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

📍 Job Overview

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

Company: TOWA - the digital growth company

Location: Düsseldorf, Germany

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Digital Transformation & Design Strategy

Date Posted: June 23, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Remote OK (Germany)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end digital transformation initiatives by defining and executing robust experience and design strategies.

• Translate complex business models and stakeholder needs into clear, compelling customer experience principles and actionable design visions.

• Drive cohesive project execution by orchestrating workstreams across strategy, content, design, and technology to ensure a seamless and impactful customer journey.

• Champion AI-native approaches to accelerate ideation, leverage generative tools for creative exploration, and ensure high-quality, impactful design outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned at a Senior Consultant to Senior Manager level, indicating a need for significant strategic autonomy, client-facing experience, and the ability to lead complex engagements. The "AI-native" requirement suggests a forward-thinking approach to design and a desire for candidates who can integrate AI tools effectively into their workflow. The focus on "end-to-end" transformation and bridging strategy to execution is a hallmark of senior operations and strategy roles in digital consulting.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the development and implementation of comprehensive Brand Experience, Brand Identity, Customer Experience (CX), Customer Journeys, Service Design, and Information Architecture strategies.

• Act as a strategic design advisor, translating intricate business models and use cases into clear experience principles that guide project direction and team alignment.

• Serve as the central connective tissue for project workstreams, ensuring seamless integration of strategy, content, design, and technology to maintain a consistent and compelling user experience.

• Expertly facilitate and moderate core design methodologies including Design Thinking, Ideation, Co-Creation Workshops, Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD), and Service Blueprints, selecting the most impactful formats for each project phase.

• Visualize and materialize abstract concepts into tangible outputs through compelling storytelling, strategic visualisations, and prototypes across various fidelity levels to drive stakeholder alignment and decision-making.

• Maintain a high standard of quality and innovation, confidently challenging conventional approaches and encouraging exploration, iteration, and adoption of novel solutions with clients.

• Foster professional growth within the design team through constructive critique, close collaboration, and demonstrable craft leadership.

• Embrace and integrate AI-native workflows, focusing on intent formulation, leveraging generative tools for idea expansion, and applying critical judgment to ensure the quality and deployability of AI-generated design elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a strategic leadership role that requires deep expertise in various design disciplines, coupled with strong project management and client advisory skills. The emphasis on "holding workstreams together" and being the "red thread" highlights a crucial operations-like function of ensuring alignment and smooth execution across diverse project components. The "AI-native" aspect is a key differentiator, suggesting a need for candidates who are not just users but strategists of AI in design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Business Administration with a focus on Design, or a related field is typically expected for this level.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in Experience Design, Design Strategy, or a similar strategic consulting role, with a strong preference for agency or consulting environments. For Senior Manager level, proven experience leading large-scale engagements and managing client relationships at an executive level is essential.

Required Skills:

• Experience Strategy Leadership: Proven ability to define and lead experience and design strategy across diverse project types (Brand Experience, CX, Service Design, IA).

• Design Thinking & Methodologies: Deep expertise in Design Thinking, Ideation, Co-Creation Workshops, Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD), and Service Blueprints, with the ability to select and apply them effectively.

• Strategic Business Acumen: Strong understanding of complex B2B business models, use cases, and stakeholder landscapes, with the ability to translate these into strategic experience decisions.

• Storytelling & Visualization: Exceptional talent for storytelling, visual communication, and prototyping to make complex ideas clear, engaging, and actionable for diverse audiences.

• Consulting Acumen: Ability to consult on a strategic level, translate business needs into design principles, and maintain a clear vision throughout projects.

• Project Execution Management: Skill in coordinating multiple workstreams (strategy, content, design, technology) to deliver cohesive and consistent user experiences.

• AI Integration: Proficient in AI-native workflows, including formulating intents for generative tools and critically evaluating AI-generated outputs.

• Language Proficiency: Excellent command of both German and English, both written and spoken, for effective client and team communication.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in Brand Identity development.

• Familiarity with specific generative AI design tools.

• Experience in developing and mentoring junior design staff.

• A strong portfolio showcasing successful digital transformation projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of strategic thinking, design craft, methodological rigor, and client management skills. The explicit mention of "senior-manager level" implies a need for leadership experience in steering large engagements and managing client relationships at an executive level. The "AI-native" requirement is a forward-looking skill that will differentiate candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Impact Showcase: Demonstrate a portfolio that clearly illustrates your ability to lead and shape experience and design strategy for complex business models. This should go beyond just visual design to show strategic thinking and problem-solving.

• Methodological Application: Include case studies that detail your application of core methodologies such as Design Thinking, JTBD, Service Blueprints, and co-creation workshops, explaining why these methods were chosen and their impact.

