Design Strategist, Design & Innovation

Sutter Health Innovation advances the future of healthcare by designing, testing, and scaling new products, services, and technologies across one of the nation's largest integrated health systems. The Design Strategist plays a pivotal role in shaping the experiences, concepts, and narratives behind forward-looking initiatives-translating complex healthcare challenges into clear, compelling solutions that influence how new offerings are imagined and brought to life. This hands-on, individual contributor role is ideal for a designer who thrives in ambiguity and owns the full design process, from human-centered research through concept development and communication.

The ideal candidate will lead human-centered research efforts to uncover unmet needs across patients, clinicians, and operational teams, translating insights into clear and actionable design recommendations. This role requires the ability to synthesize qualitative data and system-level complexity into well-defined experience principles, opportunity areas, and service concepts that guide strategic decision-making.

The candidate will be responsible for designing comprehensive, end-to-end experiences, including journey maps, service blueprints, user flows, and interface designs that span both physical and digital touchpoints. They will develop and prototype concepts-from early-stage ideas through detailed design execution-to support iterative testing and refinement of solutions.

This role also involves producing high-quality visual and communication assets, such as presentations, frameworks, and diagrams, that effectively convey complex ideas to diverse audiences. Close collaboration with cross-functional partners is essential to shape, refine, and advance concepts across desirability, feasibility, and viability.

Ultimately, this position leads meaningful design work at scale, influences strategic decisions, and contributes to shaping the future of healthcare delivery., Please Note: While this position is listed as hybrid, regular in-office attendance is required. Candidates should be prepared to commute to the San Francisco office on a consistent basis to support team collaboration and business needs.

Equivalent experience will be accepted in lieu of the required degree or diploma.

• Bachelor's in Design, Business, Healthcare or other related field

TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:

• 8 years recent relevant experience

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE :

• Experience delivering end-to-end design across user research, experience design, interaction design, and visual design for complex digital products and services.
• Proven ability to own ambiguous problem spaces, bringing clarity and momentum from discovery through detailed digital design execution.
• Strong track record translating human-centered research into concepts, flows, and fully realized designs, with the ability to design a digital product or app end-to-end when needed.
• Exceptional visual and communication design skills, creating compelling presentations, diagrams, frameworks, and narratives that influence decisions at all levels.
• Advanced proficiency in Figma and modern design tools, with a strong command of usability principles, interaction patterns, and design systems.
• Strategic design mindset that balances user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.
• Experience collaborating closely with engineers, product leaders, strategists, and program managers to deliver feasible, scalable solutions.
• Comfortable working in complex, regulated, or enterprise environments, ideally including healthcare or digital health.
• Strong storytelling, presentation, and facilitation skills, with confidence influencing senior stakeholders.
• Curiosity and fluency with emerging technologies, including AI-enabled and data-driven products.

These Principal Accountabilities, Requirements and Qualifications are not exhaustive but are merely the most descriptive of the current job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, staff changes, workload, or technical development).

The compensation range may vary based on the geographic location where the position is filled. Total compensation considers multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate's experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health's comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.