Leads education-focused architectural planning projects as a subject matter expert. Responsibilities include gathering user and client requirements, assessing space utilization, developing planning concepts, coordinating architectural documentation, defining project scope and services, integrating sustainable design, guiding project teams, mentoring designers, and maintaining client relationships. The role requires advanced technical knowledge, strong communication and coordination skills, business acumen, and familiarity with Revit, Microsoft Office, and Bluebeam.
If you think your skills, experience and aspirations make you a good match for this position, we encourage you to apply.
ABOUT THE ROLE
You will perform in a lead high-level specialist role, as a subject matter expert on Education projects, focused on team and client leadership, mentoring our people, and advancing the quality of our work.
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Actively seek to further the state of the art within our industry and develop innovative solutions and responses as the needs of researchers evolve.
- Effectively collaborate with a project team to provide technical expertise in the programming and planning for projects.
- Lead user group meetings to collect and refine program needs and assess space utilization.
- Communicate planning concepts to project teams and owners, verbally and through graphic and written reports and work effectively with architectural designers to optimize plans that further owners’ goals and objectives.
- Translate planning concepts into comprehensible terms for clients, designers, and project team members.
- Lead the development, modification and/or review of planning concepts and solutions.
- Lead the development of architectural drawings and specifications to translate planning concepts into project documentation for construction.
- Develop project scope, plan, and services during the contract process.
- Incorporate Integrated Sustainable Design solutions into projects.
- Develop and maintain excellent relationships with existing and potential clients.
- Provide guidance and advice to other designers and project leaders.
- Other duties as assigned.
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- Minimum Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering or a related degree required.
- Minimum 10 years of related experience required.
- Must have previous experience performing as a subject matter expert on projects ranging from large, complex, or multiple projects for the Education market.
- Licensure or registration in the United States preferred.
- LEED accreditation preferred.
- Knowledge of building codes and requirements.
- Must have advanced knowledge in discipline.
- Must possess business acumen.
- Must have the ability to be client facing with strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Must be able to lead less experienced team members
- Strong technical knowledge, coordination skills and the ability to build a rapport with the project team and client is essential.
- Familiarity with Revit, Microsoft Office and Bluebeam required.
The salary range for this position is $106,300 to $132,900 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 https://www.cannondesign.com/careers/benefits. Actual compensation may vary from posting based on geographic location, work experience, education and/or skill level.
For a general overview of our benefits, please visit our careers page at https://www.cannondesign.com/careers/benefits
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.
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 provides equal opportunities for all employees, as we strive to connect with communities around us and focus on the future of design. We support equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts that benefit all employees through the leadership of our DEI Council, our Employee Resource Groups which are open to everyone, and other community 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 applicable 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.
CannonDesign Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
225 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, United States, 60601
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