• End-to-End Project Examples: Present projects that showcase your ability to manage workstreams across strategy, content, design, and technology, highlighting how you ensured a consistent and cohesive end-to-end experience.

• AI Integration Examples: Where possible, showcase how you have leveraged AI tools in your design process, from ideation to prototyping, and the resulting benefits.

• Client Engagement & Storytelling: Provide examples of how you've used storytelling, visualization, and prototyping to align stakeholders and drive decisions in client engagements.

Process Documentation:

• Strategic Framework Design: Detail your process for developing strategic frameworks that translate business objectives into actionable experience principles.

• Workshop Facilitation & Output: Document your approach to designing and facilitating co-creation and ideation workshops, including how you capture and translate insights into tangible design artifacts.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Illustrate your methods for ensuring alignment and seamless integration between different project disciplines (strategy, content, design, technology) to maintain experience consistency.

• Iterative Development & AI Integration: Describe your process for iterative design and how you incorporate AI-native workflows for rapid exploration and refinement of design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role at this level, a portfolio is critical. It needs to demonstrate not just design execution but strategic leadership, methodological expertise, and the ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary projects. The inclusion of AI-native workflows in the portfolio is a significant differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €60,000 - €130,000 gross per year (All-in). This range is inclusive of all salary components and is a target range. The final offer will depend on the candidate's skills, responsibilities, and experience.

Benefits:

• Team Spirit & Collaboration: A collegial environment with strong mutual support and a good sense of humor.

• Transparent Structures: Flat hierarchies and an open-door policy fostering direct communication.

• Generous Leave: "Open Vacation Policy" with additional "Above & Beyond" days beyond statutory leave.

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

• Flexible Hours: Broad range of flexible working hours, with reliable scheduling for client and team meetings.

• Adaptable Models: Options for full-time or part-time employment, and flexible contract durations.

• Project Variety: Engaging, innovative, and diverse projects offering a steep learning curve and the opportunity to drive real progress.

• Professional Development: Individual training budget for workshops, certifications, and coaching.

• Career Progression: Clear structures for career development, even within flat hierarchies.

• Mobility & Events: Public transport subsidy (up to €467 for Öffi/Deutschlandticket), regular team events, and attendance at trade fairs and conventions.

• Modern Workspace: Central, modern, and creative loft offices equipped with amenities including snacks and drinks.

• Performance Rewards: A system to reward personal and entrepreneurial successes.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with significant flexibility in scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is comprehensive for a Senior Consultant to Senior Manager level in Germany, reflecting the strategic nature and responsibilities of the role. The benefits package is extensive, emphasizing flexibility, professional growth, and work-life balance, which are attractive to experienced professionals. The "All-in" clarification is important for understanding the total compensation structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Transformation Consulting & Growth. TOWA positions itself as a "digital growth company" focused on driving digital transformation from strategy to execution, creating measurable progress and impact.

Company Size: The exact number of employees isn't specified, but the mention of "flat hierarchies," "team spirit," and "loft offices" suggests a medium-sized, dynamic, and collaborative company environment. The need to build a "Talent Pool" indicates growth.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's focus on modern digital transformation, AI-native workflows, and end-to-end execution implies a forward-thinking and established presence in the digital consulting space.

Team Structure:

• Consulting Cluster Focus: The role is part of a "Consulting Cluster," indicating a structured division within the company focused on client advisory services.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role requires close collaboration with strategy, content, design, and technology teams, underscoring a highly integrated and cross-functional working environment.

• Leadership & Mentorship: The role involves developing colleagues and visible "craft leadership" within the design team, suggesting a culture that values internal growth and knowledge sharing.

Methodology:

• Holistic Approach: TOWA emphasizes a holistic approach, covering strategy to implementation and considering business models, technology, and customer experience.

• AI-Native Integration: A core methodology is the "AI-native" approach, prioritizing intent and leveraging AI for efficiency and innovation in design and strategy.

• Agile & Iterative: The culture encourages exploration, iteration, and continuous improvement, aligning with modern digital project delivery.

Company Website: https://www.towa-digital.com

📝 Enhancement Note: TOWA's culture appears to be modern, agile, and employee-centric, with a strong emphasis on driving tangible results for clients through digital transformation. The "AI-native" methodology is a significant cultural and operational differentiator.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is situated at the Senior Consultant to Senior Manager level within the Consulting Cluster. This signifies a position of significant responsibility, requiring independent project leadership, strategic client advisory, and the ability to mentor junior team members. It represents a mid-to-senior career stage in digital strategy and design consulting.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to Julius Wuhnsen. While his specific title isn't provided, the context suggests he is a leader within the consulting or design domain, likely a Director or Partner level, overseeing strategic engagements and talent development.

Operations Impact: The "Experience & Design Strategist" has a profound impact on revenue and business decisions by shaping customer experiences, brand perception, and digital strategies. By translating business models into customer-centric solutions, this role directly influences customer acquisition, retention, and overall business growth for TOWA's clients. The "measurable progress and real impact" tagline underscores this focus.

Growth Opportunities:

• Vertical Growth: Clear career paths exist, allowing progression from Senior Consultant to Senior Manager and potentially to higher leadership roles within the Consulting Cluster or specialized design leadership positions.

• Skill Specialization & Expansion: The individual training budget and exposure to diverse projects provide opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design disciplines (e.g., AI in design, advanced CX strategy) or broaden into related areas like digital strategy or product management.

• Leadership Development: The emphasis on "craft leadership" and developing colleagues offers clear pathways into team leadership, mentorship, and strategic management roles within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers substantial growth potential, appealing to ambitious professionals seeking to advance their careers in digital strategy and design leadership. The company's commitment to individual development and clear career paths is a strong draw.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: TOWA operates modern "Loft Offices" that are centrally located, creatively designed, and equipped to foster collaboration, idea generation, and social interaction. These offices provide a dynamic and inspiring physical workspace.

Office Location(s): The primary advertised location is Düsseldorf, Germany. The "Work from anywhere" policy suggests that while physical office presence is available and encouraged for collaboration, it's not a strict requirement, offering significant flexibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The loft office design implies open, flexible spaces conducive to team collaboration, brainstorming, and informal interactions.

• Tools & Technology: While not explicitly detailed, the role's focus on digital transformation, AI-native workflows, and modern design suggests access to cutting-edge design software, collaboration platforms, and AI tools.

• Team Interaction: The emphasis on team spirit and open communication fosters frequent and meaningful interaction with colleagues, promoting knowledge sharing and a strong sense of community.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours with a broad range of options are provided, allowing employees to set their own rhythm. However, this flexibility is balanced with the need for reliability in client meetings and team collaborations, ensuring operational continuity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is designed to be flexible, collaborative, and inspiring, catering to modern work preferences while ensuring operational effectiveness. The "work from anywhere" policy is a significant perk for professionals seeking autonomy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV, salary expectations, and availability. This will likely be a brief call to ensure basic fit and logistical alignment.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will be expected to present a curated portfolio showcasing relevant experience in experience and design strategy. Focus on case studies that demonstrate strategic thinking, methodological application, AI integration, and impact on client business goals. Be prepared to discuss your role, process, and outcomes in detail.

• Methodology & Strategy Deep Dive: Interviews will likely include discussions about your approach to complex client challenges, your understanding of various design and strategy methodologies, and how you integrate AI into your workflow. Expect scenario-based questions.

• Cultural Fit & Team Interaction: Interviews will assess alignment with TOWA's culture – collaboration, innovation, and a drive for impact. You may meet with potential team members or leadership to gauge fit.

• Final Evaluation: Focus will be on your strategic depth, leadership potential, and ability to deliver tangible results for clients.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best represent the required skills (strategy, CX, service design, AI integration, client impact).

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study with a clear narrative: the client's challenge, your strategic approach, the methodologies used (including AI), the solutions developed, and the measurable business impact.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions and leadership in each project, especially for the Senior Manager level.

• Showcase Process & Tools: Detail your design process, including how you collaborate and how you integrate AI-native workflows. Mention key tools and technologies used.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success and ROI of your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Problem Solving: Be ready to tackle a hypothetical design strategy challenge. Practice outlining a structured approach, identifying key stakeholders, selecting appropriate methodologies, and considering AI integration.

• Methodology Application: Prepare to explain how you would apply specific methodologies (e.g., JTBD, Service Blueprinting) to a given business problem.

• AI Strategy: Think about how you would advise a client on leveraging AI for customer experience enhancement or operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process will likely involve a strong emphasis on portfolio demonstration and strategic thinking. Candidates should prepare to articulate their processes, methodologies, and the tangible impact of their work, with a specific focus on how they integrate modern approaches like AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD), InVision, or similar for creating wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and visual assets.

• AI-Powered Design Tools: Familiarity and practical experience with generative AI tools for ideation, content creation, image generation, and potentially code generation (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, ChatGPT for ideation, potentially AI coding assistants).

• Collaboration Platforms: Experience with tools like Miro, Mural, Confluence, or similar for remote collaboration, workshop facilitation, and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Understanding of tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar to analyze user behavior and measure the impact of experience designs.

• Customer Feedback Tools: Familiarity with platforms for gathering and analyzing customer feedback (e.g., survey tools, NPS platforms).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a primary focus, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) integrate with customer experiences is beneficial.

