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.
About K-12 Education at DLR Group
Our team of educators, researchers, anthropologists, planners, architects, engineers, building performance experts, and interior designers draw from evidence-based design to aid schools in bridging the gap from old and new to improve all facets of operations, and elevate learning through design. Understanding the rapid pace of technological, social, and cultural change, our K-12 Education Studio works with schools across the country to navigate this change to better serve communities and improve educational experiences and outcomes for students.
Position Summary
As the Northwest K-12 Leader, you will drive the growth and profitability of the K-12 Sector in the region. Collaborating with global and regional leaders, you will oversee the pursuit, award, and execution of projects, ensuring alignment with the sector's business plan. Your leadership will help secure high-quality projects and advance the firm's success while ensuring adherence to best practices in business development
What you will do:
- Participate in strategies and collaborate with leaders to win, pursue, and execute projects
- Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment by providing mentorship and guidance, empowering team members to develop their skills and achieve their professional goals.
- Develop an annual business plan outlining client opportunities and growth strategies for your region
- Provide fiscal leadership to achieve profit and growth targets
- Regularly report on sector performance and strategic direction
- Select and mentor personnel
- Influence industry thought leadership through publications, public speaking, and presentations
- Actively engage in national forums and knowledge-sharing activities
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, Design, Interior Design, Engineering, or a related field
- Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the K-12 Sector
- Proven leadership in managing teams and driving strategic growth
- Excellent communicator, skilled in client relations and team coordination.
- Advanced knowledge of design, construction methods, and sales/marketing principles.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, solve complex problems, and deliver high-quality results.
- Ability to work on K12 projects without non-compete clause or covenant restrictions
Preferred Qualifications:
- Professional License or Certification in Discipline
- DBIA Certification or other relevant certification
- Proven experience in sales and marketing strategies specific to the design and construction industry
- Recognized as an industry expert through participation in professional speaking engagements, panels, and published works
- Established relationships with partners and school district representatives, supporting client development efforts
- Demonstrated experience presenting at industry conferences such as A4LE, School Business Officers, Superintendents associations, and similar events at the state or national level
- Strong connections with educational contractors, vendors, and key stakeholders
- In-depth understanding of educational pedagogy and facility maintenance best practices
- Documented success in leading and winning client interviews and competitive selection processes
Application Requirements
Please submit a cover letter that clearly states your interest in the NW K-12 RSL role and explains why you are the ideal candidate. Along with this, provide a resume highlighting your experience in the K-12 industry, including involvement with K-12-focused organizations, and demonstrating your expertise in serving K-12 clientele as well as programming and design.
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Our comprehensive Benefits at DLR Group include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401(k) plan, employee stock ownership, and bonus opportunities. Compensation considerations are based on location, experience, and skills. The suggested pay range for this position is:
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Design, Interior Design, Engineering, or related field
- Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the K-12 sector
- Proven leadership in managing teams and driving strategic growth
- Excellent communication skills; client relations and team coordination
- Advanced knowledge of design, construction methods, and sales/marketing principles
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, solve complex problems, and deliver high-quality results
- Ability to work on K-12 projects without non-compete clause or covenant restrictions
- Professional license or certification in discipline
- DBIA Certification or other relevant certification
- Proven experience in sales and marketing strategies specific to design and construction
- Recognized industry expert through speaking engagements and published works
- Established relationships with partners and school district representatives
- Experience presenting at industry conferences (A4LE, School Business Officers, Superintendents associations)
- Strong connections with educational contractors, vendors, and key stakeholders
- In-depth understanding of educational pedagogy and facility maintenance best practices
- Documented success leading and winning client interviews and competitive selection processes
