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Management
Staff Development
Leadership
Business Development/Marketing
Projects
Financial
Studio Operations
General
Essential
Desirable
Applications we work with:
At Gensler, we design for people. We leverage our global perspective and local presence to innovate at every scale. We’re not just designers. We’re tinkerers, craftspeople, visionaries, innovators and thought leaders. Fueled by passion and entrepreneurial spirit, our people bring new ideas to solve challenging problems. Whether you’re into sketching new ideas, hacking a building or growing client relationships in global markets, there’s something here for everyone.
Our depth of expertise spans disciplines—from aviation and transportation to education, hospitality, retail, technology and more. At our core we embody an entrepreneurial spirit, always looking ahead for new ways to innovate and add to our clients’ success. We share the belief that design has the power to transform organizations and change lives; whether we’re refreshing a retailer’s brand, planning a new urban district or designing a super tall building.
Our work reflects an enduring commitment to sustainability, and we believe that a diversity of voices and cultures is one of the most powerful strategic tools for securing lasting competitive advantage.
As the world’s largest design firm, Gensler has a unique obligation and opportunity to focus on sustainability in the built environment. We deepened our commitment to combat the impact on climate change in the built environment when we launched Gensler Cities Climate Challenge (GC3) in 2019. This is our pledge to meet an ambitious goal: the elimination of all greenhouse gases from our work by 2030.
Your Role
Directing and providing leadership for operational activities in the studio including, but not limited to, all business, staff and financial operations, project profitability, marketing/business development, client satisfaction and employee growth and development.
Reporting to the Office Managing Director, you will act as senior leadership for the studio, and will direct the day-to-day management of the studio, projects and teams, escalating matters to the OMD as appropriate.
What You Will Do
Management
- You will be responsible for the overall management of the studio.
- You will represent the interests, concerns and problems of the studio and ensure issues are addressed and resolved expeditiously.
- Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the studio relating to all staff, business and financial operations.
Staff Development
- Work closely with your staff with regards to hiring, probation performance evaluations, developmental reviews, employee work performance, learning, professional development, bonus review, appointment input and evaluation.
- Participate in and provide leadership for the talent planning efforts for the studio.
- Communicate employee issues and requests to the Human Resources Director upon becoming aware of the issue to avoid escalation.
Leadership
- Provide operational leadership and guidance to your colleagues, direct them as required in accordance with Gensler systems, and act as a representative of the OMD and Firm as a whole.
- Apply your leadership skills by motivating employees to enable them to reach their individual potential.
- Maintain a positive team environment by creating programmes to boost morale.
- Provide staff members with an “open door policy” to allow individuals to feel free to communicate with you and other members of the management team.
- Build staff capabilities through programmes that improve individual technical/design skills and develop improved management and communication.
- Lead the Professional Development Planning programme annually and ensure employee goals are monitored throughout the year.
- Collaborate with the other Directors to provide a creative, innovative and nurturing environment throughout the studios by developing an effective coaching/mentoring programme.
- Demonstrate ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
Business Development/Marketing
- Market and develop new business on a consistent basis. Place a strong emphasis on marketing for Gensler in an effort to win new projects and increase Gensler’s visibility.
- Ensure prompt and timely response to all proposal requests.
- Work closely with our Marketing department in business development reporting, lead generation, fee development, project marketing and proposal writing.
- Proactively position and network Gensler.
Projects
- You will be responsible for maintaining positive client relationships with all projects assigned to your studio. You will need to attend client meetings, lead and participate in brand strategy, review conceptual development and provide leadership, inspiration and motivation to the design team to ensure the highest quality design documentation is produced and client satisfaction is achieved.
- Manage projects within the studio by leading the teams to focusing on the project process, service/delivery, work environment and project documentation.
- Client development – build clients’ trust and loyalty in Gensler and develop additional business.
Financial
- Monitor budgets and profitability targets for the studio.
- Oversee billing and fee management operations in the office and ensure all financial activities are consistent with Gensler policies and procedures.