• Service Design Tools: Familiarity with tools or platforms that support Service Blueprints and journey mapping.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes modern design tools, a strong emphasis on AI-powered creative tools, and collaborative platforms. Candidates should be comfortable with a digital-first, AI-integrated design workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact & Progress: A core value is driving "measurable progress and real impact" for clients, emphasizing results-oriented work and tangible outcomes.

• Innovation & Agility: The "Alles ist BETA" (Everything is BETA) mindset promotes a culture of continuous experimentation, iteration, and embracing new ideas, including AI.

• Holistic Thinking: Valuing a comprehensive approach that integrates strategy, technology, and customer experience for end-to-end solutions.

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A commitment to high standards in design and strategy, ensuring excellence in execution.

• Collaboration & Ownership: Fostering a collegial environment where team members support each other and take ownership of their contributions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: A highly collaborative style is expected, bridging gaps between strategy, content, design, and technology teams to ensure cohesive project delivery.

• Open Communication & Feedback: The "Open-Door-Mentalität" and emphasis on developing colleagues suggest a culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and mutual learning.

• Client Partnership: Working closely with clients, challenging them when necessary, and co-creating solutions to ensure alignment and buy-in.

• AI as a Partner: Embracing AI as a collaborative tool to augment human creativity and efficiency, rather than a replacement.

📝 Enhancement Note: TOWA's culture appears to be progressive, results-driven, and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on innovation and continuous improvement, particularly through the integration of AI.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge will be translating highly complex business models and technical requirements into simple, intuitive, and engaging customer experiences.

• Balancing Strategy & Execution: Ensuring that strategic visions are effectively translated into tangible design outputs and implemented seamlessly across different workstreams.

• AI Integration Strategy: Navigating the evolving landscape of AI in design, defining best practices, and effectively integrating AI tools to enhance, not hinder, the creative process and client outcomes.

• Client Alignment & Change Management: Guiding clients through transformation processes, managing expectations, and ensuring buy-in for innovative design solutions, potentially challenging their existing paradigms.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Specialization: Opportunities to become a thought leader and expert in applying generative AI and other AI technologies to experience and design strategy.

• Advanced Consulting Skills: Deepening expertise in strategic client advisory, large-scale project management, and executive-level stakeholder engagement.

• Cross-Disciplinary Expertise: Gaining exposure to and understanding of other areas within digital transformation, such as data analytics, marketing technology, and product development.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Developing leadership capabilities through managing teams, mentoring junior colleagues, and contributing to the company's strategic direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex challenges in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, particularly with the integration of AI into design and strategy.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you translated a complex B2B business model into a clear customer experience strategy. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on strategic translation, methodology, and impact).

• "How do you ensure consistency and alignment across strategy, content, design, and technology workstreams in a project? Provide an example." (Focus on project orchestration and cross-functional collaboration).

• "Imagine a client wants to leverage AI for their customer service. How would you approach designing an AI-native customer experience for them, from intent formulation to deployment?" (Focus on AI integration strategy and process). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What does 'Alles ist BETA' mean to you in the context of digital transformation and design strategy?" (Assess understanding of iterative, experimental culture).

• "How would you contribute to TOWA's 'craft leadership' and help develop junior colleagues within the design team?" (Assess mentorship and collaborative values).

• "How do you measure the impact of your design strategies on a client's business goals?" (Focus on data-driven approach and ROI). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with an executive summary of your most impactful projects. For each case study, clearly state the challenge, your strategic approach, the methodologies and AI tools used, your specific role and contributions, and the quantifiable results.

• Visual Storytelling: Use compelling visuals, mockups, and journey maps to illustrate your design thinking and solutions.

• Process Articulation: Be prepared to walk through your detailed process for each project, emphasizing how you managed complexity and collaborated with stakeholders.

• AI Integration Emphasis: Highlight specific instances where AI tools were used and the benefits they brought to the project's efficiency or outcome.

• Engagement: Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your decisions, challenges faced, and lessons learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating strategic thinking, demonstrating practical application of methodologies, showcasing AI integration capabilities, and quantifying the business impact of your work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on join.com.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your most relevant case studies that highlight experience strategy, design thinking, AI integration, and measurable business impact. Ensure each case study tells a compelling story of problem, process, solution, and outcome.

• Tailor Your CV: Optimize your CV to clearly showcase your experience in experience design, digital transformation, strategic consulting, and any AI-related design work. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Pitch: Practice articulating your approach to challenging design problems, your experience with core methodologies, and your vision for AI in customer experience. Be ready to present your portfolio confidently.

• Research TOWA: Understand TOWA's mission, values, and their focus on "digital growth" and "AI-native" approaches. Prepare to discuss how your skills and aspirations align with their culture.

⚠️ 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.