Experience & Design Strategist (m/w/d), Bregenz | Senior Consultant – Senior Manager Level

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Experience & Design Strategist (m/w/d) | Senior Consultant – Senior Manager Level

Company: TOWA GmbH

Location: Bregenz, Vorarlberg, Austria

Job Type: Festanstellung (Full-time)

Category: Digital Strategy & Design Consulting

Date Posted: 2026-06-23

Experience Level: Senior Consultant – Senior Manager Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Remote OK (Hybrid potential with office in Bregenz)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end experience and design strategy for complex digital transformation projects.

• Translate intricate business models and use cases into clear, actionable experience principles and customer journeys.

• Act as the central orchestrator, ensuring seamless integration of strategy, content, design, and technology.

• Drive innovation by leveraging AI-native workflows and generative tools to enhance creative output and decision-making.

• Champion a data-driven, iterative approach to design and strategy, focusing on measurable progress and real impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within a consulting cluster, focusing on the strategic intersection of design, customer experience, and digital transformation. The "AI-native" aspect suggests a forward-thinking approach to leveraging artificial intelligence in design processes. The Senior Consultant to Senior Manager level indicates a need for strong leadership, client-facing skills, and the ability to manage significant project engagements.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Experience & Design Strategy: Oversee strategy development across Brand Experience, Brand Identity, Customer Experience, Customer Journeys, Service Design, and Information Architecture for client projects.

• Strategic Client Advisory: Advise clients from a design perspective at a strategic level, translating complex business models and use cases into compelling experience principles and a clear project vision.

• Workstream Integration & Orchestration: Ensure cohesive development across strategy, content, design, and technology streams, acting as the primary liaison to maintain a consistent and impactful end-to-end experience.

• Methodology Application & Facilitation: Confidently lead and implement methodologies such as Design Thinking, Ideation, Co-Creation Workshops, Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD), and Service Blueprints, selecting the most impactful format for each project phase.

• Concept Visualization & Communication: Make abstract ideas tangible through effective storytelling, compelling visualizations, and prototypes at various fidelity levels to align teams and stakeholders and facilitate informed decision-making.

• Quality Assurance & Innovation Drive: Maintain high-quality standards while fostering an environment of exploration, iteration, and continuous improvement, challenging clients constructively when necessary.

• Team Development & Mentorship: Contribute to the growth of design colleagues through constructive critique, close collaboration, and demonstrating strong craft leadership within the design team.

• AI-Augmented Workflow Implementation: Proactively integrate AI tools into design workflows, focusing on defining intent, leveraging generative capabilities for ideation, and applying critical judgment to ensure quality and successful implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking, client management, creative leadership, and operational execution. The emphasis on "AI-native" workflows suggests a requirement to not just use AI tools but to fundamentally rethink design processes with AI integration at the core. The "red thread" metaphor emphasizes the role's crucial function in maintaining project coherence and strategic alignment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Business, Marketing, or a related field is typically expected for this level. A strong portfolio can often substitute for specific educational qualifications.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in Experience Strategy, Design Strategy, or a closely related field, with at least 2-3 years at a senior level demonstrating leadership in client engagements. Experience within an agency or consulting environment is highly preferred. For Senior Manager level, extensive experience managing large-scale, complex projects and client relationships is expected.

Required Skills:

• Experience & Design Strategy: Proven expertise in developing comprehensive experience and design strategies.

• Customer Experience (CX) & Service Design: Deep understanding of customer journeys, service design principles, and user-centered design methodologies.

• Methodological Proficiency: Mastery of Design Thinking, Ideation, Co-Creation Workshops, Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD), and Service Blueprints.

• Strategic Business Acumen: Ability to understand and translate complex B2B business models, use cases, and stakeholder needs into strategic experience decisions.

• Storytelling & Visualization: Exceptional ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively through narrative, visual aids, and prototypes.

• Facilitation & Workshop Leadership: Skilled in leading workshops and co-creation sessions with diverse groups of stakeholders.

• AI Workflow Integration: Demonstrated ability to effectively utilize AI tools and generative AI for design ideation and output refinement.

• Client Management & Consultation: Strong client-facing skills, with the ability to build trust, manage expectations, and guide clients through complex strategic processes.

• German Language Proficiency: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in German (native or near-native).

