Associate Director, Workplace Consulting

You will need to be nimble, flexible, and responsible for “wearing many hats” as the team continues to grow rapidly. You will be required to continue strengthening existing internal relationships, existing client relationships, pursue new business, and leading the successful delivery of Workplace Consulting projects alongside the Principal & Senior Director, Workplace Consulting and the Principal & Managing Director, Project Management & Workplace Consulting.

You will be entrusted to enhance, grow and be an integral part of the new Workplace Consulting service line focused on developing, creating and implementing the optimal solutions for our clients. You will enhance our clients’ performance by driving the use of information and technology through strategy, process, system, structural and behavioral change across a wide range of sectors. You will develop strategies derived from understanding our client’s business, operations, strategy, talent, technology, real estate and space while integrating real estate and infrastructure consulting solutions.

Your role will be part of an ambitious team that is changing the way operations and real estate decisions are made. You will have a high‑level of autonomy to work when and where you prefer, assuming you deliver per your engagement agreements with clients.

Currently, there are 3 key sub-service lines within the Workplace Consulting practice:

• Business Strategy alignment
• Stakeholder, Leader and Employee engagements
• Workplace Analytics
• Space Program Development
• Test Fits
• Workplace Settings (Kit of Parts), standards & metrics
• National/Global Workplace Playbooks
• Design Oversight/Management (for clients who have a design team already):
• Ensuring the implementation of the client approved workplace strategy and concepts are carried through into the design documents prepared by the client’s team.
• Change Engagement/Management
• Assess the change and develop a Change Strategy
• Workplace Transformation Roadmap
• Manage the change and guide the people through the journey
• Evaluate the results post‑move
• Business Development & Brokerage Enablement
• Winning Mandates: Partner with Brokers to lead the workplace strategy portion of "win-loss" pitches, providing the strategic "hook" that differentiates our firm.
• Revenue Growth: Identify opportunities to upsell consulting services to existing brokerage clients and drive new fee‑based revenue streams.
• Thought Leadership: Act as a subject matter expert for the Canadian market, contributing to white papers, webinars, and industry events (CoreNet, IFMA, etc.).
• Internal Education: Build deep relationships with cross‑functional teams to demystify workplace strategy and empower brokers to identify strategic leads earlier in the sales cycle.

As a recent “start‑up” Practice and encouragement of entrepreneurial spirit, the long‑term goal for the Canadian Workplace Consulting practice is to expand into other advisory services, not limited to the following examples:

• Wellness Consulting (FitWel, WELL other)
• Hybrid Work Policy Support
• User Experience (UX) & Experience Design

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of the Associate Director include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Work both independently and collaboratively on projects to manage required aspects of a project from the initial workplace strategy to the project closeout, and all elements in between as required
• Support team members, while working independently or as part of group projects
• Recruiting, leading and coaching team members as required to support your report
• Provide best‑in‑class client‑centric service, delivering quality projects on‑time and on‑budget
• This role is directly part of the Ontario/Canadian team, but you shall also be available to be a resource to the US team as required/as needed.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Work with Leadership to develop and produce business, define project scopes, write proposals and deliver projects – on time and within
• Develop, communicate and act on business plan including market position, and revenue projections
• Lead and manage a team that will serve multiple client projects across varying stages of progress and effectively balance a diverse set of responsibilities
• Oversee Workplace Consulting engagements and work directly with client stakeholders to develop and implement comprehensive assignments, strategies and solutions including client engagement, marketplace research, workplace strategy, design, procurement, financial and performance analytics, decision making processes and key outcomes to align with the client’s business
• Originate and develop business through marketplace engagement, along with key networks including those of Avison Young, our leaders and teams, along with your own network and engagement. Includes responding to formal Request for Proposal (RFP) opportunities through professional proposals that include client requirements, proposed work program and project team, budget and qualifications to secure the potential
• Given this is a relatively new service offering for Avison Young, your role will include launching the overall opportunity that includes working with our teams to:
• develop marketing content, framework and best practices for proposals, contracts and new client opportunities;
• advance our client deliverables that span the full spectrum of technical requirements including workplace strategy, management consulting, design, procurement and implementation, financial analysis, etc.
• advance all aspects of this service offering, working alongside the President Professional Services and leadership team.
• Manage project specific staffing support and resource allocation to meet deadlines and deliverables
• Demonstrate knowledge of experience in qualitative and quantities research methods, financial analysis, program design and implementation, and strategic consulting practices to deliver “best in class” solutions for our client assignments and implementation program.
• Understand, negotiate, and enforce client contract terms
• Seek out innovation and best practice across all areas of the role – bring new ideas and thinking to client work and to internal processes and operations as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Management consulting and workplace strategy experience
• Design background and/or knowledge in corporate office design, is an asset
• Client relationship and account management experience
• Strong leadership, interpersonal skills and problem‑solving ability
• Strong technical skills, ability to deliver with proven track record
• Strong sense of urgency to achieve timely, quality results
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently, pro‑active, yet work within a team environment
• Ability to lead teams in a collaborative and inclusive environment
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability and willingness to travel per client agreements

Abilities

• Have the experience and ability to facilitate pitches, presentations and stakeholder/client focus groups with ease.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects at various stages at any one time
• Proven ability to take on the responsibility for and manage projects end‑to‑end
• Proven ability to create and manage a project budget and schedule (with PM support)
• Able to support or step into larger projects, growing into a Director role

Experience

• 12-15+ years of relative experience
• Successful track record in Business Development (RFPS/proposals, pitches, interviews)
• Annual revenue expectation: $750,000-$1,000,000 for Associate Director role (both internally and externally sourced)
• One of the following types of experience would be valuable: LEED, FitWel, WELL certification,

Education

• Undergraduate Business, Architecture, Interior Design, or Engineering degree, relevant college diploma, or other similar/relevant education

Professional Development

• Professional development and continuing education are encouraged so you may continue to progress in your role and the team may continue to innovate and offer best in class service and expertise

Other Requirements

Valid Ontario Driver’s License and access to a personal automobile

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