Design Strategy Lead

Design Strategy Lead 

at Relish Works

Chicago | Full-time

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We are Relish Works, an innovation hub focused on the future of the foodservice industry. Relish Works operates as an independent start-up working with a top wholesale food distributor to identify growth opportunities and create user-centered solutions for the industry.

As we continue to expand and evolve, we are seeking a dynamic and visionary Design Strategy Lead to join our Chicago-based innovation studio.

About the role:

As Design Strategy Lead, you will be responsible for identifying, analyzing, and telling inspiring stories about the key trends and future developments within and around the foodservice industry. You will bring aspects of that future to life through engaging presentations, immersive experiences, and new solutions. You will bring creative and novel ideas and approaches to an interdisciplinary team of strategic thinkers and doers who have skills, experience and expertise across business strategy, user research, and experience design.

This role is best for someone who is both a creative, strategic thinker and a resourceful, self-driven doer, with expertise in storytelling, conceptual design, and a deep curiosity in applying their skills to solving many different types of creative problems. 

Your day to day could be a combination of any of the following: 

• Conducting primary and secondary research on macro shifts, emerging technology, and evolving consumer expectations in and around the foodservice industry
• Imagining and building out plausible yet provocative scenarios of what the future might actually look like
• Storyboarding, designing, and writing the content to pitch new concepts through compelling and engaging formats (presentations, articles, videos, and immersive experiences)
• Facilitating strategic conversations and workshops to inspire thought leaders across the company and industry
• Driving the process, managing timelines, and collaborating with various teams (executive stakeholders, partners, consultants and contractors) to execute projects
• Mentoring and managing teams of strategists, designers, and researchers (including contractors)
• Working closely with external partners, industry experts, and thought leaders to gather insights and perspectives on future trends and developments
• Staying current with the latest trends, methodologies, and tools related to trend analysis, foresight, and innovation

You should apply if you have:

• A bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent degree in design, strategy, creative writing, or a related field 
• 8-10 years of experience in a creative field such as design, brand strategy, or media
• 2-3 years in a creative leadership role
• A strong portfolio showcasing creative excellence and innovation across various mediums
• Exceptional creative vision and strategic thinking, with ability to translate ideas into compelling narratives and solutions
• A passion for novel storytelling, a superpower in creative writing, and a clever way with words
• Excellent verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with clients and stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools used in the creative process, such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Miro, Google Suite
• Comfort with ambiguity and ability to thrive in a self-directed culture
• Desire to work on a lot of different types and sizes of projects 
• A learner mindset - you are always interested in expanding your knowledge and perspective 

You will thrive if you align with our values:

• Our team is inclusive, passionate, resourceful, and dependable. We are a team of problem solvers who have super powers in strategy, research, design, and communication. We prioritize collaboration in our work and expect our team members to feel accountability for all parts of the business, not just their discipline.