02

Building the operational and organizational foundation of a design-build firm from the ground up.

At the outset, there was no team, structure, or defined way of operating. Design and construction were being managed without formal roles, systems, or workflows. As demand increased, the absence of structure began to impact delivery, decision-making, and the ability to grow

Studio Snapshot 

Design x Build Firm

7-10 - Member Team

Multiple Projects across Design + Construction

Engagement (12 mo)

Intervention

Built the organization and leadership structure from the ground up

  • Designed the organizational structure across both design and construction

  • Hired key roles across design, project management, and construction, establishing a functional team where none previously existed

  • Defined roles, responsibilities, and ownership across the organization

Built operational infrastructure across design and construction

  • Built end-to-end operational systems across both sides of the business, including workflows, SOPs, and project structures

  • Designed and implemented a centralized Asana system to manage design and construction in a unified way

  • Defined how work moves from initial inquiry through design, build, and delivery

Built client experience, positioning, and business development structure

  • Created client pathways across both service offerings, aligning experience from first touchpoint through project completion

  • Developed client-facing materials, including proposals, process language, and service positioning

  • Built pipeline and referral systems to support consistent and aligned project intake

Aligned financial structure with operations and growth strategy

  • Partnered with a fractional CFO to align pricing, financial structure, and operational delivery

  • Ensured alignment between business development, operations, and financial performance

Integrated external partners into a cohesive system

  • Worked in coordination with marketing and PR partners to align messaging, positioning, and growth strategy with operational and financial reality

Operated as an embedded strategic and operational partner

  • Worked in close partnership with the principal to define direction, service offering, and business structure

  • Actively engaged in real-time problem-solving across the business

  • Provided strategic support in moments of ambiguity, translating challenges into clear, actionable paths forward

Shift

  • A fully built team in place, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities across both design and construction

  • Alignment established between design and construction, creating a cohesive operational framework across both sides of the business

  • Defined project workflows and systems in place, with a centralized platform managing both design and construction processes

  • Clear client pathways across both service offerings, supported by aligned proposals, process language, and client-facing materials

  • A structured pipeline and referral process in place, creating consistency in how new work is generated and managed

  • Financial structure aligned with operations and business development, providing greater clarity and control across the business

  • Increased profitability driven by improved pricing, structure, and alignment between scope, delivery, and financial performance

  • Marketing, PR, and business development efforts aligned with operational reality, creating consistency between positioning and delivery

  • Leadership operating with greater clarity around direction, service offering, and business structure, supported by ongoing strategic and operational partnership