The Managing Director is responsible for managing and leading the efforts of office and firm-wide marketing and business development goals, as well as financial, human resource and technical functions of the office in a manner that is consistent with firm-wide standards and objectives. Additionally, the MD will work closely with GFF’s Management Committee to ensure smooth, high performing business operations.

GFF is an award winning, fast-paced, business-centered and design-focused practice that includes; retail, multi-family, office, mixed-use, corporate projects, churches, schools, restaurants, automobile dealerships, master planning, landscape architecture and interiors. We offer an energetic and stimulating work environment, competitive salary/benefits and advancement potential at all levels. We are always interested in discussing opportunities with talented, well-qualified, energetic, and highly-motivated individuals! We were recently named one of the Best Places to Work by the Dallas Business Journal two years in a row!

Skills and Capabilities

The general skills and capabilities of the Managing Director should be as follows:

• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit; effectively grow and lead their specific practice group
• Possess good communication skills; develops relationships easily and retains them
• Possess a university degree and a background in architecture, interior design, planning, or real estate development.
• Registration in applicable field required
• Creative planning skills, as well as the presentation skills to communicate the ideas to others
• Possess the necessary technical skills for project work for your area of expertise
• Possess the management skills necessary to the produce the work in an efficient, effective, and financially successful manner
• Possess the ability to lead, inspire, and nurture the team in a way that creates an environment where people want to grow their careers

Operational Responsibilities

Primary Operational Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Marketing and Business Development

• Directs the business development activities of the office by staying on top of current trends and practices in the industry, becoming familiar with the industry key players within the Fort Worth market
• Coordinates and communicates all marketing materials with GFF’s marketing department
• Works directly with the marketing group to recruit new clients, generating project work, and will be responsible for proposal and scope of work development, fee development, and contract negotiations
• Increases the firm’s profile and develops marketing and business development opportunities by participating in and assuming leadership roles in the industry and community organizations
• Develops and nurtures long-term client relationships and serves as the primary client contact for the office
• Be well versed in the local zoning and building codes as well as the processes of permitting within the Fort Worth jurisdiction

Financial

• Establishes short and long-term objectives for revenue projections, profit, productivity, and office cost control and expenses
• Ensures that objectives are consistent with corporate goals and priorities
• Monitors financial performance of the office and makes required adjustments to meet or exceed profit goals set for the office and takes corrective action when needed
• Prepares contracts, reviews and signs invoices and monitors the financial performance of the office and of individual projects

Human Resources

• Communicates GFF’s culture and communicates the firms mission, vision and values with staff
• Develops and promotes strong relationships within the office and throughout the firm
• Works with Studio Director(s) to determine staffing needs, ensures proper utilization of the staff, communicates project hours scheduled and upcoming needs and regularly attends scheduling meetings
• Actively recruit and assists in interviews with potential personnel as the workload requires
• Arranges training and continuing education opportunities within the office
• Will provide appropriate on-going and annual performance feedback and counseling as needed to staff

Technical

• Ensures adherence to firm-wide technical standards, including but not limited to, GFF’s Standards of Practice (SOP)

• Coordinates and communicates hardware and software needs to IT director as needed