Senior Human Centered Designer (Hybrid)

Are you enthusiastic about harnessing human-centered design principles to craft impactful products? Do you thrive on guiding design teams in delivering creative, visually engaging solutions?

Ripple Effect is looking for a Senior Human Centered Designer to support our client's mission. This role will work closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Experience Office to provide expertise and innovative approaches to enhance customer and employee experiences at the VA using Human-centered design (HCD). This will be accomplished by conducting thorough research, crafting innovative designs, and implementing solutions that enhance service delivery and user experiences. You will also play a key role in supporting change management and ensuring the sustainability of our design solutions.

If this position sounds of interest, there’s a place for you here at Ripple Effect! We offer a diverse and engaging work environment, with a multitude of incentives and flexible work options that work for you and your lifestyle. 

General Information 

• Job Code: CAT-GD-06M 
• Location: Ripple Effect Headquarters – Rockville, MD 
• Employee Type: Exempt, Full-Time Regular  
  (Ask our recruiters about flexible work arrangements) 
• Telework: Partial
• Clearance: None
• Citizenship: Other
• Manager: Yes
• Number of Openings: # 1
• Salary Range: $118,399.00 - $122,359.00 (how we pay and promote) 

Responsibilities 

• Planning, managing, and executing on an idea from concept to launch and designed solutions across multiple platforms to meet key milestones.  
• Designing service design methods while leading interdisciplinary teams in a customer-driven environment.  
• Serving as the primary relationship manager with client stakeholders, directing teams, and providing expertise and insights throughout the entire design process.  
• Leading teams to design, prototype, validate, and deliver innovative solutions that incorporate communication, visual, interaction, and service design fundamentals. 
• Designing visually appealing and digestible Journey Maps, Personas, and Service Blueprints. 
• Demonstrating return-on-investment and impact of solutions. 

Minimum Education and Experience 

• Master's degree from an accredited institution
• 10 years of experience in human-centered design

(A bachelor's degree and 12 or more years of direct experience may be substituted for advanced degree)

Basic Requirements 

• Candidate must be able and willing to provide of a portfolio with no fewer than three examples with visuals and narrative demonstrating use of human centered design process research and design methods, synthesis of information, and detailed design refinement and implementation, with demonstrated measurable success in complex service design projects from inception to deployment.
• Previous experience planning, managing, and executing on an idea from concept to launch and designed solutions across multiple platforms.  
• Strong relationship management skills and ability to serve as the primary contact with client stakeholders and direct teams.
• Previous experience leading a team in the execution of diverse design projects.  
• Experience designing, testing, and implementing design solutions in healthcare and/or social sectors with services and structure similar to Veteran Affairs
• Demonstrated experience designing visually appealing and digestible Journey Maps, Personas, and Service Blueprints 
• Experience demonstrating return-on-investment and impact of solutions 
• Demonstrated proficiency using Adobe Acrobat, Mural, Microsoft (MS) Office Products (Word / PowerPoint / Excel / SharePoint / Teams)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail and audience needs.
• Ability and willingness to report to Ripple Headquarters (Rockville, MD) as needed (sporadic up to 1x per week)

To be successful at Ripple Effect, you must be able to pay attention to details, clearly communicate, work independently, and have an eagerness to learn. Learn more about what makes Ripple so great check out our capabilities.  

Skills That Set You Apart 

• Knowledge and experience with the Department of Veterans Affairs

If you don’t have all of the skills above, don’t be discouraged—no resume paints a complete picture of a person. There’s a good chance you’re more wonderful than you think, so please apply! 

About Ripple Effect 

Ripple Effect is an award-winning women-owned small business providing professional consulting and exceptional talent for federal, private, and non-profit clients. We deliver multi-disciplinary solutions across Communications & Outreach, Research & Evaluation, Program Management & Policy, Digital Transformation, and Technical & Scientific Support solutions with a focus on science, research, and healthcare domains. 

Hiring Process | Life at Ripple  

Ripple Effect rewards our employees for their contributions to our mission in many ways, from competitive pay and exceptional benefits to a range of work/life programs based on your employment classification and personalized preferences. 

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Ripple Effect is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please let us know by contacting our HR department at [email protected] or your recruiter. Eligibility for employment will be verified using E-verify.