DLB Associates is a premier engineering and consulting firm specializing in innovative, mission-critical solutions across hyperscale data centers, advanced infrastructure, and high-performance building systems. With over four decades of expertise, we partner with some of the world’s most influential companies to design and optimize environments that demand precision, scalability, and resilience.

Join us and be part of a team where your voice matters, your work makes an impact, and your growth is a shared priority.

Position Title: Associate Director - Partnerships and Growth 

Position Location: Remote - work virtually from anywhere in the United States 

JOB SUMMARY 

The Associate Director of Partnerships & Growth is a key leadership role within DLB’s Design Department, responsible for developing and managing the relationships that accelerate and augment the department’s growth. This position oversees outsourced and offshore partnerships and leads efforts to identify, evaluate, and expand M&A opportunities that drive inorganic growth. 

Working in close collaboration with the Executive Directors, this role bridges departmental staffing augmentation needs with firmwide growth objectives. The Associate Director will identify, develop, analyze, and manage strategic relationships that expand our global reach and operational capacity. 

This position is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of people, process, and business operations. As both a strategic leader and tactical operator, the Associate Director will be accountable for cultivating a robust partner ecosystem and creating best-in-class partner tracking, onboarding, and development systems that enhance productivity, scalability, and the overall capabilities of the Design Department. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Partnership Development & Management (40%) 

• Identify, negotiate, and manage strategic offshore and outsourced partnerships that support company growth and operational objectives. 

• Build and maintain strong, mutually beneficial relationships with key partners, vendors, and agencies. 

• Oversee performance of external partnerships, ensuring alignment with service quality, deliverables, and strategic goals. 

• Facilitate partnership agreements, contracts, and KPIs in coordination with Legal and Contracts teams. 

• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, operations, and finance teams to ensure smooth integration and performance tracking. 

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Exploration (25%) 

• Collaborate with leadership to identify, assess, and vet M&A opportunities, including potential acquisitions, joint ventures, or strategic alliances. 

• Conduct due diligence on prospective partners and acquisition targets, coordinating with internal and external advisors. 

• Prepare summaries, analyses, and business cases for leadership review and decision-making. 

• Assist with integration planning and relationship management post-acquisition or merger. 

• Maintain awareness of market trends, competitor activities, and emerging business models. 

Strategic Planning & Expansion (20%) 

• Support executive leadership in defining partnership strategies aligned with organizational growth priorities. 

• Analyze international and domestic markets and identify new partnership or expansion opportunities that enhance the company’s global footprint. 

• Evaluate and prioritize potential markets or service areas for offshore development. 

• Provide recommendations to leadership based on market research, benchmarking, and industry trends. 

• Contribute to the long-term strategic roadmap through partnership-driven initiatives. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership (10%) 

• Partner closely with internal teams (Contracts, Operations, HR, Executive Leadership and Design Leadership) to ensure alignment across strategic initiatives. 

• Lead or contribute to internal workstreams related to partnership enablement, process improvement, and organizational efficiency. 

• Serve as a subject matter expert on partnerships, outsourcing, and corporate development strategy. 

• Support internal communications and knowledge-sharing around partnership outcomes and strategic priorities. 

Performance Measurement & Reporting (5%) 

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for partnership success, financial impact, and operational outcomes. 

• Develop regular reports and presentations for Executive Directors and Executive Leadership summarizing partnership performance and growth opportunities. 

• Recommend improvements and corrective actions where partnership ROI falls below expectations. 

• Maintain accurate records of partnership contracts, contacts, and performance data. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS (ADVANCED LEVEL FOR ALL THE FOLLOWING) 

Performs Other Related Duties as Assigned. 

Key Responsibilities / Accountabilities 

• Lead strategy, negotiation, and management of offshore and outsourced partnerships. 

• Develop and execute partnership frameworks that support operational scalability and innovation. 

• Identify and evaluate merger and acquisition opportunities aligned with company objectives. 

• Build strong relationships with external partners, vendors, and potential acquisition targets. 

• Work closely with Contracts, Operations, and Executive Leadership to assess partnership ROI and integration potential. 

• Provide insights and recommendations on domestic and global expansion strategies and market opportunities. 

• May represent the company in strategic negotiations and high-value collaborations. 

Knowledge 

• Deep knowledge of outsourcing models, global vendor ecosystems, and partnership structures. 

• Strong understanding of M&A lifecycle concepts, including due diligence, valuation inputs, and post-acquisition integration. 

• Working knowledge of contract structures, risk allocation, and commercial terms. 

• Understanding of domestic and international market dynamics, including regulatory and operational considerations. 

Skills 

• Advanced negotiation skills involving complex, multi-party, and cross-border agreements. 

• Strategic analysis and financial acumen to assess ROI, risk, and long-term value creation. 

• Executive-level communication skills, including influencing senior leaders and external stakeholders. 

• Ability to design scalable frameworks rather than one-off solutions. 

Abilities 

• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity and make recommendations with incomplete information. 

• Ability to influence outcomes without direct authority. 

• Ability to balance short-term operational needs with long-term strategic objectives. 

• Ability to manage sensitive information and high-stakes negotiations with discretion. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS   

The following physical demands must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is  

• Frequently required to remain in a stationary position. 

• Frequently moving through office, facility, and other environments. 

• On occasion, may move equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. 

TRAVEL / RELOCATION REQUIREMENTS 

• Approximately 25% travel to client sites, partner offices, or company events across the U.S. 

• Travel is defined as physically leaving home on behalf of business activities including but not limited to client sites, meetings with other employees, meeting for business development purposes, running errands on behalf of the business, attending industry conferences, etc. 

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred. 

• 8+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, corporate development, or business strategy, ideally in design, creative services, or related industries. 

• Proven experience in managing partnerships and/or M&A due diligence. 

• Strong financial and analytical skills with the ability to assess market and deal opportunities. 

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities. 

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally and influence at all levels. 

Benefits

DLB Associates offers a very competitive benefits package; highlights include

• Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option)
• Flex spending accounts (FSA)
• Dental and vision plans
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26
• 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option
• PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year
• Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage
• Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and professional licensing assistance
• Paid parental leave after one year of employment

CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC residents only: In accordance with CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC law, the range provided is DLB's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and location.

DLB Associates is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and participates in the E-Verify program with the Department of Homeland Security. We encourage diversity in our workforce.

Are you ready to challenge yourself and redefine standards in the AEC industry? Apply now and join our award-winning team!​

​NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

DLB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to DLB in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where DLB has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of DLB and DLB will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.