Studio Leader, K-12 Education

DLR Group; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work model

Employee ownership

Commitment to environmental stewardship

Job summary

A leading design firm in Charlotte, NC is seeking a Studio Leader for K-12 Education. This role involves managing client relationships, leveraging over 10 years of AEC experience, with a focus on K-12 projects. You will innovate and foster collaborative environments to enhance educational experiences, while supporting business development. The company promotes a hybrid work model, providing flexibility between office and remote work, and values creativity and teamwork.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of professional experience in the AEC industry, with 5 years in a client-facing role.
• Strong understanding of strategic planning and resource allocation.
• Ability to actively listen and understand others' perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Manage project execution, ensuring budget, schedule, and scope alignment.
• Collaborate with the Project Manager on staffing and performance feedback.
• Oversee project invoicing for accuracy and alignment with deliverables.

Skills

Business management principles

Customer service principles

Critical thinking

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design

Job description

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.

Our Charlotte, NC office has an opening for a Studio Leader, K-12 Education. We operate within a hybrid work model, supporting flexibility between office time and work from home.

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.

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 a Studio Leader/Client Leader, you will play a key role in business development, managing client relationships and leading contract negotiations. You will educate clients on our design process while collaborating with the project manager to ensure the financial success of each project. Throughout the project lifecycle, you will maintain consistent client contact, foster a collaborative and innovative work environment, and ensure that both client and DLR Group goals are met.

What You Will Do

• Manage project execution, ensuring alignment with budget, schedule, and scope while maintaining client expectations
• Collaborate with the Project Manager on staffing, responsibilities, and performance feedback for project team members
• Track project milestones and deliverables, ensuring adherence to quality standards and preparing regular status reports
• Facilitate and document meetings with staff and clients, coordinating project personnel, vendors, and consultants
• Participate in client contract negotiations, manage change requests, and approve project plan modifications
• Support business development initiatives by contributing to RFP responses and participating in client interviews
• Oversee project invoicing, ensuring accuracy and alignment with work deliverables, and manage account receivables

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, or related construction field (Professional licensure preferred)
• At least 10 years of professional experience in the AEC industry, inclusive of at least 5 years in a client‑facing role leading K‑12 Education projects
• Strong understanding of business management principles, including strategic planning, resource allocation, and leadership
• Knowledge of customer service principles, including needs assessment, quality standards, and customer satisfaction
• Expertise in design techniques and tools for producing technical plans, drawings, and models
• Familiarity with building methods, materials, and systems for construction and renovation projects
• Strong critical thinking, time management, and communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to actively listen, understand others' perspectives, and respond thoughtfully in conversations
• To be considered, please submit current portfolio/work samples in PDF format*

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.