Senior Service Designer

J5 is a service design consultancy committed to building a kinder, more beautiful future through the design of services and strategies that put people first. For over a decade, we have worked alongside government, healthcare, and non-profit organizations to co-create meaningful solutions that reflect the lived experiences of those they serve.

We focus on complex systems where the stakes are high and the work requires deep trust, careful listening, and bold thinking. Our Calgary studio brings together a multidisciplinary team of designers and strategists who are passionate about doing work that matters.

The Role

We are hiring a Senior Service Designer to lead some of our most important projects in the Calgary region. This role is designed for someone who brings a high level of expertise and confidence to every phase of the design process, from scoping and research to synthesis and implementation.

As a senior member of the team, you will be responsible for leading design engagements, building strong relationships with clients, mentoring designers, and ensuring that the work we do is both visionary and practical. You will be a strategic thinker, a confident facilitator, and a champion of human-centered approaches in systems that are often resistant to change.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the design process from start to finish, including scoping, research, synthesis, ideation, prototyping, and delivery


• Manage and mentor cross-functional teams, supporting junior and mid-level designers in their growth


• Build trusted relationships with senior clients, helping them understand and apply service design in the context of their goals


• Facilitate high-impact workshops with diverse groups, including executives, community members, frontline staff, and patients


• Translate insights into actionable deliverables, such as service blueprints, personas, journey maps, and strategic roadmaps


• Ensure that designs are implementable by working closely with operational leaders and technology teams


• Contribute to the development of J5’s practice by shaping our tools, methods, and approach


• Represent J5 with confidence and humility in high-stakes environments, contributing to a culture of learning, collaboration, and trust

What You Bring

• A minimum of 6 to 8 years of experience in service design, human-centered design, or a related field


• A strong portfolio of work demonstrating leadership in complex service design projects, ideally within public sector, healthcare, or non-profit settings


• Expertise in qualitative research, co-design, systems thinking, and the ability to connect insights to implementation


• Excellent facilitation and communication skills, including the ability to bring clarity to ambiguity and help others move forward with confidence


• A collaborative and inclusive approach that values the perspectives of others


• Curiosity, courage, and kindness in how you lead, learn, and show up for your team and clients

What You Can Expect at J5

• The opportunity to lead projects that improve the lives of people who rely on essential services


• A studio culture built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to human-centered innovation


• Flexible work arrangements that balance in-person collaboration with hybrid options


• A competitive salary and benefits package, along with opportunities for personal and professional development


• A mission-driven team that genuinely cares about doing good work with good people