Vancouver’s interaction design boutique, LiFT studios is searching for an extraordinary person to fill the hybrid position of Design Strategist/Project Manager. The ideal candidate possesses excellent writing skills, interpersonal and communication skills combined with strategic thinking to support design solutions. The person hired will have the opportunity to move into a key position at LiFT and be responsible for important tasks like proposal writing and client liaison. The role will include working with a team to create strategies, communicating design rationale and apply some design implementation.
Design Strategy
- Working in collaboration with clients and team to create appropriate design and technology strategies.
- Providing other designers and developers with high-level feedback and direction
- Effectively implement design solutions on a select number of clients
Project Management
- Creates and executes project work plans and revises as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements.
- Able to effectively translate clients business needs to creative and technical team members
- Identifies resources needed and assigns individual responsibilities.
- Manages day-to-day operational aspects of a project and scope.
- Reviews deliverables prepared by team before passing to client.
- Effectively applies LiFT’s methodology and enforces quality standards.
- Ensures project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately.
Project Accounting
- Tracks and reports team and contractor hours and expenses on a weekly basis.
- Manages all aspect of project budget including time, resources and scope.
- Determines appropriate revenue recognition, ensures timely and accurate invoicing, and monitors receivables for project.
- Analyzes project profitability, revenue, margins, bill rates and utilization.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Financial Management
- Understands our pricing model and billing procedures.
- Accurately forecasts revenue, profitability, margins, bill rates and utilization.
- Assures project legal documents are completed and signed.
Business Development
- Identifies business development and “add-on” sales opportunities as they relate to a specific project.
- Identifies new business opportunities and strategies to convert opportunities and leads into sales.
- Leads proposal efforts including completing project scoping and LOE assessments.
- Effectively conveys our message in both written and verbal business development discussions.
Communication
- Facilitates team and client meetings effectively.
- Holds regular status meetings with project team.
- Keeps project team well informed of changes within the organization and general corporate news.
- Effectively communicates relevant project information to superiors.
- Delivers engaging, informative, well-organized presentations.
- Resolves issues in a timely fashion.
- Understands how to communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully.
- Understanding in Design & Technology
- Has a thorough knowledge of design patterns, user centered design and aesthetic styles
- Maintains awareness of new and emerging creative trends and technologies and the potential application on client engagements.
- Possesses general understanding in the areas of prepress production, application development and databases.
- Has thorough understanding of web development technologies and implementation techniques
PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES
Leadership
- Challenges others to develop as leaders while serving as a role model and mentor.
- Manages the development of team by ensuring, when possible, that project tasks are in line with each Innovator’s career interests.
- Inspires coworkers to attain goals and pursue excellence.
- Identifies opportunities for improvement and makes constructive suggestions for change .
- Manages the process of innovative change effectively.
- Remains on the forefront of emerging industry practices.
Teamwork
- Consistently acknowledges and appreciates each team member’s contributions.
- Effectively utilizes each team member to his/her fullest potential.
- Motivates team to work together in the most efficient manner.
- Keeps track of lessons learned and shares those lessons with team members.
- Mitigates team conflict and communication problems.
Client Management
- Manages day-to-day client interaction.
- Sets and manages client expectations for both design and technical outcomes.
- Develops lasting relationships with client personnel that foster client ties.
- Communicates effectively with clients to identify needs and evaluate alternative business solutions.
- Continually seeks opportunities to increase customer satisfaction and deepen client relationships.
- Builds a knowledge base of each client’s business, organization and objectives.
ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Innovator Development
- Conducts effective performance evaluations and mentors those with less experience through formal channels.
- Helps team execute career development plans.
- Seeks and participates in development opportunities above and beyond training required by us.
- Trains other innovators and clients through both formal and informal training programs.
- Encourages more junior Innovators to take responsibility for their development within the company.
- Challenges fellow Innovators to progress toward their professional development goals.
Internal Operations
- Suggests areas for improvement in internal processes along with possible solutions.
- Leads internal teams/task forces
- Approves team members’ time and expense reports in a conscientious and timely manner.
- Reviews the status reports of team members and addresses issues as appropriate.
- Complies with and helps to enforce standard policies and procedures.
Please respond with resume and cover letter. Due to the high volume of responses it may take up to 7 business days for us to respond.
All qualified Candidates will be notified by Tuesday Feb. 2. 2010
email cover-letter and resume to: me
