Senior Innovation & Experience Design Lead
EY
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Confidence in your impact today | Freedom to build tomorrow
We are looking for a senior, entrepreneurial Innovation & Experience Design Leader who sees opportunities everywhere; in systems, services, organisations, and human behaviour. Someone who instinctively challenges the obvious, reframes problems, and turns ambition into tangible concepts that create real business value.
Your new job | About your main responsibilities
You will help us expand our business in service innovation and new business concept development, working at the intersection of design, strategy, and execution. You will operate comfortably at boardroom level, while still having the creative firepower to bring ideas to life yourself. You confirm direction, create momentum, and are not afraid to push, against conventions, institutions, or closed doors, if that is what it takes to move things forward.
- Lead and shape new business concepts and experience-driven transformation initiatives for clients across complex organisations.
- Identify, frame, and develop new business opportunities and service concepts, from early-stage exploration to validated propositions.
- Act as a bridge between design and business, translating creative thinking into commercial and strategic impact.
- Inspire clients and colleagues by making the abstract concrete: through storytelling, visuals, and compelling narratives.
- Facilitate and guide multidisciplinary teams, often including stakeholders with limited background in design, CX, or marketing, bringing them along with clarity and conviction.
- Play an active role in business development, leveraging your experience, credibility enthusiasm, and your network.
- Represent our thinking externally: on stages, in client boardrooms, and in high-stakes conversations where persuasion matters.
- Contribute to the growth of our team by mentoring, motivating, and setting the bar for creative ambition and delivery quality.
Your new team | About your colleagues and the office
Our Amsterdam office is located at the Zuidas: a bustling area full of companies. In our Cross Towers, we welcome up to 1,500 people every day. For a breathtaking view of the city, head to the 22nd floor. Collaboration takes on a new meaning in our Wavespace, a high-tech environment that connects clients and colleagues virtually across the globe.
Your skills and strengths | About your unique contribution
You are an experienced innovation professional who combines strategic sharpness with creative courage. You:
- Have 8–15+ years of relevant experience in innovation, experience design, service design, strategy, or related fields (senior manager / principal level)
- Have experience in a consulting environment, which is considered a strong plus.
- Bring either an established network in relevant sectors (such as Energy, Financial Services, Telco or Public) or have the natural gravitas and executive presence to open doors and engage confidently with decision-makers, which is considered a strong plus.
- Are known for seeing possibilities where others see constraints and for acting on them.
- Are persuasive, energetic, and credible, able to influence senior stakeholders without relying on hierarchy.
- Are comfortable working with ambiguity and complexity and thrive where there is no predefined path.
- Have hands-on creative skills: you can craft impressive narratives through visual storytelling.
- Have a strong can-do mentality, a healthy disregard for unnecessary rules, and the resilience to keep pushing when things get difficult.
- Are not afraid to take a stage, challenge a room, or knock on doors that may initially stay closed.
What we offer
- A senior role with real influence on both client impact and the future direction of our business.
- Challenging clients and complex innovation questions that demand creativity, courage, and leadership.
- A team that values ambition, substance, and originality over process for process’ sake.
- The opportunity to build and to leave a visible mark.
In short
This role is for someone who leads through ideas, builds through action, and inspires through conviction. If you believe innovation should be bold, experiential, and commercially meaningful — and you are willing to push for it — we want to meet you.
Your benefits | About your perks and work enjoyment
- A competitive salary that reflects your role and responsibilities, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Plus, a solid pension plan for the future. In addition to your salary, you’ll receive holiday allowance and an annual bonus (based on performance and development).
- You’ll receive a contract for 32-40 hours.
- A laptop and phone for both work and personal use, and a monthly internet allowance.
- 29 vacation days to recharge and unwind, plus the option to buy extra days.
- With the mobility budget, you decide how you travel. Choose a lease car, a discounted public transport subscription, or arrange transport easily via our app.
- At EY, we care about a healthy work-life balance. Hybrid working makes this easier. Whether you're working from the office, at a client, or from home, we’ll make sure you have a well-equipped home office.
- The opportunity to work up to 20 days per year from abroad.
- The option to swap 3 national holidays for non-national ones.
- You’ll have the space to grow both personally and professionally. Whether you want to deepen your expertise, develop your personality, or improve your leadership style, we offer a broad range of trainings and courses.
- Your well-being is our priority. We believe that when you feel good, you perform better. That’s why you’ll have access to the OpenUp wellbeing platform (including for your family). You can easily connect with psychologists and lifestyle experts within 36 hours and take part in wellbeing sessions.
- A strong focus on teaming and various internal networks where you can join all kinds of social activities. A positive work atmosphere and good collaboration with colleagues contribute to your overall happiness at work.
All this within an environment where our core values of integrity, inclusiveness, and respect are central. We think it’s important that you can be yourself and fully develop into the best version of yourself. Curious about all our benefits? Click here.
Ready to shape your future with us? About your application process
- For this vacancy, we ask you to upload your CV. At EY, we support the use of AI tools, as long as your own tone and unique personality remain visible.
- Our first contact: After your application, our recruiter will call you within 5 days for a short introduction. We’ll explore whether the role could be a good match.
- First interview: Before the interview, we’ll ask you to complete an online assessment. Not a standard questionnaire, but a game-based assessment focusing on both your cognitive skills and behavioral preferences. We’ll discuss the results during the interview, which will include a colleague from the relevant department. This mutual introduction is a chance for us to get to know you, and for you to ask any questions you have.
- Second interview: If we see a match and you’re still enthusiastic, we’ll invite you for a second interview. We’ll dive deeper into the role and other relevant topics. Sometimes, a concept pitch is part of the process. A final interview may also follow.
- We’re a match. You’ll receive an offer and we’ll perform a pre-employment screening. Then your new adventure begins. Welcome to EY!
EY | Building a better working world
EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.
Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.
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