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Human Centered Design Lead

GuidehouseDenver, Colorado

$135,000 - $225,000 / year

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Overview

Schedule
Full-time
Career level
Director
Remote
On-site
Compensation
$135,000-$225,000/year
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance

Job Description

Job Family:

Strategy & Transformation Consulting

Travel Required:

Up to 25%

Clearance Required:

Active Top Secret SCI (TS/SCI)

What You Will Do:

  • Lead Human-Centered Design Integration Across Protege Company
    • Establish and mature HCD standards, design systems, workflows, and scalable practices.
    • Embed user-centered methods (usability analysis, interaction design, service design, experience strategy) into ISG’s engineering and mission workflows.
    • Develop visual/interaction artifacts: wireframes, prototypes, design guides, UI style standards—aligned to how protege will support IC program elements.
    • Translate complex mission/technical concepts into intuitive, human-centered design outputs for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Lead and Mentor Multidisciplinary Teams
    • Guide designers, engineers, and cross-functional MPP contributors—mirroring the team‑leadership achievements (e.g., scaling HCD teams, coaching designers, delivering high-volume outputs).
    • Facilitate design thinking workshops, production reviews, requirement refinement sessions, and stakeholder engagement cycles.
  • Support Program Management & MPP Governance
    • Partner closely with ISG, Guidehouse, and IC Agency collaborators.
    • Contribute to reporting, portfolio visualization, metrics tracking, and design-system sustainability per MPP structures seen in files like MPP ISG.
    • Deliver Research‑Driven, Mission‑Aligned Solutions.
  • Conduct user research, stakeholder interviews, heuristic evaluations, and service design activities rooted in the human-centered engineering mission of Protege MPP.
  • Ensure all design outcomes support mission needs, Agency priorities, and protégé capability development.

What You Will Need:

  • An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED TOP SECRET with SCI (TS/SCI) Federal or DoD security clearance
  • Bachelor's degree
  • FIFTEEN (15) or more years' in UX, Human-Centered Design, experience strategy, or interaction design, with THREE (3) or more years' in senior or team-lead roles.
  • Experience building design systems, scalable workflows, or multi-channel design outputs.
  • Experience supporting defense, intelligence, or federal agencies.
  • Experience in user research, usability analysis, prototyping, wireframing, and design thinking facilitation.

What Would Be Nice To Have:

  • Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) degree
  • Experience building dashboards, metric systems, or portfolio visibility structures.
  • Familiarity with emerging creative/AI design tools for accelerating workflows.
  • Ability to design for immersive environments, mission-focused interfaces, or complex operational workflows.
  • Prior experience supporting protégé development or capability building within federal programs.
  • Ability to translate technical/engineering requirements into clear user experience strategies.
  • Strong communication skills and stakeholder engagement experience across mixed technical / design audiences.
The annual salary range for this position is $135,000.00-$225,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

  • Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

  • Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays

  • Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus

  • Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance

  • 401(k) Retirement Plan

  • Basic Life & Supplemental Life

  • Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

  • Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

  • Student Loan PayDown

  • Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities

  • Skills Development & Certifications

  • Employee Referral Program

  • Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach

  • Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program

  • Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at RecruitingAccommodation@guidehouse.com. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or guidehouse@myworkday.com.  Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse.  Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact recruiting@guidehouse.com. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

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FAQs About Human Centered Design Lead Jobs at Guidehouse

What is the work location for this position at Guidehouse?
This job at Guidehouse is located in Denver, Colorado, according to the details provided by the employer. Some roles may also include multiple work locations depending on the requirement.
What pay range can candidates expect for this role at Guidehouse?
Candidates can expect a pay range of $135,000 and $225,000 per year.
What employment applies to this position at Guidehouse?
Guidehouse lists this role as a Full-time position.
What experience level is required for this role at Guidehouse?
Guidehouse is looking for a candidate with "Director" experience level.
What benefits are offered by Guidehouse for this role?
Guidehouse offers following benefits: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, Family/Dependent Health, Paid Holidays, Paid Sick Leave, Parental and Family Leave, Career Development, 401k Matching/Retirement Savings, and Tuition/Education Assistance for this position. Actual benefits may vary depending on the employer's policies and employment terms.
What is the process to apply for this position at Guidehouse?
You can apply for this role at Guidehouse either through Sonara's automated application system, which helps you submit applications 10X faster with minimal effort, or by applying manually using the direct link on the job page.