Job description

[What the role is]

This is a 2-year contract position as a Strategy Lead in The Sandbox.

The Strategy Lead will drive the integration of Human Centred Design (HCD) into consultancy projects, and teaching and learning initiatives involving staff and students. Specifically, the role also includes the delivery of courses related to innovation and entrepreneurship. This role involves working closely with faculty, students, and external clients to deliver innovative solutions and build HCD and entrepreneurial capabilities.

[What you will be working on]

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• HCD Consultancy Delivery: Infuse and apply HCD methodologies into consultancy work for the polytechnic’s HCD clients, ensuring user-focused, innovative, and practical solutions.

• Training and Coaching: Empower HCD instructors and facilitators by designing and delivering training programs and coaching sessions to enhance their HCD consultancy delivery capabilities.

• Programme Development: Drive and curate programs to enable staff and students to deliver consultancy projects as part of final-year projects and capstone projects, fostering applied learning of HCD and real-world impact.

• Programme Delivery: Deliver content to adult learners enrolled in courses related to innovation and entrepreneurship

• Business Development: Identify and advance business development opportunities for HCD training and consultancy, building partnerships with industry stakeholders and securing new projects.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal teams (faculty, students, and management) and external partners (industry clients, government agencies) to develop HCD capabilities

• Knowledge Sharing: Share insights and best practices to enhance the polytechnic’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

[What we are looking for]

• A good degree in Design Thinking, Innovation, Business, or related disciplines

• At least 5–8 years of relevant experience in human-centred design, innovation consultancy, or innovation  development.

• Demonstrated track record in delivering consultancy projects applying human-centred design methodologies.

• Experience in training, teaching, or coaching professionals and/or students in innovation, design, and/or entrepreneurship.

• Experience in business development and/or partnership building, particularly with industry or public sector clients 

• Strong knowledge of Human-Centred Design and its methods (e.g., stakeholder mapping, experience diagramming, rough and ready prototyping).

• Ability to design and deliver effective training programmes and workshops for diverse audiences (staff, students, industry clients).

• Competence in curriculum/programme development, especially experiential or applied learning approaches.

• Excellent facilitation and coaching skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Strong business acumen with ability to identify opportunities, scope consultancy projects, and manage client relationships.

• Effective stakeholder management and communication skills across academic, industry, and government sectors

• Passion for innovation, education, and entrepreneurship.

• Empathetic and imaginative, with a problem-solving mindset.

• Collaborative and iterative, able to work with diverse stakeholders.