Higher Education Client Leader

About the role

As a Client Leader at DLR Group, you will lead client engagement from pursuit and marketing through project completion for our Higher Education practice. You will serve as a trusted relationship leader for a major university client in the Columbus market while collaborating with integrated design teams to create environments that elevate the student, faculty, and campus experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead client engagement from pursuit and contract development through design, construction, and project closeout
• Guide integrated teams across architecture, interiors, engineering, planning, and specialty services to deliver a coordinated and responsive client experience
• Collaborate with the Project Manager to establish and maintain project work plans, schedules, staffing strategies, financial goals, and quality expectations
• Lead contract negotiations, approve contract changes, and help manage risk throughout the project lifecycle
• Maintain regular client communication, proactively address concerns, and ensure the team remains aligned with the client’s goals and priorities
• Ensure timely processing of invoices and partner with clients to support prompt payment
• Shape and lead design, planning, and client strategy for Higher Education opportunities in Columbus, Ohio, and the broader region
• Support sector growth in collaboration with local and national Higher Education leaders and business development professionals
• Contribute directly to project strategy, programming, planning, design, and presentations as an engaged “doer-seller”
• Ensure DLR Group practice standards and quality expectations are followed throughout the duration of each project
• Mentor team members and participate in recruiting, training, onboarding, and professional development
• Travel as project and client needs require

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience as a Project Manager, Client Leader, or comparable design professional
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple Higher Education projects in a client-facing role, including complex projects for colleges, universities, or large institutional clients
• Proven ability to serve as the primary client contact and lead multidisciplinary teams through all phases of project delivery
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Interior Design
• Active architectural license or professional interior design credential appropriate to the discipline, such as NCIDQ certification
• Experience with business development, contract negotiations, project financial performance, and client relationship management
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Must be eligible to work in the United States without the need for work visa or residency sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting a major public university or similarly complex institutional client
• Knowledge of the Columbus, Central Ohio, or Midwest Higher Education market and an established local professional network
• Experience with academic buildings, research and teaching environments, student life, campus planning, arts, housing, or related campus project types
• Experience delivering renovations, adaptive reuse, phased work, or projects on active and occupied campuses
• A demonstrated “doer-seller” approach that combines project leadership, design engagement, client development, and market growth