National Mission Critical Client Leader

DLR Group is an integrated design firm with a promise to elevate the human experience through design. This fuels the work we do around the world and inspires our mission to improve the lives of our clients, our communities, and our planet. If this sparks your interest, you’re in the right place.DLR Group is seeking a Client Leader for our rapidly expanding Mission-Critical practice to drive strategic growth, nurture client partnerships, and lead project success. In this role, you will help shape the future of digital infrastructure and operationally essential environments from hyperscale data centers to emergency operations and high-performance industrial facilities. As a trusted advisor and relationship builder, you will guide clients through complex technical programs, ensuring alignment between their mission, operational demands, and the integrated design solutions we deliver. You will serve as a market-facing leader who elevates our practice brand, expands key client partnerships, and champions excellence in project delivery and client satisfaction. Our firm operates within a hybrid work model, supporting flexibility between office time and work from home. Live somewhere other than the listed locations? DLR Group has a network of 30+ studios across the United States. For this role, we encourage exceptional applicants nationwide. Position Summary As a Mission Critical Client Leader, you will play a key role in business development, client stewardship, and project leadership across mission-critical market sectors. You will be responsible for cultivating long-term client relationships, leading complex pursuits, structuring contracts, and ensuring the strategic and financial success of multiple concurrent projects. You will partner closely with Project Managers, Design Leaders, engineering partners, and sector leadership to align client expectations, elevate project delivery, and ensure seamless communication from pursuit to completion. In addition, you will support and mentor teams, contribute to strategic planning, and reinforce DLR Group’s integrated design culture. This role is ideal for a proactive, relationship-driven leader who thrives in a dynamic, technical market and is passionate about shaping the next generation of resilient infrastructure. The Successful Candidate Will Lead Client Relationships & Strategic Growth Cultivate and expand relationships with mission-critical clients, hyperscale operators, colocation providers, and critical operations agenciesServe as a trusted advisor, deeply understanding client mission, technical requirements, risk profiles, and operational priorities Lead strategic pursuits, including qualification packages, proposals, interviews, and relationship-building initiatives Drive Project & Financial Success Guide project execution from early strategy through post-occupancy, ensuring alignment with quality, schedule, and budget goalsPartner with Project Managers on staffing plans, fee development, resourcing, and scope management Oversee invoicing, accounts receivable, and financial performance across multiple projects and clients Manage contract negotiations, amendments, and change requests with a focus on clarity, transparency, and value Champion Integrated Project Delivery Collaborate closely with Design Leaders, engineers, and technical specialists to integrate client goals with design excellenceFacilitate decision-making and communication across internal and external teams Support seamless coordination between technical disciplines, vendors, and specialty consultants unique to mission-critical delivery Serve as a Mission Critical Market Voice Represent DLR Group in industry organizations, thought-leadership forums, and client eventsMonitor industry trends, including energy, resiliency, sustainability, cybersecurity, and technology, to inform client solutions Help position DLR Group as a leader in the mission-critical space through relationships, advocacy, and market intelligence Inspire Teams & Elevate Practice Culture Foster a collaborative and accountable team environment with a focus on client service and technical excellenceMentor staff on client engagement, proposal strategy, and project leadership skills Support the advancement of DLR Group’s integrated design model and ESOP culture Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, Construction Management, or a related field (professional licensure or certification strongly preferred)10+ years of AEC industry experience, including 5+ years in a client-facing role and proven experience in mission-critical or technically intensive sectors Experience managing large-scale programs or portfolios for mission-critical, industrial, or hyperscale clients Strong understanding of business development, contract negotiation, financial management, and project delivery practices Excellent communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills Ability to travel occasionally to support client and project needs Must be eligible to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship DLR Group is an integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new builds, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects.We are 100% employee-owned: every employee is literally invested in our clients’ success. At the core of our firm are interdisciplinary teams engaged in every step of project lifecycles. Our teams champion true collaboration, open information sharing, shared risk and reward, value-based decision making, and proficient use of technology to deliver exceptional design. We are pursuing the goals of the 2030 Challenge, the ME2040, and the SE2050, and are an initial signatory of the China Accord and the AIA 2030 Commitment.Through our values – commitment, creativity, environmental stewardship, fun, integrity, ownership, sharing, teamwork – we elevate the human experience through design, together.DLR Group follows a four-day in-office work model, with employees having the flexibility to work somewhere other than the office on Fridays.We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/M/F/Veteran/Disabled employer.