Senior Information Designer or Design Strategist; Design Lead

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Information Designer or Design Strategist; Design Lead

Company: LINK

Location: Washington, D.C.

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Strategy & Information Design

Date Posted: August 17, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days on-site)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor internal design teams in the execution of human-centered design strategies and information design solutions for federal government clients.

• Drive brand expression, consistency, and standards across diverse projects, ensuring high-quality and brand-appropriate deliverables.

• Partner with project leadership to define strategic design direction, identify opportunities, and improve process efficiency.

• Act as the primary design point of contact for project teams and stakeholders, championing design thinking methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership and strategic contributor within the design competency. The emphasis on "Design Lead" and "Senior Information Designer or Design Strategist" suggests a blend of hands-on design execution, team management, and client-facing strategic advisory. The target audience for this role would be experienced design professionals looking to advance into leadership positions within a consultancy environment focused on government contracts.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with Project Team Leadership to drive strategic design direction and organizational impact, aligning design initiatives with client goals and LINK's mission.

• Serve as the primary design point of contact for project teams and stakeholders, representing the design-thinking process in cross-functional and leadership forums, ensuring clear communication and alignment.

• Identify strategic opportunities within client engagements and recommend process improvements for the efficient application of the Systems Model and other design frameworks.

• Drive visual brand expression, consistency, and standards, encompassing identity, architecture, and design systems to maintain a cohesive and professional client experience.

• Guide internal design teams through the entire design execution lifecycle by setting clear priorities, establishing decision frameworks, and facilitating robust feedback loops.

• Mentor and guide the design process for team members, modeling effective client engagement, deadline management, and creative problem-solving techniques.

• Support the onboarding and professional development of new information designers and design strategists, providing regular updates to project managers and competency managers.

• Monitor team performance and resource utilization, ensuring effective collaboration, individual growth, and successful project delivery against client expectations.

• Participate actively in recruiting and interviewing candidates for design-related roles, contributing to the growth and expertise of the LINK design team.

• Oversee the quality and brand appropriateness of design execution across contracts, ensuring all deliverables meet LINK's high standards.

• Apply human-centered design and design thinking methodologies rigorously to project workflows, ensuring user needs are at the forefront of all design decisions.

• Ensure consistent use and adherence to established design assets, libraries, frameworks, and the strategic integration of emerging technologies, such as AI, where applicable.

• Communicate effectively about project tradeoffs, the impacts of shifting deadlines, and identify opportunities to share and celebrate team successes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic leadership and project oversight. The emphasis on "Systems Model" and "brand expression" points to a need for structured design processes and a strong understanding of brand architecture. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and driving improvements within client engagements.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Design Communications, UX Design, Visual Journalism, Visual Communications, Sociology, Psychology, or a closely related field. Experience:

• 10+ years of professional experience in design consulting, information design, or a related strategic design field.

• Demonstrated success in leading, managing, and developing high-performing, often cross-disciplinary, design teams.

• Proven ability to develop positive and effective client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor. Required Skills:

• Deep understanding of human-centered design principles and design thinking processes.

• Expertise in visual design principles and their application in professional contexts.

• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and grow design teams, fostering a collaborative and productive environment.

• Leader in visual communication and design principles & foundations, with a strong portfolio to support.

• Experience and comfort designing intelligible information hierarchies and frameworks that support information navigability, understanding, and retention.

• Mastery in applying information design principles and in visual storytelling through various media.

• Ability to navigate ambiguity and provide strategic guidance that brings clarity to goals, requirements, and outcomes, particularly in complex or high-visibility engagements.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a comfort in copy editing and ensuring clarity in documentation.

• Demonstrated ability to drive brand expression and consistency, including brand design and formats.

• Experience working directly with clients and cultivating strong client relationships. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with emerging technologies like AI in design applications.

• Familiarity with federal government contracting environments.

• Advanced degrees in relevant fields (e.g., Master's in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, etc.).

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a senior level of expertise with a strong theoretical foundation in design thinking and practical experience in team leadership and client management. The requirement for a "strong portfolio demonstrating end-to-end design work" is critical for assessing candidates' practical application of these skills. The inclusion of "Sociology, Psychology" as potential degree fields suggests a focus on user research and understanding human behavior in design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate end-to-end design work, including conceptualization, user flows, wireframes, prototypes, visual design, and final execution.

• Showcase examples of successfully leading and managing design projects or teams, highlighting leadership contributions and process management.

• Include case studies that clearly articulate the problem, the design process applied (human-centered design, design thinking), the solutions developed, and the measurable impact or outcomes achieved.

• Present examples of how information design principles were used to create clear, navigable, and understandable information hierarchies and frameworks.

• Illustrate experience in driving brand expression and consistency, with examples of brand design applications and adherence to brand formats. Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of structured design processes, including how user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration were managed.

