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Design Strategy Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Studio & Design Director

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Own the strategic direction, operation, and continuous evolution of the Portland Innovation Lab ... Recruit and retain top design talent while building organizational capability for future growth.

Studio & Design Director

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$164K - $202K/yr

Own the strategic direction, operation, and continuous evolution of the Portland Innovation Lab ... Recruit and retain top design talent while building organizational capability for future growth.

... design and transformation, infrastructure and real estate, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and ... The Strategy practice is seeking a Business Strategy Manager to direct critical strategic ...

You understand how to be diplomatic and strategic, able to defuse conflict and always find the way ... design experience. * Fluent with Apple creative tools. About us We're Plastic Sunshine, an ...

UX Architect/Lead

Vancouver, WA ยท On-site

$130K - $200K/yr

We strive to learn and understand our users' needs, behaviors, and emotions to yield insights that inform product strategy and guide the design of the experiences we create. We are seeking a User ...

Design user experience solutions for products and service lines based on established design principles and in accordance with design strategy, practices, and guidelines. * Drive and expand ...

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Showing results 1-20

Design Strategy information

See Portland, OR salary details

$58.9K

$132.2K

$230.7K

How much do design strategy jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for design strategy in Portland, OR is $132,201.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,400.00 and $167,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Design Strategist typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

Design Strategists play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between design, business, and technology teams. They often facilitate workshops, lead ideation sessions, and synthesize insights from stakeholders to align project goals. Throughout a project, they work closely with product managers, UX/UI designers, engineers, and marketing professionals to ensure that design solutions address user needs and business objectives. This collaborative approach helps drive innovation and ensures that the final product is both functional and user-centric.

What is the difference between Design Strategy vs UX Designer?

AspectDesign StrategyUX Designer
Primary FocusAligning business goals with design solutions and long-term visionCreating user-centered digital experiences and interfaces
Skills & CredentialsDesign thinking, strategic planning, business acumenUser research, wireframing, prototyping, visual design
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with executives, product teams, and marketingWorks closely with developers, product managers, and users
Industry UsageUsed in strategic planning, branding, and product developmentPrimarily in digital product and app design

Design Strategy focuses on aligning overall business objectives with design initiatives, shaping the long-term vision. UX Designers concentrate on crafting intuitive user experiences for digital products. While both roles require design knowledge, Design Strategists emphasize strategic planning, whereas UX Designers focus on user interface and interaction design.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Design Strategist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Strategist, you need expertise in design thinking, user research, and business analysis, often supported by a degree in design, business, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Miro, and prototyping software, as well as experience with frameworks such as Human-Centered Design, is highly valuable. Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills help you effectively bridge creative and business objectives. These abilities are essential for developing innovative solutions that align user needs with organizational goals, driving sustainable success.

What is design strategy?

Design strategy is a discipline that connects a company's business objectives with creative design solutions. It involves understanding user needs, market trends, and organizational goals to develop a roadmap for how design can drive business success. Professionals in design strategy analyze data, collaborate with stakeholders, and create frameworks to ensure that products, services, or experiences are both effective and meaningful. This approach helps organizations stay competitive and innovative in their industries.
What are popular job titles related to Design Strategy jobs in Portland, OR? For Design Strategy jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Design Strategy job openings in Portland, OR as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,201 per year, or $63.6 per hour.

Preconstruction Design Manager

Hoffman Equipment Yard

Lake Oswego, OR โ€ข Hybrid

$130K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

The Design Manager will work within the Preconstruction department and will report to the respective project managers on the projects they support. They will work closely with the project designers, owners, and construction team to bridge the gap between design and construction.ย  They will oversee and coordinate design efforts performed by 3rd party architects andย engineers.ย  Primary focus will be on Design/Build (DB), Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and Engineering/Procurement/Construction (EPC) construction delivery models.ย The Design Managerย will also provide design guidance and interface on other project types to ensure that the architectural/engineering vision is not only technically sound but also executable within the constraints of the project budget and schedule.ย 

Salary: $130,000 to $165,000 DOE

Essential Responsibilities:ย 

  • On selected new projects, guide the owner/design/contractor team throughย aย projectย chartering session to establish a shared mission statement and communication ground rules.
  • Build and sustain an open and trusting relationship with the design team. Be the conduit for program-level design progression, improvement & opportunities.
  • Lead and facilitate design milestone planning sessions to align the design deliverables with the construction schedule needs.
  • Organize and support design cluster work groups (CSA, MEP, ELIT) and support and participate throughout the design phase.
  • Lead and facilitate design document quality and constructability reviews (Using self and in-house SME's)
  • Guide Design-Build subcontract permitting by local AHJs (Ex, fire protection, Pipe supports, Stairs, etc.)
  • Review design for opportunities for Off-site Manufacturing (OSM) prefabrication, self-performed work, modularization, safety, and efficiency of construction.ย Work with Hoffman's OSM department to guide design packaging to support any modularization.
  • Monitor and manage design-related project risk
  • Evaluate and define design scope and responsibilities, including design assist, design build, and delegated design.ย 
  • Engage with the owner throughout the design process to ensure all reasonable client expectations are being met or exceeded.ย Conduct a post-mortem of the design process with the team to identify wins and future opportunities.
  • Investigate local permitting process and work with AHJs to establish permitting strategies and design review durations.ย  ย  ย  When possible, ensure AHJ can support model-based design reviews (in lieu of 2D flats).
  • Develop design change and decision-making process in conjunction with the Owner.ย 
  • Ability to monitor and report on design progress, forecast upcoming design packages, and review and advise on future design package content.
  • Utilize current tools for tracking design decisions during preconstruction that create dashboards to track forecasted cost against budget.
  • Evaluate design model level of development (LOD) and align with construction deliverables.
  • Identify and propose to the construction team any possible construction efficiency strategies identified in response to the design content
  • Engage key trade partnersย as needed during the design process to provideย trade design input forย future deliverables
  • Guide in-house Power BI experts to develop and produce monthly design management status reports representing progress against schedule (PAS) and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for design deliverables. Provide these reports to stakeholders monthly.
  • Work with our In-House QA/QC managers to identify potential failure points and propose associated Mock-ups or first-in-place reviews.ย 
  • Identify the owner's sustainability goals andย ensure compliance isย integrated into design packages

