TK–12 Market Leader, California at PBK Architects – Anaheim, California

The Regional California TK–12 Market Leader is responsible for the overall success, growth, and strategic positioning of the TK–12 practice across the state. This leader drives revenue performance, strengthens client partnerships, oversees pursuit excellence, and champions thought leadership while cultivating a high-performing, collaborative team culture.

This role requires a visionary strategist, disciplined operator, and relationship-centered leader who understands California’s educational landscape and can position PBK as the trusted advisor of choice for school districts statewide.

Your Impact:

Revenue & Strategic Growth: The State TK–12 Leader is accountable for driving sustainable revenue growth and positioning the practice for long-term success.

• Pipeline Management: Partner with marketing and pursuit teams to actively monitor and manage the statewide pipeline, ensuring healthy opportunity flow.
• Strategic Opportunity Identification: Pursue high-impact opportunities aligned with firmwide goals, district priorities, and statewide trends.
• Revenue Visibility: Maintain clear oversight of booked revenue, forecasted work, and backlog health; proactively address revenue gaps.
• Funding & Bond Awareness: Track statewide bond programs, legislative funding changes, and district capital cycles to enable early strategic pre-positioning.

Pursuit & Interview Excellence: Ensure every pursuit reflects PBK’s commitment to excellence, strategic alignment, and client-centered delivery.

• Team Alignment: Evaluate local team strengths to assemble pursuit teams that combine expertise, chemistry, and cultural fit.
• RFQ & Proposal Oversight: Review RFQs and proposals to ensure narratives clearly address client priorities and showcase relevant expertise.
• National Integration: Leverage PBK’s “firm without walls” model by integrating national expertise, case studies, and specialized resources into local pursuits.
• Interview Strategy: Guide messaging, storytelling, and value articulation to differentiate PBK in competitive interviews.

Client Engagement & Market Presence: Strengthen PBK’s presence and reputation with priority districts and partners statewide.

• Strategic Client Identification: Prioritize districts based on opportunity, mission alignment, and long-term partnership potential.
• Engagement Planning: Maintain a structured engagement plan to ensure consistent, meaningful touchpoints with superintendents, facilities leaders, and board members.
• Trusted Advisor Positioning: Proactively anticipate district challenges and align PBK solutions with evolving educational priorities.

Strategic Initiatives & Thought Leadership: Serve as the champion and voice for TK–12 educational issues within California.

• Market Intelligence: Maintain a continuous pulse on education trends, demographic shifts, legislative developments, and innovation across the state.
• Visibility & Advocacy: Represent PBK at conferences, association events, workshops, and community forums to elevate brand presence.
• Content & Insight Development: Collaborate with internal teams to produce white papers, case studies, and research summaries aligned with California priorities.

Talent Development & Team Leadership: Cultivate a strong, aligned team culture that reflects PBK’s values and commitment to excellence.

• Strategic Hiring: Identify expertise gaps and partner with leadership to recruit and develop key talent.
• Cross-Discipline Collaboration: Foster integration across planning, interiors, landscape architecture, engineering, sustainability, and civic disciplines.
• Mentorship & Growth: Coach emerging leaders, strengthen accountability, and build a culture of shared ownership and performance.
• Performance Alignment: Ensure regional goals align with firmwide expectations for quality, profitability, and client satisfaction.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Planning, Construction Management, or related discipline (required)
• Master’s degree in Business, Architecture, Engineering, or related field (preferred)
• Licensed Architect or Professional Engineer in a state preferred.
• Minimum 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in TK–12 educational facilities
• Demonstrated experience managing statewide or multi-regional growth initiatives
• Proven track record of revenue growth, pursuit leadership, and executive-level client development
• Deep understanding of school funding mechanisms, bond programs, state architecture process, and regulatory requirements
• Experience presenting to boards, superintendents, and public agencies
• Established relationships within TK–12 educational networks (preferred)

The actual offered base salary for California locations will vary depending on factors such as individual qualifications, education, experience, skills, job-related knowledge, work location, and internal equity. We would not anticipate that the individual hired into this role will be at or near the top half of the range provided, but the decision will be dependent on the factors of each individual case. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation in the form of discretionary bonuses in addition to base salary and a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits. The salary range for this position is below.

PBK is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants can be considered for an opportunity without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, criminal history, or any other characteristic protected by law. Additionally, it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity in all phases of employment in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

At PBK, the most accomplished and passionate architects, engineers, and thought leaders are working together to shape the future. We encourage our team to adopt an entrepreneurial approach to professional growth; there are no limits to what one can do or become at PBK. Our culture empowers our people to explore their interests, try new things, and create their own path to success – however they may define it.

We recognize the value of work-life balance and believe in rewarding our employees’ hard work. We offer alternative work scheduling to allow employees greater flexibility, monthly happy hours and regular team outings, additional time off between Christmas and New Year’s, an Employee Assistance Program that supports each individual’s needs, and so much more!

• Additional PTO between Christmas and New Years
• Your birthday off
• Community involvement through recreation & service
• Hybrid schedule & remote work options
• Flexible "dress for your day" policy
• Paid parental leave for birth or adoption
• Firm covers employee healthcare premiums
• 401(k) program
• Costco / Sam's Club membership
• $4,000 license bonus
• Dynamic company with quick advancement
• Online professional licensure exam prep library
• Opportunities to work on a variety of project types
• Weekly continuing education lunch & learn sessions