Director of Client Relations

Core Purpose

Protect long-term client trust.
Align internal execution with client expectations.
Proactively identify and mitigate relationship and project risk.
Sustain and grow long-term contracted client relationships.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Support renewal and expansion through disciplined relationship governance.
• Champion a service-first leadership culture — serving “anyone but yourself.”
• Execute as executive sponsor for strategic accounts.
• Define and continuously validate “what success looks like” with each client.
• Lead structured monthly and quarterly client governance meetings.
• Maintain visibility and documentation of commitments, concerns, and action plans.
• Proactively identify and intervene before issues materially impact trust.
• Ensure regional VP and executive leadership are informed.
• Protect both client interests and enterprise sustainability.
• Collaborate with Construction, Project Management, Sales, Finance, and Executive Leadership regarding client expectations.
• Elevate systemic issues affecting client experience.
• Promote alignment between operational performance and strategic relationship goals.
• Develop and maintain high-level strategic relationships with key subcontractors and industry partners.
• Represent the region at industry events, conferences, and trade associations to strengthen strategic subcontractor alignment.
• Support long-term partnership development that enhances delivery performance and client outcomes.
• Provide executive-level relationship continuity with critical subcontractor partners.
• Collaborate with Construction leadership to identify subcontractor partnership gaps impacting client satisfaction.
• Partner with Business Development to support renewal positioning.
• Identify expansion opportunities aligned with client objectives.
• Reinforce disciplined expectation management to protect margin.
• Strengthen long-term partnership positioning across multi-phase engagements.

Cultural & Leadership Expectations

• Model servant leadership and professional accountability.
• Foster solution-oriented and collaborative behavior across teams.
• Establish and reinforce client engagement protocols.
• Support onboarding and professional development aligned with client service standards.
• Maintain high emotional intelligence and executive presence in complex environments.

Job Requirements / Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in construction, operations, project controls, design-build, and energy services, or related industries.
• Demonstrated operational experience within construction or project delivery environments.
• Proven ability to manage executive-level client relationships.
• Strong financial and contractual understanding (margin, change management, contract structure).
• Exceptional communication and conflict navigation skills.
• Travel is a required component of this role and will be necessary to meet job responsibilities.

Qualifications (preferred)

• Experience with multi-phase or long-term contract environments.
• Familiarity with public-sector or institutional clients.
• Background in energy services, performance-based contracts, or infrastructure delivery.

Key Performance Indicators

• Client Retention Rate.
• Net Promoter Score (NPS).
• Renewal & Expansion Success.
• Reduction in Escalated Client Issues.
• Margin Protection on Strategic Accounts.
• Regional Profit Contribution (through retention and alignment).

EEO Non-Discrimination and ADA Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Willdan is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, religion, military service or veteran status, disability, medical condition, childbirth and related medical conditions, genetic testing, reproductive status or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws and ordinances. Willdan does not discriminate on the basis of physical or mental disability where the essential functions of the job can be reasonably accommodated. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us. Willdan Energy Solutions participates in E-Verify.