Design Strategist - Workplace

Gensler; New York (NY); On-site; USD 78,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Two annual bonuses

401k

Profit sharing

Employee stock ownership

Job summary

Gensler’s New York practice is seeking a Design Strategist to lead research, strategy, and stakeholder workshops across workplace and experience strategy, partnering with Strategy Leads and clients.

You will translate insights into actionable concepts, develop scenarios, and help grow the practice while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

The role offers a competitive base salary in New York with two annual bonuses and a robust benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience with research methodologies and data analysis.
• Strong writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to lead workshops and facilitate stakeholder sessions.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct user research and stakeholder engagements.
• Design and facilitate workshops with clients and teams.
• Translate findings into insights, narratives, and recommendations.
• Develop scenarios to illustrate solutions and tradeoffs.
• Collaborate with design studios to translate strategy into design.

Job description

General Information

Posting Date 09-11-2026

Time Type Full-Time

Job ID 9026

Areas of Expertise Strategy

Job Category Strategy

Locations

New York, NY, US

Your Role

Design Strategy at Gensler is focused on enabling transformation. Our creative and collaborative approach, supported by research, data and intelligence, enables impactful change and evolution of our clients' organization, culture, and environment.

Our New York practice is growing, and we are looking for a talented Design Strategist to work across workplace strategy, real estate portfolio strategy, change management, design guidelines, and experience strategy. We develop holistic real estate and design strategies for influential organizations, including major corporations, healthcare providers, cultural institutions, real estate developers, and universities. We are looking for an emerging leader who is energized by complex challenges, passionate about shaping the future of work and experience, and excited to help grow one of the firm's leading strategy practices.

As a Design Strategist, you'll help clients navigate change by understanding current conditions, defining future goals, and creating integrated strategies for how space, technology, policies, and services can support organizational success. Projects span everything from pilots that test emerging ideas to global programs that shape the future of work at scale.

Working alongside multidisciplinary teams, you'll lead research efforts, uncover meaningful insights, and translate findings into innovative concepts and actionable solutions. The role also includes designing and facilitating engaging stakeholder experiences that build alignment, inspire participation, and move ideas forward.

You'll join a team that values curiosity, collaboration, experimentation, and continuous learning, where great ideas can come from anyone and everyone is encouraged to contribute.

What You Will Do

On Projects, as a Design Strategist you'll:

• Partner closely with Strategy Leads, Directors, and Managers to support project success, strong client experiences, and high-quality deliverables
• Plan and conduct user research, stakeholder engagements, and data collection activities
• Design and facilitate engaging workshops with clients, internal teams, and other stakeholders
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative information from multiple sources to determine impact on business goals, organizational culture, or performance criteria for spatial design
• Translate research into clear insights, strategic narratives, and actionable recommendations
• Develop scenarios (with plans, data, feedback, relevant precedents, etc.) to illustrate a range of relevant solutions that meet the client's objectives and expresses the tradeoffs associated each option
• Define and develop concepts and prototypes of experiences, programs, services, and spaces to test with users and stakeholders
• Communicate findings through compelling presentations, reports, graphics, videos, websites, and other formats
• Guide other team members, encourage original thinking, and help maintain alignment throughout the course of a project
• Collaborate with Gensler design studios to seamlessly translate strategy into design implementation
• Identify opportunities to grow the practice, strengthen client relationships, and support proposals that clearly articulate process, scope, and value

Your Qualifications

You are passionate about the built environment and its impact on people and organizations. You:

• Are a self-starter and quick learner who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Are comfortable with ambiguity and can help teams chart a path when project parameters evolve
• Can balance multiple projects and shift comfortably between independent and team-based work
• Are a clear communicator and confident presenter of ideas, findings, and points of view
• Are naturally curious and continuously seek new perspectives, skills, and ideas
• Are a critical and creative thinker with a practical, solution-oriented mindset
• Have experience with research methodologies and activities, and are comfortable working with both qualitative and quantitative data
• Embrace continuous learning, share knowledge generously, and help elevate the success of those around you.
• Can synthesize complex inputs into clear, persuasive stories and recommendations
• Can visualize information and ideas through charts, graphics, design concepts, and other compelling formats
• Are a strong writer who can communicate processes, options, findings, and recommendations succinctly
• Respond proactively and thoughtfully to feedback from both clients and colleagues

Your Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant professional experience
• Undergraduate or master's degree in architecture, interior design, environmental design, urban design, real estate, design strategy, organizational development, organizational psychology, or a related field
• A strong portfolio demonstrating research, strategic thinking, information design, and persuasive storytelling
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft 365
• Fluency with digital collaboration tools such as Miro, Mural, and Microsoft Teams
• Experience analyzing and visualizing data to support insights and recommendations
• Experience working with workplace performance data and survey data is a plus
• Experience with Power Query in Excel a plus
• Familiarity with survey platforms, dashboarding tools, or data visualization software is a plus
• Familiarity with Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, rapid prototyping tools, or website development platforms is a plus

The base salary range will be estimated between $78,000 to $90,000. Gensler's total compensation package is multi-layered and includes a base salary, two annual bonuses paid in December and June. To learn more about our compensation philosophy and full benefits offerings, please visit Great People, Great Rewards | Gensler.

About Strategy at Gensler

We help organizations imagine, plan, and realize the future. Our New York Strategy team combines research, data, design thinking, and change management to solve complex business and organizational challenges. Partnering with leading global clients, we develop bold, evidence-based strategies that shape workplaces, experiences, and organizational outcomes. As part of an integrated design practice, we collaborate across disciplines to transform ideas into impactful solutions that create value for our clients and their people.

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to "Well-being Awareness Week," our offices reflect our people's diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm's commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS