Regional Practice Director

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 CannonDesign US offices located in our Great Lakes Region, which includes Buffalo, NY, Chicago, IL, and Pittsburgh, PA.

ABOUT THE ROLE

You will oversee the practice for a CannonDesign region, concentrating on commercial, legal, and project delivery practices. In collaboration with 3 other Regional Practice Directors, you will be responsible for managing resources, business operations, efficiency, project management, technical delivery, and financial performance. You will exemplify our Living-Centered Design ethos in our culture, processes, and client interactions. Your role will primarily focus on supervising and leading business practices and project delivery to attain design excellence, technical proficiency, and profitability.

KEY CRITERIA OF THE ROLE

Business Mindset

In this role you will be accountable to ensure the region contributes to the firm’s annual financial success by achieving an after-TCC profit in the range of 15% to 25%. 15% profit is the minimum expectation for the region, while the maximum is simply a guidepost. Growth above the minimum should not negatively impact similar expectations in other regions. It is the goal that the regions will partner together to achieve success for the Firm. Together with the Executive Director of Operations AEI you will oversee the business practices, risk mitigation and quality execution of the work using a firm first, region second methodology.

A Growth Mindset

The primary responsibility of this role, in collaboration with the Executive Director of the Region, is to develop and implement a regional business plan that aligns with the firm's strategic framework, targeting a minimum of 10% year-over-year growth.

Single Firm Multiple Office (SFMO) First

As one unified firm, the Regional Practice Director's role includes focusing on a specific region while also collaborating with other Regional Practice Directors and firm leaders to develop complementary and distinct capabilities across the firm to further advance SFMO. This position entails implementing regional growth in accordance with a firm-wide blueprint aimed at developing a network of highly integrated offices that enhance our SFMO (Single-Firm, Multi-Office) culture and contribute to the firm's overall growth.

AREAS OF FOCUS

• Business Practices: Ensures project management and process leadership best practices, including work planning, contracting, risk management, fee development, and resource management, are understood and consistently implemented across all offices in the region. Collaborate with the Executive Director of the region, Business Office, Legal Team, and Quality to address commercial and risk issues. Assess, evaluate, mentor, and take appropriate actions to help staff achieve success and improve outcomes in these areas.
• Financial Performance: Responsible for the financial performance of the region. Define initiatives and actions to achieve high-quality service and performance, along with solid financial results and targeted profitability. Collaborate with Office, Market, and Service Leaders to develop fee and staffing strategies, including process approach, to achieve successful project and financial outcomes. Monitor project performance and conduct audits, directing changes to ensure satisfactory results. Work with the Business Office and Regional Controllers to implement and monitor financial strategies and processes that meet both office and region profitability goals. Lead the regional revenue forecasting and recognition process, taking appropriate action to ensure satisfactory results.
• Process Leadership : Responsible for implementing project delivery methods, including Design Technology, Quality, Sustainability processes, and engineering and interior design integration. Embrace innovative ideas and workflows to enhance delivery efficiency, exploring new tools such as software or AI. Foster a design-centric culture using Living Center Design to achieve outstanding results for clients.
• Resource Allocation, Integration and Development: Responsible for regional staffing and recruitment strategies. Collaborate with various leaders to identify resource needs and strategic investments, providing oversight and guidance. Facilitate our firm's SFMO (Single-Firm, Multi-Office) model to support client requirements. Plan resources firmwide to align with profitability, staff development, quality goals, client expectations, and strategic office growth. Provide oversight and guidance to regional leaders to assess, align, recruit, and develop regional resources. Foster the development of a diverse team of professionals that support a design culture, and the strategic objectives of the region as outlined in the business plan. Implement a mentoring program for future leaders of the firm. Encourage team members to understand Living-Centered Design and demonstrate its role in their work and business operations.
• Communication: Focus on achieving results, lead with a clear direction, and motivate others to meet the business and practice objectives of the Firm. Participate actively in firm-wide meetings and events. Provide leadership by communicating goals, outcomes, directions, initiatives, policies, etc. to the staff for implementation or information purposes. Develop and implement internal communication processes to keep staff informed and encourage collaboration.

ABOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s Degree is required for this role. Advanced degrees preferred.
• Generally, at least 20 years of related experience or equivalent is required.
• Experience working in the A/E/C industry required.
• Proven leadership ability.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Effective change management.
• Ownership and accountability.
• Advocate Living-Centered Design.
• Promote ethical culture.
• Collaborative team player.
• Encourage entrepreneurial behavior.
• Sound judgment and business acumen.
• Inclusive leadership of diverse teams.
• Risk management approach.
• Effective internal communication and team motivation.

The salary range for this position is $181,000 to $240,000 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 and flexible spending account options and voluntary insurances. We have paid time off, flex-time schedules, remote work options and a 401k plan and employee perk programs. For a general overview of our benefits, please visit our careers page at . Actual compensation may vary from posting based on geographic location, work experience, education and/or skill level.

ABOUT OUR FIRM

CannonDesign is a design practice where strategy, experience, architecture, engineering, and social impact converge. We don’t just dream up solutions — we create and bring them to life in ways to solve some of the biggest challenges facing our clients and the society. At the heart of everything we do is Living-Centered Design, a bold commitment to using our talents to not just improve the world but to truly reshape it for the better. It’s more than a philosophy — it’s who we are, and it drives us to make a meaningful, lasting difference every day.

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.

Please note that candidates can only apply to our positions on our company Careers site. It's not uncommon for scammers to create positions that look legitimate on other sites; never enter your information or apply for CannonDesign positions on any platform. Should an issue arise that you feel we should be aware of, please contact us. Please provide your resume and portfolio when applying.

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,