Senior Design Strategist

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm.  We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration.  Together we can achieve great things.
 

Success at SOM Means

• Ideas:  We believe in a meritocracy of ideas.  We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm. 

• Knowledge:  We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning.  We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge.

• Product:  We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work.

• Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work.  Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm.

• Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration.  A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential.

• Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.

Design Strategist Role:
 

As a Design Strategist, you will support multiple teams in New York and other SOM offices. You will work with a wide range of clients in many industries to evaluate their current needs, define their goals, and help develop strategies to support their objectives through the built environment. You will process complex data and distill the information into clear and concise insights, conduct research, and generate findings based on that research. You will support the design and facilitation of comprehensive design strategy processes, including engaging with stakeholders, helping to create actionable concepts and solutions, and assessing options. You are a self-starter and quick learner. You are passionate about the built environment and its impact on individuals and organizations.

Position Responsibilities

• Support design strategy projects and be responsible for content creation with guidance from Project Leadership.

• Plan and perform user research and data collection activities. Design and support client workshops and other stakeholder engagements.

• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources to determine impact on business goals, organizational goals, and performance criteria for built environment and design.

• Synthesize information and data into key insights and narratives conveyed through presentations and reports.

• Articulate and present scenarios (with plans, data, feedback, and precedents) to illustrate a range of potential solutions (e.g., design concepts, work styles, programs, test fits, user profiles) based on direction from Project Leadership.

• Have a strong portfolio demonstrating excellent command of fundamental communication design including composition, information graphics, and writing.

• Demonstrate experience with research methodologies and activities, including working with both qualitative and quantitative data.

• Graphically visualize information and ideas, and are able to effectively use charts, graphics and design concepts to communicate and represent findings and complex ideas.

• Work on multiple projects simultaneously.

• Show comfort with ambiguity and can work effectively within vague and/or evolving parameters.

• Demonstrate knowledge of Interior Architecture and Architectural design process including workplace planning, programming, and concept development phases. Knowledge and ability to creates planning scenarios and test fits is a plus.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate based on team members’ recognized abilities and potential.

• Directly supervises staff and is committed to direct reports’ professional development.

• Develops and engages in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm through resume review and interviews.

• In collaboration with team members, develops a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule.

• Actively engages in internal and external