Director of Design Strategy & County

Description

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Position Summary

The Director of Design Strategy & Research is a foundational leadership position within The Salvation Army’s Center of Applied Research and Innovation (CARI) and champions a cutting-edge “human-centered design” focus within the organization. This pivotal role strategically bridges human-centered design, participatory research, innovation practices, continuous improvement, and faith-rooted service in alignment with The Salvation Army’s mission and the operational framework at the Center of Hope in Anaheim, California. This position will also strengthen CARI’s ability to secure grants and new funding opportunities.

As CARI's program design leader, this role is critical to ensure The Salvation Army’s programs are informed by lived experience, shaped by ethical research practices, and driven by rigorous, actionable insights that improve outcomes for vulnerable communities. The Director will help translate real-time learning from the Center of Hope in Anaheim into scalable innovations that can be shared across the Salvation Army – Orange County, and possibly other Salvation Army locations in the Western Territory.

Essential Functions

Leads the creation of CARI’s research and innovation plans, focusing on researching, designing and testing new services that prioritize people’s needs and align with The Center of Hope’s Homeless Throughput

Collaborates with leadership, staff, and community members to set a CARI research agenda that encourages new ideas for addressing homelessness and other critical social

Identifies and defines new interdisciplinary research projects that consider real-life experiences, equity, and faith-based

Contributes to CARI fundraising efforts by helping secure new grants and also demonstrating impact through compelling program design, outcome-based evidence and impactful storytelling

Builds partnerships with research groups and innovation experts to adopt leading design

Establishes and oversees CARI’s approach to program design, leading research to improve services at the Center of Hope in Anaheim and also sharing successful practices with other Salvation Army locations as

Facilitates participatory workshops to ensure service users can contribute to and shape

Develops and manages internal CARI research systems, including ethics protocols, participant engagement frameworks, and impact measurement

Translates research findings into practical guides and tools for decision-making by Salvation Army leaders and

Ensures ethical handling of community knowledge and data in line with Salvation Army

Mentors and supervises staff, fellows, and interns in human-centered design, community-based research, and ethical

Other assignments and tasks as

Working Conditions

Ability to walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis. Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead. Ability to operate computer, fax, and telephone. Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.

Minimum Qualifications

By virtue of its direct contact with, and representation to people who engage in Salvation Army programs, people who demonstrate an understanding of The Salvation Army’s Christian mission are required for this position.

Doctoral Degree in Human-Centered Design, Social Work, Public Health, Policy, or a related field. Preferred : Doctor of Social Work with a focus on innovation and systemic change.

Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience leading human-centered design research and implementation and cross-sector strategy efforts in nonprofit, government or academic settings.

Demonstrated ability to lead ethical human- centered design research, especially among vulnerable and underserved populations.

Skilled in translating design research insights into programmatic strategies that inform policy, strengthen systems, and drive measurable social outcomes.

Experienced in strategic planning, developing multi-year innovation roadmaps, and aligning research and design priorities with organizational mission and long-term goals.

Deep understanding of trauma-informed care, community engagement, and system-level change.

Proven success in designing scalable models and frameworks that can be replicated across sites, including development of playbooks, toolkits, and Communities of Practice to support broad implementation.

Adept at fostering collaboration across diverse teams, building internal capacity, and mentoring emerging leaders in research, innovation, and social impact.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Demonstrated leadership in human-centered design, applied social research, or innovation within complex social systems. Preference will be given for candidates who have taught human- centered design courses at a University-level.

Mastery of mixed methods research, user research, service design, applied research and ethical engagement with vulnerable or underserved populations.

Exceptional facilitation, partnership, and communication skills across diverse teams and stakeholders.

Understands how research involving people is reviewed and approved to protect participants (IRB processes).

Is familiar with ways to turn research findings into real-world actions or changes (evidence-to- action frameworks).

Ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on implementation in dynamic, mission-driven settings.

Driving Test and clean MVR check.

If working in the vicinity of children a criminal background check is required with certification for Protect the Mission policies and procedures.

Must have the ability to work with, direct, and relate well with co-workers, community partners / members, and guests / clients.

Able to function and thrive in a fast-paced, frequently evolving environment.

Excellent computer skills : must be able to utilize all necessary office equipment adequately (i.e. computers, copy machines, scanners, calculator, etc.).

Excellent organizational skills; highly self- motivated and detail oriented.

Must have outstanding written and verbal communication skills.

Professional and courteous; excellent presentation skills

Qualifications

Licenses & Certifications

Required

• Driver's License

Experience

Required

Preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

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