Design Officer

Position Description:

3M is driving creativity and design as a competitive platform for innovation and brand globally to enhance design-driven solutions for people and the world. We are looking for a Design Officer to lead the charge for our Safety & Graphics and Industrial Business Groups at the 3M Design Center, located in Maplewood, MN.

Introduction:

The Design Officer for the 3M Safety & Graphics and Industrial Business Groups (SG/IBG) is the primary visionary, functional leader and champion of Design for both Business Groups globally. The person hired for this position establishes a global design network and practice for Safety & Graphics and Industrial Divisions and Business Group-level design strategy; Provides advice and consults with both Business Groups to establish complex, long-term strategic design direction for brand design, innovation, user experience design, digital connected solutions and process improvements; Represents both 3M Business Groups as the primary voice of design to media, customers, key stakeholders and the external design community to grow 3M's Safety & Graphics and Industrial Business Group’s reputation in design.

Does your curiosity inspire you to imagine tomorrow’s solutions to today’s problems? Do you ever wonder how collaborative creativity can enrich innovation and make progress possible? Or wonder if design can drive competitive advantage for business, while also having positive impact on the world? These are just a few of the questions we ask at 3M Design every day. Our diverse, global team not only includes design talent from multiple creative disciplines, but also achievement-oriented professionals who keep the engine going for strong operations to ensure our design organization is world class. We’re looking for creative explorers who are excited to be part of the very inspiring journey of design at an innovation company like 3M driven by curiosity.

Major Duties & Responsibilities:

Design Officer primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Champion for design within 3M Safety & Graphics and Industrial Business Groups (SG/IBG) and externally 
• Establishes a connected, aligned design community for 3M SG/IBG and its businesses 
• Build the design community for 3M SG/IBG and their businesses 
• Develops a strategy and implements steps to move both 3M Business Groups to world‐class design leadership 
• Drive the growth of design thinking and digital connected solutions within the business context of 3M SG/IBG 
• Drive the growth of design thinking within a 'customer engagement' context; inspiring others to use our technologies, solutions and solving customer challenges through design in SG/IBG domain 
• Ensure a consistent standard of design investment across both 3M Business Groups 
• Champion and lead design talent management driven by multi-disciplinary design capabilities and diversity for the SG/IBG design organizations 
• Develop and execute the 3M SG/IBG’s strategic plan for design in close cooperation with both Business Group’s senior leadership 
• Envision, plan and drive investment towards industry thought leadership in design for 3M SG/IBG 
• Teach, inspire and engage the design and business community inside 3M toward a shared vision of design for both Business Groups and its divisions globally 
• Drive brand custodianship for visual identity through development of relevant design language(s), identity programs/processes and guidelines for deployment, being a brand design ambassador for 3M SG/IBG aligned with 3M design and marketing function 
• Part of Global Design Leadership Team and closely working together with company’s Chief Design Officer on design strategies, policies, talent management, process/methods/tools and messaging to drive Design Functional Leadership for the company and respective businesses of SG/IBG

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university in design, design strategy, design management, brand management, design research or industrial/product design or product development 
• Minimum of twelve (12) years of design leadership experience in a global design organization

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master Degree in design strategy, design management, brand management, design research, product design/development or related design‐centric fields 
• Minimal ten (10) years of management experience as lead designer in a global design organization B2B/B2C, automotive, fashion, architecture, industrial…and proven knowledge and experience in projects and applications delivering significant business results 
• Inspirational communicator and thought leader in the design field, has spoken in professional conferences 
• Thought‐leader in the design community and can effectively engage, inspire and teach regarding design and the impact on business success in context of Safety & Graphics and Industrial Business Groups business environment 
• Proven track record of multi‐disciplinary design talent and leadership development 
• Strong delegation and team‐empowerment skills 
• Openness to change, forward looking, strategic thinking and constantly evaluating new scenarios and ideas