Overview

Senior Landscape Architect & Land Planning Leader

Future Principal – Landscape Architecture Division

Location: Burtonsville, Maryland (Greater Washington, DC Metro Area)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Principal / Director of Planning

About the Firm

Our client is a respected multidisciplinary engineering, planning, surveying, and landscape architecture firm serving public and private clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Known for delivering innovative, sustainable, and community-focused solutions, the firm partners with developers, municipalities, institutions, and businesses to create places where people live, work, learn, and thrive.

As the firm continues to grow, they are seeking a senior leader to help expand and eventually lead its Landscape Architecture and Land Planning practice.

Shape Communities. Build a Practice. Lead the Future.

This is more than a senior project management position—it is a leadership opportunity with a clear path toward becoming the Principal responsible for the firm’s Landscape Architecture and Land Planning Division.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished Landscape Architect and Land Planner who combines strong design and technical expertise with leadership, business development, and client relationship skills.

What You’ll Do

Practice Leadership

• Help guide the growth and strategic direction of the Landscape Architecture and Land Planning practice.
• Support business development, client relationship management, and market expansion.
• Participate in proposals, presentations, networking, and industry involvement.
• Identify opportunities to expand services and strengthen market presence.

Project Leadership

Lead multidisciplinary projects from concept through construction, including:

• Residential and mixed-use developments
• Commercial and institutional projects
• Parks, recreation, and public spaces
• Streetscapes and placemaking initiatives
• Community master planning and entitlement projects

Oversee planning and design deliverables, including site plans, master plans, amenity areas, and landscape plans, and talent to produce and grade design concepts, while ensuring quality, budget, and schedule objectives are met.

Client & Agency Engagement

• Serve as a trusted advisor throughout planning, entitlement, and development processes.
• Lead presentations before municipalities, planning commissions, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies and review boards.

Team Development

• Mentor and develop landscape architects, planners, and design professionals.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Provide technical leadership and quality control oversight.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Work closely with engineers, surveyors, environmental professionals, and other design disciplines to deliver integrated site development solutions.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture, Land Planning, Urban Design, or related field.
• Professional Landscape Architect License (PLA/RLA).
• 10+ years of experience in landscape architecture, land planning, and site development.
• Proven success in leading complex land development projects.
• Strong knowledge of zoning, entitlement processes, permitting, and municipal review procedures.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and client management skills.

Preferred

• AICP Certification.
• Experience throughout Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia.
• Knowledge of stormwater management and green infrastructure.
• Experience with public presentations and community engagement.
• Established relationships within the regional development community.

Technical Skills

Experience with the following is preferred:

• AutoCAD
• Civil 3D
• Bluebeam
• SketchUp
• GIS
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Lumion, Enscape, or similar rendering platforms
• Microsoft Office Suite

The Ideal Candidate

You:

• Think like an owner, not just a project manager.
• Enjoy mentoring and developing future leaders.
• Balance design excellence with business growth.
• Want to build and lead a practice.
• Are motivated by a future Principal-level leadership opportunity.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Leadership incentive potential
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Licensure and professional association reimbursement
• Flexible work environment
• Clear pathway to Principal-level leadership

Tagged as: Commercial, Community Master planning, Institutional, Landscape Architect, Mixed Use, Parks, Senior Landscape Architect, Streetscapes