• Showcase how design systems, brand guidelines, or information architecture frameworks were developed, implemented, or leveraged.

• Demonstrate experience in applying methodologies like the "Systems Model" (as mentioned in responsibilities) and how it guides project workflows and decision-making.

• Include examples of how feedback loops were established and managed within design teams and with stakeholders to ensure quality and alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role, requiring not just visual output but also a clear demonstration of strategic thinking, process management, and leadership. Candidates should be prepared to articulate the "why" and "how" behind their design decisions and showcase their ability to manage complex projects and teams effectively. The mention of the "Systems Model" implies a need to understand and potentially apply a specific, structured approach to design and problem-solving.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $112,000 - $151,000 annually.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $112,000 - $151,000 annually for a Senior Information Designer or Design Strategist in Washington, D.C. aligns with industry benchmarks for experienced design leaders in high-cost-of-living urban areas, particularly within the federal consulting sector. This range reflects the senior experience level (10+ years), leadership responsibilities, and specialized skills required for this role. The company's commitment to "locality adjustments" indicates that the final offer will be influenced by the candidate's specific geographic location within the D.C. metro area and potentially broader U.S. markets if remote options were considered, although this role is hybrid. Research from sources like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry-specific compensation reports for design and consulting roles in government contracting would support this range.

Benefits:

• $100 monthly internet/cell phone stipend.

• $150 monthly commuter stipend for eligible participants, supporting on-site work.

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

• Company-paid Short-Term Disability Insurance, providing income protection.

• 401K retirement plan with an employer contribution of up to 4%, aiding long-term financial planning.

• 11 paid Federal Holidays per year.

• 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year, for vacation and personal needs.

• Paid Holiday Time Off from Christmas Eve through the New Year, offering extended year-end breaks.

• Participation in an annual bonus plan, rewarding individual and company performance.

• Participation in an annual profit-sharing plan, allowing employees to benefit from company profitability.

• $2,000 Learning and Development program reimbursement, supporting continuous professional growth and skill enhancement.

• Technology package including a LINK-owned MacBook Pro, monitor, mouse, and keyboard for essential work tools. Working Hours:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.

• Hybrid work arrangement requires 3 days per week on-site in Washington, D.C.

• Some travel may be required for relevant events, conferences, and LINK team events.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Contracting / Human-Centered Design Consulting. LINK operates within the professional services sector, specifically focusing on supporting federal government agencies and their industry partners. Their approach leverages design methodologies to address complex challenges in strategy, innovation, communication, change management, and branding.

Company Size: Small to Medium Business (SMB) - LINK is described as a "fast-growing Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB)." This suggests a dynamic, agile environment where individual contributions can have a significant impact. For operations professionals, this often means more direct exposure to leadership, broader responsibilities, and a less siloed organizational structure.

Founded: Not explicitly stated, but described as "fast-growing," implying a relatively established but expanding presence.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely composed of Information Designers, Design Strategists, and potentially UX/UI designers, with this role leading them.

• Cross-functional collaboration is key, partnering with project leadership, engineers, futurists, and thought leaders. The "Systems Model" implies a structured, integrated approach across disciplines.

• Reporting structure likely involves reporting to a Director of Design, Competency Manager, or a senior project lead, with direct management of junior and mid-level designers. Methodology:

• Human-centered design and design thinking are core methodologies.

• Emphasis on untangling complexity, discovering opportunity, and clear communication through visual stories.

• Likely utilizes structured frameworks like the "Systems Model" for consistent application and delivery.

• Focus on data analysis and insights to inform design decisions, though the primary output is often visual and strategic.

• Workflow planning and optimization are integral to client delivery and internal team management.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely encouraged to support project timelines and resource management.

Company Website: link.com

📝 Enhancement Note: LINK's identity as a WOSB and its focus on human-centered design for the federal sector are key differentiators. This context is crucial for understanding the company's mission, client base, and operational priorities. The emphasis on "untangling complexity" and "visual stories" suggests that the company values clarity, strategic thinking, and compelling communication.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Senior Leadership position within the Design Competency. It is designed for individuals who have moved beyond individual contribution and possess the experience to lead teams, manage client relationships strategically, and influence project direction. It bridges hands-on design expertise with strategic oversight and management.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Information Designer/Design Strategist/Design Lead will report to a higher-level leader within the design or project management structure, such as a Director, VP, or potentially a Program Manager for larger federal contracts. They will directly manage a team of information designers and design strategists, providing mentorship and guidance.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant, directly influencing the quality, strategic alignment, and brand integrity of client deliverables. By leading design efforts, this role contributes to LINK's reputation, client satisfaction, and business growth, particularly within the federal government sector. Effective design leadership can unlock new opportunities and enhance client trust.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into Director-level roles within the Design Competency, overseeing larger teams or multiple project portfolios, or to become a key leader in specific federal agency accounts.

