Regional Design Director - Great Lakes Region

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Regional Design Director - Great Lakes Region Company: CannonDesign Location: United States - Remote (Preference for Buffalo, Chicago, or Pittsburgh, PA offices) Job Type: Full-Time Category: Design Leadership / Operations Date Posted: August 08, 2025 Experience Level: 20+ Years Remote Status: Remote (US-based)

🚀 Role Summary

• This pivotal role is accountable for driving and maintaining design excellence across the Great Lakes Region, ensuring consistent quality and innovative solutions.
• The position involves leading and nurturing a community of designers, fostering a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and entrepreneurship to develop future design leaders.
• The Regional Design Director will act as a key ambassador for the firm's Living-Centered Design ethos, influencing regional business goals and strategic growth plans.
• Responsibilities include managing design talent, overseeing creative operations, and ensuring the firm's design aspirations are integrated into regional operations and client engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While labeled as a "Design Director," the emphasis on regional oversight, talent development, operational strategy, and business acumen positions this role as a senior leadership function with significant operational responsibilities within the design practice. This aligns with the strategic and managerial aspects often found in senior operations roles, particularly in creative or professional services firms.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive Design Excellence: Be accountable for the overall design quality across the region, conducting regular design-standard reviews and ensuring projects receive third-party recognition through publications and awards.
• Champion Living-Centered Design: Lead the translation of the firm's Living-Centered Design ethos into client work, partnering with marketing to build narratives and communicate the impact of design solutions.
• External Representation: Serve as a leading voice for the firm externally, representing CannonDesign at regional events, conferences, and speaking engagements (3-5 venues annually) to support the brand and direction.
• Client Leadership: Lead select clients to innovative design concepts, synthesizing client culture, goals, and aspirations with broader societal and environmental needs, capturing and communicating the value of design solutions.
• Talent Development & Community Building: Nurture a community of designers within the region, setting standards for collaboration, experimentation, and innovation, and partnering with executive leadership to recruit and retain senior design leaders.
• Team Accountability: Hold senior design leaders accountable for the mentorship and growth of emerging design talent, ensuring high-performance design teams are functioning effectively in all regional offices.
• Strategic Business Partnership: Act as an integral part of the regional leadership team, contributing to the definition and execution of a strategic regional growth plan and business development initiatives focused on growth and impact.
• Financial Acumen: Understand regional and firm business metrics, translating strategic frameworks into regional growth goals and supporting top-line targets and financial results, aiming for a minimum 10% regional growth year-over-year.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a blend of creative leadership, people management, and strategic business operations. The emphasis on quantifiable growth targets (10% year-over-year), financial results, and strategic planning indicates a strong operational component beyond traditional design management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture required.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from an accredited program is preferred.

Experience:

• 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 is required.
• Demonstrable design talent through a portfolio of significant built and unbuilt work.
• Third-party recognition of work as a lead or supporting designer by design awards programs and recognized design publications or digital platforms is preferred.

Required Skills:

• Design Excellence & Innovation: Proven ability to lead innovative design solutions and translate strategic frameworks into creative outcomes, challenging the status quo.
• Leadership & Management: Ability to lead, manage, and mentor diverse teams of creatives across multiple offices, fostering collaboration, delegation, and accountability.
• Communication & Storytelling: Strong oral presentation and storytelling skills to communicate complex business and design ideas compellingly to diverse audiences, including clients and internal teams.
• Business Acumen: General fluency in regional and firm business metrics, understanding how to translate strategic frameworks into regional growth goals and contribute to financial success.
• Client Engagement: Skill in leading select clients to innovative design concepts, understanding their goals, and demonstrating the value of design solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Current US Architectural Registration.
• Additional accreditation and/or training relevant to this role, including LEED.
• Experience in creative operations, resource allocation, and design management.
• Proven ability to curate work pursuits and build long-term client relationships.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirement (20+ years) and the need for business fluency, strategic planning, and financial contribution suggest a strong emphasis on operational strategy and management, similar to a Director of Operations or Senior Operations Manager in a professional services context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable Design Talent: A comprehensive portfolio showcasing significant built and unbuilt work, highlighting innovative design solutions and their impact.
• Recognition & Validation: Evidence of third-party recognition through local, regional, or national design awards programs and publications, validating leadership in design quality.
• Client Impact: Case studies demonstrating how design solutions have successfully synthesized client culture, goals, and aspirations, and how key client goals and metrics were achieved.
• Brand Advocacy: Examples of how the candidate has represented a firm's brand and design ethos externally through presentations, publications, or speaking engagements.

