New

Associate Practice Director

Cannon Design
flexible benefit account, paid time off, 401(k), remote work
United States, Illinois, Chicago
225 North Michigan Avenue (Show on map)
Jul 08, 2025
If you think your skills, experience and aspirations make you a good match for this position, we encourage you to apply. ABOUT THE ROLE Your role is focused on leading regional operations and business practices across multiple offices, supporting a multidisciplinary practice that includes at a minimum architecture, engineering, and interior disciplines. Reporting to Regional Practice Directors, you will work closely with Office Practice Leaders and Business Practice Directors (in offices where there are Business Practice Directors) to implement our firm's commercial, legal and process practices across the region. In this capacity, you will have primary responsibility for one of the "areas of focus" outlined below across the region. In this capacity, you will focus on regional alignment, resource optimization, process standardization, and staff development initiatives. Importantly, you will serve as a key ambassador 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 across the region. AREAS OF FOCUS Financial Performance & Resource Management Partner with Regional Practice Directors to define and champion initiatives that achieve high-quality service, solid financial results, and targeted profitability across the region. Work with Market, Service and Client Leaders to develop fee and staffing strategies to achieve successful project and financial outcomes. Lead regional resource allocation efforts to align work effort and resources with contract and compensation commitments for client opportunities. Business Practices & Process Leadership Ensure best practices of project management and process leadership, including work planning, contracting, risk management, fee development, and resource management-are understood and implemented consistently across the region. Work collaboratively with firm-wide Business Office and Legal Team to ensure commercial and risk issues are properly addressed. Provide assessments, evaluation, mentorship and other appropriate actions to staff to achieve success and improve outcomes. Champion the implementation of project delivery methods including Design Technology, Quality and Sustainability processes as well as engineering and interior design practice integration areas. Regional Integration, Staff Development & Culture Lead the enhancement of our firm's SFMO (Single-Firm, Multi-Office) operating model across the region in support of client needs. Collaborate with Regional Practice Directors, Office Practice Leaders, Business Practice Directors, Market Leaders, Design Leaders, Engineering Discipline Leaders, Technical Leaders, and Sustainability Leaders to champion high-performing, client-focused teams that capture and execute client opportunities. Assess, align, recruit and develop regional talent while building a diverse and inclusive team of professionals that support strategic goals across offices. Work with senior leaders to develop and implement focused mentoring programs for future leaders. Build enthusiasm for Living-Centered Design among teammates across the region and demonstrate how it applies to their work and business. HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field 10+ years' minimum experience with a proven track record of office management success in the design industry required Additional licensure, certifications and/or training relevant to this role is preferred Strong communication and leadership skills with regional management experience Business acumen and proven ability to execute strategy across multiple locations Professional acumen and maturity demonstrated by the ability to communicate authentically and respectfully Regular travel across the region is required The salary range for this position is $143,800 to $179,800 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 and based on the geographic area. 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 https://www.cannondesign.com/careers/benefits. 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, 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.