Associate Design Strategist

University of Pennsylvania; United (PA); On-site; USD 59,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania seeks an Associate Design Strategist to manage complex, design-led projects in the CHIBE Design Core Lab. You will apply human-centered and service design to define opportunities and translate insights into actionable strategies.

You will collaborate with Penn faculty and external partners, develop design artifacts, and help disseminate findings through papers and briefs. The role emphasizes stakeholder management, rigorous qualitative analysis, and ethical design

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead professional service design projects with complex stakeholders and timelines.
• Apply design research methods including user interviews, ethnography, contextual inquiries, usability testing, surveys, or desk research.
• Code and analyze qualitative data; translate findings into actionable insights.
• Create artifacts like design research reports, user journey maps, workflow diagrams, blueprints.
• Facilitate workshops, feedback sessions, and participatory design with internal and external participants.
• Document design-informed insights for papers, briefs, and policy engagement.
• Communicate findings and actionable recommendations to diverse audiences.
• Plan and conduct research activities to advance project objectives independently.

Skills

Service design

Design research methods

User interviews

Ethnography

Usability testing

Communication skills

Human-centered design

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor of Science with 3-5 years experience

Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts with 5-7 years or Master of Science/Master of Arts with 3-5 years

Job description

Associate Design Strategist

University Overview The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer inPhiladelphia, 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 & WorldReport 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 Forbeswho named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023. Penn offers a unique working environment within the city ofPhiladelphia. 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

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 trauma-informed approach.
• An understanding of human-centered design principles and service design techniques including journey mapping, blueprints, workflow maps, and prototyping.
• Excellent communication skills, including writing, presenting, and facilitation.
• Ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity in projects with complex workflows, stakeholders, and systems.
• A high standard for ethical, equitable, and rigorous design practice.
• Experience in one or more of the following preferred: Graphic, visual, and/or UI/UX design skills: Rapid prototyping and experiment design.
• Background in health care, whether as a clinician or in healthcare management or innovation.
• Experience in application of behavioral science, implementation science, informatics, and/or design thinking Associate Design Strategist.

Qualifications

Manager Research Project A - Bachelor of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Manager Research Project B - Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 5 to 7 years or Master of Science, Master of Arts, and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$58,506.00 - $81,441.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Pennoffers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and yourfamily's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spendingaccounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent careexpenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuitionbenefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can gettuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are alsoeligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans tohelp you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investmentoptions through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with asubstantial amount of time away from work during the course of theyear. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personalaffairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time withfamily-whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with GenworthFinancial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible familymembers) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of thecosts of long-term care services received at home, in the communityor in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, youwon't have to provide proof of good health or be subject tounderwriting requirements. Eligible family members must alwaysprovide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed tosupporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competingdemands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a widevariety of programs and resources to help you care for your health,your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides anarray of resources to help you advance yourself personally andprofessionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community,you have access to a wide range of University resources as well ascultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of theUniversity's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit ourarboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on atPenn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latestmusic or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the PennRelays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a memberof the Penn community, you're right in the middle of theexcitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of theseactivities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts andentertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find greatdeals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts andcultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admissionand memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoysubstantial savings on other goods and services such as new carsfrom Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movietickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offercreative approaches for completing work while promoting balancebetween work and personal commitments. These approaches involve useof non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or jobstructures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivableloan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for upto two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay