Client Leader, K-12 Education

DLR Group • Fort Worth, TX

18h • Hybrid

About The Position

DLR Group is hiring a Client Leader for its K-12 Education practice in its new Fort Worth office. The role focuses on business development, client relationship management, and contract negotiations. The Client Leader educates clients about DLR Group’s design process and collaborates with project managers to support each project’s financial success. Throughout the project lifecycle, this position maintains regular client contact, encourages a collaborative and innovative work environment, and works to meet both client and firm goals.

The K-12 Education team brings together educators, researchers, anthropologists, planners, architects, engineers, building performance experts, and interior designers. Using evidence-based design, the team works with schools across the country to respond to technological, social, and cultural change, improve school operations, and elevate student learning experiences and outcomes.

DLR Group is an integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new construction, renovations, and adaptive reuse. The firm is 100% employee-owned and uses interdisciplinary teams throughout project lifecycles. Its work emphasizes collaboration, information sharing, shared risk and reward, value-based decisions, and technology. DLR Group follows a four-day in-office work model, with flexibility to work elsewhere on Fridays.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, or a related construction field.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in the AEC industry, including at least 5 years in a client-facing role.
• Robust understanding of the K-12 Education market in the DFW area.
• Strong understanding of business management principles, including strategic planning, resource allocation, and leadership.
• Knowledge of customer service principles, including needs assessment, quality standards, and customer satisfaction.
• Expertise in design techniques and tools for producing technical plans, drawings, and models.
• Familiarity with building methods, materials, and systems for construction and renovation projects.
• Strong critical thinking, time management, and verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to listen actively, understand others’ perspectives, and respond thoughtfully in conversations.
• Submit a current portfolio or work samples in PDF format for consideration.

Nice To Haves

• Professional licensure.

Responsibilities

• Manage project execution to align with budget, schedule, and scope while maintaining client expectations.
• Collaborate with the Project Manager on project staffing, team responsibilities, and performance feedback.
• Track project milestones and deliverables, ensure quality standards are met, and prepare regular status reports.
• Facilitate and document meetings with staff and clients, and coordinate project personnel, vendors, and consultants.
• Participate in client contract negotiations, manage change requests, and approve project plan modifications.
• Support business development by contributing to RFP responses and participating in client interviews.
• Oversee project invoicing for accuracy and alignment with work deliverables, and manage accounts receivable.
• Manage client relationships and educate clients about DLR Group’s design process.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior