Leads CannonDesign’s global Science and Technology market by developing growth strategies, business plans, client pursuits, brand opportunities, and top-line revenue. Builds strategic relationships with higher education, governmental, commercial, and research clients; leads high-profile projects; mentors teams; recruits talent; and strengthens market expertise and brand visibility. The role combines business development, client leadership, market intelligence, team development, and billable project engagement, with significant travel and a personal annual net signed-fee target of $5 million.
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 with a preference to be filled in our Chicago, DC, Los Angeles or our St. Louis office.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Your role is focused on providing global leadership for the firm-wide Science and Tech (S&T) Market of CannonDesign. This includes being responsible for developing and leading diverse high-performance teams focused on the development and implementation of the S&T Market Business Plan. You will contribute to the success of the firm including the areas of strategy and market intelligence, client leadership, business development and strategic client positioning, expertise and resource development, including mentoring of our people. You will be accountable to integrate our range of design and consulting services, managing our processes and delivering solid sales results for the market. Importantly, you will be an ambassador of our brand, championing Living-Centered Design and bringing our Firm's purpose - to help people continuously flourish - to live in every touchpoint you have with our clients. This role reports directly to the Executive Director of Market Strategies & Growth, Science & Education.
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL DO
In this role you will focus most of your time on strategic growth initiatives, business development activities and top-tier client pursuits that support the growth and impact of the S&T market, including external brand opportunities. Secondly, you will focus your time on client and team leadership responsibilities engaged directly on projects.
Expectations of success:
- Market Growth: You will leverage Market Intelligence to develop and implement a business plan focused on future growth strategies, resource needs, and brand opportunities that position the market for the future. You will be accountable for the overall growth and success of the Market.
- Strategic Client Positioning: Developing and positioning CannonDesign for new business opportunities with S&T target clients and opportunities that advance our brand and achieve top line targets, which will support a minimum 10% growth of the market year over year.
- Deep collaboration with firmwide market leaders and all regional directors is an expectation.
- You will actively work with project teams to prioritize growth and business development through project opportunities in academic research, R&D parks, public and private research where the owners are higher education, institutional, governmental, commercial and developer led S&T organizations.
- Look Up and Look Out: Leaders at CannonDesign are expected to seek new ways to work with strategic clients globally. For S&T, new market opportunities to explore may include advanced manufacturing and mission critical projects or projects focused on emerging technologies (quantum physics, aerospace, semiconductors, etc). This will not be the initial focus of the role. However, if existing S&T growth metrics are met, we encourage expansion of the market.
- Client Leadership: Leading, engaging and partnering, at the highest levels, with our clients on billable project-specific work. Advancing innovative solutions that differentiate the firm and foster strong long-term client relationships that present opportunities for future work.
- Market Brand Enhancement: Acting as a leading voice for the market both externally and internally, visible in speaking events, writing and other activities that promote the firm and our work. This includes mentoring other team members to contribute to brand enhancement activities.
Areas of Focus
- Market Leadership: Responsible for developing and advancing strategic initiatives and client pursuit strategies that lead to the growth of the market. In collaboration with Firmwide Market and Design Leadership, lead the development of business plans. Outline strategies and actionable items that improve the market globally by advancing client engagement and development, market differentiation, brand recognition, and team building/leadership in concert with firm-wide goals.
- Top Line Development: Work with Firmwide Market Leaders, Client Leaders, Design Leaders and other firm-wide resources to focus on growing the top line of the market by identifying and actively pursuing new target clients as well as nurturing existing ones. You will seek to identify and position CannonDesign in the marketplace and promote the full range of our convergence and integrated design services, supporting the advancement of Living-Centered Design in all phases of client engagement. In this role you will be accountable for the overall top line results of the market and will have a personal goal of achieving top line success of $5.0M per year in net signed fees. These targets are subject to change as CannonDesign periodically evaluates our performance metrics.
- Client and Team Leadership: Lead by example. Demonstrate commitment to our clients by undertaking the work in an active way on select client project opportunities. Serve as a client leader and/or subject matter expert where appropriate.
