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AvroKO has an opening for a managing director to join its office in London.

The managing director acts as the head of AvroKO’s London studio: the leader accountable for overall business development and growth, and successful studio performance. It is a studio wide role. As with AvroKO’s other growing studios, our managing directors also function in certain project specific capacities such as design, management, technical leadership etc.

Therefore, whilst the London Studio is still growing the London managing director will have a project specific role in the capacity of a design director on select projects.

The managing director works closely with the partner in charge of the AvroKO London studio, and in close coordination with the AvroKO Global Directors and Officers based in New York City (heading up creative direction, finance, practice management, marketing and new business).

In addition, the managing director is responsible for overseeing the leadership team in the London Studio comprised of the studio director and the design director(s), to ensure the studio is constantly moving towards fulfilling its short-term and long-term objectives and does not diverge from AvroKO’s strategic guidelines.

The managing director’s core responsibilities are…

Business development and growth

A core responsibility is to develop leads and help develop strategic relationships with potential clients and partners, with a portion of time dedicated to developing existing client relationships.

Responsibilities include:

• preparing and implementing comprehensive business development plans to facilitate achievement of studio’s goals

New business tasks:

• meet with potential new clients, including making project site visits
• working in close collaboration with the global director of development (GDD), to monitor AvroKO London’s new business traffic and help maintain the business development pipeline for London
• leads the business development process in London from initial contact through to executed contract including qualification packages, RFP responses, Letters of Intent (LOI) and contract negotiations and revisions, and assembling ancillary proposal materials
• understand client business goals and strategic imperatives and develop strategic deliverables including written and creative assignments that represent the client’s needs
• in collaboration with the GDD Manage client follow-up, scheduling partner involvement as needed
• meet regularly with directors on status of pending proposals

Pitches:

• run end-to-end pitch process, including assessing initial opportunities, pitch deliverables, interfacing with prospective client, and creating written proposal to accompany pitch

Financial projections:

• coordinate with the studio director to update financial projections and to track and organise the potential projects in the new business development process
• ensure proper monitoring of business development costs

Strategic performance management

Studio performance:

• research and implement new initiatives to drive revenue, lower operating costs while maintain quality designs and deliverables that are competitive, while delivering excellent client services
• hold periodic status meetings with the studio director to discuss
• studio status (operational and financial as well as schedule milestones)
• client relations
• key areas of concern
• coordinate with the chief financial officer in New York on a regular basis for review of general studio performance in conjunction with the studio director as part of overall studio budget monitoring
• preparation of quarterly reports for the CFO and founding partners

Studio management:

• monitor studio operations led by the studio director, and analyse problematic situations and occurrences and provide solutions to ensure company health and growth
• coordinate and collaborate with other design director(s) in the studio to ensure:
  • consistency in applying the highest design standards across all projects in the studio, and adhering to AvroKO’s design process
  • in cent with the chief creative officer and other studio design director(S), ensure AvroKO’s designs and methodology continue to grow, remain fresh and at the forefront of our industry, consistent with the company’s broader goals
  • ensure company policies and legal guidelines are communicated throughout the studio and that they are followed at all times
  • delegate responsibilities and supervise the work of studio leadership providing guidance and motivation to drive maximum performance
  • regular coordination and consultation with the practice director in New York to ensure the studio at large is operating according to AvroKO’s global standards

Strategic studio representation:

• communicate and maintain trust relationships with shareholders, business partners and authorities
• act as the public speaker and public relations representative of the studio, in close collaboration with the global marketing director (GMD), in ways that strengthen its profile

Partner liaison:

• liaison between the partner-in-charge of AvroKO London staff to keep partner informed of
• project status overview and performance
• staffing allocations and needs review
• office issues
• provide strategic advice to the AvroKO partners so that they will have accurate view of the market and the studio’s future in London’s region of operations

People:

• mentoring staff through project collaboration and leading by example. The studio director shall manage systematic professional development
• as part of the studio leadership team, promote the wellness of staff and creating a diverse and positive working environment
• assist the studio director the search, review and hiring process for all new London-based personnel with an eye on setting, maintaining and constantly improving the culture of the studio

Directing design

Directing design is a creative leadership role that requires one who can wield hospitality design strategy while exhibiting the ability to translate design ideas into creative business-building solutions for our clients. The director shall be as comfortable consulting with business leaders as with design counterparts.

