📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director of Design, Strategy & Growth
🔹 Company: Nava
🔹 Location: Remote
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Design & Strategy
🔹 Date Posted: April 15, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote Solely
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading strategic design initiatives and business development efforts across Nava
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify new opportunities and grow the business
- Ensuring design excellence and user-centered thinking in all projects
- Managing a team of up to eight direct reports across multiple projects
- Contributing to Nava's growth through solutioning on contract proposals and providing strategic guidance on business development efforts
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, leadership, and experience in human-centered design and business development.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead strategic design initiatives and business development efforts across Nava
✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify new opportunities and grow the business
✅ Ensure design excellence and user-centered thinking in all projects
✅ Manage a team of up to eight direct reports across multiple projects
✅ Contribute to Nava's growth through solutioning on contract proposals and providing strategic guidance on business development efforts
✅ 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
✅ 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
✅ Develop internal and external communications to position Nava as an innovator in the civic tech space
✅ 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
✅ Serve as an escalation point for direct reports and their teams
✅ Meet regularly with senior/principal designers and Design Managers, using that time for identifying coaching and training opportunities, removing blockers, and managing team operations
✅ Identify opportunities for collaboration or escalation with other organizations/departments at Nava
✅ Contribute and be accountable to quarterly and yearly goals and metrics for the Design Org
✅ Ensure staff consistently hit billable hours targets
✅ Other duties as required
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, leadership, and experience in human-centered design and business development. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in managing complexity, developing strategy, and conducting long-term planning.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field. A Master's degree would be a plus.
Experience: 10+ years of experience as a human-centered design practitioner, with 5+ years of direct people management experience and team leadership.
Required Skills:
- Proven leadership experience with a track record of managing complexity, developing strategy, and conducting long-term planning
- In-depth experience cultivating strong relationships with external stakeholders and partners
- Excellent organizational skills and effective presentation skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven ability to manage and grow a team of designers
- Experience with fast-growing companies, with a bonus for experience within government contracting or professional service firms
- Adaptive, empathetic, collaborative leadership mindset
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
- Familiarity with the government contracting ecosystem and compliance-driven multi-stakeholder environments
Preferred Skills:
- Experience managing the business dynamics in a professional services firm (billable hours, contract portfolios, client services skills)
- Experience and bias toward a “company-builder” frame of mind
- Track record of introducing and expanding agile transformation and pursuing best practices in design management with clients and stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in human-centered design, business development, and team management, with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $165,000 - $175,000 a year
Benefits:
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Generous time off: 20 days of accrued PTO, 12 paid federal holidays, 5 prorated floating holidays, and unlimited sick leave
- Annual discretionary bonus
- Parental leave: 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave and weekly meal deliveries during leave
- Employee wellness program
- Virtual doctor visits
- Fertility support
- Sabbatical leave
- 401k contributions: 4% match
- Flexible work arrangements
- Home office setup and monthly phone allowance
- Utilities reimbursement
- Learning and development program
- Tuition and professional development budget
- Equity stock options
- Employee referral program
- Commuter benefits
- Insurance coverage: short and long-term disability insurance, as well as life and accidental death insurance
- Vibrant culture
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level and experience. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and Nava's internal compensation structure.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Software Development
Company Size: 201-500 employees
Founded: 2015
Company Description:
- Nava is a consultancy and public benefit corporation working to make government services simple, effective, and accessible to all
- Nava emerged from the effort to rebuild HealthCare.gov after its troubled launch, and exists to address some of the most complex challenges in the public sector
- We’re thinkers and designers of civic technology. We work holistically across engineering, research, design, and operations to proactively envision the services of a better future
- We build with empathy and inclusion, and as we come from many backgrounds and countries ourselves, we seek and value different perspectives
Company Specialties:
- Reimagining critical government services
Company Website: http://navapbc.com
ASSUMPTION: Nava is a mission-driven company focused on improving government services through innovative design and technology solutions. They value diversity, inclusion, and collaboration in their work environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior/Executive
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the CEO and works closely with the leadership team to drive strategic initiatives and business development efforts
Work Arrangement: Remote solely, with the option to work from one of Nava's offices in Washington, DC, San Francisco, or New York
Growth Opportunities:
- This role offers the opportunity to grow within the Design Org and take on additional responsibilities as Nava expands
- The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of driving growth and innovation in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
- This role provides exposure to various aspects of the business, including strategy, business development, and team management
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in human-centered design, business development, and team management, with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Nava has offices in Washington, DC, San Francisco, and New York, but this role can be performed remotely from one of the approved states
Office Location(s): 1 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20005, US; 65 Battery St, San Francisco, CA 94107, US; 155 Rivington St, New York, New York 10002, US
Geographic Context:
- Nava has a remote-first culture, with employees located across the United States
- The approved states for remote work are: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, DC, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin
Work Schedule: The work schedule is flexible, with core hours between 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM ET. Employees are expected to be available during these hours for team meetings and collaboration.