• Strategic Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of information design, design strategy, or human-centered design applications within government contexts, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Business Development: Involvement in pre-sales activities, proposal development, and client relationship management, contributing to LINK's business growth and market expansion.

• Mentorship & Training: Formalizing mentorship programs and contributing to the development of LINK's internal design training curriculum.

• Professional Development: Utilizing the $2,000 Learning and Development reimbursement for advanced certifications, conferences, or specialized courses relevant to design strategy, leadership, or emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for experienced design professionals to transition into leadership and strategic advisory roles. The focus on federal government clients and the company's growth trajectory suggest opportunities for significant career advancement and impact within a specialized niche.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model with 3 days required on-site in Washington, D.C. This indicates a need for a physical office space that supports collaboration, client meetings, and focused work.

Office Location(s): Washington, D.C. This central location provides access to federal agencies and a vibrant professional community. Specific office details are not provided but can be assumed to be professional office spaces designed for collaborative work.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, likely featuring meeting rooms, team huddle spaces, and individual work areas conducive to design thinking and project execution.

• Access to necessary technology, including a LINK-owned MacBook Pro, monitor, mouse, and keyboard, ensures designers have the tools to perform their roles effectively.

• Opportunities for interaction with a diverse, cross-functional team, including engineers, futurists, and other design professionals, fostering a rich learning and collaborative environment. Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time, 40 hours per week, with a hybrid schedule requiring 3 days in the office. This balance aims to provide flexibility while ensuring in-person collaboration and team cohesion.

• Some travel is anticipated, suggesting a need for adaptability and willingness to engage in off-site activities related to professional development and client interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model emphasizes a balance between in-person collaboration and individual flexibility. The Washington, D.C. location is strategic for a company serving federal clients. The provision of a technology package underscores the company's commitment to equipping its employees with the necessary tools for high-quality design work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the role's qualifications and experience. Be prepared to highlight leadership experience and specific project successes.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: A discussion focused on your background, leadership philosophy, approach to human-centered design, and experience managing design teams. Expect questions about your portfolio and how you've handled complex projects.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Deep Dive: This may involve presenting a case study from your portfolio in detail, explaining your strategic rationale, design process, and the impact of your work. Alternatively, a practical design challenge simulating real-world project scenarios may be given. Prepare to discuss your problem-solving approach and how you'd apply LINK's methodologies.

• Leadership/Cultural Fit Interview: A conversation with senior leadership to assess your strategic thinking, client management skills, and cultural fit with LINK's values and collaborative environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your leadership, information design expertise, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver for complex clients (ideally federal).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the client's challenge, your role, the design process (emphasizing human-centered design and design thinking), key decisions, the solutions, and measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Leadership: Clearly delineate your contributions versus those of your team. Showcase how you mentored, guided, and managed the design process and team members.

• Demonstrate Process: Explain your approach to information hierarchies, frameworks, and visual storytelling. Show how you ensured brand consistency and applied design systems.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs, such as improved user understanding, efficiency gains, or client satisfaction.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand LINK's Methodologies: Research human-centered design, design thinking, and how LINK applies its "Systems Model." Be ready to discuss these concepts and apply them.

• Practice Articulation: Rehearse explaining complex design problems and solutions concisely and clearly. Focus on strategic rationale and business impact.

• Anticipate Ambiguity: Be prepared for scenarios where project details are incomplete. Demonstrate your ability to ask clarifying questions and drive clarity.

• Federal Context: If possible, familiarize yourself with design challenges common in the federal government sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to evaluate both design craft and leadership capabilities. A strong portfolio that demonstrates strategic thinking, process management, and tangible results is paramount. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their leadership philosophy and how they foster growth within design teams.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Mastery in industry-standard design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) is expected for visual communication and brand design. Proficiency in wireframing and prototyping tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is also crucial.

• Information Design Tools: Experience with tools specifically suited for creating complex information architectures, diagrams, and visualizations (e.g., Visio, Lucidchart, or specialized data visualization software) may be beneficial.

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello) for team communication and workflow management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, understanding how to interpret and present data to inform design decisions is key. Familiarity with basic analytics concepts and reporting dashboards is advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• Experience with CRM systems is less likely to be a direct requirement for this design-focused role, but an understanding of how design integrates with broader business processes supported by CRMs might be relevant.

• Automation tools might be relevant in the context of design system management or workflow automation within design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on core design and visualization tools. While deep analytics expertise isn't explicitly stated, an understanding of data's role in informing design is crucial. The mention of emerging technologies like AI suggests an openness to exploring new tools and workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centered: A core value, ensuring that all design solutions are rooted in understanding and addressing user needs. This translates to empathy, user research, and user testing in daily work.

