Senior Design Strategist (San Diego)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Design Strategist

Company: LINK

Location: San Diego, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Strategy / Government Contracting Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-18

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the development and execution of innovative, human-centered design strategies to solve complex challenges within the federal government sector.

• Serve as a strategic bridge, translating technical realities and human needs into actionable insights for executive-level clients and cross-functional teams.

• Drive strategic direction, uncover critical insights, and transform them into compelling visual stories and solutions that advance client objectives.

• Facilitate high-stakes workshops, design sprints, and co-creation sessions to foster collaboration, innovation, and alignment among diverse stakeholders.

• Inform product, service, and program strategy through rigorous, research-driven insights, influencing prioritization and decision-making processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) that specifically leverages human-centered design for strategy, innovation, and communication within the federal government. The operations focus is on supporting these high-level strategic initiatives through design and research, implying a need for process optimization in client engagement and project delivery.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the development and execution of human-centered design strategies to address complex client challenges, particularly within the federal government and its adjacent industry partners.

• Lead deep collaboration with engineering teams and subject matter experts to shape strategy grounded in technical realities and human needs, ensuring alignment and shared understanding.

• Act as a strategic bridge between technical and non-technical stakeholders, translating complex systems, research findings, and trade-offs into clear, executive-level visualizations.

• Define content strategy, information architecture, and experience frameworks, guiding wireframing and content mapping efforts across project teams.

• Design and lead high-stakes workshops, design sprints, and co-creation sessions, developing human-centered facilitation approaches to enable government teams to collaborate, innovate, and navigate complexity.

• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative inputs from research and workshops into actionable insights, opportunity areas, and strategic recommendations for senior stakeholders.

• Oversee and conduct mixed-method user research, including interviews, contextual inquiry, and stakeholder analysis, to inform strategy and design direction.

• Translate technical and policy-heavy concepts into clear, human-centered narratives and visual stories that resonate with diverse audiences.

• Elevate the clarity and rigor of research communication through compelling, accessible visual narratives and decision-support tools.

• Inform product, service, and program strategy through research-driven insights that influence direction, prioritization, and decision-making at the program and portfolio levels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic leadership, client-facing facilitation, and deep analytical work in translating complex information into actionable design strategies. This requires strong process management for research, workshop execution, and client communication, directly impacting the operational efficiency of client engagements.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Communication, Sociology/Psychology, or related fields.

Experience: 10+ years of experience in design strategy or related roles, with a strong emphasis on government contracting and federal agency engagement.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in human-centered design and design thinking methodologies, with a proven ability to transform data into impactful visual stories.

• Extensive experience in various design areas including service design, experience design, brand development, information design, and graphic design, with the ability to propose optimal solutions for diverse projects.

• Proficient in designing and facilitating design thinking and interactive research sessions with executive leaders and their teams.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with clients and cross-functional teams.

• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud and professional design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Miro).

• Active Secret clearance required; Top Secret clearance preferred.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in leading strategy development for product, service, or program initiatives.

• Advanced proficiency in information architecture and content strategy development.

• Familiarity with agile methodologies and their application in design strategy.

• Experience with translating technical and policy-heavy concepts into accessible narratives.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and client engagements simultaneously.

📝 Enhancement Note: The clearance requirement strongly suggests that operations in this role will involve handling sensitive government information and projects, necessitating strict adherence to security protocols and data handling procedures. The emphasis on diverse design areas implies a need for flexible project management methodologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive design portfolio that clearly highlights extensive design strategy expertise and quantifiable project outcomes.

• Case studies demonstrating the application of human-centered design and design thinking methodologies to solve complex business or government challenges.

• Examples of transforming qualitative and quantitative research data into actionable insights and strategic recommendations.

• Visualizations of complex systems, journey maps, or frameworks that facilitated executive-level decision-making.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrations of structured approaches to user research planning, execution, and synthesis, with clear documentation of methodologies and findings.

• Examples of information architecture and content strategy development processes, showcasing how these frameworks informed design outcomes.

• Documentation illustrating the process of translating complex technical or policy information into clear, human-centered narratives and visual stories.

• Evidence of iterative design processes, including feedback loops and adaptation based on stakeholder input and research insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical application of design strategy principles and the ability to manage complex projects from research through to strategic output. This aligns with operations' need for demonstrable process execution and measurable impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $112,000 - $151,000 annually. This range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for Senior Design Strategists in San Diego, CA, considering the specified experience level (10+ years) and the nature of government contracting work. The final offer may vary based on individual experience, skills, and specific qualifications.

Benefits:

• $100 monthly internet/cell phone stipend.

• LINK-sponsored healthcare benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Company-paid Short Term Disability Insurance.

• 401K with an employer contribution of up to 4%.

• 11 Federal Holidays per year.

• 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year.

• Paid Holiday Time Off (Christmas Eve through the New Year).

• Annual bonus plan participation.

• Annual profit sharing participation.

• $2,000 Learning and Development program reimbursement for professional growth.