• English Language Proficiency: Strong written and verbal communication skills in English for international team collaboration and project work.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific digital transformation technologies and platforms (e.g., Spryker, Storyblok, Pimcore, Salesforce, HubSpot).

• Expertise in Information Architecture and Content Strategy.

• Experience in Brand Identity development and Brand Experience strategy.

• Proven ability to mentor and develop junior team members.

• Experience in leading cross-functional teams in a consulting setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a holistic understanding of the design and experience landscape, moving beyond individual deliverables to systemic thinking. The explicit mention of AI-native workflows is a key differentiator, suggesting candidates should be prepared to demonstrate practical application of AI in their design process. The distinction between Senior Consultant and Senior Manager levels implies a need for scalable leadership and client management capabilities at the higher end of the range.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your leadership in developing and implementing experience or design strategies for complex digital projects.

• Process Visualization: Include examples of how you've mapped out and optimized customer journeys, service blueprints, or user flows to illustrate process understanding.

• Strategic Translation: Evidence of translating complex business requirements or user research into clear experience principles, strategic frameworks, or design briefs.

• AI Integration Examples: If possible, include examples of how you've leveraged AI tools in your design or strategy process, highlighting the intent, tools used, and the resulting impact.

• Co-Creation & Workshop Outputs: Showcase examples of outputs from facilitated workshops, ideation sessions, or co-creation activities.

Process Documentation:

• Methodology Application: Clearly articulate the methodologies used (e.g., Design Thinking, JTBD) and demonstrate how they were applied to solve specific client challenges within your case studies.

• Strategic Impact Documentation: Quantify or qualitatively describe the impact of your strategic recommendations and design solutions on client business objectives (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved customer satisfaction, enhanced brand perception).

• Systemic Thinking Showcase: Demonstrate an understanding of how different components (strategy, content, design, technology) interrelate and how you ensured their cohesive integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical application of strategic and design thinking. Emphasis should be placed on showcasing the process and impact of your work, not just the final visual output. Given the "AI-native" aspect, demonstrating how AI was integrated into these processes would be a significant advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €60,000 - €130,000 gross per year (All-in). This range is determined by cluster (Consulting), level (Senior Consultant to Senior Manager), required skills, area of responsibility, and experience. The specific offer will be tailored based on the candidate's qualifications, not their previous salary.

Benefits:

• Team Spirit & Collaboration: Strong collegial teams with genuine camaraderie, mutual support, and a good sense of humor.

• Transparent Structures: Flat hierarchies and an open-door policy promoting communication and collaboration at eye level.

• Generous Time Off: Open Vacation Policy ("Above & Beyond" for additional days) on top of statutory leave.

• Location Flexibility: Work from Anywhere policy, allowing for home office or temporary work abroad.

• Flexible Working Hours: Extended core hours for flexibility, with reliability for client and team meetings.

• Employment Options: Full-time or part-time, permanent or fixed-term contracts available, with solutions tailored to individual needs.

• Continuous Learning: Individual training budget for workshops, certifications, or coaching.

• Career Progression: Clear structures to support career development, even within a flat hierarchy.

• Mobility & Events: Up to €467/month subsidy for public transport tickets (Öffi/Deutschlandticket) and regular team events, industry fairs, and conventions.

• Inspiring Workspaces: Modern, centrally located loft offices equipped for creativity, collaboration, and equipped with snacks & drinks.

• Performance Recognition: A reward system for personal and company achievements.

Working Hours: The standard is 40 hours per week, with a significant flexible working time frame. The exact schedule is adaptable to project needs and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for consulting roles in Austria at this level, especially considering the "All-in" nature which may include bonuses or other variable compensation. The benefits package is extensive, emphasizing flexibility, employee well-being, and professional development, which are attractive to senior-level professionals. The "Work from Anywhere" and flexible hours are key draws, coupled with a strong emphasis on team culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Transformation Consulting, Technology Services, and Creative Strategy. TOWA GmbH partners with B2B Champions, leveraging technology partners like Spryker, Storyblok, Pimcore, Salesforce, and HubSpot. This positions them at the forefront of digital innovation for established businesses.

Company Size: Medium-sized, with employees across multiple international locations (Bregenz, Vienna, Hamburg, Munich, Dortmund, Krakow, and remote). This size typically allows for a balance between structured processes and agile, collaborative team dynamics.

