Executive Director, Central Region

If you think your skills, experience and aspirations make you a good match for this position, we encourage you to apply. This position may be filled anywhere in the United States. Preference may be given to candidates that can work in any of the Cannon Design offices located in our Central Region which includes our Dallas, Houston, Texas and St. Louis, MO.

This role will work in partnership with other senior leaders to grow the firm in scale, impact, revenue, and profit on the (eastern seaboard, great lakes region, central region, west coast) geographic footprint that includes the central region offices. This role is an executive management role for the firm and regional directors will sit on the Core Team.

As the Executive Director, Central 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, Central 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.

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

• 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.

• 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,…