Strategist

HANA DEFENSE SOLUTIONS TEAM |THE HANA GROUP Position Overview Serve as a Strategist contributing to one or more workstreams, helping drive the human-centered design, research, and execution efforts within our Hana Defense Solutions (HDS) team, part of the Native Hawaiian nonprofit corporation The Hana Group. From strategic vision to tactical implementation, we deliver adaptable, mission-centered solutions that help government and defense clients achieve lasting impact. Our team supports the mission-critical efforts of the Department of War (DoW) and federal clients through human-centered design, technology, and co-development. As a Strategist, you bring the skills, passion, and motivation to solve complex problems facing the DoW by getting to the root cause. You'll work closely with cross-functional team members and customers, conducting, contributing to, and assisting with research, design frameworks, processes, and communications on initiatives within your assigned project. Primary Responsibilities Develop products within customer workstream(s) that meet DoW standards and security requirements using human-centered design methods Support the development and execution of strategic plans, frameworks, and recommendations that align with client and mission objectives Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to understand operational challenges, identify opportunities, and inform decision-making Work closely with Hana and client SMEs to translate complex information into applicable customer solutions Synthesize complex insights and user research into clear narratives, reports, and visual frameworks for leadership and client stakeholders using human-centered design methodologies Support the design and facilitation of workshops, design sprints, and strategic planning sessions Collaborate cross-functionally with the Program Manager, designers, developers, strategists, and other team members Regularly attend in-person customer meetings on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, as required Support the maintenance of design systems, style guides, and design standards Track action items, milestones, and dependencies to ensure timely completion, escalating as needed Other duties as assigned What Sets You Apart Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate and engage a variety of stakeholders at different levels Experience supporting strategic planning initiatives within the government or Department of War space Understanding of Adobe Creative Suite and other design tools as necessary to execute work Actively seeks feedback and opportunities for growth Ability to think strategically while executing tactically, moving comfortably between high-level plans and hands-on delivery Comfortable working across cross-functional teams Curiosity to solve hard problems as part of a team and learn new methodologies and approaches Ability to turn active listening into work product that meets client requirements Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, and Figma, with the ability to learn new tools as needed Bachelor's degree in Strategy, Business, Industrial Design, Communications, or a related field 5+ years of experience working on DoW or government contracts in problem-solving and strategy roles Familiarity with DoW and government operations, regulations, and structure Proven ability to analyze complex problems and present structured, evidence-based recommendations Experience with human-centered design methods and frameworks Knowledge of DoW nuances, protocol, and compliance, with the ability to read the room and adjust for results Ability to support the full project lifecycle, from kickoff through implementation and adoption Ability to travel for in-person sessions with the customer Must be a U.S. citizen and possess a DoD Secret or higher security clearance Preferred Qualifications Experience on small, high-accountability teams Exposure to change management fundamentals (e.g., stakeholder engagement plans, change impact assessments, adoption roadmaps) Experience with visual storytelling or content mapping (e.g., wireframes, content hierarchies) in partnership with a design team Experience planning or supporting the facilitation of workshops and working sessions Familiarity with Agile approaches (stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives) Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for qualified Health, Dependent Care, and Transportation expenses Hana-owned MacBook Pro Flexible PTO Short term disability insurance 401k Work Schedule Full time, 40 hours per week Remote with periodic on-site presence at client locations as needed (2-3 days/week for some positions) #J-18808-Ljbffr