Client Service Leader

Freese and Nichols, Inc.; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Paid overtime

Annual bonus

Company cabins in NM & NC

Job summary

Freese and Nichols, Inc. seeks a Client Service Leader in Raleigh, NC to strengthen client relationships, expand business opportunities, and support strategic growth across the region.

You will lead client development efforts and connect clients with cross-disciplinary expertise. You will work with technical teams to identify opportunities, develop pursuit strategies, and deliver client-focused solutions, balancing external outreach with internal sales coordination.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent requirement.
• 16+ years of experience in business development or related professional services.
• Ability to develop client relationships and lead strategic sales initiatives.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and coordinating priorities.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with federal, state, municipal, county, water district and river authority clients.
• Lead regional business development by identifying opportunities and connecting client needs with capabilities.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans to strengthen relationships and support growth.
• Partner with technical and operations teams to develop pursuit strategies and proposals.
• Lead client meetings, presentations and sales activities to communicate capabilities and address challenges.
• Represent the firm at conferences and industry events to expand market visibility.
• Coordinate client engagement and maintain accurate opportunities and follow-up in Cosential CRM.
• Collaborate to monitor business development performance and sales metrics.

Skills

Client relationship management

Business development

Strategic account management

Proposal development

Cosential CRM

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Cosential CRM

Job description

Freese and Nichols is seeking a Client Service Leader for our Raleigh, North Carolina office to strengthen client relationships, expand business opportunities and support strategic growth across the region. As Client Service Leader, you will lead client development efforts, build lasting relationships and connect clients with expertise across Freese and Nichols' practices. You will work closely with technical and operational teams to identify opportunities, develop pursuit strategies and deliver solutions that address client priorities. This position is focused on external relationship development, with approximately 75% external sales and 25% internal sales coordination.

Primary Responsibilities

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with federal, state, municipal, county, water district and river authority clients, serving as a strategic advisor and primary point of contact
• Lead regional business development efforts by identifying project opportunities, researching market trends and connecting client needs with capabilities across Freese and Nichols' practices
• Develop and execute strategic account plans, including initiatives within the Strategic and Key Account Program, to strengthen relationships and support long-term business growth
• Partner with technical teams, operational leaders and business development staff to develop pursuit strategies, teaming partnerships, proposals and client-focused solutions
• Lead client meetings, presentations and business development activities that communicate technical capabilities, address client challenges and position the firm for future opportunities
• Represent Freese and Nichols at conferences, professional organizations, industry events and community activities to expand relationships and strengthen market visibility
• Serve as a Client Representative or Assistant Client Representative when assigned, coordinating client engagement and maintaining accurate account information, opportunities and follow-up activities in Cosential CRM
• Collaborate with internal teams to monitor business development performance, track financial metrics such as bookings, mentor staff and identify opportunities to improve client service and sales processes

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 16+ years of relevant experience in business development, client relationship management, strategic account management or related professional services
• Demonstrated ability to develop client relationships, identify business opportunities and lead strategic sales initiatives
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, coordinate competing priorities and develop effective business development strategies
• Preferred Experience in business development within engineering, architecture, construction or related consulting services
• Established relationships with public-sector clients, including municipalities, state agencies, counties, water districts or river authorities
• Experience developing regional growth strategies, leading strategic account programs and coordinating competitive project pursuits
• Experience supervising or mentoring business development staff and monitoring sales performance metricsFamiliarity with Cosential CRM or similar customer relationship management systems

About Freese and Nichols

At the heart of our culture is our LEADS values (Learn continuously, Engage as family, Act with integrity, Deliver quality, and Serve always). Each year, our employee engagement survey confirms that our leaders and our employees live our values. We strive to be the firm of choice for clients and employees through innovative approaches, practical results, and outstanding service. For more than 130 years, we have been planning and designing the infrastructure our communities need: developing water supplies, designing roadways and bridges, preparing for natural disasters, and much more.

Beyond our comprehensive benefits package (see more at Benefits That Work for You), we offer paid overtime for salaried employees, an annual bonus, and access to company cabins in Red River, New Mexico and Banner Elk, North Carolina. We are proud of our flexible work environment which includes a hybrid schedule with up to 40% of remote work. Join our team of 1,400+ employees as we grow from Virginia to Colorado.

Freese and Nichols is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

#LI-Hybrid

Freese and Nichols is a professional planning, consulting and engineering firm serving clients across the United States. With client service and continuous improvement in mind, we plan, design and manage sustainable water and infrastructure projects.