• Technology package including a LINK-owned MacBook Pro, monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Occasional onsite presence may be required for client meetings, presentations, or working sessions, potentially involving local or national travel.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range reflects a senior-level position within a specialized niche (government contracting design strategy). The benefits package is comprehensive, with specific provisions for remote work support (internet/cell phone stipend) and professional development, which are key considerations for operations professionals seeking a supportive work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Contracting, Strategy, Innovation, Design, Communication. LINK operates at the intersection of federal government needs and cutting-edge design methodologies, positioning itself as a critical partner for agencies seeking to modernize and improve their operations and citizen services.

Company Size: Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) - This size often implies a close-knit team, agility in decision-making, and a strong sense of shared purpose. For operations professionals, this can mean opportunities for broader impact and direct influence on processes and strategy.

Founded: Information not explicitly provided, but the description suggests a company focused on leveraging human-centered design for innovation and change.

Team Structure:

• The team likely comprises design strategists, engineers, futurists, and thought leaders, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving.

• The Senior Design Strategist will likely interact with various client-side government teams and internal subject matter experts, requiring strong cross-functional collaboration skills.

Methodology:

• Human-centered design and design thinking are core methodologies, driving innovation and client solutions.

• Emphasis on translating complexity into clear visual stories and actionable strategies, indicating a rigorous analytical and communication process.

• Collaboration with technical experts suggests an integrated approach to strategy development, ensuring feasibility and impact.

Company Website: www.link.com

📝 Enhancement Note: As a WOSB in the government contracting space, LINK likely emphasizes strong ethical practices, client-centricity, and a commitment to delivering high-impact solutions. The operational focus will be on efficient project delivery, client relationship management, and navigating the specific procurement and security requirements of federal contracts.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the design strategy domain, focusing on high-impact client engagements and strategic leadership. It's a crucial role for shaping client direction and demonstrating the value of design thinking within government operations.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Design Strategist will likely report to a senior leadership position (e.g., Director of Strategy, VP of Client Services) and may be responsible for guiding or mentoring junior strategists or designers on specific projects.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the operational effectiveness and strategic decision-making of federal government clients by providing clear, data-driven insights and innovative solutions. Success in this role contributes to LINK's reputation for delivering strategic value and driving change.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into Director-level roles, leading larger teams, managing key client accounts, or specializing in specific government sectors.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like service design, organizational change strategy, or advanced visualization techniques.

• Mentorship & Training: Opportunity to mentor junior team members and contribute to the development of internal design strategy processes and best practices.

• Business Development: Involvement in proposal writing and client engagement for new business opportunities within the federal sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for a Senior Design Strategist in this context involves not only deepening design expertise but also developing strong client management, project leadership, and potentially business development skills, all of which are critical for operational success and career progression within a consulting firm.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment. While the role is based in San Diego, occasional onsite presence may be required for client meetings, presentations, or working sessions, including potential local or national travel. This implies a flexible approach to work location but with a need for adaptability to in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): San Diego, California, United States.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model supports a balance between remote work flexibility and in-person collaboration essential for intensive strategy sessions and client relationship building.

• Access to a technology package (MacBook Pro, monitor, etc.) ensures employees have the necessary tools for design and strategy work.

• Collaboration with diverse teams (engineers, futurists, government clients) means the workspace will be dynamic and require effective communication across different disciplines and potentially different organizational cultures.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time, 40 hours per week, with the flexibility to accommodate occasional travel and client-specific needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role requires strong self-management and communication skills from an operations perspective, ensuring seamless coordination between remote and in-person activities and effective time management for travel and client commitments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly regarding human-centered design and government contracting.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on design strategy philosophy, past project successes, leadership approach, and understanding of federal government challenges. Preparation should include specific examples from your portfolio.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potential for a case study or design challenge to evaluate problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, facilitation abilities, and the capacity to translate complex information into visual strategies.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: Interaction with potential colleagues or senior leadership to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural alignment with LINK's values.

• Final Interview/Offer: Discussion with senior leadership to finalize terms and extend an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Strategic Impact: Focus on how your design strategy work led to tangible outcomes, such as improved decision-making, increased efficiency, or successful innovation for clients.

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design process, from research and insight generation to strategy development and visualization. Emphasize your human-centered approach.

• Demonstrate Facilitation Skills: Include examples of how you've designed and led workshops or collaborative sessions, detailing the objectives and outcomes.

• Tailor to Government Context: If possible, include projects that demonstrate experience or understanding of government contracting, federal agency needs, or public sector challenges.

• Visual Storytelling: Ensure your portfolio presentation is itself a compelling visual narrative, mirroring the skills required for the role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with common government challenges related to modernization, digital transformation, and strategic communication.

• Practice articulating complex strategies and research findings concisely and visually.

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical client problem, outlining your methodology and expected deliverables.

