Design Practice Lead - Health & Life Sciences ​/ Consumer & Manufacturing (US

Design Practice Lead - Health & Life Sciences / Consumer & Manufacturing (US)

Based in Boston, MA, the US Design Practice Lead leads the Design capability in the US, driving the successful delivery of complex, multidisciplinary work, developing high-performing teams and ensuring the effective deployment of design capability in support of client outcomes and business growth.

Operating within the broader DES leadership model, this role translates global Design capability strategy into regional execution, also ensuring alignment with Health & Life Sciences growth priorities and opportunities across Med Tech focus areas including diagnostics, drug delivery, surgical & interventional technologies, digital health, and other regulated healthcare applications.

The role is accountable for:

• The effective deployment of design capability across client work and strategic opportunities
• The performance of delivery teams, ensuring work is high quality, commercially impactful and aligned to client needs
• The development and growth of the US Design practice and its people
• The contribution of the practice to business growth, including supporting business development and proposition development
• The application of design within complex and regulated product development environments
• Building PA's position as a leading design partner within the Health & Life Sciences and Consumer sector and beyond

As the senior design leader in the US, the Practice Lead bridges global capability, delivery, client engagement and market development across a complex multidisciplinary environment.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a senior design leader who combines deep design expertise with strong experience in development of regulated Med Tech physical and digital solutions.

You will bring experience leading multidisciplinary product development programs, from early opportunity identification and concept development through to implementation and commercialization. You will understand how design contributes to successful outcomes within technical, engineering-led, and regulated environments.

You will be comfortable working alongside engineers, scientists, quality specialists and program leaders, ensuring design plays a meaningful role in solving complex client challenges and creating differentiated products and services.

You will bring strong commercial awareness, with experience shaping opportunities, supporting business development and converting pipeline into high-value work.

You will have a proven track record of building high-performing teams, developing talent and strengthening capability while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and excellence.

Above all, you are motivated by delivering meaningful outcomes for clients and advocating human-centered design as a source of competitive advantage within complex product development environments.

Core Duties

Lead the US Design Practice

Own the performance, development and day-to-day operation of the Design capability in the US, ensuring alignment with global priorities while building capability to support growth across the Health & Life Sciences GTM and other sectors which Design supports.

Deliver Complex Multidisciplinary Programs

Lead and oversee the delivery of complex programs from early ideation through implementation, ensuring high-quality outcomes, effective collaboration and successful client delivery across both innovative and regulated product development environments.

Build and Maintain Senior Client Relationships

Act as a trusted advisor to clients, helping shape problems, guide solutions and strengthen long-term relationships.

Drive Business Development and Growth

Identify opportunities, shape propositions and bring market insight and design perspectives to support the conversion of pipeline into strategic, high-value engagements.

Drive Best Practice

Own the consistent application of design methods, tools and standards across delivery. Promote excellence in design practice while ensuring alignment with Quality Management Systems and regulated development frameworks where appropriate.

Develop High-Performing Teams and Capability

Build, lead and develop a strong design team,…