Studio Director

Job Description

At Gensler, we design for people. We leverage our global perspective and local presence to innovate at every scale. We re not just designers. We re tinkerers, craftspeople, visionaries, innovators and thought leaders. Fueled by passion and entrepreneurial spirit, our people bring new ideas to solve challenging problems. Whether you re into sketching new ideas , hacking a building or growing client relationships in global markets, there s something here for everyone. Our depth of expertise spans disciplines from aviation and transportation to education, hospitality, retail, technology and more. At our core we embody an entrepreneurial spirit, always looking ahead for new ways to innovate and add to our clients success. We share the belief that design has the power to transform organizations and change lives; whether we re refreshing a retailer s brand, planning a new urban district or designing a super tall building. As the world s largest design firm, Gensler has a unique obligation and opportunity to focus on sustainability in the built environment. We deepened our commitment to combat the impact on climate change in the built environment when we launched Gensler Cities Climate Challenge (GC3) in 2019. This is our pledge to meet an ambitious goal: the elimination of all greenhouse gases from our work by 2030. Your Role Gensler is organized around a highly collaborative studio leadership model, and at its core are values, culture, and working style. As a Gensler Studio Director, you are a people and project leader, strategy creator, design thinker, client advocate and relationship steward. You are a practice builder, who leverages a diverse portfolio of projects and business acumen to capture high-profile clients and projects. This role is for a leader who loves to push new ideas, is passionate about design and gets excited about managing diverse design projects and extremely talented creatives. This role involves directing and providing leadership for operational activities in the studio including, but not limited to, all business, staff and financial operations, project profitability, marketing/business development, client satisfaction and employee growth and development. We are looking for a leader that has a market presence and is comfortable developing new business on a consistent basis. This includes reaching out to new clients, leading projects and marketing opportunities with existing clients, and working closely with our Marketing department to lead business development reporting, lead generation, and proposal writing. You are a strong leader who can mentor and motivate employees to enable them to reach their individual potential. We support leadership maintaining an open door policy to allow individuals to feel free to communicate with you and other members of the management team. Studio Directors are expected to grow staff capabilities through fostering a culture of learning focused on improving individual technical, management and design skills. You will lead quarterly coaching sessions with employees and ensure employee goals are monitored throughout the year. Provide a creative, innovative and nurturing environment through your studio by developing an effective coaching/mentoring program. As the leader of your studio, you are responsible for overall performance of the studio. As the caretaker of your staff, you should address the interests, concerns and problems of the studio and ensure issues are addressed and resolved expeditiously. In your role, you will also be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the studio relating to all staff, business and financial operations. In your role as Studio Director, you will be responsible for maintaining positive client relationships with all projects assigned to your studio. You will need to attend client meetings, lead and participate in strategy, review conceptual development and provide leadership, inspiration and motivation to the design team to ensure the highest quality design documentation is produced and client satisfaction is achieved. Reporting to the Office Managing Director, you will act as senior leadership for the studio, and will direct the day-to-day management of the studio, projects and teams, escalating matters to the OMD as appropriate. What You Will Do Management You will be responsible for the overall management of the studio. You will represent the interests, concerns and problems of the studio and ensure issues are addressed and resolved expeditiously. Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the studio relating to all staff, business and financial operations. Staff Development Work closely with your staff with regards to hiring, probation performance evaluations, developmental reviews, employee work performance, learning, professional development, bonus review, appointment input and evaluation. Participate in and provide leadership for the talent planning efforts for the studio. Communicate employee issues and requests to the Human Resources Director upon becoming aware of the issue to avoid escalation. Leadership Provide operational leadership and guidance to your colleagues, direct them as required in accordance with Gensler systems, and act as a representative of the OMD and Firm as a whole. Apply your leadership skills by motivating employees to enable them to reach their individual potential. Maintain a positive team environment by creating programs to boost morale. Provide staff members with an open door policy to allow individuals to feel free to communicate with you and other members of the management team. Build staff capabilities through programs that improve individual technical/design skills and develop improved management and communication. Lead the Professional