We have an exciting opportunity for an Executive Director, Great Lakes Region.  The Great Lakes Region includes our Buffalo, NY, Chicago, IL, Pittsburgh, PA and Toronto, ON, Canada offices.  Preference may be given to candidates that can work in any of the CannonDesign  offices located in the US which include Buffalo, NY, Chicago, IL, and Pittsburgh, PA. 

 

WHAT YOU WILL DO

As the Executive Director, Great Lakes Region,  you will be responsible for the growth of the region and realizing the ambitions of the strategic framework. The key responsibility of the role is to develop and execute a regional growth plan with a target of a minimum of 10% year-over-year growth, while continually being a champion for design excellence. While you will focus on a specific geographic area, a key part of the role is collaborating with key individuals to build out complementary and distinct capabilities across the firm to further advance SFMO (Single-Firm, Multi-Office). This requires implementing the regional growth in context with a firm-wide blueprint for developing a network of highly integrated offices. Executive Director, Great Lakes Region, in concert with the AEI Executive Director of Operations, oversee the business practices, risk mitigation and quality execution of the work using a firm first, region second methodology. You will review contracting exceptions and grant exceptions using the firm’s and legal team guidance. You will be a champion for design, quality and a voice of sustainable strategies.

 

AREAS OF FOCUS

• Regional Leadership: Responsible for sourcing, building and advancing a high-performing, diverse and inclusive senior leadership team including region, location / office-based talent. You will provide leadership, guidance, and support, holding leaders accountable to achieve firm wide goals and individual role responsibilities and expectations.
• Strategic Leadership: Responsible for defining and executing a strategic regional growth plan. You will partner and engage with other firm, office, and market leadership to develop and implement a business plan which identifies key business strategies and entrepreneurial initiatives focused on the continued growth and impact of the region. 
• Top Line Development: Partner with Office Practice Leaders, Market Leaders, and Business Line Leaders to identify growth market opportunities, key target clients and yearly Net Signed Fee targets that will grow the business volume of the region a minimum of 10% a year. Champion clients for life vs commodity work. 
• Practice, Market, and Services Growth: Work with others to evaluate and take appropriate action to address the senior talent needs in the region. Focusing on building strong leadership teams capable of expanding our growth potential for our markets, practices, and business lines. Identify new potential markets, practices, and business lines for investment and development. Support research and development and encourage development of new ideas, services, and products to differentiate the firm and expand business potential. 
• Lead with strong Business Practices: Partner with your Regional Practice Director to champion the best practices of project management, risk management, process improvement, project leadership and financial stewardship. Together with the Regional Practice Director be accountable for achieving or exceeding the profitability goals noted above for the firm first and the region second. 
• Communication and Brand Ambassador: Represent the Firm externally at community-based events, conferences and broader events that continually support the overall brand and direction of the firm. Regularly write, speak and communicate through external venues. Work with the Executive team annually to identify strategic placement / speaking opportunities. Be a leadership voice in firm-wide meetings, and events. Provide inspirational leadership communicating aspirations, outcomes, directions, initiatives, policies, etc. Develop and execute internal communication processes to keep staff informed and foster collaboration.

ABOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s Degree is required for this role. Advanced degrees are preferred.
• Generally, at least 20 years of related experience or equivalent is required.    
• Experience working in the A/E/I industry is required.
• Proven track record of ability to lead and inspire others required.
• Build our Brand by being connected externally and being visible in the region.
• Champion our Living-Centered Design ethos.
• Demonstrate ownership and accountability.
• Be a great teammate, championing collaboration, design excellence and show fairness in actions and decisions, always putting our firm first.
• Champion entrepreneurial behavior; open to new ideas, innovative concepts, and solutions.
• Demonstrate optimistic and inclusive leadershipof a diverse team.
• Demonstrate business acumen with a sound approach regarding risk management and mitigation.
• Communicate effectively internally; energize, inspire, motivate, and develop high-performing accountability.

 

As a condition of employment, all employees are expected to complete mandatory training, including compliance training, within required timeframes and adhere to our internal policies and our Code of Conduct.

 

CannonDesign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CannonDesign is committed to maintaining a work environment that is free from any and all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. It is therefore the firm’s policy to prohibit discrimination and harassment against any applicant, CannonDesign employee, vendor, contractor, or client on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by law. It is also CannonDesign’s policy to prohibit any and all forms of retaliation against any individual who has complained of harassing or discriminatory conduct, or participated in a firm or agency investigation into such complaints.