Higher Education Client Leader (Architecture)

Location: Columbus, Ohio, United States. Four days per week are worked in the office, with flexibility to work elsewhere on Fridays.

Company

hirify.global is an employee-owned integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new construction, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects.

What you will do

• Serve as the primary relationship leader and trusted advisor for a major university client.
• Lead client engagement from pursuits and contract development through design, construction, and project closeout.
• Guide integrated architecture, interiors, engineering, planning, and specialty-services teams.
• Partner with Project Managers on schedules, staffing, financial goals, quality expectations, and project delivery.
• Lead contract negotiations, approve changes, manage risk, and support timely invoicing and payment.
• Shape Higher Education strategy, design, business development, mentoring, recruiting, and regional market growth.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience as a Project Manager, Client Leader, or comparable design professional.
• Experience leading multiple complex Higher Education projects in a client-facing role.
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Interior Design.
• Active architectural license or professional interior design credential such as NCIDQ certification.
• Experience with business development, contract negotiations, project financial performance, and client relationship management.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States without work visa or residency sponsorship.

Nice to have

• Experience with major public universities or complex institutional clients.
• Knowledge of the Columbus, Central Ohio, or Midwest Higher Education market and an established local network.
• Experience with academic, research, student-life, arts, housing, campus-planning, renovation, adaptive-reuse, phased, or occupied-campus projects.
• A “doer-seller” approach combining project leadership, design engagement, client development, and market growth.

Culture & Benefits

• 100% employee-owned structure with shared investment in client success.
• Interdisciplinary teams collaborate throughout the project lifecycle.
• Culture emphasizes open information sharing, shared risk and reward, value-based decision-making, teamwork, and environmental stewardship.
• Four-day in-office model with Friday flexibility to work outside the office.
• Work supports the 2030 Challenge, ME2040, SE2050, China Accord, and AIA 2030 Commitment.