Regional Design Director - Great Lakes Region
Cannon DesignLocation not specified
Full Time
Posted December 11, 2025
$204k - $255k
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Application opens on company website
Job Description
The Regional Design Director leads creative excellence and design quality across multiple offices within a specific geographic region, overseeing design innovation, team development, client engagement, and regional growth strategies to uphold the firm's Living-Centered Design ethos.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee and ensure design excellence and quality across the regional portfolio.
- Lead regional efforts in securing awards, publications, and recognition for design work.
- Represent the firm externally at regional events, conferences, and speaking engagements.
- Lead client relationships by developing innovative design concepts that align with client goals and societal needs.
- Manage and nurture a community of regional designers, promoting collaboration, innovation, and mentorship.
- Recruit, retain, and develop senior design talent within the region.
- Contribute to regional and firm-wide strategic growth plans and business development initiatives.
- Align regional design initiatives with the firm’s overall impact-driven and Living-Centered Design ethos.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or master's degree in architecture required; Bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited program preferred.
- Generally, at least 20 years of related experience in design leadership roles or equivalent is required.
- A minimum of 3 years experience leading others in a design studio or design practice segment required.
- Current US Architectural Registration preferred.
- Design portfolio of significant built and unbuilt work demonstrating design ability.
- Third party recognition of work as a lead or supporting designer by local, regional, or national design awards programs and recognized design publications or digital platforms is preferred.
- Strong oral presentation and storytelling skills required.
- Must be able to understand and execute business strategy.
- Must have professional acumen and maturity demonstrated by the ability to communicate authentically and respectfully.
- Travel required.
- Ability to manage a diverse team of creatives in architecture and other disciplines spread across multiple offices, including hiring, design management, resource allocation, and mentorship.
- Ability to develop and communicate regional and firm business metrics, including contributing to regional growth goals and achieving a minimum of 10% year-over-year growth.
- Demonstrated ability for innovative thinking and developing innovative design solutions addressing challenges of people, business, community, society, and the environment.
- Support a culture of collaboration, transparency, safety, and trust, partnering with strategic thinkers to advance Living-Centered Design.
- Ability to recruit, retain, and grow mid-career design talent to senior leadership roles.
- Possess a passion for understanding and contributing to the firm’s business and client needs, supporting design-led growth initiatives.
- Demonstrable design talent evidenced through a portfolio of significant work, with recognition from awards and publications.
- Ability to lead and manage high-performance design teams, fostering collaboration and community among regional design leaders.
- Ability to develop strategic regional growth plans and participate in defining and executing regional and firm-wide business strategies.
- Experience in developing and implementing a strategic regional growth plan aligned with firm goals.
- Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and compellingly, both in writing and speaking, in at least 3-5 external venues annually.
- Ability to represent the firm externally at regional events, conferences, and broader industry events.
- Ability to lead design presentations with storytelling emphasis, capturing and communicating client goals and how design solutions add value.
- Experience in managing and mentoring senior design leaders and building high-performance teams.
- Ability to support and promote Living-Centered Design ethos in organizational culture and client work.
- Experience in developing and maintaining relationships with clients to support a culture of clients for life over commodity work.
Benefits & Perks
Salary range of $204,240 to $255,300 annually, with potential for discretionary bonuses
Full benefit package including medical, dental, and vision coverage
Flexible spending account options
Voluntary insurances
Paid time off
Flex-time schedules
Remote work options
401k plan
Employee perk programs
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