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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.

About the Role

This role will work in partnership with other senior leaders to grow the firm in scale, impact, revenue, and profit on the Great Lakes Region geographic footprint that includes Buffalo, NY, Chicago, IL, Pittsburgh, PA and Toronto, ON. This role is an executive management role for the firm and will sit on the Core Team.

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.

The Executive Director, Great Lakes Region, in concert with the AEI Executive Director of Operations, will 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.

Click here to listen to Brad Lukanic, Chief Executive Officer, describe this role.

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. Focus 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 the 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 leadership of 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.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $250,000 to $275,000 annually. This salary range is the range we believe is the anticipated range of possible base compensation at the timing of the posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the anticipated salary range for the position. Employees may be eligible for discretionary bonuses.

We offer a full benefit package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible spending account options, and voluntary insurances. We have paid time off, flex-time schedules,