ASSUMPTION: Nava's remote work policy allows for flexibility and work-life balance, with a focus on results and productivity rather than hours worked.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- Technical assessment or case study presentation
- On-site or virtual interview with the team
- Final interview with the CEO
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Leadership and team management skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Nava's mission and values
- Expertise in human-centered design and business development
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Showcase your portfolio or examples of your work, if applicable
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership, problem-solving, and team management skills
- Research Nava's mission, values, and company culture to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the role
ATS Keywords: Human-Centered Design, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Team Management, Relationship Building, Creative Problem Solving, Agile Transformation, User-Centered Thinking, Design Excellence, Collaboration, Communication, Mentorship, Coaching, Market Research, Proposal Development, Technical Challenges
ASSUMPTION: Nava's interview process is designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership, and cultural fit. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in human-centered design, business development, and team management, with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Design tools: Sketch, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.
- Project management tools: Asana, JIRA, Trello, etc.
- Collaboration tools: Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Slack, etc.
- Communication tools: Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc.
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be proficient in using various design, project management, and collaboration tools to facilitate remote work and team communication.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Empathy and inclusion
- Collaboration and open communication
- Continuous learning and improvement
- Results-driven and accountable
- Adaptable and resilient
Work Style:
- Remote-first and flexible work arrangements
- Focus on results and productivity rather than hours worked
- Cross-functional team collaboration and support
- Regular check-ins and open communication
- Focus on work-life balance and employee well-being
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate empathy and inclusion in your design process and team management style?
- How do you approach collaboration and open communication in a remote work environment?
- How do you balance work-life balance and prioritize your own well-being while managing a team and driving strategic initiatives?
ASSUMPTION: Nava values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration in their work environment. The ideal candidate will be able to thrive in a remote, cross-functional team setting and demonstrate a strong commitment to Nava's mission and values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a remote team with employees located across different time zones
- Balancing strategic thinking and execution in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Navigating the complexities of the government contracting ecosystem and compliance-driven multi-stakeholder environments
- Managing competing priorities and stakeholders in a growing organization
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience managing remote teams, navigating complex environments, and balancing strategic thinking and execution in a fast-paced, dynamic setting.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on strategic design initiatives, business development, and team management within the civic tech sector
- Compared to similar roles in the private sector, this role offers the opportunity to drive growth and innovation in a mission-driven, public benefit corporation
- Career path comparison: This role can lead to senior leadership positions within Nava or related organizations focused on civic technology and government services
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be drawn to Nava's mission and the unique opportunity to drive growth and innovation in the civic tech sector.
📝 Sample Projects
- Rebuilding HealthCare.gov after its troubled launch
- Designing and implementing user-centered digital services for government agencies
- Conducting market research and competitive analysis to inform business development strategies
- Developing and executing on contract proposals and solutioning efforts
- Managing and growing a team of designers to deliver on strategic design initiatives
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience working on large-scale, complex projects and managing teams to deliver on strategic design initiatives and business development efforts.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Nava approach strategic design initiatives and business development efforts in the civic tech sector?
- What are the key challenges and opportunities facing Nava in the next 12-24 months, and how does this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does Nava support the professional development and growth of its designers and team members?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance and employee well-being, particularly in a remote work environment?
- How does Nava collaborate with government agencies and other stakeholders to drive innovation and improve government services?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be curious and engaged, asking thoughtful questions that demonstrate their understanding of Nava's mission, values, and the unique challenges and opportunities facing the company.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a portfolio or examples of your work, if applicable
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership, problem-solving, and team management skills
- Research Nava's mission, values, and company culture to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the role
- Follow up with the recruiting team at recruiting@navapbc.com if you have any questions or need further clarification
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