• Clarity & Simplicity: The company's mission to "untangle complexity" and "communicate clearly" implies a value placed on creating clear, understandable, and impactful visual stories and information hierarchies.

• Strategic Impact: Focus on delivering solutions that drive organizational change, innovation, and strategic outcomes for clients, rather than just aesthetic design.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working closely with cross-functional teams, clients, and internal stakeholders to achieve shared goals. This means valuing open communication, feedback, and teamwork.

• Growth & Learning: As a "fast-growing" company, there's an inherent value placed on continuous learning, professional development, and adapting to new methodologies and technologies.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with engineers, futurists, and strategists, contributing their unique perspectives to a multidisciplinary approach.

• Process-Oriented: A structured approach to design, likely guided by frameworks like the "Systems Model," ensures consistency and efficiency. This involves clear communication of process steps and expected outcomes.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: Encouraging constructive feedback within design teams and from stakeholders to refine deliverables and foster continuous improvement.

• Client-Centric: A strong emphasis on building positive client relationships and acting as a trusted partner in their strategic initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: LINK's culture appears to be a blend of creativity, strategic rigor, and a strong client focus, particularly within the government sector. The values emphasize impact, clarity, and collaboration, which are essential for successful operations in a consultancy environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Federal Bureaucracy: Working with federal government clients can involve complex procurement processes, stakeholder management across large organizations, and adherence to stringent regulations. This requires patience, strong communication, and adaptability.

• Balancing Design Vision with Constraints: In government projects, design solutions often need to balance user needs with strict technical, budgetary, or policy constraints. This requires creative problem-solving and strategic compromise.

• Leading Diverse Teams: Effectively managing and motivating cross-disciplinary teams with varying skill sets and perspectives requires strong leadership, communication, and conflict resolution abilities.

• Staying Ahead of Emerging Technologies: Integrating new technologies like AI into design workflows while maintaining quality and relevance requires continuous learning and experimentation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Access to the $2,000 L&D reimbursement allows for specialized training in advanced design tools, leadership development programs, or emerging fields like AI in design.

• Industry Exposure: Opportunities to attend relevant conferences and events in design, technology, and government contracting to stay abreast of industry trends and network.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Gaining hands-on experience in leading design teams and mentoring junior designers provides invaluable leadership development, preparing individuals for more senior roles.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Working alongside engineers and futurists offers unique opportunities to learn about technical possibilities and future trends, broadening one's strategic perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a role in government contracting consulting, emphasizing the need for resilience, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills. The growth opportunities are well-defined, offering clear pathways for professional and personal development within the organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a design team through a complex, ambiguous project. What was your approach to bringing clarity and driving outcomes?" (Focus on leadership, strategic guidance, process, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency and drive brand expression across multiple projects and diverse teams? Provide an example." (Focus on brand strategy, design systems, and quality control.)

• "Walk me through a project where you applied human-centered design principles to solve a significant client problem. What was the user research, how did it inform your design, and what was the impact?" (Focus on methodology, user empathy, and measurable results.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about LINK's mission and our work with the federal government?" (Show research into LINK's WOSB status, human-centered design approach, and government sector focus.)

• "How do you foster collaboration and mentorship within a design team, especially when working with cross-disciplinary partners?" (Focus on teamwork, leadership style, and communication.)

• "How do you measure the success and impact of your design work beyond aesthetics?" (Focus on metrics, ROI, and strategic contribution.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact. Use a consistent framework for all presentations.

• Emphasize Leadership: Highlight your strategic decisions, team management, and how you guided the process and individuals. Show, don't just tell, your leadership capabilities.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Pixels: Explain why you made certain design choices, how you used research, and how you navigated challenges. Demonstrate your understanding of information design principles and visual storytelling.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, tools used, and how you handled specific project constraints or feedback.

• Connect to LINK: Where possible, subtly connect your experience and approach to LINK's stated values and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership experience, and a deep understanding of human-centered design and information design principles, particularly within the context of government consulting. The portfolio presentation is a critical opportunity to showcase these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Information Designer or Design Strategist; Design Lead position:

• Submit your application through the LINK careers portal (via Greenhouse).

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 key projects that best represent your leadership experience, information design expertise, strategic thinking, and success in complex client environments (especially federal). Ensure each project clearly outlines the challenge, your role, process, solution, and impact.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 10+ years of experience, leadership accomplishments, team management skills, and specific expertise in human-centered design, design thinking, and information design. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, strategic rationale, and demonstrating your leadership and problem-solving abilities. Be ready to articulate your approach to brand consistency and the "Systems Model."

• Research LINK: Familiarize yourself with LINK's mission, values, WOSB status, and their approach to human-centered design for the federal government. Understand their focus on "untangling complexity" and "visual stories."

⚠️ 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.