EL1 Assistant Director, Design Strategist

Randstad - Finance & Accounting; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad - Finance & Accounting is seeking an experienced Design Strategist for a Federal Government project in the disability sector. You will lead strategic design and service design initiatives across the Strategy and Initiatives Team, translating complex problems into practical improvements that inform executive decisions.

With expertise in human-centred design, systems thinking, and stakeholder engagement, you will shape future services, policies, and operating models, delivering impact for

Qualifications

• Experience applying strategic design to complex organisational challenges.
• Ability to frame ambiguous problems and translate into evidence-based recommendations.
• Desirable: experience in regulated service-delivery environments (disability/health/human services).
• Must be an Australian citizen.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to strategic design, service design, and organisational improvement initiatives.
• Apply human-centred design, systems thinking, and strategic analysis to inform recommendations.
• Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to shape future services, pathways, policies, and operating approaches.
• Develop actionable insights from qualitative/quantitative evidence and operational intelligence.
• Prepare briefs, presentations, and strategic advice for senior leaders on priorities and transformation initiatives.
• Support planning, development, and implementation of design projects to improve participant, staff, and organisational experiences.

Skills

Strategic design

Service design

Transformation

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Human-centred design

Systems thinking

Research & analysis

Job description

• Lead strategic service transformation
• Senior role, disability sector
• Fed Gov, 12 month contract

Are you an experienced Design Strategist who wants to make an impact on a national scale by solving complex service challenges and shaping future service approaches to improve outcomes for Australians with disability ?

I am currently partnering with a prominent Federal Government client in the disability sector with this exciting and specialised role within the Strategy and Initiatives Team, part of the Pathway and Digital Transformation Branch in the Service Design Division.

About the Opportunity

In this pivotal role, you will undertake work with a high level of complexity that carries strategic, operational, and organisational significance. Working under broad direction across divisional and agency boundaries, you will lead and contribute to strategic design, service design, and organisational improvement initiatives. By applying design thinking, strategic analysis, and stakeholder engagement, you will translate strategic intent into practical improvements that shape future services and inform executive decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

• Solve complex service and organisational challenges by working in cross-functional teams to scope problems, understand user and operational needs, conduct analysis, generate insights, and support practical solutions.
• Apply strategic and service design approaches-including human-centred design, systems thinking, and strategic analysis-to inform recommendations and initiatives.
• Collaborate across the agency with diverse stakeholders to shape future services, pathways, policies, and operating approaches.
• Develop actionable insights by synthesising qualitative and quantitative evidence, stakeholder perspectives, and operational intelligence to identify opportunities and risks.
• Support strategic decision-making by preparing compelling briefs, presentations, and strategic advice for senior leaders on agency priorities and transformation initiatives.
• Contribute to the planning, development, and implementation of design and transformation projects that improve participant, staff, and organisational experiences.

Ideally you will possess:

• Demonstrated experience applying strategic design, service design, or transformation approaches to complex organisational or service challenges.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to frame ambiguous problems and translate complex issues into practical, evidence-based recommendations.
• Experience applying human-centred design, systems thinking, research, and analysis to understand participant, staff, and operational needs, alongside the confidence to explore and apply emerging digital practices (including AI and automation) where appropriate.
• Desirable: Experience in highly regulated service-delivery environments (particularly in disability, health, or human services), as well as experience using strategic foresight, journey mapping, service blueprinting, or operating-model design.

PLEASE NOTE: You Must be an Australian Citizen to be eligible for this position

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all.

We actively encourage applications from any background.