Client Growth Lead

Position Overview

Clark Construction is seeking a strategic Client Growth Lead (CGL) to drive regional growth out of our Chicago office. This role is designed for a well-connected professional with deep existing relationships across the real estate development and investment community. We actively encourage candidates from non-traditional contracting backgroundssuch as commercial real estate brokerage lending private equity municipal permit expediting interior design or specialty trade sales (e.g. window wall elevator).

The core theme of this role is to bring find and foster relationships not simply chase projects. The CGL owns key relationships throughout the entire Client Experience Cycle:

Brand Development New Relationship Building Project Inception & Pre-Development Deal Negotiation Execution Post-Project Support

While serving as the primary spearhead for door-opening and relationship cultivation the CGL also acts as the essential liaisonconnecting developers with Clarks internal Subject Matter Experts (preconstruction estimating VDC operations) who build the deal and execute the project.

Position Mission

To position Clark as the unanimous builder of choice long before $50M projects reach the public domain or formal RFP stage establishing long-term trust-based partnerships with real estate developers and capital sources.

Location & Working Schedule

Office Presence: In downtown Chicago office 4 days per week.

Market Engagement: Frequent attendance at evening industry events networking mixers and client engagements as needed.

Key Responsibilities

Private Development Relationship Building & Ecosystem Management: Cultivate an active network of established developers institutional investors and up-and-coming developers scaling toward Clarks competitive project size (factoring in overhead and union labor signatories). Prioritize ongoing touchpoints over immediate transactional extraction.

Early Partnership & Preconstruction Negotiation: Serve as a trusted advisor years before breaking ground by leading pro-forma led design assist efforts. Negotiate preconstruction agreements and key GMP/AIA contract terms.

Public Sector Monitoring: Maintain complete awareness of planned active and completed Chicago developments. While heavily focused on private multi-family proactively monitor public RFQs/RFPs (e.g. CTA facilities aviation infrastructure prisons federal government related etc.). Maintain contact with key government agencies to be aware of future opportunities before formal solicitations.

Internal SME Liaison & Technical Navigation: Lead initial client engagements and seamlessly orchestrate internal Subject Matter Experts (preconstruction managers chief estimators VDC specialists project executives) to assemble proposals and execute work. Maintain fluency in major building systems (structural enclosure MEPs) and high-level pricing.

Market Assessment & Data Strategy: Continuously evaluate regional market capacity pipeline revenue and prevailing contract structures. Provide data-backed recommendations to executive leadership regarding strategic resource allocation.

Brand Presence & Event Programming: Represent Clark across key industry organizations (e.g. REIA Bisnow ULI NAIOP). Vet sponsorships panel positions and networking opportunities to maximize brand awareness and ROI.

Adjacent Market Expansion: Ability to aid the transfer of local relationships into adjacent regional markets (Indianapolis Nashville Charlotte) as we grow with our clients.

Pipeline & CRM Maintenance: Hands-on ownership of the regional CRM pipeline touchpoint tracking and market intelligence research.

The Ideal Candidate

Unconventional Network: Powerful existing network of senior-level developers lenders equity partners or municipal contacts.

Contractual & Technical Fluency: Strong understanding of preconstruction agreements General Conditions costs AIA/GMP contract levers major building systems and pro-forma design assist process.

Strategic Facilitator: Skilled door-opener who knows how to read a room and orchestrate internal technical experts at the right moments.

Long-Term Mindset: Patient persistent relationship builder equipped for multi-year development horizons.

Compensation & Profile Data

Clark offers a total compensation package that includes base salary bonus potential and a comprehensive benefits package including health/dental/vision benefits paid time off retirement/401k and Company Contribution plan. Additional benefits include life insurance commuter benefit short & long term disability fitness reimbursement FSA tuition reimbursement back-up daycare tutoring & family support benefits EAP/Work-Life assistance and a holiday contribution program. For this role the base salary range is $100000 - $200.000 Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors including a candidates education experience skills and geographic location. Base pay is one part of the Total Compensation Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work. ]]><