Strategy Director - Part Time - Temporary

Gensler's Design Strategy practice works with clients facing disruption, helping them redesign their organisations, culture, and environments. The Strategy Director for the Columbus office leads projects across a broad range of innovation consulting services, from futures-casting and capability building to experience strategy and change activation. The role requires strong client relationship management, the ability to set strategic direction across complex, ambiguous engagements, and close collaboration with design studios when projects move into physical implementation.

This is a part-time, temporary engagement suited to an experienced strategy leader who can manage multiple projects simultaneously, mentor junior staff, and contribute to business development and thought leadership within the firm and the broader market.

• Set strategic direction for client projects and determine overall approach, scope, and deliverables
• Guide teams through quantitative and qualitative research, synthesis, and data-informed decision making
• Develop communication tools that help clients visualise futures, tradeoffs, and strategic scenarios
• Coordinate with Gensler design studios to ensure smooth transition from strategy to place-based implementation
• Mentor and direct Strategy Managers and broader project staff toward client and professional development goals
• Lead business development activities including proposal writing, scope definition, and client relationship growth

• 15 or more years of relevant professional experience in innovation consulting, strategy, or a related field
• Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in business, design strategy, architecture, organisational development, or a related discipline
• Demonstrated experience leading client engagements and multidisciplinary teams in complex, ambiguous environments
• Proven track record in business development with tangible project or account wins
• Strong facilitation, communication, and executive stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

Gensler is a global design firm operating across workplace, healthcare, hospitality, entertainment, education, retail, and public sectors. Its Design Strategy practice combines research, data, and creative methods to help organisations navigate disruption and design meaningful change across culture, environment, and performance.