Sector Leader - Higher Education

HED; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

HED seeks a Sector Leader – Higher Education who will bridge design leadership with market-facing business development. The role combines strategic design direction, client advocacy, thought leadership, and mentorship to elevate project outcomes and client partnerships.

As a Seller‑Doer in development, you will devote roughly half your time to chargeable work while expanding sector visibility, strengthening client relationships, and shaping HED's market approach across regional markets.

Qualifications

• Requires a professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field.
• Active professional licensure strongly preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of Higher Education industry experience with proven technical leadership and client development.
• Proficiency with MS Teams, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, and CRM platforms.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Principal‑in‑Charge (PIC) on projects, ensuring design excellence and delivery across all phases.
• Lead project delivery teams with clear performance expectations and a culture of quality.
• Grow Higher Education sector presence through client relationships and strategic campaigns.
• Mentor mid‑level professionals in technical design, project leadership, and sector positioning.

Skills

Project leadership

Client development

Mentorship

Communication

Education

Professional degree in Architecture/Engineering

Licensure preferred

Tools

MS Teams

Bluebeam

Adobe Creative Suite

CRM platforms

Job description

Sector Leader – Higher Education

HED is looking to add an experienced Sector Leader to join our talented team. The Sector Leader – Higher Education role at HED represents a dynamic bridge between technical design leadership and market‑facing business development. As a Principal‑in‑Charge (PIC), you will lead complex projects while simultaneously expanding HED's influence within the Higher Education sector.

About HED

We are a team that is full of ideas, experience, creativity, passionate opinions, insatiable curiosity, uncompromising integrity, commitment, and skill. Our culture is about aspiration, embracing change and challenges, listening to (and learning from) each other, encouraging continual learning, and inspiring collective growth. As an inclusive, integrated architecture and engineering practice, we value the diversity of perspectives, experiences, abilities, and expertise that advance both the work we do, and the world we share.

Position Summary

This role combines strategic design direction, client advocacy, thought leadership, and mentorship to elevate both project outcomes and client partnerships. As a Seller‑Doer in development, you will be approximately 50% chargeable, allowing space to grow sector visibility and strengthen client relationships through meaningful, wisdom‑driven engagement.

Essential Functions

Technical/Design Leadership

• Serve as Principal‑in‑Charge (PIC) on projects, ensuring design excellence, technical rigor, and successful delivery across all phases.
• Lead project delivery teams by setting clear performance expectations, fostering a culture of quality, creativity, and accountability.
• Promote integration of DEI, sustainability, and quality excellence within both project work and client engagement.

Higher Education Sector Development and Business Growth

• Lead Higher Education sector‑specific pursuits with increased independence and strategic foresight, aligning project opportunities with firm capabilities.
• Build and nurture long‑term client relationships based on trust, collaboration, and shared values across regional markets.
• Collaborate closely with sector peers and marketing teams to shape compelling messaging and strategic campaign efforts.
• Identify emerging Higher Education sector trends, innovation opportunities, and client challenges to help shape the future direction of HED's market approach.

Thought Leadership and Mentorship

• Author, contribute to, and present Higher Education sector insights through blogs, industry panels, conferences, and other thought leadership platforms.
• Guide and mentor mid‑level professionals in technical design development, project leadership, and sector positioning.

Chargeability and Engagement

• Balance approximately 50% chargeable work with 50% business development, external engagement, and sector leadership activities.

Requirements

• Professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field.
• Active professional licensure strongly preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of Higher Education industry experience with a proven record in technical project leadership and client development.
• Demonstrated expertise in Higher Education markets, with growing influence among clients and peers.
• Proficiency with MS Teams, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, and CRM platforms.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of computer use and active participation in collaborative sessions.
• Frequent engagement in verbal, virtual, and written communication.
• Regular travel for client meetings, project reviews, and industry events.

Work Environment

• We embrace a hybrid model that promotes both autonomy and collaboration, including the freedom to work from home, with regular in‑office days to connect with teammates and build culture.
• The office is a professional, open‑space environment for collaborative and independent work.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.