Design Thinking Strategist IV

Description Hybrid standard in Charlotte, NC Our client seeks a Design Thinking Strategist IV to lead discovery, research, and strategy that inform innovative products and services. The role will frame opportunities, structure and run research, plan and facilitate collaborative workshops, translate insights into actionable artifacts, and validate solutions through testing. The strategist will align stakeholders, communicate with clarity, and connect human-centered design outcomes to measurable business value. We can facilitate w2 and corp-to-corp consultants. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance. Rate: $70.00 to $80.00/hr. w2 Job Number #: JN -072026-108139 Responsibilities Partner with clients to cultivate shared understanding and alignment, ensuring business needs are met and the value of a human-centered approach is understood. Coach product leadership on strategic decision-making.Scope and design research plans based on business requirements and technical feasibility.Plan, conduct, and interpret research to inform interaction, visual direction, and technical feasibility using interviews, usability evaluations, and concept validation.Plan and host cross-functional workshops and working sessions to support ideation, decision making, and requirements gathering.Guide teams in communicating complex concepts in written and visual formats and serve as the central point of contact for design direction.Translate insights into actionable outcomes and artifacts such as personas, customer journeys, service blueprints, and documentation to support build phases.Collaborate with change management from definition through testing to assess change impacts and shape strategies and training programs alongside design. Experience Requirements 3-5 years of experience in design research, product strategy and design, and/or service design with portfolio evidence across the product lifecycle.Experience aligning product strategy to business objectives, including business strategy and value assessment.Ability to use business value to drive research plans and outcomes.Extensive experience planning and facilitating cross-functional workshops with various leadership levels in a corporate setting.Proficiency in narrative development and storytelling to influence and guide stakeholders throughout the product cycle.Consultant mindset with creative problem solving and decisiveness in ambiguous environments.Demonstrated capability to analyze and synthesize research into actionable insights and recommendations.Ability to structure and lead workshops that align insights to goals, determine priorities, and communicate ideas clearly.Strong collaboration and team coaching toward a product mindset with clear articulation of problems and solutions.Experience designing AI solutions is a plus.