  • Evidence of designing and facilitating impactful workshops, design sprints, or co-creation sessions with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Process Documentation:
  • Showcase your process for conducting user research, from planning and recruitment to synthesis and insight generation.
  • Illustrate your methodology for workshop design, facilitation, and post-workshop analysis to drive strategic alignment.
  • Provide examples of how you define content strategy and information architecture to guide product or service development.
  • Demonstrate your approach to translating technical or policy-heavy concepts into clear, human-centered narratives and visual frameworks.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $112,000 - $151,000 Annually.
• Monthly Stipend: $100 for internet and cell phone.
• Healthcare: LINK-sponsored comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Disability Insurance: Company-paid Short Term Disability Insurance.
• Retirement: 401K plan with an employer contribution of up to 4%.
• Holidays: 11 Federal Holidays observed annually.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): 15 days of PTO per year.
• Holiday Leave: Paid time off from Christmas Eve through the New Year.
• Performance Incentives: Participation in an annual bonus plan and annual profit sharing.
• Professional Development: $2,000 annual reimbursement for learning and development programs.
• Technology Package: A LINK-owned MacBook Pro, monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

Working Hours

• Full-time, 40 hours per week, with an onsite schedule of 3-5 days per week.
• Occasional local or national travel may be required for client meetings, presentations, or working sessions.

Team & Company Context

• Industry: Government Contracting, Human-Centered Design, Strategy, Innovation.
• Company Size: Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), likely small to medium-sized.
• Team Structure: The Design Strategy team likely comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds in design, research, communication, and strategic thinking. Collaboration is expected to be highly cross-functional, working closely with engineers, futurists, and other thought leaders within LINK.

Career & Growth Analysis

• Operations Career Level: Senior-level individual contributor role, acting as a key leader within project teams.
• Reporting Structure: Likely report to a Director of Strategy, Program Manager, or a senior executive within LINK. Will lead and mentor junior team members.
• Operations Impact: Direct impact on shaping client strategy, influencing decision-making at executive levels, and driving successful project outcomes.
• Growth Opportunities: Deepen expertise in specialized areas, transition into leadership roles, develop strong client relationships, focus on specific niches within government contracting or design strategy.

Work Environment

• Office Type: Hybrid work environment with an onsite presence 3-5 days per week in Fort Meade, Maryland.
• Workspace Context: Collaborative environment, access to robust technology package, opportunities for regular interaction with internal teams and clients.
• Work Schedule: Standard full-time, 40-hour work week with a hybrid onsite requirement. Flexibility may be offered within the hybrid model, but occasional travel for client needs is expected.

Application & Portfolio Review Process

• Interview Process:
  • Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio.
  • Technical Interview: In-depth discussion on design strategy methodologies, user research, visual storytelling, and tools.
  • Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will present their portfolio, showcasing their strategic thinking and execution.