As the
Strategic Growth Director you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of HDR's Health sector, contributing to a world-renowned global healthcare design practice. We're seeking a dynamic leader with the passion, expertise, and charisma to inspire staff and clients, drive new business, oversee our subsectors, and strengthen HDR's exceptional reputation.
The
Strategic Growth Director will report directly to the Global Health Director and be responsible for collaboratively setting the vision for our focused design practice while helping drive strategic growth throughout our global Health markets. This role acts as a strategic integrator, connecting long-term vision, market intelligence, innovation, business development, thought leadership, and talent development to accelerate practice growth and differentiation. This leader will advance HDR's reputation by translating future healthcare trends-including digital health, AI-enabled care, workforce transformation, sustainability, emerging care models, and evolving patient expectations-into actionable strategies, innovative services, and measurable business outcomes.
Core ResponsibilitiesInnovation & Future-of-Healthcare Leadership- Establish and maintain a future-focused innovation roadmap for the Health practice
- Identify emerging trends that will shape healthcare delivery, facility planning, and client priorities.
- Champion our subsectors to consider the future of healthcare, and support identification of emerging trends, disruptions, and opportunities that will shape healthcare delivery, infrastructure, workforce models, and patient experiences over the next decade and beyond.
- Advance HDR's capabilities in areas such as:
- Artificial Intelligence and predictive analytics
- Digital health and virtual care
- Smart hospitals and connected environments
- Sustainable and regenerative healthcare environments
- Promote a culture of innovation, experimentation, continuous learning, and strategic foresight.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to evaluate and implement innovative solutions that improve healthcare outcomes and client value.
- Partner with technology leaders, healthcare providers, academic institutions, and industry innovators to evaluate and implement emerging technologies that create measurable value for clients and communities.
- Lead the creation of future-scenario planning and strategic foresight initiatives that help HDR and its clients anticipate market disruptions and prepare for evolving healthcare realities.
- Translate emerging global healthcare, technology, demographic, and societal trends into actionable business, design, and growth strategies for HDR and its clients.
Sub-Sector Strategy & Market Development- Partner with Subsector Leaders and Subject Matter Experts to define, strengthen, and differentiate existing sub-sector strategies, including service offerings, client targeting, thought leadership, and market positioning.
- Evaluate the performance, maturity, and growth potential of existing sub-sectors and recommend investments, resources, and strategic priorities to maximize market impact.
- Conduct ongoing market analysis and environmental scanning to identify emerging healthcare trends, evolving client needs, regulatory shifts, technological advancements, and areas of market disruption.
- Identify, evaluate, and recommend new sub-sector opportunities based on market demand, competitive positioning, future healthcare delivery models, and HDR's capabilities.
- Lead the development of business cases and growth strategies for emerging sub-sectors, including market sizing, client opportunity assessments, staffing requirements, investment needs, and revenue potential.
- Collaborate with subsector leaders, business development teams, and regional leadership to establish and launch new sub-sector initiatives that support long-term growth and market diversification.
- Develop frameworks and metrics to monitor sub-sector performance, market relevance, and strategic effectiveness.
- Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across sub-sectors to leverage expertise, identify cross-market opportunities, and drive innovation throughout the Health practice.
- Ensure sub-sector strategies reflect future-focused priorities, including artificial intelligence, digital health, workforce transformation, sustainability, alternative care settings, precision medicine, and emerging care delivery models.
Strategic Partnerships, Investments & Growth Initiatives- Identify and evaluate strategic partnerships, alliances, acquisitions, and growth investments specific to the advance of the health practice and its subsectors
- Conduct market assessments and strategic-fit analyses to identify areas for expansion in coordination with North American Director, Health.
- Build relationships with healthcare providers, academic institutions, community organizations, technology companies, and industry innovators.
- Support development and execution of strategic initiatives that strengthen HDR's market position and capabilities.
Thought Leadership & Brand Advancement- Position HDR as a recognized leader in healthcare innovation and the future of healthcare delivery.
- Represent HDR through speaking engagements, industry conferences, publications, research initiatives, and professional organizations.
- Develop and communicate compelling perspectives on healthcare trends, innovation, and future care environments.
- Provide expertise on evolving healthcare delivery models, operational innovation, and future care environments.
- Help clients navigate industry disruption and transformation through forward-thinking solutions.
- Act as a trusted advisor to healthcare executives and industry stakeholders.
Talent Development & Organizational Excellence- Mentor and develop emerging leaders across the Health practice.
- Strengthen capabilities in strategic thinking, innovation, business development, and client engagement.
- Support talent recruitment, retention, succession planning, and leadership development initiatives.
- Foster collaboration across regions, disciplines, and offices.
- Build a culture that embraces innovation, learning, accountability, and employee ownership.
Supervisor Responsibilities - Provide strategic leadership and oversight for HDR's Health practice subsectors, including direct leadership and accountability for Subsector Directors, ensuring alignment with overall practice goals, growth priorities, and market opportunities.
- Partner with Marketing and Operations leadership to support workforce planning, staff utilization, resource allocation, and talent development across the Health practice.
- Mentor and develop Subsector Directors, fostering collaboration, accountability, innovation, and leadership growth.
Preferred Qualifications- Master's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration or closely related field.
- Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Planning, Healthcare Administration, Business, Design, or related field.
- Professional registration.
- 15+ years of leadership experience in healthcare, consulting, architecture, planning, strategy, or related industries.
- Demonstrated success developing and executing strategic growth initiatives.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and complex organizational initiatives.
- Strong understanding of healthcare markets, healthcare delivery, and emerging industry trends.
- Ability to influence senior leaders and drive organizational change.
- ACHA, EDAC, LEED, or other relevant credentials.
- Experience with healthcare innovation, digital transformation, AI, or emerging technologies.
- Experience evaluating acquisitions, partnerships, or market expansion opportunities.
- Nationally recognized thought leadership within healthcare or professional services.
- Must be willing to travel.
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QualificationsRequired Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or closely related field
- A minimum of 10 years consulting experience and extensive related expertise
- Proficiency with MS Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Access and Outlook
- Excellent interpersonal skills and strong relationship, organizational and follow-up skills
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
