Strategy Leader

locationsChicago, IL, UStime typeFull timeposted onPosted 6 Days Agojob requisition idR-11682Design Strategy at Gensler is focused on enabling transformation – our creative and collaborative approach, supported by data and intelligence, enables impactful change and evolution of our clients’ organization, culture, and environment. Our practice in Chicago is growing and we are looking for a Strategy Leader to oversee projects across our broad range of services including workplace strategy, real estate portfolio strategy, change management, design guidelines, and culture strategy. We are looking for established leaders with an entrepreneurial spirit who will help us develop and strengthen our client relationships and evolve our practice. Currently, we are primarily focused on defining hybrid strategies and developing holistic experiences for a wide range of influential organizations such as major corporations, health and wellness providers, cultural institutions, developers, universities, and our partners. Your Role As a Strategy Leader, you will lead multi-disciplinary teams working with a wide range of clients across industries and sectors to evaluate their current conditions, define their goals, and develop integrated strategies for how their environment, technology, policies, and services can support their objectives, and their people. You’re passionate about the built environment and its impact on individuals and organizations. As a leader, you’re able to inspire your clients, teams and co-collaborators. You’re comfortable with ambiguity and able to forge a path on projects that may have vague parameters or frequently change/evolve. Experience and empathy enables you to successfully work with a wide range of stakeholders from Executives and Business Leaders, to Real Estate, Technology, HR, and Corporate Communications. You’re able to lead clients through complex challenges, frame potential options, and enable them to make informed decisions. As an excellent collaborator, you’re able to work successfully with a range of other disciplines and experts. You’re a persuasive communicator and an authority on relevant trends, research, and other examples. You thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, open, collaborative environment and have the ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously. What You Will DoOn projects, as a Strategy Leader you’llBe responsible for the strategic direction for a project and have final authority in determining the strategic approach, scope, and project deliverablesInspire strategy teams and effectively connects experts as neededEncourage and support original thinkingGuide teams as they collect quantitative data and qualitative feedback from user researchDevelop creative design concepts that illustrate options of how client organizations can be supported through performance enhancing workplace strategiesManage synthesis of information and the impact on space supply and occupancy demand data, business goals, and organizational cultureOversee development of powerful communication tools that help clients to visualize and understand the tradeoffs associated with various design concept and planning scenariosInterface with Gensler design studios to ensure the seamless transition of design strategy into the design implementation phaseDirect and guide Project/Strategy Managers to ensure project success. Strategy Managers manage day-to-day operations for projects including staffing, fee tracking and forecasting, and client meetingsMentor, support, and direct staff to help them achieve not only client goals but personal development goalsWith clients, you’llBe the primary client contact relating to the strategic aspects of a projectLead client conversations with conviction and expertiseFocus on learning their business, culture and desired outcomesShare relevant precedents for context and inspirationDevelop client relationships to earn status as a trusted advisorEnsure our deliverables answer the question or problem we’ve been asked to solve As a thought leader and business developer, you’llBe a visible and recognized leader/authority in the market, such as participation in industry organizations, speaking events, and/or publishing articles or blogs.Sustain ongoing client relationships, as well as grow existing and new relationshipsUse insights to position Gensler’s strategic POV in business development initiativesBuild relationships with our colleagues across the globe to support our client’s interests and needsLead proposal development, including scope definition, process mapping, and compensation requirementsMaintain relationships with client’s other third-party service providers including real estate brokers, consultants, project managers, etc. Your Qualifications15+ years of relevant professional experience and an undergraduate or master’s degree in architecture, interior design, environmental design, urban design, real estate, design strategy, organizational development, organizational psychology, social science, business, or similar fieldsA background in the design of the built environment (architecture, interior design, urban design, etc.).A strong portfolio demonstrating excellent command of fundamental communication design including composition, information graphics, and persuasive writingProficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook), and other visual communication toolsFluency with digital collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, Miro, Mural, Microsoft Teams etc.A level of familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, specifically), Revit, and AutoCAD to lead team members who use these programs daily About Consulting at Gensler Gensler’s Consulting Practice is focused on how space, technology, policies, and services support the changing nature of work and learning. Our multidisciplinary team works with a wide range of organizations including major Corporations, Healthcare and Cultural Institutions, Real Estate Developers, and Universities. We use in-depth user research and engagement to explore and develop strategies that enable our clients to meet their business and organizational objectives. With our design teams here in New York and around the world, we conceptualize and implement creative solutions that support our client’s needs. In parallel, we help our clients manage change to ensure new ideas take root, and to build capability that sustains.Life at GenslerAt Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions 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, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.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.