- Understand the Market: Identify future market trends and opportunities for growth and advancement of the market. Demonstrate a high level of knowledge of the market, including “Best Practices” in design, specifically for facilities and environments intended to foster scientific learning, research, or advancement. Consistently monitor the competitive firms/landscape and the differentiating position of CannonDesign.
- Expertise and Resource Development: Know the Marketplace, build a network, and recruit top-tier talent and expertise to build a high-performance team. In addition, assess, mentor and coach staff to develop future leaders in your market. Take ownership for the growth of a diverse and inclusive team. Assist in establishing an environment that encourages leadership, integrity, humility, respect, and responsibility, along with collaboration, experimentation, innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Time Commitments
- 60% of your time should be devoted to activities that advance our brand and develop new business opportunities with client partners focused on the growth of the market and the office.
- 30% of your time should be focused on engaging and partnering with clients on billable project work. As the leader of the market, we expect you to not only find ways to grow top-line revenue, but also to partner with clients at a high level. Providing leadership and fostering strong client relationships that lead to high client satisfaction and potential opportunities for future work.
- 10% of your time should be devoted to market leadership including strategy development, market intelligence and differentiation, business practice support, recruiting and other related staff growth and development activities.
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- Minimum bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, design, planning, or an AEI-related profession.
- Current Registration/Licensure in Architecture, preferred (not required).
- Additional certifications and/or training relevant to this role are preferred.
- Must have a minimum of 15 years of experience in the S&T Market – may include higher ed research, commercial S&T, governmental science, technology, or research, with a preference of 20 years of related experience.
- Must have a proven track record of top line, strategic growth, market and team leadership, and business development success in the S&T Market within the Design Industry (A/E/C).
- Leadership in high profile S&T projects.
- Strong presentations skills are essential.
- Exceptional client and people leadership skills required.
- Strong business acumen and proven ability to create and execute strategy is needed.
- Professional acumen and maturity demonstrated by the ability to communicate authentically and respectfully is essential.
- Ability to inspire, motivate and develop high-performing, accountable teams.
- Must be able to demonstrate sound judgement and a sound approach regarding risk management and mitigation.
- Significant travel is required.
The salary range for this position is $180,000 to $220,000 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. Based on the position status, employees may be eligible for discretionary bonuses and 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 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
Similar Jobs
Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • HR Tech • Information Technology • Productivity • Software • Automation
Drive new SaaS business revenue among State and Local Government accounts. Responsibilities include territory and account planning, C-suite relationship development, customer advising, deal strategy, sales negotiations, coordinating cross-functional resources, and achieving sales targets. The role requires enterprise software sales expertise, trusted-advisor skills, AI and IT roadmap understanding, and willingness to travel up to 50%.
Top Skills:
AISaaSServicenow Ai PlatformWorkflow Automation
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Machine Learning • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Participates in a structured rotational IT program supporting digital transformation, enterprise technology, data, process improvement, and project delivery initiatives. Responsibilities include project planning, tracking, reporting, process analysis, documentation, dashboard development, testing, change management, stakeholder communication, data review, automation, prototyping, and translating business needs into technology solutions.
Top Skills:
Cloud TechnologiesCybersecurityEnterprise SystemsGitGitJIRAMS OfficeMicrosoft TeamsPower BISharepointSoftware DevelopmentTableauVisio
6 Minutes Ago
Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Insurance • Marketing Tech • Software • Analytics
Manages complex commercial casualty claims from coverage determination and investigation through liability assessment, reserving, litigation management, negotiation, settlement, and payment. Reviews lawsuit documentation, coordinates with legal and defense counsel, manages outside counsel billing, monitors regulatory and legislative developments, mentors staff, and advises claims management on policy and procedure impacts.
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
With vibrant neighborhoods, great food and more affordable housing than either coast, Chicago might be the most liveable major tech hub. It is the birthplace of modern commodities and futures trading, a national hub for logistics and commerce, and home to the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. This diverse blend of industry influences has helped Chicago emerge as a major player in verticals like fintech, biotechnology, legal tech, e-commerce and logistics technology. It’s also a major hiring center for tech companies on both coasts.
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
