DLR Group is an integrated design firm with a promise to elevate the human experience through design. This fuels the work we do around the world and inspires our mission to improve the lives of our clients, our communities, and our planet. If this sparks your interest, you’re in the right place.

We have an opening for a passionate strategic-minded Higher Education Client Leader for our Chicago design studio. If you are a collaborative thoughtful leader with a strategic mindset, this might be the position for you.

Position Summary

As a Client Leader at DLR Group, you will be responsible for leading and growing our client relationships from business development through the construction phase for Higher Education in Illinois. As a part of an integrated design team, you will participate in the creation of buildings that elevate the human experience through design.

You will be responsible for taking initiative to discover new and untapped opportunities in the region, while maintaining close contact with clients during active projects, including leading contract negotiations and educating the client on our design process. In addition, you’ll partner with project managers to ensure the financial health and successful execution of projects to drive revenue generation for the sector.

You will report directly to the Higher Education North Central Regional Sector Leader and work closely with the talented design professionals nation-wide to lead the pursuit strategy, project award, and the implementation of planning and design excellence in support of our client’s mission.

The successful candidate will:

• Act as a growth agent for DLR Group within the Higher Education community, visible in speaking events, writing, and other activities to amplify DLR Group’s design voice.
• Provide innovative thinking about project approach and delivery.
• Create an environment that encourages and supports teams and institutions to explore creative design solutions.
• Be a leader who champions equity for a wide spectrum of individuals within the region and across the Higher Education practice.
• Have an appreciation and passion for participating in and leading an integrated design team.
• Be committed to the inclusion and respect of all voices throughout the design and execution of projects—demonstrating the value and impact of comprehensive engagement in the design and planning process.
• Attend industry events, business development events, interviews, and client meetings.
• Possess good written and verbal communication skills coupled with strong organizational skills.
• Collaborate with the Project Manager and project team to develop and adhere to the project work plan and schedule.
• Lead the contract negotiations and approve all contract changes. Ensure timely processing of invoices and engage client for prompt payment.
• Mentor team members and participate in hiring, training, and onboarding of new team members.
• Participate in in-house training activities to further develop your skills and abilities.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Interior Design, or equivalent
• Demonstrated experience in a client facing role for multiple Higher Education projects
• A minimum of 8 years' experience leading the pursuit, planning and design of Higher Education projects and a team of design professionals
• Keen understanding of the Higher Education community and what is forefront in the minds of institutions
• Ability to work both independently and effectively in a cross-disciplinary team atmosphere and across multiple offices and regions
• Outstanding communication, and interpersonal skills and be an enthusiastic team player and leader
• Strong leadership skills with design teams, clients, and projects
• Ability to travel as the team and projects require
• Must be eligible to work in the United States without need for work visa or residency sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional Licensure
• LEED accreditation

TO BE CONSIDERED, PLEASE SUBMIT CURRENT WORK SAMPLES AND/OR PORTFOLIO

DLR Group is an integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new builds, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects.

We are 100% employee-owned: every employee is invested in our clients’ success. As such you’ll enjoy the opportunity to have ownership in the Firm. We operate within a hybrid work model, supporting flexibility between office time and work from home.

At the core of our firm are interdisciplinary teams engaged in every step of project lifecycles. Our teams champion true collaboration, open information sharing, shared risk and reward, value-based decision making, and proficient use of technology to deliver exceptional design. We are pursuing the goals of the 2030 Challenge, the ME2040, and the SE2050, and are an initial signatory of the China Accord and the AIA 2030 Commitment.

Our comprehensive Benefits at DLR Group include: medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, employee stock ownership, and bonus opportunities. Additionally, we operate within a hybrid work model, supporting flexibility between office time and work from home.

Through our values – commitment, creativity, environmental stewardship, fun, integrity, ownership, sharing, teamwork – we elevate the human experience through design, together.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.

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