I am an experienced designer specializing in service design and strategic design, with a solid track record spanning three years at JP Morgan Chase. Prior to this role, I pursued my passion for design by completing a Master's in Engineering and Design Innovation at Northwestern University. My career journey also led me to serve as the lead designer at a sustainable startup in London and as a design researcher dedicated to crafting solutions for small-scale farmers in Ghana.

I believe my background uniquely positions me as an ideal candidate for this role due to my comprehensive experience in managing the design process from inception to execution. One of my core strengths lies in orchestrating project scope and direction through meticulous user research. This involves developing and refining research plans to ensure that insights are accurately captured to drive design solutions effectively.

Throughout my projects, I have adeptly overseen project scope by establishing clear timelines, regularly revisiting them, and leveraging them as a framework to align stakeholder expectations. By fostering a collaborative environment that involves project managers, engineers, and end-users from project inception, I have witnessed the most impactful outcomes. Whether through facilitating workshops to align stakeholders or inviting them to actively participate in research interviews, I ensure that diverse perspectives are integrated into the design process.

In my current project, our team is operating on an accelerated timeline to develop a proof of concept (POC) that outlines potential future possibilities. Being a designer on this initiative, I recognize the invaluable contribution my tools make to the project.

One key aspect of my involvement has been the creation of a detailed service blueprint that outlines both the existing pain points and opportunities within the current process. This initial blueprint has aided in aligning stakeholders. Subsequently, I have also generated a future state service blueprint to envision an optimal scenario for our users. The visuals created, along with accompanying prototypes, have proven instrumental in facilitating productive discussions with stakeholders regarding desired outcomes and the necessary steps toward achieving them.

Effective communication with stakeholders has been a pivotal element of my role. I have shared my work with senior stakeholders through various mediums, ranging from concise 5-minute summaries to in-depth full-day workshops. These diverse communication approaches have necessitated adaptability on my part to cater to the specific needs of the audience present.

Drawing from my experience in team growth and leadership, I am confident in my ability to add value to this position. At my current role, I have been instrumental in expanding the Chicago team from a sole member to a cohesive unit of four individuals within a span of six months. This expansion entailed overseeing the hiring process, conducting interviews, facilitating onboarding, and providing ongoing guidance to ensure adherence to best practices.

Furthermore, as one of the first team members three years ago, I have been actively involved in shaping the team's growth trajectory and refining engagement strategies. This has involved establishing and nurturing effective 'ways of working' and continuously adapting these practices to align with the evolving needs of the team as it expands.

Enhanced Work Experience:

It is difficult to definitively ascertain whether this text was generated by AI or written by a human, as the content appears to reflect a professional background in design and project management. The narrative outlines a progression from a prior role as a lead designer in a small start-up to the current position overseeing multi-disciplinary projects. The language used is formal and structured, detailing the individual's responsibilities, achievements, and collaborative approach to fostering team success.

The writer describes spearheading the establishment of the company's design direction in their previous role, highlighting its contribution to the organization's growth and securing funding. Furthermore, they emphasize their role in driving projects with a team of designers, interacting with various stakeholders, and managing projects of varying timelines.

Overall, the text conveys a sense of professional competence and emphasizes the importance of effective communication and clear expectations in collaborative environments. The tone is neutral and business-oriented, focusing on the individual's role, achievements, and guiding principles in project leadership.

Improved Version:

My approach to managing and fostering relationships with clients mirrors how I collaborate with and guide teams. My focus lies on cultivating open communication and effectively managing expectations. I firmly believe that we are all striving towards a common objective of enhancing the experience for everyone involved. Having this core belief has proven invaluable, particularly in navigating challenging conversations.

For instance, in a recent project, we were tasked with developing a design without any supporting research. Thanks to the strong rapport we had established with the stakeholders from prior collaborations, we were candid about our concerns. They appreciated our transparency, leading to the introduction of additional research resources in the second design iteration. This resulted in a final design that not only catered to user requirements but also adhered to the deadlines set by senior management.

I recently was apart of a significant project involving the development of a new platform tailored for external clients of the bank. This project garnered considerable attention from senior management, leading to a high level of interest in being associated with its success. Amidst challenges arising from differing perspectives between two project management groups regarding ownership duties, these disagreements extended to the design team, causing conflicting requirements and overlapping designs.

Recognizing the need for clarity and alignment, my colleague and I made a pivotal decision. We refocused our efforts on understanding and addressing the users' needs, resulting in the creation of a streamlined design process. By prioritizing user-centric designs, we successfully facilitated collaboration between the project management groups and steered them towards a unified vision for the platform. Ultimately, this strategic shift led to the approval of the final solution by senior leadership, marking a successful outcome for the project.

In a recent instance, my contribution to business development proved significant during a market disruption last March. This disruption prompted an expedited project timeline, condensing a five-year plan to less than a year. My focus was on a project dedicated to optimizing the client onboarding procedure into our part of the bank. As a result of this strategic initiative, a higher number of clients were successfully onboarded onto our platforms, translating directly into increased revenue for the organization.

I am interested in joining Coforma because of the company's reputation for fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. I appreciate the emphasis placed on professional growth and development, as well as the commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. The opportunity to work alongside talented individuals on meaningful projects excites me, and I believe that my skills and experience align well with the values and goals of Coforma. I am confident that I can contribute positively to the team while also continuing to learn and grow within such a dynamic organization.