Job Description

This role may be based in any one of our three US studios: San Francisco, Cambridge and Chicago, or remotely anywhere in the US . Please note that this role may require a moderate amount of traveling for in-person or hybrid projects.

We will begin reviewing applications on a rolling basis starting July 11th after our North American Rest Week. Please apply well in advance for the best chance at selection for this interview cycle. See " How to Apply " at the end of this post for instructions on how to submit.

In a Nutshell

IDEO is looking for a Senior Writer. The role is, in essence, a lover of words and a storyteller. You’ll be finding, creating, and honing narratives all over your job—from uncovering insights during research and understanding what that means for design to crafting project deliverables that anchor and inspire both our teams and our clients. You understand the power of words, and you wield it.

The Full Scoop

The output of every IDEO project is — in one way or another — a vision of a future that does not yet exist. The narrative and strategic clarity essential to this role will ensure that the vision delivered through our work is clear, compelling, and aligned with genuine human needs as well as our clients’ goals.

We’ve found that great Writers can come from many different backgrounds. Innumerable paths can lead here, and we’re open to—and excited about—candidates with a wide array of past roles and experiences. You might be a journalist or a brand strategist; a novelist or script writer; a teacher or an academic; a beat poet or podcaster. The most important qualification is that you’ve had professional experience connecting with people deeply through the craft of writing; surfacing and articulating stories that can fuel design, creating strategy based on your learnings, and crafting stories, whatever their form, that stir people to action.

Above all else, you’re a lover of words and storytelling, an enthusiast who loves to noodle and fuss over which are the best words and how we might weave them together to tell stories that inspire and move people. You relish crafting stories that make people laugh, cry, sigh, and ponder—stories that people can feel in their bones. You are not afraid to experiment and explore new ways of crafting compelling narratives and stories—in all their forms.

Once here, you will:

• Bring clarity to the intangible and humanity to the theoretical, acting as a translator within multidisciplinary teams who defines and crystalize everyone’s ideas and establishes a common language that makes strategy more human and accessible.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary design teams to create cohesive and inspiring articulation of brand strategy, organizational purpose, values and vision, and consumer-facing brand expressions.
• Eagerly digest a lot of information from different sources and make sense of it: Pulling it all together, recognizing patterns, and understanding what that means for design. You should be able to find the nugget of a compelling story and draw it out from the clutter.
• Empower your curiosity and desire to connect with and learn from people through inclusive approaches. You have some research experience, and a love for understanding people and what makes them tick. You will likely love to ask “why.” A lot.

As a Senior Designer, you’ll be helping teams discover, synthesize, and communicate diverse stories and insights to inform both creative design solutions and strategic decision making. You’ll prioritize what’s most important when thinking about helping our clients achieve their goals. You will be just as comfortable collaborating with a bunch of fellow creatives as well as even the most buttoned-up client. You will embody the power of story with everything you do, and empower your colleagues to be clear, strong, and strategic communicators in a variety of media.

Relevant Experiences and Mindsets:

• 3+ years of professional writing experience crafting deliverables (e.g., design concepts, scripts, storyboards, briefs, manifestos, videos, handbooks, guidance documents, etc.) that inspire change
• Experience collaborating with others in multidisciplinary teams , including bringing teams and clients along with you on the journey of creative development
• Experience working with brands , either writing for, developing strategy, or designing consumer experiences, and familiarity with the fundamentals of brand development (ie. purpose, positioning, personality, values, brand architecture, naming)
• Experience participating and/or facilitating in user research with a particular focus on the stories people tell each other and themselves

What does IDEO offer you?

IDEO is a place where you can solve diverse, complex challenges alongside thoughtful, intelligent individuals who lead with curiosity, empathy, and optimism. Sure we work hard, but we also intentionally craft moments that allow our community to pause, create, and connect. We encourage our community to bring their whole selves to work, respect the need for work-life balance, and allow for autonomy in the design process and your career.

Previous IDEO projects to check out:

The Future Guest Experience

Commitment to Diversity

At IDEO, we are committed to the work of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization and in the world. Our purpose of having disproportionate, world-changing impact through design is directly connected to our ability to bring many different perspectives to the table. This applies to our candidates, the people we hire, the clients and customers we serve, and the communities we learn from in our research.

As a human-centered organization, we are committed to working with and designing for people of every race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, physical ability or attribute, religion, national origin, or political belief. We recognize that this commitment requires ongoing work and sustained attention, as well as adaptation to new insights and best practices.

How To Apply

Please apply with the following:

• Resume (suggested 1 page max): Please highlight experiences related to the ‘What It Takes’ section of this job description.
• “You” in a nutshell: If you were to write a headline or tagline about yourself (think of Nike’s “Just do it” or Apple’s “Think Different”), what would it be? Please respond with a short paragraph explaining your thinking.
• Storytelling Samples: Please include 3 examples of storytelling that you’re really proud of. These could be short films, short stories, audio recordings of your poetry, radio ads, etc—anything that shows off your writing talent! But, please include a little description of why you’re proud of that piece of work and your thought process behind it.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IDEO is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, veteran or military status, unfavorable military discharge, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.