Executive Director, Market Strategy & Growth - LIVE, WORK, PLAY

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 one of the CannonDesign locations. 

 

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role will work in partnership with executive leaders for elevating the CannonDesign brand in meaningful and measurable ways that contribute to growing impact, strengthening reputation, and scaling assigned market focus within the company to achieve doubling of revenue every eight years. This role is an executive management role for the firm and will sit on the Core Team.

 

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The key responsibility of the role is to develop and execute regional and national growth plans to meet the ambitions of the firm with a target of a minimum of 10% year-over-year growth in the assigned core markets and submarkets which includes housing, civic/community, retail, work/office, sports, recreation, assembly, entertainment, transit, parks.  The most important measure of success of this role will be ability to grow brand awareness within the assigned markets in ways that drive, source, and lead to securing significant new and repeat business aligned with the strategic framework, business planning objectives, and with our desire to scale our efforts across all markets, service and business lines in the firm. While the role will focus on a specific group of markets, a key part of the role is collaborating with other executive leaders to build out complementary and distinct capabilities across the firm. It requires implementing the markets’ growth for developing a network of highly integrated offices, markets, and services that enhance our SFMO (Single-Firm, Multi-Office) culture and grow the AEI practices and the other business lines to contribute to the firm overall. 

 

AREAS OF FOCUS 

• Visible National Market Leadership: Focus on sourcing opportunities for new project work and partnerships that advance our brand and grow the company. Bring the right talent into the firm, focused on strengthening awareness of the brand and elevating our reputation contributing to firm growth and success. You will provide leadership, guidance, and support, assisting market leaders and sharing accountability to achieve firm wide goals and meeting individual role responsibilities and expectations. 
• Strategic Leadership: Responsible for defining and executing a convergence market growth plan by identifying key business strategies and entrepreneurial initiatives focused on the continued growth and impact for assigned markets and the firm overall.  
• Top Line Development: Champion clients for life vs commodity work. Identify market growth opportunities, key clients and yearly Net Signed Fee targets that will grow the business volume of assigned markets a minimum of 10% a year.  
• Practice and Market Building: Contribute visibly and impact fully to building strong leadership teams capable of expanding our growth potential for our markets. Identify new potential markets, practices, and business lines for investment and development. Support research and encourage development of new ideas, services, and products to differentiate the firm and expand business potential. 
• Partner Closely with Brand, Marketing and Business Development (BMBD) Team: Define opportunities and develop content that drives, manages, and strengthens CannonDesign’s image, brand, reputation, and market footprint. Assist with identifying and developing salient topics that will be of interest to our core markets, target clients, and potential partners. Develop your own media presence and personal brand in ways that benefit the businesses under the firm’s umbrella and drive new opportunities to the firm.  
• Communication and Brand Ambassador: Represent the Firm externally at national events, conferences, think tanks, workshops, conventions that continually support the overall brand and direction of the firm. Write, speak, and communicate at external venues. This role requires significant external influence and impact to maintain and grow a sizable network that leads to opportunities for the firm and elevates our brand. 

ABOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s Degree is required for this role; advanced degrees are preferred. 
• Generally, at least 20 years of work experience within the assigned markets or equivalent work experience is required.
• Significant experience and proven track record within the markets assigned to this role, as demonstrated by progressive leadership responsibilities and employment experience at well-known and highly respected organizations or companies within the respective markets.
• Must have an extensive national network demonstrated by ability to connect the firm to talent, industry leaders, regional stakeholders, and strategic partners.
• Must have existing identifiable and recognizable personal brand and professional reputation consistent with CannonDesign’s ambitions and values.
• Must have a track record of consistent presence, championing a unique and thoughtful point-of-view at industry events.
• Ability to be optimistic and have an inclusive leadership style to lead and inspire others (internally and externally), driving ownership and accountability.
• Ability to champion an ethical culture, while leading risk management and mitigation decisions.
• Ability to demonstrate entrepreneurial behavior, embracing new ideas, innovative concepts, and solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively internally; energize, inspire, motivate, and contribute to development of high- performing accountable teams across all markets, offices, services, practices.
• Significant travel is required. 

 

ABOUT OUR FIRM

We’re a design practice at the nexus of strategy, experience, architecture, engineering and social impact. We dream up, create and bring to life solutions that enhance human vitality, further equity, strengthen communities and safeguard our planet all at once. We’ve been recognized multiple times by Fast Company as one of the most innovative design firms in the world.   With nearly 1,300 teammates across 18 offices, we forge deep partnerships with clients across all industries, empowering them to reach greater heights. At the heart of our work lies our ethos, Living-Centered Design — a bold commitment to using our skills to not only enhance the world but to fundamentally reshape it for the better.  

 

ABOUT WORKING HERE

• We are relentless in our pursuit of client adoration (not simply satisfaction). Consistent delivery of the best service is what we are about.
• We are committed to ensuring our practice is equitable for all employees, representative of the communities around us – and focused on the future of design. We advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts through the leadership of our DEI Council, Employee Resource Groups and other community advocacy initiatives.
• We’re about communication and transparency here. If you want to talk to someone about an idea you have, or a challenge that needs addressing, we’re ready for you.

 

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.