Studio Leader - Hospitality

NELSON Worldwide, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

NELSON Worldwide, LLC is seeking a Studio Leader for our Hospitality Practice in Chicago. The role oversees studio operations, leads the design process, coordinates with clients and consultants, and ensures successful project delivery from design through construction.

The candidate will mentor team members, manage budgets and staffing, and maintain high standards of quality and client satisfaction across multiple projects within the studio.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with Deltek Vantagepoint software.
• Strong MS Office skills (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Understanding of financial management concepts and budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Organize and prioritize tasks to meet timeframes.
• Lead by example and foster a positive studio environment.
• Communicate effectively with clients, consultants and contractors.
• Provide talent development and performance feedback.
• Oversee staffing and project lead performance and workloads.
• Ensure QA/QC adherence to Nelson protocol and deliverables.
• Support project budgets, proposals, and profitability.

Skills

Deltek Vantagepoint

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Financial management

Leadership

Communication (verbal & written)

Project coordination

Permitting knowledge

Sustainability standards (LEED/Well/E/

Job description

NELSON is currently seeking a Studio Leader to join our Hospitality Practice. The Studio Leader demonstrates the leadership skills necessary to strengthen existing client relationships and support the operational and financial performance of the studio. Responsibilities include participating in design phase activities and coordinating with clients, consultants, and contractors throughout the project. Leading projects through the design process, production of construction documents, and construction administration as part of a project team. Developing solutions to technical problems.

Attributes To Support The NELSON Culture

• Go All In. Own the Outcome. We go all in-with urgency, follow-through, and pride in the result.
• Be Direct. Be Respectful. Be Authentic. We keep it real-with clarity, candor, and care.
• Grow with Purpose. We embrace growth-through learning, coaching, and continuous improvement.
• Think Bold. Execute Smart. We think boldly-and pair ambition with discipline.
• Make Space for Everyone. We value you-and build a culture where people can thrive and do their best work.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Critical features of this job are described under the headings below. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

Required Knowledge And Skills

• Possess code knowledge and ensure team has incorporated permitting requirements into the deliverables
• Basic knowledge of design, trends, construction methodology, materials application and manufacturer-supplier appropriateness
• Basic knowledge of sustainability, integrated design and LEED, Well, EnergyStar guidelines
• Proficiency in Deltek Vantagepoint
• Proficiency in understanding of financial management concepts
• Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

Leadership

• Organize and prioritize tasks as needed to complete within the identified time frame
• Manage expectations of project leads and Teammates, cast a vision for success of the studio
• Effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing
• Lead by example
• Foster a positive studio environment and maintain harmony. Resolve conflict and have difficult conversations with Teammates, peers, upper management and/or clients when necessary
• Provide opportunities to utilize individual’s strengths for their professional development as well as team performance
• Conduct employee performance evaluations within studio on an annual basis and provide feedback to the Market Leader; recommend salary increases for teammates with Market Leader
• Conduct performance evaluations for your direct reports within studio as needed
• Advise the Market Leader of project lead performance and team(s) dynamic on a quarterly basis
• Set goals with project leads and create opportunities to achieve these goals
• Deliver feedback to inspire continuous learning
• Develop project leads in core responsibilities for their role
• Mentor all Teammates in the execution of their responsibilities
• Provide studio performance feedback to Market Leader and Practice Leaders
• Mentor project leads on written and oral communication, presentation skills, time management, and prioritizing their team’s workload
• Develop network to support the recruiting efforts for the firm
• Embrace specific steps to create, develop and promote a diverse workforce and to promote an inclusive environment

Resource Management

• Meet weekly with the project leads to ensure all work is progressing as scheduled. Provide direction to project leads to resolve issues that are project related or between Teammates
• Assist project leads in rebalancing workload between teams if necessary; final authority over delegation of client/account assignments and/or project assignments
• Evaluate teams’ skills and provide staffing recommendations to Market Leader or Practice Area Leader
• Participate in the staffing process; assist with seeking new talent and conduct interview with Market Leader
• Ensure internal reporting is completed in Deltek VantagePoint on time. (i.e. time sheet approvals, project planning and pipeline projections as applicable)
• Manage studio utilization to meet targets and ensure a balanced workload
• Be knowledgeable about projects within the teams
• Coordinate with Market Leader and Practice Area Leader when staffing decisions affect both parties’ initiatives

Technical

• Ensure project leads within studio are following NELSON protocol for QA/QC; provide QA/QC support as necessary
• Guide project leads in utilizing all NELSON resources within their office, within the team/account, and across the network to deliver quality technical and/or creative design
• Support the initiative of the local/regional Technical Leader; share experiences within the studio to inform best practices that will benefit the firm
• Prioritize and effectively meet deadlines, delegate tasks and provide high quality service to clients

Project Delivery

• Prepare project budgets and mentor/support Teammates to follow them; teach Teammates to prepare them on their own
• Prepare proposals, define scope and estimate fees that are easy to understand and ensure profitability

Financial Management

• Review financial reports and utilize the data for evaluating positive performance and identify areas for improvement
• Provide budget/proposal support including additional services and reallocations to manage project profitability
• Review project budgets and coordinate regarding fees with peers to ensure profitability as well as consistency across studio and/or practice area
• Enforce project planning and tracking by project leads and PMs in their usage of Deltek Vantagepoint
• Review monthly project plan updates to ensure project plans are current and on track
• Ensure billings are current and completed by project leads and PMs within time frame
• Assist in collecting AR and escalated issues with client which may delay payment to the Market Leader, or Practice Leader
• Mentor Teammates on understanding the fundamentals of timesheet entries, project budgets, and the invoicing process
• Ensure Team Leaders are managing their Teammate’s timesheets, utilization and billable percentage targets
• Coordinate with Market Leader and Practice Leaders to forecast revenue annually and direct project leads to ensure projections are on track; correct course as needed to ensure revenue projections are met
• Be actively engaged and proactive in monitoring revenue for Clients and/or accounts within local office as well as national teammates if applicable
• Coordinate with peer Studio Leaders regarding client or practice specific revenue trends

Client Service

• Participate in professional organizations and events to increase firm’s profile; strive for a leadership role such as Committee chair assignments/board level positions for industry and commercial real estate organizations
• Maintain relationships with existing clients and build relationships with new clients, including specific service delivery partner relationships and ability to "salvage" troubled Clients, accounts, and/or projects if needed
• Attend client meetings and KPI (Key Performance Indicators) reviews