Regional Design 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 one of the CannonDesign offices located in our Central Region, which includes Dallas and Houston, TX and St. Louis, MO.   ABOUT THE ROLE The Regional Design Director is responsible for the oversight and leadership of creative and innovative excellence in a specific geographic area within the company. Currently the regions consist of 150 - 300 people spread across multiple local offices, each with their own design leadership.  Click here to learn more about the role:   https://vimeo.com/1117848724?share=copy   HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL DO Areas of Focus Transforming design excellence You will be accountable for design excellence and the overall design quality across the region. This responsibility will include regular touchpoints with senior design leaders and other design leaders in your region; holding virtual and in-person regional design-standard reviews; providing oversight of regional third-party recognition, including publication of projects in design and market-specific media outlets, as well as other potential opportunities for publication such as articles on research and innovation. Your region will be expected to regularly submit and successfully win design awards, contributing to firm portfolio. You will be a leading voice for how our Living-Centered Design ethos is translated through our work with clients. Partner with marketing and communications teams to build strong narratives and communicate the impact of our work at a regional level. Represent the Firm externally at regional events, conferences and broader events that continually support the overall brand and direction of the firm. Write, speak and communicate externally through 3-5 venues annually. You will work with the Executive and communications teams annually to identify strategic placement / speaking opportunities. You will share the responsibilities of senior design leaders, leading select clients to innovative design concepts that synthesize our clients’ culture, goals, and aspirations with the needs of people, community, society and the environment. Deliver solutions uniquely responsive to this expanded view of design impact. Lead design presentations, with an emphasis on storytelling and aiding client understanding of the design. Capture and communicate key client goals and metrics and how our design solutions add value. Transforming the design team You will nurture a community of designers in your region. Set the standard for an environment that exemplifies collaboration, experimentation, innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Partner with the Executive Director of Design in the recruitment of and retention of senior design leaders. Hold senior design leaders in your region accountable for the mentorship and growth of the next generation of design leaders. Ensure high-performance design teams are functioning in all offices in the region, and coordinate with the Regional Director, Regional Practice Director and Office Practice Leaders to fill creative talent gaps. Most importantly, you will be an ambassador with your regional leadership team of our brand, responsible for demonstrating how our Living-Centered Design ethos comes to life in our culture and in the way we partner with clients, and in our work. Transforming the organization You will be the leading regional voice for the firm’s design aspiration to be one of the most innovative, creative, and highly regarded impact-driven solutions design firms in the world. You will be an integral part of the regional leadership team and ensure that our design aspirations are considered in regional and firm business goals. You will be a key participant in the definition and execution of a strategic regional growth plan. You will be a partner in your regional leadership team and engage with others in the 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. You will be responsible for engaging senior design leaders within your region as appropriate to participate in the process, take ownership, communicate, and champion the initiatives set forth.       Your success will be measured not only by achieving the metrics of success of your region but the ultimate success of all regions. You and your regional leadership team will be accountable both to CEO and executive team and evaluated both as a single region as well as on the performance of all the regions collectively.   Expectations Demonstrable design talent You must have evidence of your design ability through a design portfolio of significant built and unbuilt work. Third party recognition of your work as a lead designer by local, regional, and national design awards programs and recognized design publications or digital platforms is required. Your abilities and recognition will ensure you attract the strongest design talent in your region. Strong communication skills Aptitude for communicating complex ideas, both business and design ideas, in a compelling manner that convinces others of their value. Be a leading voice in firm-wide meetings, and events. Provide inspirational leadership to your region communicating design aspirations, outcomes, directions, and initiatives to our people.  Leadership, management and community-building Ability to manage a diverse team of creatives in architecture and other disciplines spread across multiple offices. You will forge a strong sense of connection and identity among the regional design leaders, both building a creative community and promoting their collaboration with other disciplines. Must be comfortable with basic managerial skills: hir