Those directing design shall have the ability to lead a multidisciplinary team to develop immersive environments for a diverse range of domestic and international clients. This seasoned leader will merge strategy, interior design, furniture and lighting design, architecture and graphic design to develop world-class hospitality environments while challenging, mentoring and inspiring a diverse team of designers.

The design director must understand the range of work of the firm and design philosophy and approach leading the studio in project design.

Strategic:

• work with the firm’s partners, senior management and marketing to fit interior design strategy to organisational vision
• manage and oversee upgrades and changes in design strategy
• continue to strengthen the breadth, creativity and work of the interiors practice, supporting interior design leads through the provision of sound creative oversight at both the project and studio wide levels
• develop strong business relationships with clients and outside partners
• provide design direction, and work with the partners to create designs that meet AvroKO standards
• act as a mentor of the interiors department, offering leadership, clear guidance and feedback on a regular basis to ensure high design quality

Project specific:

• in close collaboration with the studio director and practice director, determines project design methodology appropriate for the specifics of a project, yet within AvroKO’s general practice procedures
• maintain project involvement at a high-level oversight to ensure design quality control in all phases of project design. Evaluates the progress on projects and vetting project design goals
• may serve as a primary contact with clients, consultants and public agencies when required at a very high level – not day to day
• making important decisions regarding project design based on very advanced interior design knowledge and requirements
• participate in the review of submissions and recommend changes before completion as part of quality control of design presentations
• liaison between the partners on all design projects that you oversee

Required qualifications

Design qualifications and business acumen:

• a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long-term goals
• very strong crisis management skills will also be essential since the managing director is the one expected to lead in tactical problem solving for the studio in times of need
• proven record of accomplishment to grow new business in the interior design industry and seasoned in a client services organisation
• experience building, nurturing and. fostering client relationships, and proven ability to manage long-term engagements with multiple clients at a time
• ability to interact with clients of all levels and industry backgrounds, from the CEO to administrative support staff
• proven ability to manage and set client expectations
• deep understanding and awareness of aligning client goals and business goals. Able to identify a client’s business needs and work with both the client and AvroKO cross-disciplinary teams to understand, define, and build effective solutions
• demonstrated strategic approach to design
• experience leading multi-disciplinary design teams. Strong writing skills (narratives, strategy, proposals, etc.)
• demonstrate abilities in persuasive presentation skills, design strategy, and conceptual ideation. Advanced understanding and knowledge of design and construction techniques as it relates to interior design

Leadership qualities:

• strong interpersonal skills to convey design ideas to client and vendors
• supportive team leadership and engendering a positive, enthusiastic and constructive process. Excellent teamwork skills. Ability to work collaboratively with design directors and creative managing directors across the firm
• able to bring out the best in the design team, and allow them to design towards clear goals
• mentor staff in illustrated and spoken presentation techniques
• ability to lead internal design review and provide constructive feedback to teams

Basics:

• over 15 years of post-graduate hospitality design experience with significant experience in restaurants and hotels
• minimum of four years of experience in a senior management with an emphasis in a design leadership role
• excellent written and verbal communication skills
• excellent organisational skills with a strong attention to detail
• ability to read and interface with the company’s primary accounting reports
• experience with common industry software applications such as:
  • Microsoft Office
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • 3D modeling and rendering applications – SketchUp and V-Ray up preferred
  • 2D drafting application – AutoCAD required
  • specification writing software a plus, but not required
  • working understanding of the principles of common accounting applications like Deltek, Ajera etc.

Education and accreditation:

• minimum bachelor’s degree in architecture, interior architecture or interior design. Professional or master’s degree a plus
• industry accreditation such a NCARB, RIBA, NCIDQ or LEED a plus

If this sounds like you, please click here to apply

www.avroko.com

• Applications have closed.