Founded: The company's founding date is not explicitly stated, but its established presence and partnerships suggest a history of growth and expertise in the digital transformation space. The company's mission "We drive digital transformation end-to-end - from strategy to execution. Creating measurable progress and real impact for our clients" underscores a results-oriented and client-focused approach.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the "Consulting Cluster," indicating a specialized group focused on client advisory and project delivery.

• Reporting is likely to a Lead within the cluster (e.g., Julius Wuhnsen, Lead mentioned), with a direct reporting line to senior management for Senior Manager level.

• Collaboration is inherently cross-functional, involving strategy, design, content, and technology teams, as well as direct client engagement. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Approach: Emphasis on "measurable progress and real impact," suggesting data analysis and performance tracking are integral.

• End-to-End Delivery: A commitment to guiding clients from initial strategy through to execution and implementation.

• Agile & Iterative Processes: The "Alles ist BETA" philosophy implies a culture of continuous improvement, experimentation, and adapting to change.

• AI Integration: Explicitly seeking "AI-native" workflows, indicating a proactive adoption of AI in strategic and creative processes.

Company Website: www.towa-digital.at

📝 Enhancement Note: TOWA GmbH positions itself as a modern, forward-thinking consultancy that values impact, innovation, and employee well-being. The company culture appears to be a blend of high performance and supportive collaboration, with a strong emphasis on digital expertise and a proactive approach to emerging technologies like AI. The "B2B Champions" focus suggests working with established, possibly large, enterprises.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at the Senior Consultant to Senior Manager level within the Consulting Cluster. This signifies a role with significant client-facing responsibilities, project leadership, strategic input, and the potential to manage larger engagements or teams. It requires a blend of deep expertise in experience and design strategy, coupled with strong business acumen and client management skills.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Lead (e.g., Julius Wuhnsen) within the Consulting Cluster. At the Senior Manager level, there may be additional reporting to higher leadership within the consulting practice or the company. Collaboration with project teams, clients, and other internal departments is a key aspect of the reporting dynamic.

Operations Impact: The individual in this role will have a direct and significant impact on client success by shaping their digital strategies, customer experiences, and brand perception. This role is critical in driving "measurable progress and real impact," directly contributing to the company's reputation for delivering high-quality digital transformation solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Advancement: Progression from Senior Consultant to Senior Manager and potentially to Associate Director or Practice Lead roles, involving greater responsibility for client portfolios, business development, and team leadership.

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in specific areas like AI-driven design, advanced CX strategy, or particular industry verticals.

• Mentorship & Craft Leadership: Developing skills to mentor junior consultants and designers, contributing to the overall talent development within the organization.

• Business Development: For senior roles, involvement in client acquisition, proposal development, and shaping new service offerings.

• Continuous Learning: Access to an individual training budget and exposure to diverse, challenging projects fosters ongoing skill development and industry knowledge acquisition.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path clearly outlines a trajectory from individual contributor with significant influence to a leadership role with broader strategic and team management responsibilities. The emphasis on "craft leadership" and "AI-native" workflows suggests a commitment to developing cutting-edge skills within the firm.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, centrally located loft offices designed for creativity and collaboration. These spaces are equipped with amenities to support team interaction and productivity.

Office Location(s): Bregenz, Austria, is the primary listed location. Other company locations include Vienna, Hamburg, Munich, Dortmund, and Krakow, with a significant remote workforce. This offers flexibility for employees to work from various locations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: The loft offices are designed to foster exchange, idea generation, and team collaboration.

• Technology & Tools: The environment is equipped to support digital work, including access to necessary software and infrastructure for design, strategy, and remote collaboration.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for frequent interaction with colleagues, both in person at the office locations and virtually, promoting a strong team spirit.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are a key benefit, with a broad range of flexible hours. Core hours are likely defined for essential team and client meetings, ensuring reliability while allowing for personal work rhythm. The role is project-driven, meaning intensity may vary based on project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment emphasizes flexibility and a modern, creative atmosphere. The combination of physical office spaces and a strong remote culture caters to diverse working preferences, while the emphasis on collaboration and team events aims to maintain strong interpersonal connections regardless of location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV, salary expectations, and notice period.

• First Interview: Likely a conversation with the hiring lead (Julius Wuhnsen) or a senior member of the consulting team to assess overall fit, experience, and strategic thinking. Preparation should focus on articulating your experience strategy background and understanding of TOWA's mission.

