Design Portfolio Lead

Job Specifications

• Design Portfolio Manager (Temporary Contract or Contract-to-Hire)
• Location: Remote, USA.
• Timezone: Preference for early morning availability to align with European teams.
• Type: Contract (3–6 months) or Contract-to-Hire.
• Travel: Occasional travel may be required. 
• Requirements: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship, now or in the future.

About UsConcord isn’t your typical consulting firm; we’re an execution-focused company with a passion for making things happen. Our mission is to help clients enhance customer experiences, optimize operations, and revolutionize product offerings through seamless integration, optimization, and activation of technology and data.We’re purpose-built, merging the industry’s top specialty companies to amplify our innovation capabilities across Analytics & AI, Data Management & Engineering, UX and Digital Experience, and Technology Strategy & Delivery.About the RoleWe’re seeking an experienced Ad-Interim Design Portfolio Manager to lead and support a portfolio of multidisciplinary design projects within our client’s pathology division. This person will provide strategic design leadership, ensuring design alignment across multiple initiatives, fostering collaboration, and overseeing delivery across teams.Given the interim nature of the role, the ideal candidate will be adept at quickly understanding existing structures, building trust with stakeholders, and enabling design teams to deliver effectively within an established framework.Key Responsibilities(1) Stakeholder & Portfolio Management

• Serve as the main point of contact and trusted advisor for multiple stakeholders across projects.
• Develop stakeholder maps and engagement strategies.
• Ensure portfolio delivery alignment across scope, time, and budget.
• Identify dependencies and opportunities across projects.

(2) Design Operations & Delivery

• Establish and maintain DesignOps practices such as intake, resource planning, and project monitoring.
• Anticipate and mitigate challenges, risks, and delivery gaps.
• Prepare portfolio reports, QA/critique summaries, and risk mitigation plans.

(3) Team Enablement & Leadership

• Coach and collaborate with UX and design leads, promoting a culture of learning and belonging.
• Enable teams to work effectively by removing roadblocks and facilitating communication.
• Maintain clear, concise documentation for decisions, risks, and progress.

(4) Process & Communication Excellence

• Quickly ramp up through proactive onboarding and information synthesis.
• Leverage existing design frameworks, processes, and rituals to ensure continuity and consistency.
• Proactively identify risks such as scope creep or misalignment and escalate appropriately.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in design leadership, UX management, or program/portfolio management within design-driven organizations.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams (e.g., UX, UI, service design, research) across multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong background in DesignOps, including project intake, resourcing, prioritization, and performance tracking.
• Demonstrated success in managing demanding stakeholders and influencing decision-making across cross-functional business, design, and product teams.
• Ability to synthesize complex business and technical information quickly to drive clarity and alignment.
• Skilled in establishing and improving design processes, frameworks, and rituals that enhance team collaboration and delivery consistency.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and documentation skills, with the ability to convey decisions, risks, and dependencies clearly to diverse audiences.
• Experience creating risk mitigation and contingency plans in fast-paced environments.
• Comfortable working across distributed, global teams and managing interactions across time zones. 
• Experience in highly regulated or complex domains, including healthcare and pharmaceutical. 
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Design, Human–Computer Interaction, or related field preferred.

More than just a consulting firm, Concord is an execution company helping clients enhance customer experience, optimize operations, and differentiate product offerings. From digital transformation and legacy modernization to domain-driven design, we deliver real solutions for the problems our clients face. Join one of the fastest growing consulting firms in the Midwest!

Our core capabilities work together to help companies untangle their toughest business and technology challenges: Business Strategy & Alignment, Digital & User Experience, Cloud Applications & Integration, Data Solutions & Analytics, Quality Engineering, and Information Security.

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