Sector Leader - Mission Critical

Harley Ellis Devereaux•Royal Oak, MI

About The Position

The Sector Leader at HED represents the highest level of leadership in sector strategy, design innovation, and market growth. This individual possesses an established client base, is recognized for deep sector expertise, and has a proven track record of high-impact leadership within both HED and the broader industry. As a Principal-in-Charge (PIC) on projects, the Sector Leader guides complex, high-value design engagements while shaping the strategic trajectory of the firm’s market position. This role is designed for an experienced Seller-Doer operating at the forefront of thought leadership, project delivery, and client trust. Approximately 40% of time will be chargeable to project work, allowing significant focus on strategic, mentorship, and sector development activities.

Requirements

Professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field.
Active professional licensure required.
Minimum 15 years of experience with demonstrated leadership in technical design, sector development, and business growth.
Strong track record of innovation, design excellence, and influential leadership in the industry.
Recognized as a respected voice in your sector through publications, presentations, or peer recognition.
Expertise with tools including Revit, Deltek Vision, MS Teams, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, and CRM systems.

Responsibilities

Serve as Principal-in-Charge (PIC) on complex, high-impact projects, ensuring delivery of best-in-class design and technical performance.
Provide design vision, technical oversight, and risk mitigation, from pre-design through construction administration.
Lead multidisciplinary teams with clear expectations, accountability, and focus on innovation and quality.
Advance HED’s values of design excellence, sustainability, quality, and DEI integration in all project and client-facing work.
Influence firm-wide design standards and technical practices through knowledge-sharing and leadership-by-example.
Drive sector growth with autonomy, leveraging an existing client base and deep industry connections.
Lead the pursuit and capture of significant projects aligned with HED’s capabilities and strategic vision.
Shape the sector development roadmap, identifying new markets, emerging trends, and client needs that will define future opportunities.
Actively maintain and expand long-term client relationships through high-touch engagement, strategic advising, and partnership-building.
Collaborate with firm leadership and marketing teams to amplify the HED brand across key geographies and market channels.
Serve as a visible industry leader through speaking engagements, published articles, participation in industry panels, and research-driven content.
Champion innovation within your sector by promoting design methodologies, tools, and technologies that redefine value for clients and users.
Position HED as a thought leader by sharing insights on sector trends, future-of-work issues, and emerging design responses.
Mentor others in developing their voice as thought leaders, helping elevate the firm's overall influence and reach.
Act as a coach and role model to emerging leaders, offering guidance in technical delivery, client relationships, and leadership development.
Drive succession planning and knowledge transfer within the sector studio and across the firm.
Foster a high-performance culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, equity, and growth.
Partner with HR, sector peers, and operations leadership to shape a resilient, talent-driven practice.
Maintain a 40% chargeable workload, primarily through leadership roles in active projects, while dedicating the majority of time to strategic development and external representation.
Ensure that all chargeable work meets or exceeds firm benchmarks for profitability, quality, and client satisfaction.
Participate in firm-wide initiatives, leadership forums, and strategy development, contributing experience-driven insights and forward-thinking ideas.