Qualifications:

Professional Experience and Education

  • High School diploma or GED required.
  • Bachelor's degree in Architecture required (licensing not required).
  • A minimum of 5 years of construction and 5 years of design experience preferred.
  • Specific experience in industrial and/or hi-tech semiconductor manufacturing projects is preferred.ย 
  • LEED Accreditation or the ability to become certified in 18-24 months preferred.
  • Experienced in coordinating and understanding multiple design scopes (Civil, Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Process, etc.).
  • Experience in the delivery of large, complex projectsย 
  • Experience in the design and construction workflow and interface

Position Related Skillsย 

  • Emotional intelligence (EQ) to interface with the design team and owner to maintain strong relationships
  • Technical skills to discuss design deliverables and how that impacts our work (LOD, deliverable methods, file types, file sharing, etc)
  • Strong communication skills to maintain continuity between design team and the field construction team
  • Ability to report out on upcoming design changes and potential impacts to the program
  • Proficient inย Windows and Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams),ย and have a general understanding of working within a computer network.
  • Experience with project management software such as Prolog, Procore, E-Builder, Bluebeam, ACC.
  • Experience with design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, and Navisworks.
  • Proficient in design and construction document reading, design specifications, soils reports, etc.
  • Experience in organizing technical data neatly and accurately. Familiar with the CSI specification system forย construction
  • Experience with field and office personnel management.
  • Highly developed visual observation and interpretation skills.
  • Ability to maintain a cooperative attitude through high-pressure situations.
  • Excellent time-management skills and ability to multitask and prioritize work.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Must be a strong team player with the ability to collaborate with various personnel within and across departments and at all levels of experience.
  • Work schedule must be flexible to allow extended hours or off-shift work to accommodate any critical project-related deliverables.
  • Familiarity with project management tools and methodologies, including scheduling tools (Primavera P6 & MS Project).
  • Self-starter who is proactive in finding issues and pushing towards resolutions

Physical and Mental Requirements:

  • Standing/Walking/Sitting: Workday is a combination of being stationary and moving about the work location.
  • Must be able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and on active construction sites.
  • Must be able to climb stairs, ascend and descend ladders, and inspect confined or underground spaces.
  • Hands/Arms: Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery.ย  ย  ย ย 
  • Sight: Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus in an outdoor environment. Must be able to safely operate a vehicle with a valid driver's license. The work is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, reading print, and digital documents.
  • Hearing: Must be able to work in proximity to loud equipment more than 75% of the time. Must be able to wear hearing protection, as necessary.ย  Often required to communicate with customers and co-workers in an office setting and on the job site.
  • Speech: Ability to communicate laws, ordinances, plans, regulations, protocols, directives, and standard operating procedures related to project scope in English.
  • Lift/Carry: Must have the ability to lift or manipulate fifty pounds to a height of three feet and carry or push it 50-100 feet.
  • Bending/Twisting: Frequent.
  • Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling: Must be able to regularly position oneself in a kneeling, crouching, or crawling position for the purpose of examining project work.
  • Must be able to physically access all areas and levels of the construction site for work progress review.
  • Work schedule must be flexible to allow for extended hours or off-shift work to accommodate changing construction schedule and sequences.
  • Must use independent judgment, organizational, and critical thinking skills to determine the best method to accomplish desired results.
Build What Matters. Create What's Next.ย ย 

Hoffman Constructionย is a forward-thinking, self-performing builder specializing in technically complex, sustainable projects across advanced technology, mission critical, life sciences, healthcare, higher education, and commercial markets. Since 1922, we've grown from entrepreneurial roots into a multi-billion-dollar, employee-owned enterprise-now a dynamic family of companies with a national presence and a legacy of excellence.

At Hoffman Construction, your potential has room to grow. Whether you're on a jobsite or in a corporate office, you'll be empowered to take initiative, explore new paths, and shape the future of construction. We believe in building opportunity together-by unlocking talent, inspiring innovation, and driving forward the ideas that make a difference.

Join us and benefit from:

  • Competitive pay and advancement opportunities

  • Ongoing professional training and development

  • Comprehensive benefits-includingย free primary care for you and your familyย through our dedicated clinics, health insurance, paid time off, and a generous retirement plan.

  • A culture rooted in inclusion, collaboration, and respect.

We're hiring across all departments.ย Discover your future with us.

https://www.hoffmancorp.com/careers/


Application review will consider without limitation the following criteria: qualifications, education, and experience specific to the job description/duties as well as prior experience with Hoffman Construction. Applicants must be able to pass the Hoffman Drug and Alcohol test.ย 

Hoffman Construction is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.ย 

This job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work being performed by employees. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities, duties, or skills required of the employee of this job. Furthermore, this description is subject to change at the discretion of the company, with or without notice.ย 

**Please note, we are not able to offer sponsorship for this position. **