- Responsible for accounts receivable accountability, discretionary expense budget management, expense report approvals, held time monitoring, productivity projections and review.
Studio Operations
- Conduct Design Manager meetings
- Conduct studio meetings
- Overseeing staffing – ensure all technical staff maintain a billable status
- Management Committee reports
- Staff seating
- Technical Director oversight
- Time card review
- PTO requests
General
- Work closely with Design Managers, Operations Director, Finance Director, Office Managing Director and Human Resources Lead to ensure awareness of all issues relating to each specific function.
- Ensure professional and business-like conduct of daily operations.
- Demonstrate dignity, respect, and the professional attitude of the firm on and off the job.
- Build and improve external firm image by active participation in appropriate organizations and maintaining significant contacts with current and potential clients.
- Participate in office meetings – collaborate with other Directors, Office Management and staff.
- Develop a strategy for Best Practice integration, client satisfaction, cross studio integration, inside and outside of Gensler to achieve a professional community outreach. Focus on global relationship building, recruiting and service integration.
- Be an advocate for Gensler sustainability commitments internally and externally.
- Make sustainability an integral part of every project.
- Define project sustainability targets in collaboration with the client and the project team at the start of each project.
- Understand clients ESG goals and work with project teams towards achieving them.
- Support and encourage team members to pursue sustainability learning.
Your Qualifications
- A licensed architect with proven leadership skill, including business development.
- A minimum of 15 years of experience in the architecture and design field with a focus on core + shell.
- Technical and contractual savvy.
- Experience in guiding the operations of a studio; both in the mentorship and development of staff as well fiscal oversight.
- Top notch client relationships in the UAE and/or Saudi Arabia a plus.
- Demonstrated business development skills within the local industry.
- High EQ.
- Significant project experience in some combination of mixed use/office, residential, office, or retail centres.
- High level of drive and collaborative spirit to help grow and mentor a dynamic studio with engaged team members.
- Able to travel to other Gensler offices or client project locations if needed.
- Excellent references and personal portfolio of work.
- Knowledge in sustainable design principles required.
- LEED, WELL, Fitwel, LFA or other rating systems accreditation preferable.
- Understand key principles for leading and achieving net zero projects.
- Capacity to drive sustainability focused discussions with clients and teams.
- Demonstrated commitment to sustainability and sustainable building practices required.
- Previous experience in sustainable design projects preferred. At least one project of the candidate portfolio should showcase this focus. Especially built projects with LEED, Living Building Challenge, WELL Building Standard, Fitwel and /or Net Zero Building certification.
Your Design Technology Qualifications
Essential
- Familiarity with the BIM project lifecycle through design, construction and operational phases.
- Understanding of BIM deliverables and terminology in contracts.
- Experience in establishing and managing BIM teams for project design and delivery.
Desirable
- Good knowledge and experience with collaboration within the BIM context, including cloud-based markups, consultant coordination and clash detection.
- Experience in managing design teams with Revit/Rhino/Grasshopper skills.
- Understanding of the capabilities and application of Information Management tools such as Aconex, Asite, Newforma, etc.
Applications we work with:
- Design Authoring – Revit, Rhino, Autocad, Navisworks
- Collaboration – BIM360
- Computational Design – Grasshopper, Dynamo
- Building Performance Simulation – Insight, Sefaira, Diva, Ladybug tools
- Visualisation – Vray, Enscape, Twinmotion, 3DSMax
- Graphics & Productivity – Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite
- Experiential – Unreal Engine, Unity
- Development – C#, Python
Life at Gensler
Gensler Asia-Pacific and Middle East is committed to
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
through our Five Strategies. In partnership with our clients, we strive to create a just and equitable future for our communities and our colleagues. We celebrate our diversity and are focused on creating an inclusive workplace environment for all.
As a people-first organization, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From internal design competitions to research grants to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect 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 and wellness programs. We also offer profit sharing and twice annual bonus opportunities.
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.
