Director of Design, Strategy & Growth

Nava

. Foster a collaborative and delivery-focused design culture, promoting a high standard of design excellence and user-centered thinking .

Posted 7/24/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $185,000 - $210,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive expertise in human-centered design, strategic planning, and team leadership, with a focus on fostering collaboration and innovation. Proven ability to manage complex projects and cultivate relationships with stakeholders to drive design excellence and business growth.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Human-Centered DesignTeam LeadershipStrategic PlanningStakeholder Relationship ManagementAI-Informed Workflows

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Human-Centered DesignStrategic PlanningProject ManagementDesign ExcellenceAI IntegrationDelivery Capabilities DevelopmentProposal DevelopmentMarket ResearchSolutioningUser-Centered Product Development

Soft Skills

CollaborationCoachingCommunicationInfluencingCredibility

Industry Keywords

Design TrendsCross-Functional TeamsBusiness DevelopmentDesign CultureUser-Centered Thinking

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Foster a collaborative and delivery-focused design culture, promoting a high standard of design excellence and user-centered thinking
Lead capabilities-focused professional development opportunities across the Design Org
Shape how the Design practice adopts AI, identifying opportunities, piloting approaches, scaling what works, and coaching Designers in building AI-informed workflows on their teams.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, and business development, to ensure design is strategic in all phases of company growth
Stay up-to-date with design trends, industry standards, and emerging technologies to drive innovation
Manage a team of up to eight direct reports across multiple projects
Act as a sounding board for design team members at Nava, coaching them through challenges, helping to review and structure their work, and providing coverage when necessary
Guide teams in applying Nava's cross-functional delivery model and human-centered system integration expertise to build modern, user-centered products that achieve strong outcomes for clients.
Other duties as required
Actively contribute to Nava's decisions on which strategic work to pursue
Contribute directly to business development through activities such as proposal development, solutioning, reviews, tech challenges, or market research presentations
Identify, develop, and scale new Delivery capabilities in the Design Org
Serve as a strategic partner by influencing and shaping Nava’s approach to growth

Requirements

What you’ll need

A skilled practitioner with deep experience in creative, strategic, technical, managerial, and operational aspects of human-centered design at scale
A proven leader who has experience managing complexity, developing strategy, and conducting long-term planning
In-depth experience cultivating strong relationships with external stakeholders and partners
10+ years of experience as a human-centered design practitioner
5+ years of direct people management experience and team leadership
Communicates with clarity and credibility in all channels and formats, across audiences including executive leadership, external clients, peer collaborators, direct reports, and cross-functional delivery teams
Ability to develop, build, and maintain productive relationships at all levels of leadership, management, and the organization.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health coverage — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans to support your overall health needs
Insurance coverage — Nava provides disability, life, and accidental death insurance at no cost
Time off — vacation, holidays (including Juneteenth), and floating holidays to rest and recharge
Company holidays — enjoy 12 paid federal holidays each year on top of your regular PTO
Annual bonus — when Nava meets its goals, eligible employees receive a performance-based annual bonus
Parental leave — paid time off for new parents, plus weekly meals delivered to your home
Wellness program — full platform offering physical, mental, & emotional health resources & support tools
Virtual care — see doctors online with no copay through a virtual visit program (depending on available providers)
Sabbatical leave — earn extended unpaid leave after continuous service for personal growth or rest
401(k) match — Nava matches 4% of your salary to support your retirement savings plan
Flexible work — remote-first environment with flexibility built around your schedule and responsibilities
Home office setup — company laptop & setup assistance provided via Staples for remote work needs
Utility support — monthly reimbursement to help offset eligible home office utility expenses
Learning opportunities — internal training programs and resources to help grow your professional skills
Development opportunities — LinkedIn Learning access & an annual allowance for courses, tuition, & certs
Referral bonus — get rewarded when you refer great people who join the Nava team
Commuter benefits — pre-tax commuter programs to support in-office travel when applicable
Supportive culture — A collaborative and remote-friendly team environment where people genuinely care