Enterprise Innovation Design Lead

Job Description - Enterprise Innovation Design Lead (230000VA)
Primary Location

Primary Location

:

UNITED STATES-NC-Charlotte
Other Locations

Organization

Organization

:

Equitable
Schedule

Schedule

:

Full-time
Description
At Equitable, our power is in our people.

We're individuals from different cultures and backgrounds. Those differences make us stronger as a team and a force for good in our communities. Here, you'll work with dynamic individuals, build your skills, and unleash new ways of working and thinking. Are you ready to join an organization that will help unlock your potential?
This is a Contract to Hire Position
As the Enterprise Innovation Design Lead you will leverage your expertise in Design Thinking and human-centered design to help multidisciplinary teams solve complex business problems as part of New Ways of Working (NWOW) at Equitable. The design and facilitation of collaborative ideation is at the heart of this role and offers a diverse and challenging blend of logical problem solving, innovative thinking and astuteness to “connect the dots” while fostering an environment of engagement, openness and creativity. You will work across the enterprise, engaging in broadly-defined, loose concepts and on narrowly-defined, tactical deliverables.
You will consult with project stakeholders to develop engagement plans and deliver workshops grounded in the core methodologies of Design Thinking. This involves engaging with often unfamiliar groups who are operating under high pressure to quickly identify solutions to their most pressing challenges. As an Enterprise Innovation Design Lead, you will empower teams to rapidly understand challenges, identify potential solutions and guide them toward an appropriate set of action-oriented outcomes. Additionally, you will be responsible for helping ground the organization in Design Thinking including driving awareness, change management and program implementation.

The successful candidate will:
Design and plan Design Thinking workshops with creative and collaborative problem solving as the priority objective
Lead pre-workshop discovery sessions and engage with stakeholders to outline the primary goals and initiative approach
Energetically facilitate collaborative workshops virtually, in-person or hybrid, ensuring all participants remain engaged and are led toward achieving desirable outcomes
Design

Consult with Equitable business units on their innovation projects, programs and initiatives
Manage (often multiple) complex projects to ensure overall success, including scope, resourcing and timely quality deliverables that meet stated objectives
Prepare and deliver Design Thinking analysis reports and artifacts derived from the workshops
Play back key results with stakeholders while providing guidance on potential next steps for execution
Must be able to clearly explain your work, process and decisions to teammates and cross functional stakeholders
Lead

Champion Design Thinking throughout the organization as a key pillar of the Innovation & Design Office; actively promote all NWOW practices including Agile, OKRs, Adaptive Leadership and Dynamic Funding
Cultivate an environment of iterative thinking, continuous learning and innovation
Provide direction and mentorship to team members
Support internal growth, development and innovation programs
The hourly pay for this position is $50 - $75 per hour. Actual pay will vary based on skills, experience, and geographical location. In addition to base pay, Equitable provides compensation to reward performance with base salary increases, spot bonuses, and short-term incentive compensation opportunities. Eligibility for these programs depends on level and functional area of responsibility.
For eligible employees, Equitable provides a full range of benefits. This includes medical, dental, vision, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off. For detailed descriptions of these benefits, please reference the link below.
5+ years of experience with planning, facilitating and leading internal/external workshops
Preferred Qualifications:
Impeccable ability to communicate with and lead a group of individuals (often including executives) through the process of Design Thinking and collaborative ideation
Unmatched attention to detail and due diligence, with a research-based approach to understanding what's required for great customer experiences
Experience with online whiteboard tools, such as Miro or Mural
Design Thinking certification or formal coursework
Demonstrated professional experience facilitating workshop sessions with at least 15 participants using collaborative tools
Ability to structure workshop formats and agendas including pre-work consulting with stakeholders
Understand human-centered design principles; be a strong advocate for the customer
Empathetically observe and communicate to stakeholders and participants with all levels of knowledge.
Bridge the gap between technology, business and customers.
Skilled in synthesizing qualitative information and quantitative data into impactful, results-oriented reports
Have versatile visual design skills including presentation development and prototyping
Experience with Service Design blueprinting
Results oriented with a proven record of on-time project delivery for multiple projects of varying complexity
Exhibit a strong ability to influence in a matrixed environment
Embrace uncertainty and ambiguity; be self-motivated and dedicated to continuous improvement
Experience with Agile-based project delivery
Strong reasoning, analytical and research skills
Ability to build trusting relationships across the organization
Skills
Business Markets:

Knowledge of existing and planned markets and market-related initiatives from the perspectives of the competition, the suppliers, the customer base and the regulatory environment; ability to apply market knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.
Decision Making and Critical Thinking:

Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
Design Thinking:

Knowledge of concepts, principles, and processes of design thinking; ability to utilize the knowledge in designing new products and services and even improving organizational operation.
Market Research:

Knowledge of market research; ability to collect, collate and analyze information about existing or potential markets and market needs.
Planning: Tactical, Strategic:

Knowledge of effective planning techniques and ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (1-2 years) and strategic (3-5 years) planning in support of the overall business plan.
Storytelling:

Knowledge of concepts and ability to plan, create and present business proposals, initiatives and ideas by storytelling actual business scenarios that are situation-specific, engaging, memorable and persuasive as compared to one-way, fact-based presentations.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

Demonstrates a commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by treating everyone with respect and dignity, ensuring all voices are heard and advocating for change.

ABOUT EQUITABLE

At Equitable, we’re a team of over ten thousand strong; committed to helping our clients secure their financial well-being so that they can pursue long and fulfilling lives.

We turn challenges into opportunities by thinking, working, and leading differently – where everyone is a leader. We encourage every employee to leverage their unique talents to become a force for good at Equitable and in their local communities.

We are continuously investing in our people by offering growth, internal mobility, comprehensive compensation and benefits to support overall well-being, flexibility, and a culture of collaboration and teamwork.

We are looking for talented, dedicated, purposeful people who want to make an impact. Join Equitable and pursue a career with purpose.

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Equitable is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to our employees, applicants and candidates based on individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disabilities, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information or any other class protected by federal, state and local laws.

NOTE: Equitable participates in the E-Verify program.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process or to perform the essential job functions of this position, please contact Human Resources at (212) 314-2211 or email us at [email protected] .

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