Air Force Client Development Lead

HDR, Inc.; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 200,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. seeks an Air Force Client Development Lead to drive growth of DoD programs, reporting to the Director of Client Services.

You will lead, develop, implement, and monitor capture and delivery of technical services aligned with HDR goals and objectives. You will collaborate with operational leaders and external stakeholders to win opportunities, support program direction, and manage project delivery when needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, planning or science.
• Professional registrations in area of study.
• 15+ years leadership in large organizations with 5+ years at executive level.
• Experience in strategic planning and program management.
• Experience with Department of the Air Force installations/contracts.
• Experience interpreting business financial data.
• Commitment to HDR values and quality.
• Policy development and strategy implementation experience.
• Ability to motivate teams and individuals.
• Commitment to HDR’s employee-owned culture.
• Travel 20-40%.

Responsibilities

• Achieves sales goals related to DoD programs across HDR using integrated marketing.
• Develops new projects, markets, and staffing plans for DAF programs.
• Identifies priorities and investments to respond to market trends.
• Leads capture planning and major pursuits.
• Supports Air Force Programs Director in strategic direction.
• Directs program execution across HDR disciplines.
• Oversees capture plans, pursuits, and proposals with Federal Directors.
• Maintains key client relationships and monitors program direction.

Skills

Sales leadership

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Program management

Customer relations

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Sales Cloud

CRM systems

Job description

At HDR, our employee‑ownership model shapes everything we do, including how we support and care for our people. Our diverse service lines, including Water, Architecture, Building Engineering Services, Field Services, Power, Waste, Industrial, and Transportation reflect our commitment to shaping resilient, sustainable, and forward‑thinking communities around the world. Across these disciplines, our teams design and deliver solutions that safeguard public health, enhance quality of life, power innovation, and drive responsible growth. Whether advancing clean water, creating healing and learning environments, engineering next‑generation facilities, or building the infrastructure that moves people and energy, our work is rooted in technical excellence and a shared sense of purpose. Our employee‑owners collaborate across specialties, combining creativity, precision, and deep expertise to solve the most complex challenges facing our clients and communities.
In the role of HDR’s Air Force Client Development Lead, you will support our Air and Space Force Programs team and help drive the growth of the United States Department of Air Force (DAF) program. Reporting to Director of Client Services, through this role, you will have primary responsibility to lead, develop, implement, and monitor effective programs including identifying, capturing, and delivering technical services in congruence with established company goals and objectives.
The Air Force Client Development Lead must effectively collaborate with company operational and business group leaders to identify and pursue/win opportunities and be capable of working with a broad spectrum of external stakeholders, partners, and clients to deliver quality products and services. Works in conjunction with the Federal Leadership Team in establishing and monitoring overall program direction and goals. On occasion, this role may take on a principal level role on project delivery as well as help to manage client and community relations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Achieves sales goals related to Department of the Air Force Programs, coordinating across the company using an integrated marketing approach for all HDR services.
• Develops new projects, markets, business classes, project planning, financial information, staffing requirements, marketing materials and other related matters for DAF Programs.
• Identifies HDR priorities and investments needed to position and respond to market trends.
• Identifies specific opportunities for capture planning and leads key pursuits.
• Supports our Air Force Programs Director in leading strategic direction and visioning.
• Plans, directs, and monitors all aspects of program execution by overseeing a broad range of disciplines throughout the HDR portfolio.
• Coordinates with Federal Regional Directors, overseeing investment, selection, development of Department of the Air Force capture plans, pursuits, and proposals.
• Monitors Air Force Programs direction, growth, technical capabilities, policies and practices, risk management, and adherence to company policies and procedures.
• On occasion, may serve as a project principal/program manager on highly significant or complex projects/contracts. This entails oversight of scope, schedule, budget, resources, and relations.
• Assists with relationships and mutual alignments with various client bases and other partnering organizations to include, but not limited to local, state, and federal governments and affiliated agencies.
• Works with contract administrators and marketing staff to keep systems current, including Sales Cloud and Client Relationship Management (CRM).
• Maintains key client relationships as leader or member of CSL teams.
• Serves as a company role model in business and community.
• Professional registrations in area of study.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a professional area of study relevant to engineering, architecture, planning or science.
• Professional registrations in area of study.
• 15+ years progressive leadership experience in large, complex organizations with 5+ years of demonstrated success at the executive level. Demonstrated experience in development and management of diverse teams.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and program management.
• Experience working at Department of the Air Force installations and/or with Department of the Air Force contracts.
• Demonstrated experience in the analysis and interpretation of business financial data.Committed to quality, improvement and promoting company values at HDR.
• Experience in formulating policy and developing and implementing new strategies.
• Ability to motivate teams and individuals.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture.
• Travel requirement: 20-40%.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. $200,000-$225,000 Primary Location:United States-Nebraska-Omaha Other Locations:United States-Ohio-Cincinnati, United States-Texas-Round Rock, United States-North Carolina-Charlotte, United States-South Dakota-Rapid City, United States-Alabama-Huntsville, United States-Washington-Bellevue, United States-Missouri-Kansas City, United States-South Dakota-Sioux Falls, United States-Alabama-Mobile, United States-North Carolina-Wilmington, United States-Tennessee-Nashville, United States-New Jersey-Newark, United States-Louisiana-New Orleans, United States-Texas-Fort Worth, United States-Montana-Missoula, United States-District of Columbia-Washington DC, United States-Florida-Pensacola, United States-Texas-Houston, United States-Wisconsin-Madison, United States-California-San Francisco, United States-South Carolina-Charleston, United States-New Jersey-Lawrenceville, United States-Iowa-Des Moines, United States-Virginia-Vienna, United States-California-Folsom, United States-Oregon-Portland, United States-Florida-Orlando, United States-Alaska-Anchorage, United States-Minnesota-Minneapolis, United States-Washington-Seattle, United States-Indiana-Indianapolis, United States-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh, United States-Nevada-Las Vegas, United States-Montana-Billings, United States-Texas-Dallas, United States-California-San Diego, United States-Virginia-Arlington, United States-Virginia-Norfolk, United States-Pennsylvania-Philadelphia, United States-Virginia-Virginia Beach, United States-Florida-Miami, United States-Massachusetts-Boston, United States-Colorado-Denver, United States-California-Sacramento, United States-Missouri-St Louis, United States-New York-New York, United States-Kansas-Overland Park, United States-Arizona-Tucson, United States-Michigan-Ann Arbor, United States-Utah-Salt Lake City, United States-North Carolina-Winston-Salem, United States-New Mexico-Santa Fe, United States-Washington-Olympia, United States-Colorado-Colorado Springs, United States-Virginia-Alexandria, United States-Wisconsin-Milwaukee, United States-Hawaii-Honolulu, United States-Michigan-Detroit, United States-Arizona-Phoenix, United States-Kentucky-Louisville, United States-California-Walnut Creek, United States-North Dakota-Fargo, United States-Virginia-Richmond, United States-Florida-Jacksonville, United States-Illinois-Chicago, United States-California-Los Angeles, United States-Idaho-Boise, United States-North Carolina-Raleigh, United States-Tennessee-Murfreesboro, United States-Ohio-Cleveland, United States-Texas-San Antonio, United States-West Virginia-Charleston, United States-Ohio-Columbus, United States-Kentucky-Lexington Industry:Federal Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Federal Project Management Job Posting:Oct 15, 2026
At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affir... (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.