• Portfolio Presentation/Workshop: A key stage involving presenting 1-2 of your strongest case studies. This may include a live workshop simulation or a deep dive into your strategic process, methodologies, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your approach to AI integration and how you've managed complex client challenges.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a partner or senior executive to discuss cultural fit, long-term career aspirations, and final alignment on role expectations and compensation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Select case studies that clearly demonstrate the measurable progress and real impact you've delivered for clients. Quantify results wherever possible.

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Highlight your ability to translate business challenges into strategic experience solutions. Explain your rationale and decision-making process.

• Detail Your Process: Articulate the methodologies used (Design Thinking, JTBD, Service Blueprints, etc.) and explain why you chose them. Show how you facilitated co-creation and integrated different workstreams.

• Demonstrate AI Integration: If applicable, clearly explain how you incorporated AI tools into your workflow, the intent behind their use, and the value they added.

• Client & Stakeholder Management: Illustrate how you managed client expectations, navigated complex stakeholder landscapes, and presented your ideas effectively to diverse audiences.

• Conciseness & Clarity: Present your portfolio in a clear, structured manner. Focus on the most relevant aspects for this specific role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Case Study: Be ready for a hypothetical client scenario where you'll need to outline an experience strategy, identify key challenges, and propose a phased approach. Focus on your problem-solving framework and strategic rationale.

• Methodology Application: Prepare to discuss how you would apply specific methodologies (e.g., Design Thinking, JTBD) to a given business problem.

• AI Application Scenario: Anticipate questions about how you would leverage AI in a design or strategy context for a specific client need.

• Storytelling & Presentation: Practice articulating your experience and project outcomes in a compelling and concise narrative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess strategic thinking, practical application of design methodologies, client management skills, and cultural fit. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring candidates to demonstrate their strategic process, impact, and innovative approaches, including AI integration.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).

• Strategy & Workshop Facilitation: Miro, Mural, Conceptboard for virtual whiteboarding and co-creation.

• Project Management: Tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar for tracking workstreams and project progress.

• AI & Generative Tools: Proficiency with AI-powered design assistants, generative AI platforms for ideation and content creation (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, ChatGPT, or similar).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (for understanding user behavior on digital platforms).

• CX/UX Research Tools: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Hotjar, UserTesting.com for gathering user feedback and insights.

• BI Tools (Basic Familiarity): Tableau, Power BI, or similar for understanding data visualization and reporting related to user engagement and business impact.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Familiarity with CRM platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Microsoft Dynamics is beneficial for understanding B2B sales cycles and customer data.

• Marketing Automation: Basic understanding of platforms like HubSpot, Marketo, or Pardot could be relevant for integrated customer journey strategies.

• Integration Tools (Conceptual): Understanding how different systems (CRM, CMS, marketing automation) integrate to form a cohesive customer experience ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes tools crucial for strategic design, collaborative ideation, and modern AI-driven workflows. While specific proficiency with all listed tools is not mandatory, a strong understanding of their purpose and application in a consulting context is expected. The emphasis on AI tools is a significant indicator of the company's technological direction.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• "Alles ist BETA" (Everything is BETA): A core philosophy embracing continuous improvement, experimentation, and a proactive approach to change and innovation. This translates to a culture that encourages learning from failures and iterating quickly.

• Measurable Progress & Real Impact: A strong focus on delivering tangible results and demonstrable value for clients, driven by data and strategic foresight.

• Digital Transformation as Passion: A genuine enthusiasm for digital innovation and helping clients navigate and succeed in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

• End-to-End Ownership: A commitment to guiding projects from conception through to execution, fostering a sense of responsibility and holistic problem-solving.

• AI-Native Approach: A forward-thinking embrace of artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance creativity, efficiency, and strategic output.

Collaboration Style:

• Team Spirit & Mutual Support: A culture characterized by collegiality, helpfulness, and a positive team dynamic, even within a demanding consulting environment.

• Transparency & Open Communication: Flat hierarchies and an open-door policy encourage direct and honest communication at all levels.

• Craft Leadership: A focus on high-quality execution and skill development, with senior members actively mentoring and guiding junior colleagues.

• Client-Centric Partnership: Working closely with clients as strategic partners, challenging them constructively to achieve the best outcomes.

