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SmithGroup · 3 days ago

Higher Education Strategist

Ann Arbor, MI

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$106K/yr - $145K/yr

15+ years exp

SmithGroup is an integrated design firm known for its innovative design solutions and exceptional culture. They are seeking a Higher Education Strategist who will work with higher education clients and design teams to align client goals with design strategy and vision, while leading various aspects of design research and client strategy engagements.

ArchitectureLandscapingProfessional Services

Growth Opportunities

Responsibilities

Plan and lead early phase client strategy engagements (programming, master planning, feasibility study and/or concept design)

Lead in all aspects of design research, research execution, and analysis (data gathering and research, engaging diverse stakeholders, and assembling multiple stakeholder perspectives.)

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

Produce high-quality deliverables such as client presentations, strategic design briefs and collateral materials

Lead programming efforts (observations, data gathering, interviews and workshops), development of program and space requirement reports

Work collaboratively with other team members to integrate specialized technology and equipment requirements

Develop design strategy briefs through writing, analysis, and graphic content development

Work with project teams to implement strategy through planning and design concepts

Support and partner with strategy team and others to create thought leadership

Initiate design and marketing ideas relative to the strategy team

Assist in establishing a strong network of SmithGroup strategists across offices

Support design strategy awareness and inclusion in proposals and pursuits

Support and develop strategy marketing materials and proposal graphics

Assist with guiding and on-boarding of other internal staff

Strengthen and grow team expertise

Qualification

Higher Education StrategyDesign ResearchData AnalysisProgrammingPlanningMS OfficeAdobe Creative SuiteAutoCADRevitData VisualizationAnalytical ThinkingCommunication SkillsCollaborative Mindset

Required

15+ years professional experience, with a minimum of 5 years of direct experience in Higher Education programming, planning, design, and strategy

Specialized expertise in the programming, planning and design of a wide spectrum of learning environments including classrooms and instructional labs for STEM, health education and professional schools as well as informal collaboration spaces

Demonstrable thought leadership through written publications and conference presentations

Strong graphic skills, including data visualization, process and adjacency diagrams, and plan visualization

Strong communication and presentation skills

Proficient in programming, planning and benchmarking

Confidence in facilitating strategic conversations

Analytical, creative thinker

Flexible and adaptable to work with multiple teams and initiatives

Entrepreneurial mindset

Collaborative, team-player mentality as foundational quality