Practice Area Leader - Education

Your Role

Gensler is looking for a dynamic leader and practice builder, based in Seattle or Portland, to help us grow our Higher Education practice across the Pacific Northwest. We are collaborative and client focused, with a commitment to design excellence that has positive environmental and social impact.

Practice Area Leaders are market-facing practitioners with deep knowledge and experience and are charged to build our business through thought leadership, project leadership, and cultivation of strategic client relationships. Our Practice Area Leaders are adept at business development while also taking on a leadership role on projects. Working collaboratively with others within the offices in the region and the broader firm-wide Gensler network, Practice Area Leaders shape how we get the work, lead the dialogue on design innovation, and help nurture the next generation of design professionals.

What You Will Do

• Grow our Education practice in the Pacific Northwest (via our offices in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, BC) through expanding existing client relationships and developing new lines of work.
• Strengthen our market reputation and image through thought leadership that is based on a clear and compelling value proposition and POV for education clients. Advance our reputation through conference presentations, authoring publications and active social media presence.
• Have a deep understanding of the Gensler portfolio to connect relevant experience from across the firm to project opportunities in our local markets.
• Assist in developing novel content with our marketing, communications and public relations teams. Provide vision for proposals and strategy for interviews to secure project opportunities.
• Collaborate with design teams to deliver informed project solutions based on market expertise and deep understanding of client goals.
• Work closely with office and studio leaders to identify and recruit best-in-class talent.
• Partner with office directors to establish budgetary framework and investment strategies for practice area.
• Organize internal team of fellow practitioners within region to help increase reach and influence of group.

Your Qualifications

• Experienced in leading the work and teams delivering projects for educational institutions and clients in the Pacific Northwest.
• Must be adept in developing relationships with new and existing Higher Education clients.
• Connected and well-regarded within the community and active in industry organizations.
• Skilled at storytelling, engaging as a communicator, and inspiring with an energetic personality.
• Skilled at developing and motivating teams of people both internally and externally. Versatile, self-motivated, and entrepreneurial.
• LEED accredited. Committed to the principles of sustainable design and resilient communities.
• Licensed architect with bachelor’s degree or higher in Architecture with at least 15+ years of architectural experience, inclusive of 5 or more years’ experience in client development, and/or leadership of a studio, practice group, or office.

**If the position is located in Seattle, WA, the base salary will be estimated between $120,000 – $175,000 plus bonuses and benefits and contingent on relevant experience.

*This is not a remote position. The successful candidate is expected to be in the office.

For consideration, please submit resume and relevant work samples.

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we believe best-in-class design is achieved by closely collaborating with one another through our full time in-office experience locally and, when appropriate for our clients and the work, teaming across all of our offices. We are equally committed to lifelong learning, cultivating a culture of critique and inspiration, and community engagement with each office reflecting our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.