Senior Design Strategist - Service...

Talent; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 96,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent is partnering with a large federal government agency to recruit experienced Senior Design Strategists (EL1) for strategic design, service transformation and organisational improvement initiatives. You will apply human-centred design, systems thinking, and rigorous analysis to shape future services and operating models.

Locations are Richmond or Geelong, VIC. This is a 12-month contract, full-time hours (7.5 per day), at a daily rate of $602.55 plus super.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in strategic design, service design or organisational transformation.
• Demonstrated application of human-centred design, systems thinking, research and analysis.
• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving in ambiguous environments.
• Ability to translate research, operational data and stakeholder insights into practical recommendations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, workshop facilitation and influencing skills.
• Excellent written communication, including executive briefs and presentations.
• Understanding of emerging digital practices, including AI and automation.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes across complex initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic design and service improvement initiatives across complex organisational challenges.
• Apply human-centred design, systems thinking and research to understand user and operational needs.
• Analyse qualitative and quantitative information to identify trends, opportunities and risks.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• Develop future-state service concepts, strategic options and evidence-based recommendations.
• Prepare executive briefs, presentations and strategic advice to support decision-making.
• Support transformation and organisational improvement initiatives through design, planning and implementation.

Skills

Strategic design

Service design

Systems thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Executive briefs

AI & automation awareness

Independent work

Problem solving

Job description

Our client is a large values-focused Federal Government Agency seeking experienced Senior Design Strategists (EL1 level) to support strategic design, service transformation and organisational improvement initiatives.

This is a senior role combining human-centred design, systems thinking, strategic analysis and stakeholder engagement to solve complex service delivery challenges and shape future services, processes and operating approaches.

ROLE DETAILS:

Locations: Richmond or Geelong VIC
Contract: 12 months, with extension potential
Hours: Full-time hours, Mon-Fri 7.5hrs/day
Rate: $602.55 per day + super
Eligibility: Australian Citizenship mandatory
Applications close: Thursday 26 November 2026

ABOUT THE ROLE:

You’ll work within a Strategy and Initiatives team, collaborating across policy, operations, digital and service delivery functions to identify opportunities for improvement and shape future service experiences.

The role involves tackling complex problems, understanding participant and operational needs, developing strategic insights and translating evidence into practical recommendations for senior decision-makers.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead strategic design and service improvement initiatives across complex organisational challenges.
• Apply human-centred design, systems thinking and research to understand user and operational needs.
• Analyse qualitative and quantitative information to identify trends, opportunities and risks.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• Develop future-state service concepts, strategic options and evidence-based recommendations.
• Prepare executive briefs, presentations and strategic advice to support decision-making.
• Support transformation and organisational improvement initiatives through design, planning and implementation.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Strong experience in strategic design, service design or organisational transformation.
• Demonstrated application of human-centred design, systems thinking, research and analysis.
• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, particularly in ambiguous or complex environments.
• Ability to translate research, operational data and stakeholder insights into practical recommendations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, workshop facilitation and influencing skills.
• Excellent written communication, including preparing executive briefs, presentations and strategic advice.
• Understanding of emerging digital practices, including opportunities for AI and automation.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes across complex initiatives.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• Experience in Federal Government, public sector or highly regulated service environments.
• Experience supporting large-scale transformation, reform or organisational improvement.
• Knowledge of disability, health or human services.
• Experience with journey mapping, service blueprinting, strategic foresight or operating model design.