• Understand the core principles of human-centered design and design thinking and be ready to apply them to a given scenario.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a design portfolio and potential case study indicates that the hiring process is heavily focused on demonstrating practical skills and strategic thinking. Operations professionals should view this as an opportunity to showcase their ability to manage and execute complex projects with clear, measurable results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential for graphic design, illustration, and layout work (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Professional Design Tools: Proficiency in tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD for interface design, prototyping, and wireframing.

• Collaboration Platforms: Experience with tools like Miro, Mural, or similar for virtual whiteboarding, workshop facilitation, and collaborative design sessions.

• Presentation Software: Advanced skills in PowerPoint or Keynote for creating compelling client presentations and visual narratives.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with user research synthesis tools and methods for analyzing qualitative and quantitative data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design strategies integrate with client relationship management and project management systems is beneficial.

• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello) for managing project timelines and deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the specified design and collaboration tools is critical for effective execution of responsibilities. For operations, understanding how these tools facilitate workflow, client communication, and project tracking is key to assessing the operational efficiency of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centered: A commitment to understanding and addressing the needs of end-users and stakeholders in all design and strategy initiatives.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on working closely with diverse teams, including engineers and government clients, to achieve shared goals.

• Clarity & Impact: A drive to translate complex information into clear, actionable strategies and visualizations that deliver measurable results.

• Innovation: A culture that encourages creative problem-solving and the exploration of new ideas to address evolving challenges.

• Integrity: Operating with a high degree of professionalism and ethical conduct, particularly within the federal government contracting space.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamlessly working with engineers, futurists, and other subject matter experts to ensure strategies are technically sound and human-centered.

• Client Partnership: Building strong, trust-based relationships with government clients, acting as a strategic advisor and facilitator.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages the sharing of insights, best practices, and lessons learned across projects and teams.

• Iterative Feedback: Embracing a process of continuous feedback and adaptation to refine strategies and deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The strong emphasis on collaboration and human-centered values suggests an operational environment that prioritizes effective communication, stakeholder management, and a shared commitment to client success. This translates to operational processes that are designed to foster teamwork and client engagement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Government Environments: Understanding and adapting to the unique structures, processes, and procurement cycles of federal agencies.

• Translating Technical Complexity: Effectively bridging the gap between highly technical concepts and user-centered design requirements for diverse audiences.

• Driving Change and Adoption: Influencing stakeholders and facilitating adoption of new strategies or solutions within established organizational frameworks.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Balancing the requirements and perspectives of various government agencies, internal teams, and end-users.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Federal Sector Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of specific government agencies, their missions, and operational challenges.

• Advanced Design Strategy Techniques: Access to training and resources for cutting-edge methodologies in service design, strategic foresight, and complex systems thinking.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone leadership skills through managing client engagements, mentoring junior staff, and potentially contributing to business development.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Utilization of the $2,000 Learning and Development reimbursement for relevant professional development, conferences, or certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for adaptability, strong problem-solving skills, and excellent stakeholder management. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing a well-rounded professional with deep domain expertise and leadership capabilities, aligning with operational goals of continuous improvement and talent development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex problem you've solved using human-centered design. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" - Preparation: Select a strong portfolio case study, detailing your approach from problem definition to solution and impact. Emphasize your role and the methodologies used.

• "How would you approach designing a new service for a federal agency dealing with [specific challenge, e.g., citizen engagement, data security]?" - Preparation: Outline a phased approach, incorporating research, stakeholder engagement, ideation, prototyping, and testing, tailored to a government context.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about LINK and our work with the federal government?" - Preparation: Research LINK's website, recent projects, and mission. Understand their focus on human-centered design and innovation.

• "How do you foster collaboration between technical teams and design teams?" - Preparation: Discuss your experience in bridging communication gaps and building consensus. Highlight your facilitation skills and understanding of different team perspectives.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio presentation logically, perhaps chronologically by project or thematically by skill. Start with a strong overview and conclude with key takeaways.

• Focus on the 'Why' and 'How': For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, the specific methods and tools you used, and the resulting impact or lessons learned.

• Visual Excellence: Ensure your slides and portfolio examples are visually polished, clear, and representative of your best work. Use high-quality images and consistent branding.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your design strategies and their contribution to client objectives.

• Engagement: Be prepared to walk through your work interactively, answer in-depth questions, and discuss your decision-making process candidly.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strategic mindset, strong facilitation skills, and a deep understanding of human-centered design principles within the federal government context. The portfolio is your primary tool to showcase these capabilities, so its presentation strategy is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Design Strategist position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Tailor your Resume and Cover Letter: Highlight your experience in design strategy, human-centered design, design thinking, and any relevant government contracting work. Quantify achievements and align them with the job description's responsibilities.

• Curate your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that best showcase your design strategy expertise, facilitation skills, and ability to translate complex information into actionable solutions, particularly for government or complex organizational challenges.

• Prepare a Concise Presentation: Be ready to present your portfolio to the hiring team, focusing on your process, strategic thinking, and the measurable impact of your work. Practice articulating your approach and outcomes.

• Research LINK: Understand the company's mission, values, and client base. Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and the company's strategic direction within the federal sector.

⚠️ 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.