Senior Design Strategist- Healthcare

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Design Strategist - Healthcare Company: Philips Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: Healthcare Design Strategy & Operations Date Posted: February 11, 2026 Experience Level: 10+ Years Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the transformation of healthcare by leading the strategic design and implementation of patient monitoring solutions to enhance care quality and sustainability.
• Develop and validate customer-facing recommendations and best practices focused on improving clinical and operational outcomes within healthcare settings.
• Foster seamless collaboration across engineering, product, sales, operations, and delivery teams to ensure an exceptional customer experience and drive innovation.
• Utilize a human-centered design approach to navigate complex organizational and customer challenges, advocating for data-informed decisions and sustainable solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Design Strategist within the healthcare technology sector, specifically focused on patient monitoring solutions. The core function involves bridging strategic design thinking with operational execution to improve healthcare delivery. The emphasis on "systems thinking," "workflows," and "customer-centric frameworks" indicates a strong need for operations-minded individuals who can translate design concepts into scalable, practical applications within complex hospital environments. This role requires a blend of strategic foresight, design expertise, and a deep understanding of healthcare operational dynamics.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, validate, and continuously advance customer-facing recommendations and best practices that drive tangible improvements in clinical and operational outcomes for patient monitoring solutions.
• Champion seamless collaboration with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, sales, operations, and delivery, to create an exceptional customer experience from solution design to implementation.
• Lead co-creation and participatory design activities with internal stakeholders and external customers (clinicians, administrators) to spark collaboration and inspire breakthrough innovation in patient monitoring.
• Guide teams through complexity by advocating for human-centered methods to navigate both organizational and customer challenges, ensuring the delivery of better patient and caregiver outcomes.
• Leverage quantitative and qualitative data to inform design decisions, guide continuous optimization efforts, and rigorously measure the impact and ROI of implemented solutions.
• Develop and deploy customer-centric frameworks, tools, and optimized workflows that improve caregiver efficiency, reduce the cost of care, and enhance patient safety and monitoring effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strong operational component, requiring the candidate to not only design but also ensure the practical implementation and measurable success of solutions within real-world healthcare settings. This includes a focus on cross-functional team leadership, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven validation of impact, which are critical for senior operations and strategy roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in User-Centered Design, Design Management, or a related healthcare field (Master’s degree preferred).

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in product/service design, design strategy, or healthcare program management, with a deep understanding of hospital operations, patient monitoring systems, clinical informatics, or patient safety protocols.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated mastery of system design principles and service design methodologies, with a proven ability to map complex user journeys and service ecosystems.
• Expertise in stakeholder facilitation, stakeholder mapping, and cross-disciplinary leadership within complex organizational structures.
• Proficiency in leveraging quantitative and qualitative data to inform design decisions, guide continuous optimization, and measure the impact of solutions.
• Proven track record of leading customer-centric programs and initiatives, with a passion for creating sustainable solutions to complex healthcare problems.
• Strong advocacy for human-centered methods and the ability to guide teams through ambiguity and organizational challenges.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex strategies and insights to diverse audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with patient monitoring technologies and their integration into clinical workflows.
• Knowledge of clinical informatics, electronic health records (EHR) systems, and healthcare data standards.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and their application in healthcare innovation.
• Experience in change management and driving adoption of new technologies and processes within healthcare organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements highlight a need for deep domain knowledge in healthcare operations and patient monitoring, coupled with advanced design and strategic capabilities. The emphasis on "system design principles" and "stakeholder facilitation" suggests the need for someone who can manage complex projects and influence across departments, a hallmark of senior operations and strategy roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive case studies showcasing the design and strategic implementation of complex solutions within a healthcare or similar regulated environment.
• Each case study should clearly articulate the problem statement, the design and strategic process undertaken, the key stakeholders involved, and the measurable impact on clinical, operational, or financial outcomes.
• Highlight examples of developing and refining customer-facing recommendations, best practices, or scalable frameworks that led to tangible improvements.
• Include evidence of cross-functional collaboration and leadership, illustrating how you guided diverse teams toward a shared vision and successful execution.
• Showcase the application of human-centered design and systems thinking principles to solve complex challenges, with a focus on user experience and operational efficiency.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have documented and optimized workflows, particularly those related to patient monitoring, clinical decision support, or caregiver support systems.
• Illustrate your approach to using data (quantitative and qualitative) for process validation, continuous improvement, and demonstrating the ROI of design and operational initiatives.
• Showcase experience in developing frameworks or tools that facilitate participatory design and co-creation activities with both internal teams and external customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Design Strategist role, a portfolio is critical. The requirements emphasize demonstrating impact through case studies that highlight strategic thinking, operational implementation, and measurable outcomes, aligning with the expectations for senior roles in design strategy and operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $139,400 - $223,000.00 annually (Cambridge, MA)

