At Gresham Smith, we call it Genuine Ingenuity. Our culture is the cornerstone of who we are, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. United by our Core Purpose—to plan, design, and consult to create healthy and thriving communities—we deliver innovative solutions for life’s essential infrastructure and institutions.
What sets us apart is our dedication to care for our people, our clients, and the places we call home. We are more than a team of professionals—we’re a community built on commitment, integrity, respect, and teamwork.
Why Gresham Smith? When you join Gresham Smith, you’re joining a place where you can connect and thrive. Our employees consistently recognize us as a Best Place to Work because we go above and beyond to ensure that you feel valued, supported, and empowered.
About You We’re looking for someone who:
Bachelor's degree in Interior Design/Architecture from an accredited university. A license is not required but is preferred.
Minimum of 15 years’ relevant experience in a design consulting firm. Experience as a Project Manager is preferred.
Skills:
BlueBeam, Revit understanding preferred, fee and schedule development, and understanding of contracts.
Advanced communication, teamwork and collaboration, problem-solving, adaptability, decision-making, time management, and conflict resolution skills.
Effective Leadership skills and adaptability.
Most importantly, you bring genuine curiosity, creativity, and a collaborative spirit—someone who wants to do great work with great people.
About The Role:
The Studio Leader is responsible for overseeing the operations and project delivery within the Birmingham, AL studio. This position will work closely with the Market Vice President (MVP), Market Analyst (MA), Technical Practice Leader (TPL), Market Design Leader (MDL), Studio Analyst, Studio Design Leader (SDL), Studio Technical Leader (STL), HR, Learning and Development, and Project Delivery Excellence (PDE) to foster an inclusive and supportive work environment, manage the professional development of staff, and act as the HR liaison for the studio.
Additionally, the Studio Leader will ensure the quality and design excellence of project work by closely monitoring progress and collaborating with project managers to deliver projects on time and within budget. This position is a dual role, and the Studio Leader is also expected to work on projects in some capacity. This position reports to the MVP.
As a Studio Leader, you will be responsible for the following:
Market Leadership Operate with a "One Market" mindset, minimizing studio delivery and operational variables in collaboration with MVP, TPL, and MDL.
Assist in developing a succession plan for the studio.
Recruit top talent to the studio/market.
Represent the studio internally and externally.
Office Environment Coordinate with the Office Location Leader for firmwide initiatives and communication.
Lead the Studio Core Team.
Foster an environment of mutual respect, trust, and inclusivity to advance employee morale and engagement.
Host studio-wide meetings at least once a month.
Communicate clearly and effectively with the studio about firmwide and marketwide happenings.
Ensure new team members are onboarded appropriately.
Ensure team members are following our hybrid office attendance policy.
Professional Development Be an accessible mentor and coach – guide the team's career growth and advancement.
Provide recognition opportunities at the market and firmwide level for team members.
Understand studio team members' expertise and skill gaps, as well as their career ambitions.
Staff Support Support and implement firmwide HR initiatives.
Address HR issues and interpersonal challenges.
Project Management In partnership with Studio Analysts, conduct at least bi-weekly touchpoints with PMs and APMs.
Ensure clarity of roles & responsibilities of CMs in your project teams.
Provide mentorship and training for Client/Project Managers.
Quality Ensure compliance with QMS and QC Review processes.
Ensure teams are following firmwide standard policies and procedures.
Ensure teams are following documentation standards.
Engage with teams and review documentation.
Support the STL in raising the level of technical expertise in the studio.
Design Ensure compliance with Design Review processes.
Support the SDL in raising the level of design expertise in the studio.
Project Delivery Serve as a Client Manager, Project Manager, Project Professional, or Medical Planner on projects.
Client Experience Client satisfaction during project delivery.
Team performance.
Market Performance Monitors staffing, utilization, and growth management across the studio, including recommending adjustments where necessary.
Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the studio related to all staff, business, and financial operations.
Project Planning Work with Project Executives, Client Managers, and Project Managers on fee and schedule development.
Work with Project Managers and Studio Analysts to ensure we are assigning the right people to the right projects in the right roles.
Project Performance Monitor project performance utilizing Earned Value as the key metric.
Ensure that recovery plans are implemented for underperforming projects and clients.
Work with Project Managers on Change Management to ensure they are identifying and securing additional service fees when required.
Your work will directly contribute to shaping environments where people live, work, and thrive, all while growing your career within a supportive, people-first culture.
Join Us If you’re excited to bring your talents to a collaborative, people-first environment where you can make an impact while growing your career, we’d love to hear from you.
Here’s what you can expect:
Professional Growth In-house Learning, Tuition Reimbursement, Licensure Support, Professional Organization Engagement.
Culture that Cares 93% of employees say they feel cared for, and 96% are confident in our future success.
Competitive Benefits Flexible Schedules & Generous PTO
Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, Wellness Programs)
401(k) with Company Match
Short- & Long-term Disability, Paid Life & AD&D
Supplemental, Critical Care, Pet, Legal & ID Theft Insurance
Family Planning and Parental Leave
Mass/Public Transit Program
Telemedicine and Employee Assistance Program
Gresham Smith is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. Everyone is invited to apply!
