Creative Strategist

On behalf of our client, One Workplace, we're seeking a Creative Strategist Lead in the San Francisco South Bay area. The Creative Strategist Lead is a creative leadership role — a design leader designated to support the creative strategy and future vision of the healthcare vertical. This person balances two things at once: the hands-on, pencil-and-paper instincts of a designer, and the ability to translate those instincts into ideas the broader team can use — infusing fresh thinking into larger projects rather than keeping it to themselves. Internally, they're the person the design team goes to when they want to learn something new. Externally, they're customer-facing and outward-facing, engaging clients in forward-thinking discussions, workshops, and experiences that solve strategic challenges within their organizations. This is a complex role that demands a tremendous amount of thought — the person has to know the full breadth of the discipline while still being able to bring in new ideas, stay current, and keep evolving. They partner with clients directly as a thought leader (a portion of this work is billable), lead the creative team in original research, and shape how design and physical space are understood to improve people's lives. They also drive project solutions and customer engagements and participate in business development, including exploring new markets, vendors, and opportunities. The role may involve designing one-of-a-kind or original products or solutions. Essential Duties + ResponsibilitiesServes as a key influencer in shaping the design organization's strategic plan.Takes ownership of specific design initiatives, engagements, and design process improvements.Contributes to establishing One Workplace as a destination and resource for innovative businesses and organizations.Partners at a leadership level with clients, consultants, partners, and influencers — acting as a thought leader in customer relationships, with a portion of this engagement billable.Partners with One Workplace Marketing to develop internal and external communications that shape the One Workplace brand identity.Partners with Sales Leadership to identify market opportunities and shape and lead the RFP approach; prepares design proposals, leads RFP responses, and participates in post-bid project interviews.Leads creative efforts for key projects — directing customer engagement, programming, data collection, conceptual design, shaping design vision, design development, and presentation of customer deliverables or one-of-a-kind solutions.Identifies new products and project solutions by seeking out and forming relationships with new vendors and artisans.Proactively anticipates customer needs and develops deep, lasting professional customer relationships.Shares trends, innovations, and new resources with the design team through the curation of ancillary libraries.Attends industry events and peer networking opportunities regularly, including roughly 1–2 days a week in-market alongside sales colleagues.Mentors other team members in learning and adopting creative leadership skills.Mentors the design team on engagement methodologies, including hosting internal workshops, educational presentations, and teaching One Academy Live courses. Qualifications, Characteristics + RequirementsRequires an optimistic people-focused leader who leads by example as well as experience.Results-oriented motivator/team builder who can take initiative, manage, and embrace change.Committed to the mentorship and development of others.High comfort level leading workshops for groups of all sizes.Understanding of Design Thinking methodologies and mindset.Self-motivated with a desire to creatively solve complex challenges.High degree of empathy and emotional intelligence with the ability to understand issues from the perspective of others.Effectively manages complex projects with many players and objectives.Clearly and comfortably delegates both routine and important tasks.Uses their time effectively, values the time of others, sets important priorities.Highly effective in formal presentation settings; one on one and in large groups.Effectively facilitates conversations and interpersonal engagements such as workshops.Stands up and serves as a champion for challenging ideas or positions.Must believe and encourage others’ belief in the ability of physical space to have a positive impact on the lives of others.Must have self-awareness and ability to self-assess strengths and opportunities for growth.Must possess a growth mindset and the ability to adopt new habits and behaviors.Strong time and project management skills, ability to multitask and take ownership for multiple tasks and deliverables while delivering on deadline and expectations.Expert proficiency in a variety of software: AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Microsoft Office. CET Designer, 20/20 CAP, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign desired.Expert level knowledge of commercial furniture products and systems furnishings.Expert ability to apply interior design principles, to include texture, color, form, function, materiality balance, rhythm, repetition, proximity, symmetry, biophilia, historical precedent, sustainability, Gestalt, symbolism, cognition, and perception.Expert ability to deliver full-service interior design solutions including, architectural finishes, lighting, furnishings, and décor.Expert level understanding of building codes, regulations, ADA.Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast paced, deadline driven environment.Ability to analyze complex information from multiple sources.Ability to draw/sketch by hand.Exceptional customer service skills with ability to provide solutions to client needs.Complex reading and writing skills, basic math skills, judgement/decision making, analysis/comprehension.