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.

DLR Group's Design team has an opening for a Client Leader for our Higher Education practice in our new Nashville office. We operate within a hybrid work model, supporting flexibility between office time and work from home.

Position Summary

As a Client Leader at DLR Group, you will be responsible for leading and growing our client relationships and projects for Higher Education in Tennessee. 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 building upon our growing portfolio in Tennessee and discovering new and untapped opportunities in the region, while maintaining close contact with clients during active projects. DLR Group has recently completed and/or has ongoing projects at Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, University of Tennessee at Martin, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Tennessee State University, and the Tennessee Board of Regents.

You will partner with the Southeast Higher Education Regional Sector Leader and the talented design professionals across the practice nationally to lead the pursuit strategy, project awards, and the implementation of planning and design excellence in support of our clients’ 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 and environmental stewardship 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.
• 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 10+ years of 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
• AIA, CID, NCIDQ, or equivalent certifications; LEED accreditation

*TO BE CONSIDERED, PLEASE SUBMIT CURRENT PORTFOLIO/WORK SAMPLES IN PDF FORMAT*

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 literally invested in our clients’ success. 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 ambition is to use our collective design voice to bring about a better society and create stronger communities by recognizing and addressing longstanding inequities in our nation. Leading this change – to deliver a more equitable culture – aligns with DLR Group’s Core Values and our brand promise to elevate the human experience through design. By exploring, discovering, sharing, and ultimately resolving inequities identified within our firm and the broader A/E/C industry, we can develop a more diverse and inclusive design culture to better fulfill our brand promise.

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 401(k) plan, employee stock ownership, and bonus opportunities. Compensation considerations are based on location, experience, and skills.

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 Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/M/F/Veteran/Disabled employer.

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