Design Strategist

Design Strategist

The creative team at SEIU Healthcare is a small but carefully assembled group of experts from a wide range of educational backgrounds, settings and professional experiences. Working closely with the Head of Strategic Communications, the Design Strategist plays an integral role in the development and delivery of an effective integrated communications strategy across the entire organization that elevates the brand and profile of SEIU Healthcare. As an accomplished graphic designer, they will weave iconography, typography, color, space and texture together to delight our members and other audiences with designs that inspire, engage and excite them. As a strategist they will apply their expertise in design thinking methods to tackle wicked problems through the unique lens of innovation and design.

This position is a temporary position for 12 months and is working at our Head Office in Richmond Hill, Ontario and reports to the Head of Strategic Communications.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create comprehensive graphic design deliverables, seeing projects through from concept, design, production, and delivery.
• Conceive, sketch, and mock-up actionable digital solutions from concepts and ideas.
• Manage and plan design timelines for multiple complex projects.
• Participate in the ideation process working closely with the rest of the creative team to deliver creative solutions that meet project objectives.
• Serves as the curator of the SEIU Healthcare brand and ensures that all deliverables meet extremely high design standards that align with the vision of individual projects, programs and the entire organization.
• Successfully leads the presentation of design concepts and materials in meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
• Works closely with the Head of Strategic Communications and participates in meetings to evaluate and understand the scope and creative design needs for all aspects of the organization.
• Responsible for providing creative direction to external design teams and overseeing the end-to-end design process.
• Integrates research results into the design process.
• Bridges the gap between member needs, business viability and feasibility to strategically apply a design solution process to help the organization meet its objectives.
• Maps out and present end-to-end member experience design solutions.
• Supports the strategic design of member service and experience solutions through entire organization as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

At SEIU Healthcare, we understand that the best people do not always have the same access and opportunities to education, and while post-secondary education is always preferred, we want to make sure nothing stands in the way of finding the right person.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Preferably, 5+ years experience in strategy consulting or related role, in a professional services environment.
• Experience being a creative lead with the ability to design and direct across a variety of media (print, motion, web) such as InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Keynote. Additional skills in digital prototyping tools like Sketch and Flinto are a bonus.
• Experience with design thinking methods and comfortable encouraging stakeholders to transform the organization through design and innovation over time.
• Experience with the union movement or other grassroots advocacy campaigns highly desirable.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrated ability to successfully translate project objectives into actionable briefs across disciplines.
• Demonstrated presentation skills with ability to effectively facilitate discussion and instill stakeholder confidence.
• Demonstrated ability to see projects through from inception to production.
• Experience applying the principles and practices of user-centered design.
• A positive and professional team player that works well under pressure and is flexible and responsible.
• Political awareness and an understanding of the political landscape of the jurisdiction of SEIU Healthcare and the correlation between politics and the interests of the membership of SEIU Healthcare.
• An understanding of current events and issues relevant to SEIU Healthcare and the broader labour movement.
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual presentation skills with a firm understanding of the value of design and brand within a business context.
• Strong eye for design, trends with a creative flair and thirst for innovation.
• An understanding of branding and how it carries across multiple channels.
• The ability to work well independently, while maintaining excellent collaboration skills.
• An understanding of social media marketing.
• A passion for innovation and design.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice for working families.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORKING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENT

• Can include field work that may include prolonged exposure to the seasonal climates of the various jurisdictions where they may be assigned.
• Office work can include prolonged periods of sitting at a workstation and certain repetitive movements associated with such work.
• Infrequent exposure to the physical and mental strains related to travel throughout the jurisdiction of SEIU including the United States and Puerto Rico.
• May be subject to the emotional and mental strains that accompany campaign work which can have an impact on physical wellbeing.
• Whether in the field or office, should be expected to be able to lift and move campaign equipment and material not in excess of 50lbs.
• The nature of the work requires the Design Strategist to be exposed to a variety of different situations that can include a varied degree of emotion and conflict. They are expected to be able navigate, adapt and resolve these situations in order to meet the objectives of the organization.
• Long and irregular hours including evenings and weekends.
• Required to follow policies and procedures as set out by SEIU Healthcare.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• This position requires the successful candidate to have a valid driver’s license. The successful candidate would have to provide proof that s/he has a valid driver’s license upon being hired.

How to Apply

Written applications that detail your qualifications and experience should be submitted on our career portal.

Salary and other terms and conditions are in accordance with the field staff collective agreement. Please note that the Employer reserves the right to transfer or assign staff anywhere within the SEIU Local 1 Canada jurisdiction.