Associate Design Strategist

Trustees of University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania seeks an Associate Design Strategist to manage complex design projects within the CHIBE Design Core Lab. You will apply human-centered, service, and behavioral design to define opportunities for improvement and collaborate with Penn Medicine Nudge Unit and CHIBE affiliates throughout the project lifecycle.

The role involves collecting and coding qualitative data, developing design artifacts, facilitating workshops, and communicating findings to diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Experience leading service design projects and coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with design research methods including interviews, ethnography, contextual inquiries, usability testing, surveys, and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day activities of complex design projects within CHIBE Design Core Lab.
• Develop study protocols and design assets; analyze qualitative and quantitative data; translate findings into actionable insights.
• Lead workshops and stakeholder engagements and produce design research reports and user journey maps.

Skills

Service design

Design research methods

Ethnography

Usability testing

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Design-related degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Desk research

Job description

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Associate Design Strategist

Job Profile Title

Manager Research Project A

Job Description Summary

Responsible for day-to-day management of complex projects conducted with collaborators both internal and external to the University. Leads development of study protocols, managing the detailed operations of projects, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, cultivating close relationships with community partner organizations; will assist in developing and executing design research strategies and activities.

Position contingent upon funding.

Job Description

Workday Job Description Field

The Associate Design Strategist (Project Manager) will apply methods of human-centered design, service design, and behavioral design to understand complex problem spaces and define opportunities for improvement as a key team member of the CHIBE Design Core Lab, collaborating with and supporting CHIBE faculty affiliates across the research project lifecycle. This role reports to the Design Core's Director of Qualitative Insights with dotted-line reporting relationships to the Design Core Faculty Director and to the Director of Design Strategy at the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit. The Design Core Lab develops innovative and responsive solutions to persistent health challenges, strengthens engagement with those solutions, and increases the relevance and reach of our science. They will assist in developing and executing design research strategies and activities; Collect, code, and analyze unstructured qualitative data and translate findings into insights that inform problem definition and solution refinement; Help create artifacts like design research reports, user journey maps, workflow diagrams; Assist in developing service blueprints, prototypes, mock-ups, flyers, posters, and/or other design assets to solicit feedback while testing interventions in context; Support the facilitation of workshops, feedback sessions, and participatory design sessions with internal and external participants; Document design-informed and qualitative insights from projects for papers and presentations; support translation and dissemination of insights into case studies, briefs, participant feedback materials, and policy engagement; and communicate findings and articulate actionable recommendations to diverse audiences.

In addition to the above, the Associate Design Strategist (Project Manager B level) will plan and conduct research activities to advance project objectives independently. They will have advanced stakeholder management and communication skills to navigate complex, matrixed teams and diffused decision-making. They will manage the execution of research strategies, analyze and interpret data, lead the development of design assets and facilitate workshops, feedback sessions and participatory design sessions. They will lead the translation and dissemination of design insights and communicate to diverse audiences.

Job Responsibilities/Duties

• Professional experience conducting service design projects demonstrating the ability to complete complex, thoughtful, and timely work with colleagues, clients or stakeholders.
• Design-related degree or equivalent industry experience; Experience with design research methods, including user interviews, ethnography, contextual inquiries, usability testing, surveys, or desk research.
• Proficiency in accurate, thorough, and ethical data analysis, including qualitative coding, thematic analysis, and survey analysis.
• Experience interacting with highly diverse populations and employing an empathetic, intersectional, and trau