SmithGroup is an award-winning, multinational integrated design firm with a team of 1,300 experts across 19 offices in the U.S. and China. We employ research, data, advanced technologies and design thinking to help clients solve their greatest challenges. Our specialistsdevelop beautiful, sustainable, future-focused solutions for healthcare providers, science and technology organizations, higher education and cultural institutions, urban environments, diverse workplaces, mixed-use and waterfront developments, and parks and open spaces. We are deeply committed to our promise to Design a Better Future - for our clients, communities and employees. Are you ready to help us get there?
The Detroitoffice of SmithGroupis looking for aSenior Workplace Strategistto join our team.SmithGroup has been named one of Southeast Michigan's Top Workplaces by the Detroit Free Press for10 consecutive years!
We are seeking creative problem solvers and thought leaders to join our growing Workplace Strategy team. This role will be responsible for leading the successful delivery of real estate strategies assessments, portfolio analysis and planning, data collection and evaluation, cultural assessment, and change management. The Senior Workplace Strategist leads our clients to make more informed decisions about how they support their people, position their businesses, and manage their assets.
Working with us, you will:
Plan and lead strategic client engagements
Lead in all aspects of design research, research execution, and analysis (data gathering and research, workshops, observational research and interviews)
Structure, analyze, and synthesize primary and secondary research and data (quantitative and qualitative) to generate actionable materials
Articulate hypotheses, insights, and points of view to facilitate the development of design solutions and organizational recommendations
Lead programming efforts (observations, data gathering, interviews and workshops), and the development of program and space requirement reports
Work with project teams to implement strategy through planning and design concepts
Partner with Studio Leaders, Director of Workplace and Marketing Strategist on Business Development & Thought Leadership
Strengthen and grow team expertise
Demonstrate strong leadership of team members to guide them in reaching their full potential and meeting their career goals. Specifically, these responsibilities include but not limited to:
Actively participate in recruiting activities for new team members
Proactively manage the performance of team members reporting directly to them
Provide mentoring, coaching and guidance to team members
Contribute and expand client wellbeing and ESG initiatives through workplace strategy and change management recommendations
Direct contract negotiations with clients and consultants, and review and approve fee proposals
Provide thought leadership in the area of workplace strategy through knowledge sharing
Monitor and advise on National market trends
Consult with and maintain relationships with client representatives at the regional level
An ideal candidate has:
Bachelor's degree in relevant field
15+ years professional experience, with a minimum of 5 years of direct experience in Workplace Strategy
Additional degree or background in other fields, e.g., organizational design, design thinking, psychology, sociology, real estate, business is a plus but not required
Proficient in MS Office (advanced skill in Excel), Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD and/or Revit (preferred but not required)
Willingness to travel to fulfill assignments
WELL, Fitwell, LEED AP, Prosci designation preferred but not required
Comfort with technology tools for virtual collaboration and mobile work
Experience delivering projects in one or more areas related to design strategy, corporate strategy, research and development or related within workplace
Excellent presentation and communication skills, including experience delivering presentations to management groups and C-suite teams
Confidence in facilitating strategic conversations
Experience with responding to Requests for Proposals, Expression of Interests, Requests for Qualifications
Strong business development skills, including considerable experience building and maintaining productive relationships with a client base
Skilled in strategic and critical thinking. Experience working on workplace transformation initiatives in a consulting capacity
Excellent critical thinking skills. Experience in facilitating workshops and other engagements for visioning, problem-solving and or requirements gathering and discovery
Experience managing project implementation and project teams, leading client meetings, and facilitating group meetings
Experience translating findings into client-specific strategies that address strategic business goals
Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and distributed teams
SmithGroup offers competitive compensation and an excellent benefit package, including 401(k) and wellbeing resources. We promote a healthy work/life balance for our staff which includes an alternative work schedule that provides employees with an additional 15 days off per year (usually Fridays), as well as hybrid options that give our team flexibility to work within our vibrant office culture or remotely, as needed. We also offer paid time off that is immediately available to new hires, 8 paid federal holidays, and parental leave benefits.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
SmithGroup is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or arrest/conviction records.