Process Documentation:

• Design Standard Reviews: Experience in establishing and conducting regular design-standard reviews to ensure consistent quality and innovation across a region.
• Mentorship & Growth Frameworks: Ability to outline and implement processes for mentoring and developing the next generation of design leaders.
• Strategic Planning Integration: Experience in integrating design aspirations into regional business plans and growth strategies, demonstrating a process for alignment.
• Client Engagement Process: A structured approach to client engagement, focusing on understanding needs, developing innovative concepts, and communicating value.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional "operations" role, the emphasis on process for design reviews, talent development, strategic integration, and client engagement highlights the operational rigor required for success. A candidate's portfolio should reflect not just design output but also the processes and strategies used to achieve those outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $204,240 - $255,300 annually.

• This range is an anticipated base compensation. Actual compensation may vary based on geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Voluntary Insurance options.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Flex-Time Schedules promoting work-life balance.
• Remote Work Options for eligible employees.
• 401k Retirement Savings Plan.
• Employee Perk Programs.
• Eligibility for discretionary bonuses.

Working Hours:

• Standard 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected due to the leadership and strategic nature of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for senior leadership roles in professional services, reflecting the significant experience and responsibility. The benefits package is robust, typical of large, established firms, offering comprehensive support for employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architecture, Engineering, and Design Services. CannonDesign operates at the intersection of strategy, experience, architecture, engineering, and social impact. Company Size: Large (Likely 1000+ employees, given regional structure and scope of operations). This size implies established processes, diverse teams, and significant cross-functional collaboration opportunities. Founded: The company's founding date is not explicitly stated in the provided text, but its established presence and structured regional leadership suggest a long history and mature organizational development.

Team Structure:

• Regional Focus: The role oversees a region comprising 150-300 people across multiple local offices, each with its own design leadership.
• Reporting: The Regional Design Director is part of the regional leadership team and will partner with the Regional Director and Executive Director of Design. They will also hold senior design leaders within their region accountable.
• Collaboration: Expected to collaborate closely with marketing, communications, executive teams, and other regional practice directors to achieve firm-wide and regional goals.

Methodology:

• Living-Centered Design: This is the core philosophy, driving a commitment to using design talents to solve challenges for people, communities, society, and the environment.
• Data-Driven & Impact-Focused: Emphasis on capturing and communicating key client goals and metrics, and how design solutions add value, suggesting a data-informed approach to design impact.
• Strategic Growth: Active participation in defining and executing strategic regional growth plans, focusing on business development and entrepreneurial initiatives.

Company Website: https://www.cannondesign.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is heavily influenced by its "Living-Centered Design" philosophy, which implies a focus on human-centric solutions, sustainability, and societal impact. The organizational structure emphasizes regional leadership and collaboration, requiring strong interpersonal and strategic operational skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership position, equivalent to a Director or Vice President level within a specialized function (Design Operations). It requires extensive experience and a strategic, operational mindset. Reporting Structure: The role reports into the regional leadership structure, likely to a Regional Director or a senior executive within the Design practice. It also has direct influence over senior design leaders within the assigned region. Operations Impact: The role has a significant impact on the firm's reputation, client satisfaction, revenue growth (through design-led initiatives and client retention), and talent development within the region. It shapes the creative output and strategic direction of a substantial portion of the firm's operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance to higher regional or firm-wide leadership roles within the design practice or broader firm management.
• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape firm-wide design strategy, innovation initiatives, and business development efforts.
• Professional Development: Engagement with industry-leading practices, potential for speaking engagements, and opportunities to mentor and develop a new generation of design leaders.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific design sectors or methodologies through the firm's project portfolio and client engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role represents a significant career milestone, moving beyond individual contribution to organizational leadership. The growth path is clearly defined towards senior executive influence and strategic decision-making within the firm's operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the position is remote, the company has physical offices in the Great Lakes Region (Buffalo, Chicago, Pittsburgh, PA). Preference for candidates who can work in these offices suggests a hybrid or flexible approach may be available or encouraged for key meetings and team building. Office Location(s): Buffalo, NY; Chicago, IL; Pittsburgh, PA (for the Great Lakes Region). Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: The role requires effective collaboration with dispersed teams and leadership through virtual platforms.
• Cross-functional Interaction: Daily interaction with design leaders, regional directors, marketing, and potentially HR/recruitment teams.
• Technology Enablement: Access to standard professional collaboration tools, design software, and communication platforms will be crucial.

