I recently posted about Bromford's new (as yet untested) sabbatical policy and how I'll be on-hand, selfless as always, to put it through its paces.
The flip-side of this exciting opportunity is that the lab is now down one lab designer and heading into one of the biggest periods of potential innovation the business has seen in a long time.
This is the design, testing and implementation of new and exciting ways of working under the banner of Bromford's transformation programme - whilst also exploring some more outlying concepts or policies that can inform our future strategy.
So - we're recruiting my replacement for the 12 months I'm planning to be AFK. Click here for the formal advert (but read on for the insider perspective).
You'll be working alongside Paul (Innovation Coach), Simon (Lab Designer) and Katie (Lab Assistant), with the full permission, nay expectation, that you'll outshine and outperform me during my leave. That's because it's a 12 month contract and you'll be the type of person who can hit the ground running!
While time limited, this position is certainly not a junior or training position. In fact, it's important that you arrive with confidence in your design skills and self-assuredness to apply them to deliver the most value within this window - and subsequently get the most out of the position.
While it's got 'Design' in the name, the role isn't overtly creative or artistic unless you want it to be. No - you'll be responsible for designing tests, pilots, prototypes and ways to engage customers and colleagues. Think more project manager gone rogue than graphic designer. In fact, if you've got a history or penchant for getting from points A to B in a controlled manner that demonstrates impact, you're basically there.
Point A is usually a loosely thought out idea, requiring examination and justification. Sometimes it could also just be a blank piece of paper. You don't necessarily need to be creative to work something out of nothing, but experience with a few tools or methods of ideation will help.
Point B could be a fully deployed service or product, but you should be comfortable failing an idea way before this point, sometimes a number of times, rather than forcing an idea through to implementation against your better judgement. You'll be the impartial one in the decision making process, so design integrity is a must.
The post offers the chance to sharpen your teeth on service design even if you aren't from a design or housing background. Maybe you're from customer services, academia, management, manufacturing - whatever. Don't count yourself out through lack of formal 'service design' experience if you feel you've got something to bring to the table.
Anyway, I could ramble on all day - better to just answer any questions that come through. Find me on twitter, I'll also drop the answers in the comments section below, Get in touch!