Benefits:

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Ample leave for rest and personal pursuits.
• 401k Retirement Plan: With a company match of up to 7%, supporting long-term financial security.
• Health Savings Account (HSA): With a company contribution, for managing healthcare expenses.
• Stock Purchase Plan: Opportunity to invest in Philips' success.
• Education Reimbursement: Support for continuous learning and professional development.
• Comprehensive Philips Total Rewards: Includes other benefits detailed on the Philips benefits portal.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week. The role is office-based, requiring presence in Cambridge, MA, with an expectation of working in-person at least 3 days per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided for Cambridge, MA, reflecting a competitive market for senior strategy and design roles in the healthcare technology sector. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical for a large, established health technology company like Philips, and includes elements that support financial well-being and professional growth, which are attractive to experienced operations professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Health Technology Company Size: Philips is a large, global health technology company, employing tens of thousands worldwide. This size offers opportunities for broad impact and extensive career development, while also requiring strategic navigation of complex organizational structures. Founded: Philips was founded in 1891, bringing a rich history and established reputation in innovation and healthcare solutions.

Team Structure:

• The role likely sits within a dedicated design strategy or innovation team focused on specific product lines, such as Patient Monitoring, within the Connected Care business segment.
• Reporting structure will likely be to a Director or VP of Design Strategy or Innovation, with close collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, and Clinical Affairs leaders.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, involving close partnerships with Sales, Operations, Delivery, and Marketing teams to ensure holistic solution development and market success.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on data-driven design and decision-making, utilizing both quantitative metrics and qualitative insights from users and stakeholders.
• Application of human-centered design, service design, and systems thinking principles to tackle complex healthcare challenges and optimize user experiences.
• Focus on creating scalable, sustainable solutions and best practices that can be adopted across the organization and by customers.

Company Website: https://www.philips.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Philips' position as a major health technology company implies a culture that values innovation, quality, and patient well-being. The "Connected Care" focus suggests a data-intensive and collaborative environment where operational efficiency and user experience are paramount.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, indicating a significant level of autonomy, strategic input, and responsibility for guiding complex initiatives. It requires not just execution but also the ability to define strategy, influence stakeholders, and mentor others.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Design Strategist will likely report to a Director or VP level executive within the design, innovation, or product strategy function. They will work closely with peers in Product Management, Engineering, and Operations, and may have influence over project teams without direct managerial responsibility.

Operations Impact: The role is designed to have a direct impact on the success of Philips' patient monitoring solutions by improving clinical outcomes, operational efficiencies for healthcare providers, and the overall customer experience. This translates to driving adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue and market leadership.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to become a leading expert in patient monitoring design strategy and healthcare operational transformation within Philips.
• Leadership: Potential to move into management roles, leading teams of design strategists or innovation specialists, or to transition into broader product strategy or operations leadership roles.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning through exposure to cutting-edge healthcare technology, complex problem-solving, and advanced design and strategic methodologies. Philips' support for education reimbursement further facilitates skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title, coupled with the emphasis on strategy, systems thinking, and cross-functional leadership, positions this role as a key contributor with significant potential for career advancement within Philips' extensive health technology ecosystem.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an office-based role requiring a hybrid work arrangement, with at least 3 days per week in the Cambridge, MA office. This setup balances the need for in-person collaboration and team cohesion with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. This location places the role within a vibrant technology and innovation hub, offering access to a rich talent pool and collaborative opportunities.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is expected to be collaborative, fostering interaction and knowledge sharing among design strategists, product teams, and engineering counterparts.
• Access to relevant design and collaboration tools, as well as Philips' broader technology infrastructure, will be available.
• Opportunities for direct engagement with product development teams and potentially with external partners or customer sites (though the primary role is office-based).

