Head of Design - ZS

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on transforming global healthcare and beyond, our most valuable asset is our people.Here you’ll work side-by-side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping solutions from start to finish.At ZS, we believe that making an impact demands a different approach; and that’s why here your ideas elevate actions, and here you’ll have the freedom to define your own path and pursue cutting-edge work.We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business including portfolio strategy, customer insights, research and development, operational and technology transformation, marketing strategy and many more.If you dare to think differently, join us, and find a path where your passion can change lives. 

Our most valuable asset is our people.  

At ZS we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences and belief systems—the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are and make us unique.We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are part of your success here. Learn more about our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces, obtaining the resources they need to thrive, and sharing the messages they are passionate about.  

ZS’s Digital and Technology group focuses on driving end to end Digital Transformation that spans boundaries across business and technology and includes Digital Strategy, Human Centered Design, and implementing business technology solutions leveraging emerging technologies, and driving purposeful change management to improve customer and company results. The types of service offerings include Digital Strategy and Advisory services, Human Centered Design, Enterprise Data, Analytics and AI, Intelligent Automation, building Digital Products, Solutions and Digital Platforms leveraging emerging technologies such as Big Data, AI/Gen-AI, Digital Platform configuration and integrations.  We provide a complete spectrum of technology solutions, from strategy and roadmap definition to full scale implementation and on-going operations. Our team possesses deep expertise in leading digital transformation, user experience and design, enterprise data management, analytic and AI, Data science and advanced analytics and building end to end digital

Head of Design

We are seeking a visionary and experienced Head of Design to lead our team of talented designers and UX people in creating innovative and user-centric design system and approaches for our global consulting clients. In this leadership role, you will be responsible for setting the strategic design direction, providing thought leadership, re-invigorating our design offerings and taking it to our clients (in collaboration with our client services and practice teams), building a high-performing design team, and ensuring our design team is a valued partner across the firm.

What You'll Do:

Strategic Design Leadership

• Establish the strategic vision and direction for the design function at ZS, aligning it with the firm's overall business objectives
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional leaders across ZS to ensure human centered design and design thinking is embedded in the client engagement process and is deeply integrated throughout the solution development lifecycle
• Lead the design team in developing innovative, user-centric solutions that drive measurable impact for clients
• Identify new opportunities to leverage design as a competitive advantage and differentiate ZS' offerings

Business Development and client engagement

• Actively participate in business development efforts to identify new design-led opportunities and win new clients
• Build strong relationships with a few clients to understand their evolving needs and challenges. Represent the design function in client meetings and presentations, showcasing ZS' design capabilities
• Coach and mentor design team members for how to do effectively develop business and engagement with clients, in collaboration with our clients and practice teams

Design Team Management

• Lead, mentor and coach a high-performing, diverse global design team with expertise across UX, UI, human centered design, fostering a culture of design excellence, continuous learning, and creative problem-solving
• Implement design system standards and best practices to ensure design quality, efficiency, and scalability of our solutions and services
• Manage the design team's capacity, hiring, recruiting, resource allocation, and career development to ensure we have the talent, skills and expertise to meet our client needs.
• Define clear performance expectations and provide ongoing feedback to help designers grow their skills and increase demand for their skills.

Design Execution and Delivery

• Lead the design of a few client projects and ensure design solutions are grounded in user research, data-driven insights, and a deep understanding of client needs
• Collaborate with our client and practice teams to translate design concepts into functional, high-impact deliverables. Clearly articulate design concepts and decisions to clients, ensuring buy-in and successful project outcomes.
• Build strategic relationships with senior design stakeholders at our clients

Thought Leadership and Innovation

• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, technologies, and best practices to inform ZS' strategy
• Develop and share design-focused thought leadership to position ZS as an industry leader. Connect
• Explore and experiment with new design methodologies, tools, and techniques to drive innovation
• Advocate for the strategic value of design within the organization and with clients

What You'll Bring:

• 15+ years of experience as a Design professional, with 7+ years managing Design/UX teams of designers & researchers, including Managers in a product or services company.
• Demonstrated experience with business development within existing clients and in developing new prospects with senior stakeholders. Experience within the healthcare industry is a plus
• Proven track record of success leading, growing, maturing and managing a design team in a fast-paced environment. Expertise in Digital Products and Technology ecosystem as it applies to design
• Experience working in a global consulting environment is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to be an effective change management leader for their direct reports.
• Characteristics of a forward thinker and self-starter that thrives on new challenges and adapts quickly to learning new knowledge. Champion of innovation with strong ability to cultivate & grow people.
• Ability to lead a virtual team of consulting professionals across the globe; Strong leadership: excellent team management, coaching and mentoring skills; superior planning, process and influencing skills.
• Good presentation and communication skills (both verbal and written) including experience and level of comfort presenting concepts to senior executives

Perks & Benefits: 

ZS offers a comprehensive total rewards package including health and well-being, financial planning, annual leave, personal growth and professional development. Our robust skills development programs, multiple career progression options and internal mobility paths and collaborative culture empowers you to thrive as an individual and global team member.  

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working.  A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week.The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections. 

Considering applying? 

At ZS, we're building a diverse and inclusive company where people bring their passions to inspire life-changing impact in global healthcare and beyond.We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and recognize the value that candidates with all backgrounds, including non-traditional ones, bring.If you are interested in joining us, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet 100% of the requirements listed above. 

ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law. 

To Complete Your Application: 

Candidates must possess work authorization for their intended country of employment.An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered. 

NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE. 

Find Out More At: 

www.zs.com