Job Description

Title: Associate - Strategy 

About MKThink:

MKThink is a future-forward design firm grounded in spatial intelligence and dedicated to “Build Less, Solve More.” Our data-informed solutions improve human performance at less operational, environmental, and capital costs than conventional approaches. Founded in 2000, MKThink practices from the Pacific Edge of San Francisco to the Oceanic Edge of O’ahu.

At MKThink, we believe that we can play a role in helping create a better and more sustainable future by creating intelligent spaces that improve the quality of life. Our greatest resource is our staff and their ability to contribute fully as teammates and individuals. We bring together thinkers from various disciplines to solve problems at the nexus of architecture, culture, and the environment. Our people have the interdisciplinary skills to contribute to this mission within and across the domains of architecture, strategies, and innovation.

The Position:

We seek a smart, enthusiastic, intellectually curious, responsible, and committed individual to support our strategic consulting work at MKThink. This person will work on assignments for various workplaces, school districts, university systems, civic, or other institutional clients. This position is full-time, with full benefits, and based in our San Francisco office on the beautiful Great Highway with spectacular ocean views.

Responsibilities:  

Discovery and Problem Definition: 

• Engage clients to understand and refine the project problem to solve. 
• Research the problem context to gain a systems-level understanding.
• Work with the client to establish guiding principles. 
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research.
• Work with the client and partner-in-charge to develop a project approach and identify relevant metrics and data inputs. 
• Identify ways to supplement data where it is needed, yet unavailable.

Client and Project Management:

• Prepare and lead client engagements.
• Support the account executive in project planning, including establishing and tracking scope, schedule, and budget.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Develop engagement plans.
• Prepare (or guide the preparation for) and conduct interviews, focus groups, workshops, surveys, or other stakeholder engagements.

Analysis and Strategic Recommendations: 

• Work with analysts and physical planners/designers to answer critical questions based on available data. 
• Communicate findings concisely (verbal, visual, written).
• Summarize findings to draw insights (verbal, visual, written). 
• Conceptualize scenario models that test solutions against criteria of importance to the problem.
• Develop recommendations for flexible frameworks to address client needs.
• Produce deliverables such as:
• prioritization, implementation, engagement, and communication plans. 
• space programs, implementation roadmaps.
• policy documents.
• design standards at the neighborhood, campus, or building-level. 
• presentations, reports, websites, and other communication materials critical to the project delivery. 

Other Responsibilities:

• Research and prepare materials in support of business development. 
• Participate in ongoing training. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities:

Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to synthesize research and present findings clearly and effectively.
• Quantitative fluency and ability to coordinate with analytics experts.
• Creative problem-solving skills.
• Space planning and conceptual space design abilities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication and storytelling skills. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint), and the Adobe Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat). 
• Fluency with architectural design tools is preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with data analytics and/or GIS is a plus. 
• Experience working with and coordinating experts in data analysis and/or physical planning a plus. 
• Experience in project management is a plus. 

Working with Others:

• Self-awareness and the ability to analyze past performance and drive self-improvement.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and ask for help when needed.
• Flexibility in collaborating with project teams and clients. Ability to receive and clarify feedback and adjust accordingly.
• Kindness and support of colleagues.

Interests:

Demonstrated interest in at least one of the following:

• The relationship between architecture, the natural environment, and culture.
• The psychology behind human behavior in the built environment.
• The impact of built environment solutions on community strength, human health, environmental resiliency, or learning outcomes.

Education and Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with 4 years of experience or an advanced degree with two years of experience. A degree in a design discipline is preferred.
• Experience in a consulting, planning, or architectural design environment a plus. 

Apply through LinkedIn, AND, please submit the following to [email protected]: 

• Resume
• Cover letter describing your fit for the role.
• Work samples demonstrating your visual and writing skills.
• Include "Associate, Strategy – [Your Name]" in the subject line. 

Job Tags

Similar Jobs