Work Schedule:

• While a 40-hour work week is standard, the demands of a senior leadership role, including client engagement, regional oversight, and strategic planning, will likely require flexibility and potentially extended hours during peak periods or for critical project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first approach coupled with regional office preferences indicates a modern, flexible work environment. Success will depend on strong self-management, digital collaboration skills, and the ability to build rapport and influence across distances.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio for experience, qualifications, and alignment with the role's requirements.
• Interviews with Leadership: Discussions with regional and design executive leadership to assess strategic thinking, leadership capability, and cultural fit. Expect questions focused on your approach to design leadership, team management, and business strategy.
• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage will likely involve a presentation of your design portfolio, focusing on your ability to articulate design intent, process, impact, and leadership in past projects.
• Behavioral & Situational Assessments: Questions designed to gauge problem-solving skills, collaborative approach, and ability to handle complex leadership challenges.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select projects that best demonstrate your design leadership, innovative thinking, and ability to drive results. Include a mix of built and unbuilt work if possible.
• Showcase Process & Strategy: Don't just show final outputs. Explain your design process, how you collaborated with teams and clients, and the strategic thinking behind your solutions.
• Highlight Leadership & Mentorship: Include examples of how you've led teams, mentored junior designers, and fostered a positive design culture.
• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, quantify the impact of your work using metrics related to client satisfaction, awards, publications, or business outcomes.
• Tailor to CannonDesign: Emphasize projects and philosophies that align with CannonDesign's "Living-Centered Design" ethos.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Vision: Be prepared to discuss your vision for design excellence in the Great Lakes Region and how you would implement CannonDesign's principles.
• Leadership Scenarios: Practice articulating how you would handle common leadership challenges such as managing underperforming teams, resolving design conflicts, or driving innovation.
• Business Integration: Be ready to discuss how you integrate design strategy with business objectives and financial goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a role of this caliber will be rigorous, focusing heavily on strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to translate vision into tangible results. A well-prepared, impactful portfolio presentation is critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software Proficiency: While not explicitly stated, deep familiarity with industry-standard architectural and design software (e.g., Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite) is assumed for a design leadership role.
• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Monday.com, or similar for tracking regional projects, tasks, and team progress.
• Collaboration Platforms: Proficient use of Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, or similar for remote communication, virtual meetings, and team collaboration.
• Document Management: Experience with cloud-based document sharing and collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint, Google Drive).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Performance Metrics Tools: Ability to utilize or oversee the use of tools for tracking design awards, publications, client satisfaction scores, and regional growth metrics.
• Financial Reporting Software: Understanding of how to interpret and contribute to reports related to regional P&L, revenue targets, and project profitability.
• Business Intelligence Tools: Familiarity with BI tools for data analysis and dashboard creation to monitor regional performance.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): Understanding of how CRM data informs client engagement strategies and business development efforts.
• Workflow Automation: Awareness of potential opportunities for automating administrative or operational tasks within the design practice to improve efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is design-focused, the operational aspects require proficiency in managing projects, teams, and business performance using a range of digital tools. The emphasis is on leveraging technology to support strategic goals and efficient operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client Adoration: A core value is delivering exceptional service and achieving client satisfaction beyond expectations.
• Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion: Commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive practice, supporting DEI efforts through councils, ERGs, and community initiatives.
• Communication & Transparency: An open culture where ideas and challenges can be readily discussed, promoting transparency and open dialogue.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: A drive to constantly seek new solutions, challenge the status quo, and improve both client work and internal processes.
• Impact-Driven: A focus on making a meaningful and lasting difference through design, aligning with the Living-Centered Design ethos.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Strong emphasis on collaboration with various disciplines and departments (marketing, executive leadership) to achieve holistic goals.
