Higher Education Practice Director

Pfluger Architects

Higher Education Practice Director responsible for Pfluger’s higher education practice design and growth across Texas. Collaborating with leadership to ensure design excellence and market expansion.

Posted 5/20/2026full-timeAustin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, or Corpus Christi • Texas • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

ERP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Embody Pfluger’s core values. Consistently demonstrate the principles of *Do What’s Right*, *Build Synergy*, *Make a Difference*, and *Never Settle* in all professional activities.
Actively contribute to the Leadership Team by shaping the firm’s higher education strategy and collaborating on firm-wide goals and initiatives.
Represent Pfluger’s higher education expertise internally and externally with clarity, purpose, and consistency.
Partner with Regional Higher Education Practice Leaders and Managing Principals to create a unified approach to design, client engagement, and growth.
Develop and implement a statewide higher education growth strategy in alignment with firm-wide business goals.
Set and oversee people, product, and process goals for the higher education practice, ensuring alignment with firmwide objectives.
Provide ultimate oversight of the firm’s higher education work, ensuring alignment with Pfluger’s core values and the *Pfluger Proven Process*.
Provide higher education project guidance across Pfluger’s studios. Serve as a trusted resource to Managing Principals and collaborate with Senior Project Managers to support higher education pursuits and projects.
Champion design and delivery excellence across all higher education projects.
Maintain expert knowledge of higher education design trends, regulations, and delivery methods to support firm-wide consistency and quality.
Lead strategic engagements with higher education institutions and serve as a trusted advisor to campus leadership.
Serve as a primary point of contact on key pursuits and projects, reinforcing client trust and satisfaction at the highest level.
Partner with studios to ensure appropriate talent, resources, and design expertise are available across projects.
Promote firm-wide collaboration and knowledge sharing. Support ideation and solution development across the firm.
Build and nurture long-term client relationships through direct engagement. Ensure client satisfaction and trust is maintained throughout all stages of a project.
Lead strategic pursuits and provide direction on new client relationships and business development opportunities.
Oversee the development of proposals, interview strategies, consultant selections, and contract negotiations.
Maintain oversight of the firm’s higher education pipeline, tracking win/loss data and market positioning using Vantagepoint.
Analyze practice trends and performance data to inform decision-making and ensure long-term growth and sustainability.
Represent Pfluger at higher education conferences and industry events. Present regularly at conferences and support publication efforts to elevate the firm’s thought leadership.
Directly supervise and manager higher education staff per Pfluger People Leader expectations.
Collaborate with the Leadership Team to support firm-wide higher education resource planning, hiring needs, and performance management.
Mentor and support junior staff, providing guidance and fostering a culture of collaboration and professional development.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Extensive experience leading higher education projects across all phases, with deep knowledge of design, delivery, and project management best practices.
Proven ability to lead and grow a successful higher education practice.
Extensive knowledge of architecture principles and practices. Knowledge of higher education design trends, challenges, and opportunities across Texas and beyond.
Demonstrated proficiency in projects of the greatest size and complexity, ensuring excellence, technical accuracy, and timely delivery.
Demonstrated success in client engagement and business development within the higher education sector.
Proficiency in Revit is essential. Experience with Bluebeam, Microsoft Office products, and ERP systems is highly preferred.
Proven ability to build and sustain strong client relationships, ensuring trust and long-term engagement.
Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Extensive knowledge of building codes, regulations, and construction processes.
Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Experience in mentoring and developing high-performing teams.
Professional degree in Architecture required.
Licensed Architect in the state of Texas is required.
Minimum of 15 years of architectural experience, with a focus in higher education work.

Benefits

Comp & perks

The Higher Education Practice Director must be prepared to commute 3 days / week to Pfluger’s local office and as required to Pfluger’s other offices and client sites.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Revitproject managementarchitecture principlesbuilding codesconstruction processesdesign trendsbusiness developmentclient engagementproblem-solvingmentoring

Soft Skills

organizational skillsattention to detailcollaborationleadershipcommunicationtrust-buildingstrategic thinkingadaptabilitytime managementteam development

Certifications

Licensed Architect in TexasProfessional degree in Architecture