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours, likely with some flexibility, but with a clear expectation for in-office presence on designated days to facilitate collaboration and team integration. The focus is on delivering results and driving projects forward effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is typical for senior roles in tech and healthcare, balancing collaboration with flexibility. The Cambridge location is a significant advantage, placing the individual in a key innovation ecosystem.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the role's requirements, with a particular focus on healthcare experience and strategic design capabilities.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion to delve deeper into your experience, approach to design strategy, understanding of healthcare operations, and leadership style. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your career.
• Panel Interview/Case Study: This stage will likely involve presenting a portfolio case study and/or working through a design strategy challenge relevant to patient monitoring or healthcare workflows. Expect questions probing your problem-solving process, data utilization, and stakeholder management skills.
• Cross-Functional Team Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product, Engineering, and potentially Sales or Operations to assess collaboration fit and understanding of business needs.
• Final Interview: A conversation with senior leadership to discuss overall fit, strategic vision, and long-term potential within Philips.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest case studies that best demonstrate your experience in healthcare, patient monitoring, systems thinking, and driving measurable outcomes.
• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process (design, strategy, operations), the challenges faced, your solutions, and most importantly, the quantifiable results (e.g., improved patient safety, increased efficiency, cost reduction).
• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase how you worked with diverse teams (engineering, product, clinical, sales, operations) and managed stakeholders effectively.
• Demonstrate Process: Explain your methodology for research, ideation, validation, and implementation, emphasizing human-centered design and data-driven approaches.
• Tailor to Philips: Research Philips' mission, products (especially patient monitoring), and current challenges. Frame your examples to show how your skills align with their strategic goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate scenario-based questions or a mini-case study related to optimizing a patient monitoring workflow, improving caregiver experience with technology, or designing a new service component for a healthcare solution.
• Practice articulating your thought process clearly, outlining your steps, assumptions, and how you would leverage data and stakeholder input.
• Be ready to discuss how you would balance user needs, clinical requirements, operational feasibility, and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is expected to be rigorous, focusing on both strategic design expertise and practical operational understanding. A well-prepared portfolio and clear communication of impact are crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency in tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), and potentially specialized UX/UI design tools.
• Collaboration Platforms: Experience with tools like Miro, Mural, Microsoft Teams, or Slack for remote collaboration, brainstorming, and co-creation.
• Project Management Software: Familiarity with JIRA, Asana, Trello, or similar tools for managing project timelines, tasks, and cross-functional workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret data from various sources. While specific tools aren't listed, familiarity with Excel, Google Sheets, and potentially BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for data visualization and reporting is beneficial.
• Qualitative Research Tools: Experience with survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics) and user interview analysis methods.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design strategy integrates with customer relationship management and operational workflows is valuable. Familiarity with how customer feedback loops into product and service improvement is key.
• Experience with systems thinking implies an understanding of how different technologies and processes interact, even if not directly configuring automation tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes design and collaboration tools, with an underlying expectation of data literacy and an understanding of how design impacts broader operational systems within a health tech context.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Patient-Centricity: A deep commitment to improving patient outcomes and experiences through thoughtful design and effective operations.
• Innovation: A drive to explore new ideas, technologies, and approaches to solve complex healthcare challenges.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and the ability to work effectively across diverse disciplines and perspectives.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on evidence, research, and metrics to inform strategy, validate solutions, and measure impact.
• Quality & Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and impactful solutions that meet rigorous healthcare standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expectation to actively engage with and influence teams across Product Management, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, and Operations to ensure aligned strategy and seamless execution.
