Higher Education Market Leader
Location: Tampa, FL and Orlando, FL | Full-Time | Architecture & Design Sector
A nationally recognized architecture and design firm is seeking a Higher Education Market Leader to join its Florida team. This Senior-level, Seller-Doer role is ideal for a proven leader who excels at winning work, delivering high-caliber design, and building lasting client relationships in the academic sector, particularly for science and research-driven environments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead business development efforts across Florida's higher education sector, with a focus on academic science buildings, labs, research facilities, and learning environments.
- Serve as a trusted partner to institutional clients such as UF, FAU, UCF, and other major state and private universities.
- Direct projects from early planning and concept through completion, ensuring design quality, technical execution, and client satisfaction.
- Build and grow client relationships through thoughtful engagement, strategic proposals, and a collaborative design process.
- Coordinate with internal design studios and participate in firmwide strategy, occasionally traveling to national offices for collaboration.
- Represent the firm in industry and academic networks, elevating the firm's profile and influence across the region.
Qualifications:
- 15+ years of experience in architecture, with a focus on Higher Education and Science-related Facilities.
- Proven business development ability to win work and lead design efforts simultaneously (seller-doer model).
- Deep knowledge of the Florida higher education landscape and experience working with major institutional clients.
- Strong design sensibility paired with technical rigor in project delivery.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and client engagement skills.
- Licensed architect preferred; LEED accreditation a plus.
- Willingness to travel regionally and occasionally to national studio hubs.
This is a high-impact leadership role with strong growth potential in a firm that values collaboration, innovation, and purpose-driven design.