Strategist - Baltimore

Gensler; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k

Profit sharing

Employee stock ownership

Bonus opportunities

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Job summary

Gensler is seeking a Design Strategist in Baltimore to lead human-centered engagement across government, higher education, and cultural sectors. You will shape narratives, facilitate workshops, and translate research into actionable design insights with multidisciplinary teams.

The role emphasizes empathy, storytelling, and visual communication, with opportunities to influence workplace strategy and change communication. Not remote; Baltimore-based collaboration expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in design research, urban planning, communications, organizational development, graphic design or related discipline
• 3–6 years of experience managing complex projects with multiple parts
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, public engagement, change management, or design strategy
• Strong knowledge of design research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative)
• Proven ability to design and facilitate engaging workshops, public-facing events, and engagement programs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to craft clear narratives
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign) for visual storytelling
• Strong graphic communication and presentation skills
• Ability to synthesize complex information into accessible insights
• A strong portfolio showing communication design and persuasive writing

Responsibilities

• Lead inclusive, human-centered processes to translate stakeholder input into actionable insights for design teams
• Design engagement strategies, facilitate workshops, and craft compelling narratives for diverse clients
• Guide clients across government, higher education, and cultural sectors through change
• Translate qualitative and quantitative data into clear design insights
• Develop workplace strategy and change communications materials such as plans, FAQs, toolkits, and visual assets
• Create visual narratives to communicate complex processes
• Manage multiple concurrent workstreams with strong organization

Skills

stakeholder engagement

change management

design research methodologies

workshop facilitation

storytelling

communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in design/related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign)

Microsoft Office 365

Miro

Mural

PowerPoint

Job description

At Gensler, we design for people. We leverage our global perspective and local expertise to create inclusive environments that support communities through change. We're seeking a Design Strategist with a focus on engagement to join our team; someone who thrives at the intersection of research, storytelling, and human-centered design.

This is a role for a trusted advisor who helps clients and communities navigate complex transitions with clarity, empathy, and confidence.

Your Role

As a Design Strategist, you will lead inclusive, human-centered processes that make people feel heard, supported, and prepared every step of the way. You'll work closely with multidisciplinary teams from designers, planners, and strategists to translate stakeholder input and research into actionable insights that shape impactful design outcomes.

You'll guide clients across government, higher education, and cultural sectors through change by designing engagement strategies, facilitating workshops, and crafting compelling narratives that turn complexity into clarity.

What You Will Do

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients navigating organizational, spatial, and cultural change
• Design and lead equitable stakeholder engagement strategies, including:
  • Public engagement initiatives
  • Community workshops and pop-up events
  • Surveys and outreach campaigns
• Facilitate dynamic, inclusive workshops and co-creation sessions that gather meaningful input and build alignment
• Translate qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights for design teams, presenting complex data and ideas in a way that is clear, accessible, and easy to understand at a glance.
• Develop workplace strategy and change communication materials, including:
  • Communication plans
  • FAQs and toolkits
  • Graphic and visual storytelling assets
  • Environmental and user experience studies
• Create graphically compelling visual narratives that communicate complex processes with clarity and impact
• Manage multiple concurrent workstreams with a high level of organization and attention to detail
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across:
  • Landscape architecture
  • Transportation planning
  • Branding and marketing
  • Organizational development
  • Graphic design

Who You Are

You're passionate about the built environment and its impact on individuals and organizations. You

• are a self starter and quick learner
• thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and open environment that requires fast iterations and pivoting between collaborative and individual work
• have the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
• are a clear communicator and presenter of ideas, findings and/or point of view
• are an enthusiastic collaborator and are able to work successfully with a range of other disciplines who compliment your experience
• are a critical and creative thinker
• infuse empathy and behavioral analysis into your work
• respond proactively and thoughtfully to design critique and feedback from clients and colleagues
• are experienced with research methodologies and activities, along with working with both qualitative and quantitative data
• can graphically visualize information and ideas, able to effectively use charts, graphics and design concepts to represent and communicate findings and complex ideas
• are a strong and persuasive writer, able to clearly and succinctly describe work process, options for consideration, findings, recommendations, communications, memos, etc.
• can create powerful and compelling narratives with strong written, visual, and graphic content
• are comfortable with ambiguity and able to work with your team to forge a path on projects that may have vague parameters or frequently change/evolve

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field such as:
  • Design research, urban planning, communications, organizational development, graphic design or related discipline
• 3-6 years of experience in project-based delivery, managing complex projects with multiple moving parts simultaneously
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, public engagement, change management, or design strategy
• Strong knowledge of design research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative)
• Proven ability to design and facilitate engaging workshops, public-facing events, and engagement programs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to craft clear and compelling narratives
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (especially InDesign) for visual storytelling and communication materials
• Strong graphic communication and presentation skills
• Ability to synthesize complex information into accessible, meaningful insights
• A strong portfolio demonstrating excellent command of fundamental communication design including composition, information graphics, and persuasive writing

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign required), and Microsoft Office 365 (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook), and other visual communication tools
• Fluency with digital collaboration tools such as Miro, Mural, Microsoft Teams etc.
• A background in the design of the built environment (architecture, interior design, urban design, etc.).

Your Strengths

• Empathy-driven, human-centered mindset
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills
• Confidence in leading groups and building relationships across diverse stakeholders
• Creative problem solver with a passion for storytelling and engagement
• Ability to balance strategy, research, and design thinking

  *This role is not remote; we look forward to working with our new Strategist in Baltimore, MD, Raleigh, NC, or Atlanta, GA.

  *The estimated base salary range for this position if located in Baltimore is $75,000 - $85,000k, plus eligibility for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, with final compensation contingent on relevant experience. To learn more about our compensation philosophy and full benefits offerings, please visit Great People, Great Rewards | Gensler.

  Why Join Us?

  At Gensler, you'll be part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team dedicated to shaping environments and experiences that make a difference. You'll work on projects that impact how people connect, learn, and thrive-helping communities navigate change in ways that are equitable, inclusive, and inspiring.

  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

  We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state and local law.

  Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state and local law.

  See also Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal, right to work and E-verify program, as required by law.

  Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us.

  Regarding Gensler's approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud. Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email [e-mail].