• Co-Creation Workshops: A culture that embraces participatory design, involving stakeholders at all levels to foster shared understanding and ownership.
• Feedback-Rich Environment: Openness to constructive feedback and a continuous improvement mindset, applying insights from internal teams and external customers.
• Strategic Partnership: Acting as a strategic partner to business units, providing design and operational expertise to help achieve business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values and collaboration style suggest a dynamic, results-oriented environment where interdisciplinary teamwork and a focus on tangible impact are highly valued, aligning with the needs of a senior operations and strategy role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Healthcare Complexity: Addressing the intricate regulatory environment, diverse stakeholder needs (clinicians, administrators, patients, IT), and legacy systems within hospitals.
• Driving Adoption of New Solutions: Overcoming resistance to change and ensuring effective implementation and utilization of new patient monitoring technologies and workflows.
• Measuring Impact in Healthcare: Quantifying the ROI and clinical impact of design and operational improvements in a setting where outcomes are complex and multifactorial.
• Balancing Innovation with Scalability: Developing groundbreaking solutions while ensuring they are practical, cost-effective, and scalable for broad deployment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of patient monitoring, clinical informatics, and hospital operations through hands-on project work.
• Advanced Methodologies: Mastering cutting-edge design strategy, service design, and systems thinking approaches within a real-world health tech context.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Developing skills in influencing, negotiating, and leading diverse teams without direct authority.
• Industry Exposure: Staying abreast of the latest trends and innovations in health technology, patient care, and operational excellence through internal projects and potentially industry events/training.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in the health tech sector, requiring strategic thinking and robust problem-solving skills. The growth opportunities align with career progression in design strategy and operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed and validated a complex customer-facing recommendation that led to significant clinical or operational improvements. What was your process, and how did you measure success?" (Focus on your process, data use, and impact metrics).
• "How do you approach collaborating with cross-functional teams (e.g., engineering, sales, operations) to ensure a seamless customer experience for a new healthcare solution?" (Highlight your communication, negotiation, and team-building skills).
• "Walk us through a situation where you applied human-centered design principles to solve a complex organizational or customer challenge in healthcare. What were the key insights, and what was the outcome?" (Emphasize your methodology and problem-solving approach).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Philips and the healthcare industry, what do you see as the biggest design strategy challenges for patient monitoring solutions in the next 3-5 years?" (Show your industry research and strategic foresight).
• "How would you integrate your role as a Senior Design Strategist into the daily operations of a hospital or healthcare system to ensure maximum impact?" (Demonstrate your understanding of operational realities and implementation).
• "Our values include patient-centricity and data-driven decision-making. How have you embodied these values in your previous roles?" (Connect your experience to Philips' core principles).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your specific role and contributions, the methodology and tools used, the challenges encountered, the solution developed, and the quantifiable impact (clinical, operational, financial).
• Emphasize Process and Rationale: Explain why you made certain design or strategic choices, referencing data, user research, or operational constraints.
• Showcase Collaboration: Highlight how you engaged with various stakeholders, managed differing perspectives, and fostered buy-in.
• Keep it Concise and Engaging: Focus on the most critical aspects of each project and be prepared to answer detailed questions. Aim for a presentation that is impactful and easy to follow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational understanding, and the ability to translate design concepts into measurable business and patient outcomes within the healthcare context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent design strategy position:

• Submit your application through the official Philips careers portal.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select and refine 3-5 of your most impactful case studies, specifically highlighting projects within healthcare, patient monitoring, or complex system design that demonstrate measurable clinical or operational improvements.
• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume emphasizes keywords related to design strategy, healthcare operations, patient monitoring, human-centered design, systems thinking, data analysis, and cross-functional leadership. Quantify your achievements wherever possible.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear articulation of strategy, process, collaboration, and impact. Be ready to discuss your approach to complex healthcare challenges.
• Research Philips: Familiarize yourself with Philips' mission, its patient monitoring solutions, its competitors, and its stated values. Understand how your role contributes to their overall strategy and goal of improving healthcare.

⚠️ 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.