• Community Building: Fostering a sense of connection and identity among regional designers, promoting peer support and shared learning.
• Open Dialogue: Encouraging open communication and feedback exchange to drive creativity and problem-solving.
• Partnership: Working collaboratively with regional leadership to develop and implement strategic initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values client-centricity, inclusivity, and transparent communication. The operational aspect of this culture involves actively fostering collaboration and a shared commitment to the firm's design philosophy and business objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Business Objectives: Effectively translating innovative design concepts into commercially viable and strategically aligned business outcomes for the region.
• Managing Dispersed Teams: Leading and motivating a large, geographically dispersed team of designers to maintain a cohesive culture and high performance standards.
• Driving Consistent Quality: Ensuring uniform design excellence and adherence to Living-Centered Design principles across multiple offices and diverse projects.
• Attracting & Retaining Top Talent: Competing in the market for skilled design professionals and nurturing them into future leaders.
• Measuring Design Impact: Developing robust methods to quantify the success and impact of design solutions for clients and the firm.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Training: Opportunities to develop advanced skills in strategic planning, financial management, and executive leadership.
• Industry Engagement: Participation in high-profile industry events, conferences, and thought leadership platforms.
• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to mentor emerging talent and be mentored by senior firm leaders.
• Specialized Skill Development: Access to training and resources in areas like sustainable design, digital transformation in architecture, and advanced project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior leadership roles in complex organizations, requiring adaptability, strong problem-solving skills, and a commitment to continuous learning and development. The growth opportunities are substantial for those seeking to make a significant impact on a national firm.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your philosophy on driving design excellence across a large, multi-office region. How would you operationalize this vision?"
• "How do you foster a collaborative and innovative culture among design teams, particularly in a remote or hybrid environment?"
• "Walk us through a strategic regional growth initiative you led or significantly contributed to. What were the key operational steps and outcomes?"
• "How do you ensure design solutions align with a client's business goals and metrics? Provide an example."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What resonates most with you about CannonDesign's Living-Centered Design ethos, and how would you embody this in your leadership?"
• "How would you contribute to fostering an equitable and inclusive design community within your region?"
• "Describe a time you had to communicate a complex business or design challenge to stakeholders. What was your approach and the result?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your presentation around a clear narrative that highlights your leadership journey, your approach to operations and design, and your impact.
• Focus on Process & Problem-Solving: Demonstrate how you tackle challenges, manage teams, and implement strategic initiatives, not just the final design outcomes.
• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics to support your claims about project success, team development, and business contributions.
• CannonDesign Alignment: Explicitly connect your experience and approach to CannonDesign's values and their Living-Centered Design philosophy.
• Engage the Audience: Make it interactive, allowing for questions and discussion to showcase your communication and collaboration skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational understanding of a design practice, and strong leadership capabilities, all framed within CannonDesign's unique culture and philosophy.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Regional Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the CannonDesign Careers site via the provided URL.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your design portfolio is up-to-date, well-organized, and highlights projects demonstrating your leadership in design quality, team development, and strategic contribution. Tailor the selection to showcase alignment with CannonDesign's Living-Centered Design principles.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 20+ years of experience, focusing on design leadership, team management, strategic planning, and business acumen. Use keywords from the job description and quantify achievements whenever possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your leadership philosophy, strategic vision for design operations, and your approach to fostering culture and driving business growth. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and rehearse your portfolio presentation.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research CannonDesign's projects, values, and recent news. Understand their "Living-Centered Design" philosophy and how it translates into their operational practices and client engagements. Familiarize yourself with the Great Lakes Region's market context if possible.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.