Practice Area Leader - Data Centers

Gensler; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Gensler in the Middle East seeks a Critical Facilities (Data Centers) Practice Area Leader to build and lead a high-performing team of architects and designers, delivering exceptional data center projects and advancing the practice.

You will drive growth, ensure design excellence and technical rigor, mentor talent, manage client relationships, and coordinate with regional and firm leaders to push the practice forward.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Architecture, Design or related discipline.
• 15+ years of architectural experience, including 5+ years in leadership roles.
• 10+ years in critical facility design, with a preference in data center projects.
• A high degree of self-motivation, flexibility, and resourcefulness
• Ability to inspire and lead a team with creativity and compassion
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to be articulate and convincing in client workshops, interviews and other presentations
• Demonstrated experience developing relationships with new and existing clients
• Substantial experience working directly with senior management representatives, facilities and project managers, and other stakeholders
• Leadership experience, including managing client expectations, multi-disciplinary teams, and meeting scope/schedule/budget
• Advanced knowledge of the architectural planning and design process, code requirements and design of building systems.
• Skilled at developing and motivating teams of people both internally and externally, along with a desire to mentor team members

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of architects and designers for Critical Facilities projects.
• Oversee growth of the practice and delivery of design and technical work.
• Guide regional leaders and collaborate across the firm.
• Build pipeline of new work through RFQ / RFP responses.
• Mentor team members and recruit top talent.
• Maintain financial health of projects and client relationships.
• Stay abreast of technology and design innovations in critical facilities.
• Foster a positive work environment amongst peers and teams.

Skills

Team leadership

Client development

Architectural design

Studio management

Presentation skills

Mentoring

Thought leadership

Financial management

Technical rigor

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Architecture or related discipline

Job description

Your Role

As a Critical Facilities (Data Centers) Practice Area Leader in the Gensler, Middle East, it will be your responsibility to build, lead and inspire a team of architects and designers to deliver unparalleled projects in Critical Facilities. The Critical Facilities practice is fundamental to our strategic plans, so you will be integral to moving our entire practice into the future.

Description

Your Role

As a Critical Facilities (Data Centers) Practice Area Leader in the Gensler, Middle East, it will be your responsibility to build, lead and inspire a team of architects and designers to deliver unparalleled projects in Critical Facilities. The Critical Facilities practice is fundamental to our strategic plans, so you will be integral to moving our entire practice into the future.

On a day-to-day basis, you will be accountable primarily for the growth of our practice, overseeing the delivery of exceptional design and technical work. We take a highly collaborative approach, and nurturing a strong design culture across our studios is central to our success.

All leaders in Gensler are expected to share accountability for design excellence, technical rigor, and financial performance, and we will look to you to guide your teams toward success on all fronts. This role is pivotal in shaping and delivering world-class Data Centers and other Critical Facilities projects. You will partner with the Asia Pacific Middle East Regional Practice (APME) Area Leader, Critical Facilities and collaborate with other PA Leaders across the Firm.

What You Will Do

• Utilize your experience, network and client relationship skills to build our capabilities to inspire through your connections and thought leadership.


• Deliver Critical Facilities projects of all scales and complexities, with the vision of creating a stand-alone studio focused on Critical Facilities clients.


• Strengthen our market reputation through thought leadership and a differentiated point of view.


• Work collaboratively with other leaders, Regional Managing Principals, Office Managing Directors, Studio Directors, Design Directors across the APME, and in the broader Critical Facilities Practice Area across the Firm.


• Be accountable and manage the financial health of critical facilities projects and client relationships.


• Lead a team or individually respond to RFQ / RFPs to build a pipeline of new work.


• Effectively and routinely communicate with local and regional leadership on status of projects, pursuits, and teams.


• Work closely with office leadership to identify and recruit best-in-class talent


• Actively mentor and coach team members in their growth and development.


• Keep pace with technology advances and the design innovations required to develop the supporting critical infrastructure.


• Foster and encourage a positive work environment amongst peers and teams.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Architecture, Design or related discipline.


• The ideal candidate will possess 15+ years of architectural experience, inclusive of 5 or more years' experience in an architecture and design firm in client development, and/or management of a studio, practice group, or regional office.


• 10+ years of experience in critical facility design with a preference in the data center projects.


• A high degree of self-motivation, flexibility, and resourcefulness


• Ability to inspire and lead a team with creativity and compassion


• Strong presentation skills with the ability to be articulate and convincing in client workshops, interviews and other presentations


• Demonstrated experience developing relationships with new and existing clients


• Substantial experience working directly with senior management representatives, facilities and project managers, and other project stakeholders, leading planning studies to achieve programmatic requirements


• Leadership experience, including managing client expectations, multi-disciplinary teams, and meeting scope/schedule/budget


• Advanced knowledge of the architectural planning and design process, code requirements and design of building systems.


• Skilled at developing and motivating teams of people both internally and externally, along with a desire to mentor team members

Life at Gensler

As a people-first organization, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From internal design competitions to research grants to \"Well-being Week,\" our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability and wellness programs. We also offer profit sharing 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.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirative Action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under applicable regulatory laws.

Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable regulatory laws.

Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us.

Regarding Gensler’s approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud. Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email [e-mail].