Service Designer

SKILLS NEEDED:

• Bachelor's degree in Design (Service Design, Interaction Design) Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Anthropology Psychology Business Administration Public Administration or a related field OR equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience as a Service Designer focused on designing complex services.
• Demonstrated experience applying a range of service design methodologies and tools (e.g., user research techniques, persona development, journey mapping, service blueprinting, workshop facilitation, prototyping).
• Specific demonstrable experience designing or improving administrative or operational services within a university research institution or similarly complex organizational environment.
• Proven ability to understand and map complex systems and processes involving multiple stakeholders and touch-points.
• Excellent communication presentation and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences (from senior leadership to front-line staff and researchers).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience facilitating collaborative workshops and design sessions.
• Portfolio showcasing at least 8 services designed that do not involving an IT system demonstrating your process methodologies and impact.

SKILLS THAT ARE NICE-TO-HAVE:

• Direct experience designing services related to research administration (e.g., grant proposal development, pre-award/post-award support, ethics review processes, research finance, compliance, reporting).
• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Experience working directly within a university Research Office or similar unit.
• Familiarity with the Canadian research funding or advancement landscape (e.g., Tri-Agency - CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) and related policies/procedures.
• Experience with change management principles and practices.
• Experience designing digital and non-digital service touch-points.
• Familiarity with relevant university systems (e.g., grants management software, ethics portals, financial systems).