• Cross-Functional Synergy: Seamless collaboration between strategy, design, content, and technology teams to ensure integrated solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: TOWA GmbH promotes a culture that is both high-performing and supportive, with a strong emphasis on innovation, continuous learning, and delivering real value. The "BETA" philosophy and "AI-native" approach suggest a company that is adaptable, forward-looking, and comfortable with experimentation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Client Landscapes: Managing diverse stakeholder interests, ingrained organizational structures, and resistance to change within client organizations.

• Balancing Strategy with Execution: Ensuring that strategic visions are translated into practical, implementable solutions that deliver tangible results.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Mastering the application of AI tools in a way that enhances, rather than replaces, human creativity and strategic judgment, and educating clients on its value.

• Maintaining Quality at Speed: Delivering high-quality strategic and design work within project timelines and budgets, especially in fast-paced consulting environments.

• Cross-Disciplinary Alignment: Ensuring seamless communication and collaboration between strategy, design, technology, and client teams, especially in hybrid or remote settings.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Emerging Technologies: Deep dive into AI-driven design tools, generative AI applications, and their strategic implications.

• Advanced Strategic Frameworks: Further development in areas like business model innovation, digital transformation roadmapping, and complex customer journey mapping.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Opportunities to hone leadership skills, mentor junior consultants, and contribute to team development.

• Client Relationship Management: Advanced training in client advisory, stakeholder management, and business development.

• Industry Exposure: Participation in conferences, workshops, and exposure to a wide array of client industries and business challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior-level consulting roles, requiring strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach to learning. The growth opportunities are aligned with advancing in a specialized consulting career, with a particular emphasis on emerging technologies like AI.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex business model you've helped translate into a compelling customer experience. What was your strategic approach, and what was the measurable impact?" (Focus on your strategic thinking, methodology, and results.)

• "How do you ensure that strategy, content, design, and technology align seamlessly in a project? Walk us through an example where you acted as the 'red thread'." (Highlight your orchestration and integration skills.)

• "Imagine you're advising a B2B client struggling with customer adoption of a new digital service. How would you use Design Thinking and JTBD to diagnose the problem and propose solutions?" (Demonstrate your methodological application and problem-solving framework.)

• "How do you see AI transforming the role of a design strategist? How have you integrated AI into your workflow, and what are the key considerations for its responsible use?" (Prepare to discuss your practical experience with AI and your strategic perspective on its role.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What resonates most with you about TOWA's philosophy of 'Alles ist BETA' and our focus on 'measurable progress and real impact'?" (Align your personal values and work style with the company's ethos.)

• "How do you approach client challenges when they are resistant to change or uncomfortable with new approaches?" (Showcase your ability to guide clients constructively and maintain quality.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive and collaborative culture." (Emphasize your collegiality and team-building contributions.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the client challenge, your strategic approach, the methodologies employed, your specific role and contributions, the AI integration (if any), and the resulting impact.

• Highlight Strategic Rationale: Explain why you made certain strategic choices and how they addressed the core business objectives.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, journey maps, prototypes) to illustrate your thinking and outcomes, but ensure they support your narrative rather than dominate it.

• Quantify Impact: Present metrics and results clearly. If qualitative, explain the observable benefits and improvements.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, alternative approaches considered, and how you handled challenges or unexpected outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation guidelines are tailored to assess strategic thinking, practical application of design principles, client management skills, and the ability to integrate new technologies like AI. The emphasis on portfolio presentation requires candidates to articulate their process and impact effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Experience & Design Strategist position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the TOWA GmbH careers page.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful project case studies that best showcase your strategic thinking, design leadership, experience in complex B2B environments, and ideally, your experience with AI integration. Ensure these highlight your process, methodologies, and measurable outcomes.

• Tailor Your CV: Update your resume to highlight relevant experience in experience strategy, design strategy, client consulting, and any specific methodologies mentioned (Design Thinking, JTBD, Service Blueprints). Emphasize achievements and quantifiable results.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your professional story, focusing on your approach to digital transformation, client collaboration, and strategic problem-solving. Be ready to discuss your salary expectations and notice period clearly.

• Research TOWA GmbH: Familiarize yourself with their mission, values, client portfolio, and recent projects. Understand their "Alles ist BETA" philosophy and their commitment to "measurable progress and real impact."

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.