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Strategic Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Graphic Design Specialist

Newark, NJ ยท On-site

$42.25/hr

... strategic design solutions that balance brand consistency with fresh, engaging creative. โ€ข Partner closely with marketing, communications, business units, external vendors, and other cross ...

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You'll also contribute directly to strategic design projects, collaborate closely with Sales and Project Management teams, and present innovative solutions to customers. The ideal candidate is an ...

You'll also contribute directly to strategic design projects, collaborate closely with Sales and Project Management teams, and present innovative solutions to customers. The ideal candidate is an ...

UX/UI Design Lead

Chicago, IL ยท On-site +1

$172K/yr

From shaping scalable design systems to facilitating strategic conversations with clients, you'll help deliver experiences that are thoughtful, seamless, and impactful. What You'll Do * Lead UX/UI ...

Workplace Strategist

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$138K - $178K/yr

You will be joining an integrated and diverse team from various industry backgrounds, where we expect you to have an understanding of client interaction, analyzing, problem solving, strategic design ...

This team sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, creativity, and execution. We bring ... This leader will oversee Graphic, Digital, Digital Design and Experiential design to create ...

This team sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, creativity, and execution. We bring ... This leader will oversee Graphic, Digital, Digital Design and Experiential design to create ...

This team sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, creativity, and execution. We bring ... This leader will oversee Graphic, Digital, Digital Design and Experiential design to create ...

Product Design Manager

Oakland, CA ยท On-site

$217K/yr

Design is embedded in product strategy and company direction. Our open, vibrant culture fosters strong belongingness and DEIB scores as reflected in team engagement surveys. We firmly believe that ...

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Strategic Design information

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$37K

$119K

$189K

How much do strategic design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for strategic design in the United States is $119,028.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,000.00 and $149,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying career in design?

In design, user experience (UX) directors and creative directors tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures, especially in large organizations or tech companies. These roles require advanced skills in design strategy, leadership, and often experience with tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch, along with a strong portfolio and industry experience.

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

To thrive as a Strategic Designer, you need a strong foundation in design thinking, business strategy, and user research, often supported by a degree in design, business, or related fields. Proficiency with tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Miro, and familiarity with frameworks such as Lean Startup or Agile is typical. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills help in aligning multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. These skills ensure that innovative, user-centered solutions are developed and successfully integrated with organizational goals.

What is strategic design?

Strategic design is the practice of using design principles to solve complex business challenges and shape organizational strategy. It goes beyond traditional design by integrating research, creative thinking, and business objectives to create solutions that align with a company's long-term goals. Strategic designers work collaboratively across disciplines to innovate processes, products, services, and systems, helping companies adapt to change and remain competitive. This approach often involves user-centered research, prototyping, and testing to ensure that solutions are both practical and effective.

What is the difference between Strategic Design vs User Experience Designer?

AspectStrategic DesignUser Experience Designer
FocusHolistic business and brand strategy, aligning design with organizational goalsDesigning user interfaces and interactions to enhance user satisfaction
SkillsDesign thinking, business strategy, branding, researchWireframing, prototyping, user research, usability testing
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with marketing, branding, and product teamsWorks closely with developers, product managers, and users
CertificationsDesign thinking, strategic planning, UX certificationsUX certifications, UI design courses

While both roles involve design, Strategic Design focuses on aligning design with business strategy and brand goals, whereas User Experience Designers concentrate on creating intuitive and satisfying user interfaces. Understanding these differences helps organizations assign the right roles for their project needs.

What does a strategy designer do?

A strategy designer develops and plans long-term approaches to help organizations achieve their goals. They analyze market trends, identify opportunities, and create frameworks that guide decision-making, often using tools like data analysis and strategic frameworks. Strong problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills are essential in this role.

How does a Strategic Designer typically collaborate with stakeholders and cross-functional teams during a project?

Strategic Designers often work closely with a variety of stakeholders, including product managers, engineers, marketers, and executives, to align design solutions with business objectives. They facilitate workshops, lead design sprints, and use research-driven insights to ensure everyone has a shared understanding of project goals. Effective communication and the ability to synthesize diverse perspectives are crucial, as Strategic Designers act as a bridge between creative and business teams. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and ensures that proposed solutions are both user-centered and strategically viable.

Is AI replacing designers?

AI is transforming the field of strategic design by automating repetitive tasks and providing data-driven insights, but it does not replace the need for human creativity, critical thinking, and strategic planning. Designers who adapt by learning to work with AI tools can enhance their productivity and innovation. The role continues to require skills in visual communication, user experience, and problem-solving.

How to become a strategic designer?

To become a strategic designer, develop skills in design thinking, user experience, and business strategy, often through a combination of formal education such as a degree in design, marketing, or related fields, and practical experience. Building proficiency with tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma and understanding industry trends can also enhance your qualifications. Gaining experience through internships or project work helps establish a portfolio demonstrating strategic problem-solving abilities.
More about Strategic Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Strategic Design jobs? Cities with the most Strategic Design job openings:
What states have the most Strategic Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Strategic Design jobs include:
Infographic showing various Strategic Design job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,028 per year, or $57.2 per hour.
Senior Design Experience Lead - Barbaricum with Security Clearance

Senior Design Experience Lead - Barbaricum with Security Clearance

Barbaricum

Washington, DC โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Barbaricum is a rapidly growing government contractor providing leading-edge support to federal customers, with a particular focus on Defense and National Security mission sets. We leverage more than 17 years of support to stakeholders across the federal government, with established and growing capabilities across Intelligence, Analytics, Engineering, Mission Support, and Communications disciplines. Founded in 2008, our mission is to transform the way our customers approach constantly changing and complex problem sets by bringing to bear the latest in technology and the highest caliber of talent.

Headquartered in Washington, DCโ€™s historic Dupont Circle neighborhood, Barbaricum also has a corporate presence in Tampa, FL, Bedford, IN, and Dayton, OH, with team members across the United States and around the world. As a leader in our space, we partner with firms in the private sector, academic institutions, and industry associations with a goal of continually building our expertise and capabilities for the benefit of our employees and the customers we support. Through all of this, we have built a vibrant corporate culture diverse in expertise and perspectives with a focus on collaboration and innovation.

Our teams are at the frontier of the Nationโ€™s most complex and rewarding challenges. Join our team. Barbaricum is seeking a Senior Design Experience Lead (SDEL) to serve as the Governmentโ€™s primary design thought partner and customer experience strategist under this Task Order.

The SDEL will bridge Outreach & Engagement, IT, Cybersecurity, and Data, driving innovation in how information, services, and experiences are delivered to the military community. This role combines strategic vision with hands-on executionโ€”fostering human-centered design, guiding creative and brand strategy, interpreting customer feedback and user insights, and enabling modern, accessible, and data-informed customer experiences across digital platforms. Responsibilities: * Serve as the programโ€™s principal design thought partner and customer-experience strategist.

* Bridge design, operations, and technology teams to align customer needs with IT, Cybersecurity, and Data initiatives. * Lead strategic design and innovation initiatives for enterprise systems and government programs. * Guide human-centered design processes, creative direction, and brand strategy to improve user experiences.

* Analyze user feedback and behavioral data to identify design and service improvements. * Provide design vision and innovation strategies to senior leadership, program managers, and product owners that align with organizational objectives. * Apply modern design and accessibility standards (e.g., Section 508 / WCAG) to ensure inclusive, user-friendly experiences.

* Oversee UI/UX testing, evaluation, and optimization in agile website and application development environments. * Develop UX strategies incorporating journey mapping, usability testing, and iterative design. * Support enterprise-level initiatives, including mobile and web platforms, to enhance the delivery of services and information to the military community.

Required Qualifications: * Active DoD Top Secret / SCI clearance * Minimum 5 yearsโ€™ experience shaping andย delivering strategic design, customer experience, and/or brand innovation initiatives for government or large-scale enterprise systems * Minimum 5 yearsโ€™ experience with human-centered design, analysis of user feedback and behavioral data, and/or creative / brand strategy * Minimum 3 yearsโ€™ experience providing designย vision and innovation strategies to senior leadership, PMs, and product owners * Minimum 3 yearsโ€™ experience applying modern design practices and accessibility standards (Section 508 / WCAG) and managing UI/UX testing, journey mapping, and iterative design in agile environments Preferred Qualifications: * Bachelorโ€™s degree in Communications, Marketing, Human-Centered Design, Business, or related field * Experience interpreting user-centered data, digital performance metrics, or customer feedback to inform strategic goals * Certifications in usability or UX design, human-centered design, project/program management (PMP / PgMP), or analytics/marketing EEO Commitment All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.