Development Planning programs annually and ensure employee goals are monitored throughout the year. Collaborate with the other Directors to provide a creative, innovative and nurturing environment throughout the studios by developing an effective coaching/mentoring programs. Demonstrate ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Business Development/Marketing Market and develop new business on a consistent basis. Place a strong emphasis on marketing for Gensler in an effort to win new projects and increase Gensler s visibility. Ensure prompt and timely response to all proposal requests. Work closely with our Marketing department in business development reporting, lead generation, fee development, project marketing and proposal writing. Proactively position and network Gensler. Projects In your role as Studio Director, you will be responsible for maintaining positive client relationships with all projects assigned to your studio. You will need to attend client meetings, lead and participate in brand strategy, review conceptual development and provide leadership, inspiration and motivation to the design team to ensure the highest quality design documentation is produced and client satisfaction is achieved. Manage projects within the studio by leading the teams to focusing on the project process, service/delivery, work environment and project documentation. Client development - build clients trust and loyalty in Gensler and develop additional business. Financial Monitor budgets and profitability targets for the studio. Oversee billing and fee management operations in the office and ensure all financial activities are consistent with Gensler policies and procedures. Responsible for accounts receivable accountability, discretionary expense budget management, expense report approvals, held time monitoring, productivity projections and review. Studio Operations Responsible for the following within your studio Conduct Design Manager meetings Conduct studio meetings Overseeing staffing - ensure all technical staff maintain a billable status Management Committee reports Staff seating Technical Director oversight Time card review PTO requests General Work closely with Design Managers, Operations Director, Finance Director, Office Managing Director and Human Resources Director to ensure awareness of all issues relating to each specific function. Ensure professional and business-like conduct of daily operations. Demonstrate dignity, respect, and the professional attitude of the firm on and off the job. Build and improve external firm image by active participation in appropriate organizations and maintaining significant contacts with current and potential clients. Participate in office meetings - collaborate with other Directors, Office Management and staff. Develop a strategy for Best Practice integration, client satisfaction, cross studio integration, inside and outside of Gensler to achieve a professional community outreach. Focus on global relationship building, recruiting and service integration. Demonstrate your passion for and commitment to creating a just and equitable future. Actively contribute to Gensler s Cities Climate Challenge, our commitment to resilience and sustainability in the built environment. Be an advocate for Gensler sustainability commitments internally and externally. Make sustainability an integral part of every project. Define project sustainability targets in collaboration with the client and the project team at the start of each project. Understand clients ESG goals and work with project teams towards achieving them. Support and encourage team members to pursue sustainability learning. Your Qualifications Bachelor or Master s degree in Architecture from an accredited school of design. A design professional with proven leadership skills, including business development. A minimum of 15 years of experience in the architecture design field with a focus on commercial office developments / residential developments and mixed-use design and delivery. Technical delivery and contract review expertise. Experience in guiding the operations of a studio; both in the mentorship and development of staff as well fiscal oversight. Demonstrated business development skills within the local industry. Significant project experience in some combination of mixed use/office, high rise residential, office, and renovation work. High level of drive and collaborative spirit to help grow and mentor a dynamic studio with engaged team members. Able to travel to other Gensler offices or client project locations if needed. Excellent references and personal portfolio of work. Participation and presence in industry organizations and professional affiliations. Knowledge of sustainable design principles required. LEED, WELL, Fitwel, LFA or other rating systems accreditation preferable. Understand key principles for leading and achieving net zero projects. Capacity to drive sustainability focused discussions with clients and teams. Demonstrated commitment to sustainability and sustainable building practices required. Previous experience in sustainable design projects preferred. At least one project of the candidate portfolio should showcase this focus. Especially built projects with LEED, Living Building Challenge, WELL Building Standard, Fitwel and /or Net Zero Building certification. Life at Gensler As a people-first organization, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From internal design competitions to research grants to Well-being Week, our offices reflect our people s diverse interests. We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability and wellness programs. We also offer profit sharing and twice annual bonus opportunities. As part of the firm s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.