About Strategy at Gensler

Gensler’s Strategy Practice is focused on enabling transformation – our creative and collaborative approach, supported by data and intelligence, enables impactful change and evolution of our clients’ organization, culture, and environment. Our multidisciplinary global team works with a wide range of organizations including major Corporations, Healthcare and Cultural Institutions, Real Estate Developers, and Universities to develop holistic experiences. We use in-depth user research and engagement to explore and develop strategies that enable our clients to meet their business and organizational objectives. In parallel, we help our clients manage change to ensure new ideas take root, and to build capability that sustains. With our design teams here in San Jose and around the world, we conceptualize and implement creative solutions that support our client’s needs.

Our practice in San Jose is growing, and we are looking for a Design Strategist to lead projects across our broad range of services, including workplace strategy, real estate portfolio strategy, change management, and design guidelines. We are looking for talented individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit who will help us develop and strengthen our client relationships and evolve our practice.

Your Role

As a Strategist, you will be a key part of multi-disciplinary design teams working with a wide range of clients across industries and sectors to evaluate their current conditions, define their goals, and develop integrated strategies for how their environment, technology, policies, and services can support their objectives. Your work will span a wide range of scales, from pilot projects that test new ideas to global strategies and programs. You’ll define and conduct rigorous research efforts, synthesize data and feedback into meaningful insights, and develop innovative future state concepts and solutions. You’ll guide the design and facilitation of robust processes to engage with a variety of stakeholders to get input, co-develop solutions, and assess options.

What You Will Do

On projects, you’ll:

Design and support engaging workshops with internal teams, clients, and other stakeholdersAnalyze qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources to determine impact on business goals, organizational culture, or performance criteria for spatial designSynthesize information and data into meaningful insights and narratives told through presentations, reports, posters, videos, websites, etcArticulate and represent scenarios (with plans, data, feedback, relevant precedents, etc) to illustrate a range of relevant solutions (e.g. design concepts, work styles, program, service models, etc) based on the research that meet the client’s objects and expresses the tradeoffs associated each optionUse interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration to ground all ideas in research insights and design constraintsDefine and develop concepts and prototypes of experiences, programs, services, and spaces to test with users and stakeholdersPlan and perform user research and data collection activitiesBe responsible for content creation, preparing client presentations, reports, and recommendations for strategic solutions with guidance from Project/Strategy DirectorContribute to business and client development activities

With clients, you’ll

Lead and facilitate client presentations and meetings with Strategy DirectorsFocus on learning their business, culture and desired outcomesShare relevant precedents for context and inspirationAssist in building client relationships as a trusted partner

Your Qualifications

Who Are You? – You’re passionate about the built environment and its impact on individuals and organizations. You:

Are a self-starter and quick learnerThrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and open environment that requires fast iterations and pivoting between collaborative and individual workHave the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneouslyare a clear communicator and presenter of ideas, findings and/or point of viewAre an enthusiastic collaborator and are able to work successfully with a range of other disciplines who compliment your experienceAre a critical and creative thinkerInfuse empathy and behavioral analysis into your workRespond proactively and thoughtfully to design critique and feedback from clients and colleaguesAre experienced with research methodologies and activities, along with working with both qualitative and quantitative dataCan graphically visualize information and ideas, able to effectively use charts, graphics and design concepts to represent and communicate findings and complex ideasAre a strong and persuasive writer, able to clearly and succinctly describe work process, options for consideration, findings, recommendations, communications, memos, etc.Can create powerful and compelling narratives with strong written, visual, and graphic contentAre comfortable with ambiguity and able to work with your team to forge a path on projects that may have vague parameters or frequently change/evolveThe ability to be in the office full-time

Your background and experience

5+ years of relevant professional experience and an undergraduate or master’s degree in architecture, interior design, environmental design, urban design, real estate, design strategy, organizational development, organizational psychology, or similar fields

A background in the design of the built environment (architecture, interior design, urban design, etc.).

A strong portfolio demonstrating excellent command of fundamental communication design including composition, information graphics, and persuasive writing

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign required), and Microsoft Office 365 (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook), and other visual communication tools

Fluency with digital collaboration tools such as Miro, Mural, Microsoft Teams etc.

Familiarity with design software such as Revit and AutoCAD is a plus

Familiarity with website development software/language, Readymag, Square Space and other technologies is a plus

Familiarity with rapid prototyping tools such as Invision, Sketch, and AdobeXD is a plus

To be considered, please submit a portfolio and/or work samples in PDF format.

This is not a hybrid or remote position. If you’re open to relocating to the Bay Area, please apply! Non-local candidates are welcome. U.S. News & World Report’s San Jose often referred to as the capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose is a diverse city with an innovative spirit. 

**The base salary will be estimated between $92,525K– $124,000K plus bonuses and benefits and is contingent on relevant experience. 

Life at Gensler 

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests. 

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities.  Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets. 

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.  

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