Client Service Leader

Freese and Nichols • Raleigh, NC

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Freese and Nichols is seeking a Client Service Leader for its Raleigh, North Carolina office to strengthen client relationships, expand business opportunities, and support regional strategic growth. The role leads client development efforts, builds lasting relationships, and connects clients with expertise across the firm’s practices. It works closely with technical and operational teams to identify opportunities, develop pursuit strategies, and deliver solutions addressing client priorities. The position focuses on external relationship development, with approximately 75% external sales and 25% internal sales coordination.

The Client Service Leader builds and maintains relationships with public-sector clients, leads regional business development, develops strategic account plans, and partners with internal teams on pursuits, proposals, teaming partnerships, and client-focused solutions. The role also represents the firm at industry and community events, may serve as a Client Representative or Assistant Client Representative, and collaborates internally on business development performance, financial metrics, staff mentoring, and improvements to client service and sales processes.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 16 years of relevant experience in business development, client relationship management, strategic account management, or related professional services.
• Demonstrated ability to develop client relationships, identify business opportunities, and lead strategic sales initiatives.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, coordinate competing priorities, and develop effective business development strategies.

Nice To Haves

• Business development experience in engineering, architecture, construction, or related consulting services.
• Established relationships with public-sector clients, including municipalities, state agencies, counties, water districts, or river authorities.
• Experience developing regional growth strategies, leading strategic account programs, and coordinating competitive project pursuits.
• Experience supervising or mentoring business development staff and monitoring sales performance metrics.
• Familiarity with Cosential CRM or similar customer relationship management systems.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with federal, state, municipal, county, water district, and river authority clients, serving as a strategic advisor and primary point of contact.
• Lead regional business development by identifying project opportunities, researching market trends, and connecting client needs with the firm’s capabilities.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans, including initiatives within the Strategic and Key Account Program, to strengthen relationships and support long-term business growth.
• Partner with technical teams, operational leaders, and business development staff to develop pursuit strategies, teaming partnerships, proposals, and client-focused solutions.
• Lead client meetings, presentations, and business development activities that communicate technical capabilities, address client challenges, and position the firm for future opportunities.
• Represent Freese and Nichols at conferences, professional organizations, industry events, and community activities to expand relationships and strengthen market visibility.
• Serve as a Client Representative or Assistant Client Representative when assigned, coordinating client engagement and maintaining account information, opportunities, and follow-up activities in Cosential CRM.
• Collaborate with internal teams to monitor business development performance, track financial metrics such as bookings, mentor staff, and identify opportunities to improve client service and sales processes.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Paid overtime for salaried employees.
• Annual bonus.
• Access to company cabins in Red River, New Mexico, and Banner Elk, North Carolina.
• Flexible hybrid work environment, with up to 40% remote work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED