Practice Area I Market Sector Leader

Our Critical Facilities practice area is unique, having the ability to draw expertise from and collaborate with all of Gensler’s practice areas to serve clients based on the client’s industry—for example building teams of experts in Gensler’s Critical Facilities and Health and Wellness Practices to deliver data centers for healthcare providers. Beyond data centers, our critical facilities team delivers projects for high-performance/ research/ supercomputing, command and control centers, SCIFs, distribution and logistics, high-tech manufacturing, and various other technology-rich project types.

We are looking for a Regional Practice Area Leader to lead our Critical Facilities team and to help build this practice in the Northwest Region that spans from the San Francisco Bay Area to Cascadia to British Columbia.

Practice Area Leaders are market-facing practitioners who have deep knowledge and experience and are charged to build our book of business through crafting thought leadership and cultivating strategic client relationships. We expect our leaders to also take on leadership roles on projects to help inform our teams with their market knowledge for best-in-class design and innovation in delivery. Practice Area Leaders are connected through the global Gensler network to develop our NW Region’s portfolio and to nurture the next generation of design professionals.

Your Role

Working in collaboration with other Gensler Global and Regional Leaders in this practice area, you will seek to leverage the capabilities of the firm to lead Critical Facilities projects and build this practice. Gensler is an entrepreneurial, collaborative, non-centralized and non-hierarchical organization. The road map for success will require you to build on the collective excellence of the leaders alongside of you to set, and achieve common goals. Your success will be based in the knowledge and patience to provide guidance to a variety of team members, advising and supporting where necessary.

What You Will Do

• Based in Oakland, grow our Critical Facilities practice in the Northwest region through expanding existing client relationships and developing new lines of work.
• Strengthen our market presence through thought leadership that is based on value proposition and point-of-view.
• Advance our reputation through conference presentations, authoring publications and active social media presence.
• 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.
• Leverage practice area partners and expertise across the firm to build NW Region messages and portfolio. Have a deep understanding of the Gensler portfolio.
• Partner with office directors to establish financial targets and budgets based on strategies for growth and investment in the practice area.
• Organize internal team of fellow practitioners within region to help increase reach and influence of group.

Your Qualifications

• Advanced Degree in Architecture or Engineering from an accredited program, or similar applicable degree
• 15+ years of relevant professional experience
• Experience in Critical Facilities projects (i.e. data centers, command and control centers, high-performance computing, etc. or similarly complex projects that may include science laboratories, high-tech manufacturing, light-industrial, etc.) is preferred
• Capable of generating Critical Facilities Practice Area work
• Experience negotiating project scope and fees
• Experience with managing a diverse architectural or engineering firm, regional office, and/or practice group
• Strong leadership, organization, communication, and relationship management skills
• Understanding of Autodesk Revit and related BIM software as a delivery platform

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect our teams’ diverse interests.

We encourage our employees 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.

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.

Gensler is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the bases of any status protected under federal, state, or local law. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability you may contact us here . We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our colleagues.