Director of Client Relations

Willdan

Director of Client Relations ensuring alignment between client expectations and internal execution. Focused on maintaining long-term client relationships and addressing project risks.

Posted 7/1/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $170,000 - $190,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Protect long-term client trust.
Align internal execution with client expectations.
Proactively identify and mitigate relationship and project risk.
Support renewal and expansion through disciplined relationship governance.
Champion a service-first leadership culture — serving “anyone but yourself.”
Serve as executive sponsor for assigned strategic accounts.
Develop deep understanding of each client’s organizational dynamics, priorities, and success criteria.
Define and continuously validate “what success looks like” with each client.
Lead structured monthly and quarterly client governance meetings.
Ensure forward-looking dialogue including performance, risk, and future opportunity alignment.
Maintain visibility and documentation of commitments, concerns, and action plans.
Identify early indicators of execution or perception risk.
Differentiate between proactive outreach, service recovery, and formal escalation.
Intervene decisively before issues materially impact trust.
Ensure Regional VP and executive leadership are informed.
Act as liaison between Construction, Project Management, Sales, Finance, and Executive Leadership regarding client expectations.
Ensure internal teams clearly understand client priorities and commitments.
Recognize staffing or support gaps before clients request changes.
Develop and maintain high-level strategic relationships with key subcontractors and industry partners within the Western Region.
Collaborate with Construction leadership to identify subcontractor partnership gaps impacting client satisfaction.
Partner with Business Development to support renewal positioning.

Requirements

What you’ll need

15+ years of experience in construction, operations, project controls, design-build, and energy services, or related industries.
Demonstrated operational experience within construction or project delivery environments.
Proven ability to manage executive-level client relationships.
Strong financial and contractual understanding (margin, change management, contract structure).
Experience working within cross-functional, matrixed organizations.
Exceptional communication and conflict navigation skills.
Travel is a required component of this role and will be necessary to meet job responsibilities.
Experience with multi-phase or long-term contract environments (preferred).
Familiarity with public-sector or institutional clients (preferred).
Background in energy services, performance-based contracts, or infrastructure delivery (preferred).

Benefits

Comp & perks

EEO Non-Discrimination
ADA Reasonable Accommodation

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Project ControlsDesign-BuildEnergy ServicesChange ManagementContract StructureMulti-Phase Contract ManagementOperational ExperienceRisk MitigationGovernance Meeting LeadershipPerformance-Based Contracts

Soft Skills

Conflict NavigationProactive OutreachService RecoveryDecisive InterventionRelationship Governance