Project Director

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 in various geographic areas in the US.   Preference may be given to candidates that can work full time in our Dallas, Houston or St. Louis offices. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

You will be responsible for creating the strategy for the project delivery, and leading the project management on very large, complex, mixed-use greenfield campus project which includes health/wellness, R&D and associated  campus infrastructure buildings.  This roles includes leading clients and teams, mentoring our people, advancing the quality of our work, integrating our range of design services, managing our processes, and delivering solid financial performance. 

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Develop and lead the overall strategy for project delivery on a large, complex, multiple building design project.
• Lead large project teams, in conjunction with the client and other project and firm leadership, to develop project goals and work plans, to achieve design excellence, quality, budget, schedule, innovation and profitability objectives.
• In conjunction with the client and other project and firm leadership, lead the development of project goals and work plans, to achieve design excellence, quality, budget, schedule, innovation and profitability objectives.
• Responsible for the day-to-day leadership, management and overall delivery success of large scale, multi-year projects – including defining project controls, managing project scope, schedule, and budget, managing risks. 
• Develop a partnering relationship with the client early in an engagement to establish shared expectations and provide clarity on how we will work together, the involvement of key stakeholders, identify decision making authority and the timing of key decisions.
• Participate in negotiating the contract with other project leadership, the Business Practice Leader, Legal Team, and firm leadership. Facilitate the development, evolution and management of the work plan, budget, and schedule.
• Understand contractual obligations to the client to ensure that the team delivers on expectations for the approved scope of work and required services. Work proactively with the client to identify and obtain approvals for additions to scope of work or services prior to undertaking the work. Proactively communicate with and influence clients to approve and process payables for our services.
• Accountable for developing a risk management plan, risk mitigation and compliance plan.
• Coordinate work effort and resources across multiple teams, workstreams and interdependencies to meet milestones and ensure successful project delivery.
• Implement CannonDesign process expectations, best practices, reference standards, tools, templates, and technology to achieve competitive advantage, quality service delivery, enhanced team productivity and profitability. Responsible for ensuring that the team meets statutory requirements for the project.
• Leverage experience and judgement to anticipate potential issues and ensure appropriate client and internal communication including written project documentation regarding design, construction, and other issues to clients in a clear and compelling way. Accountable for maintaining the project record, including but not limited to capturing and documenting key decisions and records within the CannonDesign standard file structure.
• Accountable for implementation of the QA/QC process. Monitor the technical quality of the projects. Enforce the application of QA/QC process standards and requirements. Additionally, be an active participant in the QA/QC process.
• Manage and coordinate the workload of teams and provide leadership of team activities. Communicate client objectives to team members in a clear and compelling way. Provide constructive feedback and mentoring to team members. Identify and share lessons learned with teams.
• Collaborate effectively with all team members. Generate and support a positive team environment: participation, empowerment, and accomplishment.
• Manage design and documentation process and implementation of the design during the construction process.
• Facilitate key meetings and presentations as required, including regular status/progress updates with clients, internal project teams and firm leadership.
• Participate in Business Development activity and proactively partner with Marketing and Office Leadership as needed to help grow top line.
• Build and maintain positive client relations throughout the life of the project.
• Work with other project management leaders in the firm to develop and share best practices and efficiencies, educating on and sharing project management skillsets including a unique Project Director Team focused, specifically large complex project delivery.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, construction, or related degree required. 
• MBA or business degree a plus but not required.
• Current Licensure or registration in the United States preferred.
• LEED accreditation is preferred.
• PMP Certification is preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of related experience managing large multi-disciplinary projects with construction budgets of over $250M.
• Large healthcare, research and/or multi-use such as campus wide project experience preferred.
• Proven track record of managing projects with large complex teams that have achieved financial goals.
• Demonstrated strong client and team leadership skills.
• Must have the ability to lead clients and teams.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Strong business acumen, technical knowledge, coordination and communication skills and the ability to build a rapport with the project team and client is essential.
• Familiarity with MS Project, Deltek Project Planning, Revit, Microsoft Office, MS Project, Deltek Vision/Vantage Point, Bluebeam as well as other data management software is required.
• Ability to travel to the Texas and Midwest on a regular basis as required.
• Ability to relocate to Houston or Dallas Texas a preference but not required.  

The salary range for this position is $166,400 to $208,000 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. 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.   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 is equitable for all employees, representative of the communities around us – and focused on the future of design. We advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts through the leadership of our DEI Council, Employee Resource Groups and other community advocacy 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 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. Apply