Design Strategist - Workplace & Education

ERA-co; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ERA-co is a global placemaking consultancy blending strategy, data science and experience design. Our User Strategy team partners with universities, education providers and enterprises to translate complex challenges into clear, evidence-based recommendations that guide investment and improve the user experience.

We are looking for an early-to-mid-career strategist with 3–6 years of experience who is curious about how people use space, and how work and learning models shape future environments.

Qualifications

• 3-6 years of relevant professional experience in strategy, architecture, design, property or related field.
• Experience in workplace, education, campus planning or related strategy/design environments.
• Strong interest in the future of work, learning and place.
• Ability to translate research into clear insights.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with ERA-co's User Strategy team across multiple projects and time zones.
• Support project leads and take ownership of defined tasks and workstreams.
• Engage stakeholders through interviews, workshops, and presentations.
• Develop workplace and education strategies, briefs and space planning studies.
• Translate data, research and user insights into practical recommendations.
• Use Excel and Power BI to analyse data and contribute to client deliverables.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Client-focused

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Research & analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Excel

Power BI

InDesign

MS Office

Job description

ERA-co is a global placemaking consultancy made up of strategists, data scientists and experience designers. Our collective operates in the rare space between creativity and consulting. We work across strategy, design and research to help clients understand how people and places can perform better. Our User Strategy team works with a wide range of organisations, property owners, universities and education providers. We combine research, data and user insight to develop workplace and campus strategies, strategic briefs, spatial plans, change strategies and practical recommendations that guide investment and enhance the user experience.

So, Who Are You?

We are looking for an early-to-mid-career strategist with approximately 3-6 years of relevant professional experience and a strong interest in the future of workplace and education environments. You will be curious about how people use space and how organisational strategy, changing work and learning models, technology and user needs can inform better spatial decisions. The work is varied. One project might involve analysing how people use an office, while another could involve helping run a university workshop or turning research into a clear strategy or functional or design brief for a new space.

The ideal candidate will be client-focused, analytically minded and comfortable working across research, stakeholder engagement, data analysis and strategic planning. You will support projects across a range of sectors including workplace and education, helping clients translate complex challenges into clear, evidence-based recommendations. We are looking for someone with a growth mindset who shows initiative, enjoys learning and is comfortable working through ambiguity. You will need to balance several projects at once and work with colleagues across different locations and time zones.

Key Responsibilities

You will have the opportunity to contribute to complex, high-impact projects for some of the world's most innovative organisations, helping to shape the future of work, learning and place.

• Collaborate with ERA-co's User Strategy team and wider global network, often working across multiple projects and time zones.
• Support project leads while taking ownership of defined tasks and workstreams.
• Support and participate in stakeholder interviews, workshops, presentations, team briefings and forums.
• Contribute to workplace strategies, campus and education strategies, strategic briefs, space planning studies and other client deliverables.
• Research emerging trends, precedents and changing approaches to work, learning and the use of space.
• Use AI and other emerging tools to support research, analysis, idea development and project delivery.
• Undertake data analysis, including utilisation analysis, benchmarking, space demand modelling, growth projections and portfolio or building assessments.
• Translate complex data, research and user insights into clear and practical recommendations.
• Use Excel or Power BI to analyse data and InDesign to turn findings into clear, well-designed presentations and reports.
• Build positive day-to-day client relationships through clear communication and a good understanding of project needs.
• Support the preparation of proposals and pitches, including research, written content, case studies, CVs, fee inputs and document production.
• Contribute to internal knowledge sharing and the continued development of ERA-co's tools and methods.
• Undertake local and international travel as required.

Your Experience

• Approximately 3-6 years of relevant professional experience gained on either the consulting or client side, in strategy, architecture, design, property or a related field, with experience contributing to strategic work.
• Experience in workplace, education, campus planning or another relevant strategy or design environment. Experience across both sectors is desirable but not essential.
• A strong interest in the future of work, learning, research and the evolving role of workplaces and campuses.
• Experience undertaking research and analysis and turning findings into clear insights.
• Confidence engaging with clients and stakeholders at different levels.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Strong working knowledge of Adobe InDesign and the Microsoft Office suite together with the confidence to leverage AI tools.
• The ability to balance several projects and priorities while maintaining a high standard of work.

Mandatory requirements: It is an essential requirement that at the time of applying for this position, applicants must have the legal right to work in Australia (Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident).

Alignment with ERA-co Values

We are a global team with big ambitions. We value people who combine a strong point of view with low ego; who stay curious, communicate clearly, collaborate generously and have the grit to see transformative ideas through. These behaviours are expected to be visible not only in how you work personally, but in the culture, standards and opportunities you create for others.

//HUMAN FIRST - Champion the End User

Communicate with clarity and keep people at the center of decisions, relationships and outcomes.

//PROTAGONISTS - Ask Beautiful Questions

Bring a point of view, ask the hard questions and create the conditions for constructive challenge.

//COLLABORATIVE - The Best Ideas are Co-Authored

Be high on talent and low on ego. Share relationships, opportunities and credit, and invite the strongest thinking into the work.

Maintain a global radar on clients, culture, markets and emerging needs, continually looking for where ERA-co can create new value.

//GRITTY - Persevere for the Sake of Transformative Placemaking

Roll up your sleeves when required, maintain momentum through ambiguity and stay the course on the ideas and relationships that matter.