Studio Leader - Chicago

Who We Are

geniant is a fast-growing, award winning, experience consulting firm with studios in Chicago, Dallas, London, and San Francisco. We design across digital, physical, and human touchpoints, partnering with startups and Fortune 500 companies to bridge the gap between a brand’s promise and real-world experiences. Through integrated insights, experiences, and an AI-first approach, we deliver experiences that benefit customers, employees, and the bottom line.

The Opportunity

Are you an entrepreneurial architect with a vision for what's next? We're looking for a leader to build and grow our Chicago Studio (formerly Eastlake Studio). This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leverage geniant's established business expertise and 30 years of client relationships and international presence in the Chicago market to steer our architectural practice into the future.

As the Architectural Studio Leader, you won't just be overseeing projects; you'll be building a team that is at the forefront of experience-focused design. From an innovative brand showroom in Chicago’s second-largest shopping center to a global playbook that standardizes visitor experience for a top-five bank, and partnering with a landmark trading exchange to reimagine its presence in the financial district, we’re delivering amazing work that changes the landscape of design. 

In this role, you will have the opportunity to leverage geniant’s unique equity structure to attract and retain top talent.  You will have a pivotal role in driving our sustainable growth while championing the values that make geniant a great place to work and a trusted partner for our clients.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Design & Project Leadership: Provide high-level oversight on key projects, ensuring geniant's standards of excellence are met and exceeded. You will guide teams through concept development, ensure compliance and quality, and mitigate risks through best practices, industry standard processes, continued mentorship/ 
  education, and quality review.
• Team Leadership & Culture: Mentor and lead a high-performing team. You will champion a positive, collaborative, and productive work environment, partnering with our Employee Experience team to recruit, develop, and retain the industry's top talent.
• Business Development & Growth: Act as the face of the practice in Chicago. You'll identify and pursue new business opportunities, cultivate client and partner relationships, and develop growth strategies to expand our revenue streams and market share.
• Operational & Financial Excellence: Oversee the studio’s day-to-day operations to ensure efficiency and profitability. You will manage key financial metrics, including budgeting, forecasting, and chargeability, and collaborate with our Finance team to ensure the studio's long-term financial health.

What You'll Bring

• 10+ years of professional architecture / interior design experience, with at least 5 years in a significant team and practice leadership role.
• Exceptional skills in communication, organization, and relationship building in the broader commercial real estate community.
• Demonstrated expertise across the project lifecycle, including: 
  • Contract negotiation and office / team management. 
  • Exceptional communication and direction throughout all design phases (PD, 
  SD, DD) and the ability to delegate and guide multiple teams in different 
  markets.  
  • Construction documentation and coordination for multiple project types 
  ranging from high-end hospitality, commercial office, and food service. 
  • Construction administration procedures based on AIA and industry 
  standards, and the ability to communicate successfully with construction 
  teams.  
  • A deep understanding of Chicago Building Code and Rehabilitation code,  
  ADA requirements, modern construction, sustainability practices, and 
  building system technologies.  
  • A strong understanding of the Furniture design and procurement process.
• Strong Project Management skills and the ability to coordinate many projects, 
  multiple teams, and mentor designers throughout the project. 
• A passion for mentorship and supporting a new generation of Architects and Interior 
  Designers with skills, best practices, and values to impact their industry.
• An active Architectural or Design License in the State of Illinois is preferred.
• Self-Certifying Professional in the City of Chicago is preferred.

Why geniant?

At geniant, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking company that values innovation, collaboration, and creating meaningful impact. We offer an annual salary plus bonus in the range of $150-200k plus equity, a comprehensive benefits package, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to work with a team of passionate experts dedicated to pushing the boundaries of design.