Company Overview

Intentional Futures (iF) is an idea-to-impact consultancy. We work with visionary leaders to solve hard problems that matter. Our clients are change agents who believe the world can be a better place, and we act as trusted guides and thought partners on their journeys.

We are a firm of researchers, strategists, and designers that work on complex issues with corporations, nonprofits, and family foundations. We are looking for a self-motivated and skilled lead strategist to join our team.

iF celebrates a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that having staff with diverse backgrounds allows us to better serve our clients, support one another, and fulfill our mission.

Job Summary

The Lead Strategist provides innovative collaboration and expertise for large, multifaceted projects in the education and digital innovation sectors. They are able to effortlessly contribute to projects within a broad range of topic areas – often at the intersection of education, technological innovation, and philanthropy – driving strategic development or providing thoughtful guidance as a trusted strategist & collaborator.

The Lead Strategist is able to draw from their experience to simplify complicated ideas into clear frameworks, drive product & user research, and design innovative solutions which elicit “a-has” from our clients. They can confidently apply a human- and equity-centered design approach to create strategies and solutions that drive impact organizations including curriculum and EdTech developers, family foundations, universities, non-profits, and beyond. They have a specific interest in projects that make a difference, such as developing landscape scans of technology and state policies; conducting research on emerging technologies with teachers in the field; or creating frameworks to articulate the future of education in the age of AI.

A successful Lead Strategist ensures we are co-designing with and collaborating with partners and colleagues clearly and fluidly, and is able to help identify solutions that will lead to impact. They are comfortable interacting with people at all levels of our partners’ and clients’ organizations. We welcome non-traditional paths into iF: our team is full of people with unique backgrounds and experiences.

Who you are

You are passionate about educational equity and its intersection with technology. You have deep knowledge of (or the desire and the research ability) to quickly become a subject matter expert of EdTech and technological solutions and trends. You may have experience in working with education stakeholders (students, faculty, teachers, administrators) in leveraging innovative solutions and technologies. You thrive in a mostly remote and highly collaborative environment.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Partner with clients, contractors, and other iFsters throughout a project's life cycle to define project goals and requirements and deliver on the vision
• Drive significant work streams, over-communicating with iF'sters and reporting to partners throughout
• Contribute to project management on a variety of projects, including scheduling, client updates, tracking budget, and other administrative organizational tasks
• Investigate and distill large volumes of information on a given topic (e.g., “AI in Education” or “Academic Acceleration in WA State”) into key insights and / or concise frameworks using a variety of strategies including desk research, user interviews, analysis and synthesis
• Identify and push for equity-centered approaches and solutions
• Work closely with visual and interaction designers to craft engaging and impactful content in various formats (e.g., interactive elements, presentations, or printed materials)
• Create project design, assets, and facilitation
• Draft agendas and run meetings with key partners and stakeholders

Core Qualifications and Skills

iFsters act as expert generalists and roles here require a breadth of skill. Most iFsters come with many listed qualifications and then quickly learn – and excel – at the others during their time here. Candidates who meet most, but not all, qualifications are still encouraged to apply.

• 3+ years developing or managing digital products (product definition, user research, defining user needs & product requirements) and/or in the field of education & digital innovation
• Experience leading complex projects with multiple stakeholders
• Experience co-designing solutions with or working directly with Black, Latinx, Indigenous students, teachers, and communities
• Skilled at translating complex information into easily understandable content for diverse audiences
• Goal-oriented and self-starting, adept at managing multiple work streams and meeting deadlines, budgets, and milestones (and supporting others in doing so)
• Demonstrates discretion when handling sensitive information and interactions
• Ability to think strategically and tackle problems from multiple perspectives
• Some fluency with AI use and development
• Familiarity with standard office tools (Excel, Miro, Google Workspace) and willingness to master new tools with support (AirTable, Parallax, Hubspot)
• Demonstrates intellectual curiosity, fearlessly asking questions and seeking innovative solutions
• BA/BS (or equivalent experience) 

Bonus Experience & Skills

• Additional education or relevant experience in, or applicable to, the field including non-traditional experiences or higher ed degrees 
• A solid understanding of, or experience with, equity-centered design and how it applies to strategy

Logistics & Additional Information

This role will remain open to applicants until 11:59pm PT on Tuesday October 6th 2026.

Depending on emerging business needs and project scope, there is potential for a permanent position at iF. 

As a contractor to Intentional Futures, this position can work remotely. However, to be considered for a transition into a full-time role, the candidate must reside or be willing to relocate to the greater Seattle area. There are a few exceptions to this policy pending circumstances.

This interview process will be conducted via phone calls and Zoom.

The hiring range for this role is $92k-$115k annualized, prorated for the six-month term ($46-$63k). We expect your hourly rate to fall within this range. 

Since this is a fixed-term role, compensation does not include iF’s employee benefits package. 

iF Values

• Imagination - We seek out new perspectives, creative approaches, and novel solutions.
• Excellence - We passionately pursue solutions that thoughtfully address the real issues.
• Teamwork - We build trust by working openly and collaboratively with clients, partners, and each other.

iF supports workplace diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class.

As an equal opportunity employer, iF considers all applications without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class. People of color, women, and LGBTQIA+ individuals are encouraged to apply.

JOB POSTED: 2026.09.29