Higher Education Practice Director

Job Description

Job Description

Description

The Higher Education Practice Director (HEPD) is a firmwide leader responsible for designing and driving the strategic vision, performance, and growth of Pfluger’s Higher Education practice. This individual ensures design excellence, market expansion, and talent development across all studios. As a member of the Leadership Team, he/she brings deep expertise in higher education design, strong business acumen, and the ability to lead high-performing teams while embodying Pfluger’s core values. The HEPD works in partnership with Managing Principals, Regional Higher Education Practice Leaders (RHELs), and senior firm leadership to position Pfluger as a leader in higher education design across Texas.

Role & Responsibilities:

Leadership & Organizational Alignment 

• Embody Pfluger’s core values. Consistently demonstrate the principles of Do What’s Right , Build Synergy , Make a Difference , and Never Settle in all professional activities.
• Actively contribute to the Leadership Team by shaping the firm’s higher education strategy and collaborating on firm-wide goals and initiatives. 
• Represent Pfluger’s higher education expertise internally and externally with clarity, purpose, and consistency. 
• Partner with Regional Higher Education Practice Leaders and Managing Principals to create a unified approach to design, client engagement, and growth.
• Develop and implement a statewide higher education growth strategy in alignment with firm-wide business goals. 
• Set and oversee people, product, and process goals for the higher education practice, ensuring alignment with firmwide objectives. 

Higher Education Product Development & Delivery 

• Provide ultimate oversight of the firm’s higher education work, ensuring alignment with Pfluger’s core values and the Pfluger Proven Process .
• Provide higher education project guidance across Pfluger’s studios. Serve as a trusted resource to Managing Principals and collaborate with Senior Project Managers to support higher education pursuits and projects.
• Champion design and delivery excellence across all higher education projects.
• Maintain expert knowledge of higher education design trends, regulations, and delivery methods to support firm-wide consistency and quality.
• Maintain expert knowledge of applicable codes, regulations, standards, and quality control measures.
• Lead strategic engagements with higher education institutions and serve as a trusted advisor to campus leadership.
• Serve as a primary point of contact on key pursuits and projects, reinforcing client trust and satisfaction at the highest level.
• Support Managing Principals, Regional Higher Education Practice Leaders, and project teams in delivering consistent, high-quality client experiences.
• Partner with studios to ensure appropriate talent, resources, and design expertise are available across projects.
• Promote firm-wide collaboration and knowledge sharing. Support ideation and solution development across the firm.

Business Development

• As a firm ambassador, build and nurture long-term client relationships through direct engagement. Ensure client satisfaction and trust is maintained throughout all stages of a project.
• Lead strategic pursuits and provide direction on new client relationships and business development opportunities. Pursue potential client opportunities that align with strategic priorities.
• Oversee the development of proposals, interview strategies, consultant selections, and contract negotiations.
• Maintain oversight of the firm’s higher education pipeline, tracking win/loss data and market positioning using Vantagepoint.
• Analyze practice trends and performance data to inform decision-making and ensure long-term growth and sustainability.
• Represent Pfluger at higher education conferences and industry events. Present regularly at conferences and support publication efforts to elevate the firm’s thought leadership, sharing expertise with clients and the industry.

People Leadership & Talent Development 

• Directly supervise and manager higher education staff per Pfluger People Leader expectations (see addendum). 
• Collaborate with the Leadership Team to support firm-wide higher education resource planning, hiring needs, and performance management.
• Mentor and support junior staff, providing guidance and fostering a culture of collaboration and professional development. Support architectural staff in pursuit of licensure and provide opportunities to earn AXP hours.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Alignment with Pfluger’s purpose of “ inspiring people to create a more meaningful human experience ,” with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• Extensive experience leading higher education projects across all phases, with deep knowledge of design, delivery, and project management best practices.
• Proven ability to lead and grow a successful higher education practice. 
• Extensive knowledge of architecture principles and practices. Knowledge of higher education design trends, challenges, and opportunities across Texas and beyond.
• Demonstrated proficiency in projects of the greatest size and complexity, ensuring excellence, technical accuracy, and timely delivery.
• Demonstrated success in client engagement and business development within the higher education sector.
• Proficiency in Revit is essential. Experience with Bluebeam, Microsoft Office products, and ERP systems is highly preferred.
• Proven ability to build and sustain strong client relationships, ensuring trust and long-term engagement. 
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to engage, mentor, and motivate clients and internal teams.
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously. 
• Extensive knowledge of building codes, regulations, and construction processes. 
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in mentoring and developing high-performing teams.
• Professional degree in Architecture required.
• Licensed Architect in the state of Texas is required.
• Minimum of 15 years of architectural experience, with a focus in higher education work. 

Location:

The Higher Education Practice Director must be prepared to commute 3 days per week to Pfluger’s local office and as required to Pfluger’s other offices and client sites.