Lead, Human Centered Designer (Remote)

GovCIO is currently hiring for a Lead Human Centered Designer to provide design leadership in human-centered design, complex facilitation, and innovation initiatives supporting the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This includes leading discovery research, pilot support, and change management efforts across VA Medical Centers for key programs. Generally reports to the Sr. Clinical AI Integration and Technical Readiness Product Manager. This position will be located remotely within the Continental United States. 

• Leads human-centered design projects from discovery through implementation, including scoping design problems, conducting empathy-based contextual inquiry, qualitative research, and field observation across VA Medical Centers.
• Manages a multi-disciplinary HCD team, delegating work, establishing priorities, and aligning efforts with VHA strategic goals and agency priorities.
• Leads design synthesis to analyze qualitative data and uncover meaningful insights using tools such as customer journey maps, personas, concept mapping, and reframing techniques.
• Provides design leadership and strategic guidance to senior VHA officials and program stakeholders on human-centered design, complex facilitation, and innovation initiatives.
• Supports key VHA programs including Ambient AI Scribe and Integrated Health Technology initiatives through discovery research, pilot support, expansion planning, and change management.
• Creates and delivers comprehensive research plans, Insight Reports, Executive Summaries, and Future State Journey Maps that identify pain points and opportunities for improvement.
• Manages daily team operations ensuring compliance with VA directives, timely completion of deliverables, and alignment with customer needs.
• Develops mechanisms for monitoring project progress and facilitates intervention and problem solving with team members and stakeholders.
• Ensures the Voice of the Veteran and Voice of the Employee are infused into all design solutions and deliverables.
• Reviews, manages, and controls status of projects and budgets; manages schedules and prepares status reports.
• Manages subcontract teams and vendor deliverables, ensuring quality standards and adherence to task order requirements.
• Conducts project meetings and is responsible for project tracking, analysis, and reporting.
• Supports change management efforts across VA Medical Centers to drive adoption of new technologies and processes.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's (or equivalent) with 12+ years of experience.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience leading human-centered design projects within a federal health care environment, preferably VHA.
• Demonstrated experience conducting empathy-based contextual inquiry, qualitative research, and field observation across multiple VA Medical Center sites.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary design teams, including subcontractor personnel.
• Proven track record delivering HCD artifacts such as Insight Reports, Journey Maps, Personas, and Executive Summaries to senior government stakeholders.
• Experience supporting VA clinical technology pilot programs including discovery research, site-level implementation support, and change management across multiple facilities.
• Familiarity with VA directives, VA strategic planning, and federal government contracting environments.

Clearance Level: Must be able to obtain and maintain a VA Public Trust (Tier 2) suitability.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience supporting the rollout or expansion of emerging clinical technologies across VA Medical Centers.
• Experience supporting health technology modernization or digital transformation initiatives within VHA.
• Military Veteran or demonstrated experience working directly with Veteran populations.
• Experience teaching or facilitating design thinking curricula within a federal agency setting.
• Familiarity with change management frameworks such as ADKAR.
• Prior federal government service (GS-13 or above) or equivalent contractor experience supporting VA.

GovCIO is a team of transformers--people who are passionate about transforming government IT. Every day, we make a positive impact by delivering innovative IT services and solutions that improve how government agencies operate and serve our citizens.

But we can't do it alone. We need great people to help us do great things - for our customers, our culture, and our ability to attract other great people. We are changing the face of government IT and building a workforce that fuels this mission. Are you ready to be a transformer?

What You Can Expect

Interview & Hiring Process

If you are selected to move forward through the process, here’s what you can expect:

• During the Interview Process
• Virtual video interview conducted via video with the hiring manager and/or team
• Camera must be on
• A valid photo ID must be presented during each interview

• During the Hiring Process
• Enhanced Biometrics ID verification screening
• Background check, to include:
• Criminal history (past 7 years)
• Verification of your highest level of education
• Verification of your employment history (past 7 years), based on information provided in your application

Employee Perks

At GovCIO, we consistently hear that meaningful work and a collaborative team environment are two of the top reasons our employees enjoy working here. In addition, our employees have access to a range of perks and benefits to support their personal and professional well-being, beyond the standard company offered health benefits, including:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Corporate Discounts
• Learning & Development platform, to include certification preparation content
• Training, Education and Certification Assistance*
• Referral Bonus Program
• Internal Mobility Program
• Pet Insurance
• Flexible Work Environment

*Available to full-time employees

Our employees’ unique talents and contributions are the driving force behind our success in supporting our customers, which ultimately fuels the success of our company. Join us and be a part of a culture that invests in its people and prioritizes continuous enhancement of the employee experience.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. EOE, including disability/vets.

Posted Pay Range

The posted pay range, if referenced, reflects the range expected for this position at the commencement of employment, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, education, experience, and internal equity. The total compensation package for this position may also include other compensation elements, to be discussed during the hiring process. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the GovCIO reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, GovCIO or individual department/team performance, and market factors.