Job Title: Associate Principal Landscape Architect

Division: PLA

LJA is an employee-owned company, and our people carry pride in their projects and their workplaces.

We have talented employees across the nation and are always looking for exceptional individuals to join the LJA team. With over 50 office locations, LJA is growing and ready for talented people to help us build our future. We offer great benefits and are 100% employee owned.

The Landscape Architecture Team at LJA is growing rapidly and is looking for an Associate Principal (AP). Team members are prepared for the challenge of implementing big ideas. From leveraging internal departments like surveying, GIS, and environmental services to working with various specialists to implement new technologies and software the Landscape Architecture team is building the foundations for a future that integrates data, research, and the latest innovations in our design process.

Associate Principals show a high level of enthusiasm for and commitment to the firm, its mission, and the profession, and demonstrate a growing level of expertise in the foundational principles in our industry. APs also serve as active leaders in their projects and teams and have the respect of their peers & managers.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in Landscape Architecture (or related fields)
• PLA licensure preferred (or ability to become licensed)
• 10 years of professional experience
• Ability to consistently perform in a fast-paced environment
• Strong Site and Planting Design Skills
• Proficient in Graphic Communication
• Strong presentation skills
• Proficient in AutoCAD, Photoshop, InDesign, Sketch-up, Acrobat Pro, and Microsoft Office. Additional proficiencies preferred in one or more of the following: Rhino, Lumion, Twinmotion, UnReal, BIM, etc.

Project Responsibilities:

• Shephard medium-large projects while meeting the project needs of the Team.
• Maintain project design styles, aesthetics, and quality to ensure high-quality required for clients’ needs in decision-making and marketing. Work with the Project Teams to ensure that projects deliver upon client needs, budgets, and capacities.
• Understand workloads needed to meet projects timelines and work within Senior Leadership on scheduling.
• Maintain working knowledge of appropriate construction, finishing, and planting materials.
• Lead project Landscape Managers and staff to produce graphic and construction documents based on project needs and requirements.
• Responsible for keeping up to date on project information and ensuring proper communication between project team members.
• Promptly and regularly communicate with clients, other consultants, and team members to both successfully deliver high-quality, built projects and to develop long-term relationships.
• Maintain skills in graphic communication, efficiency, and knowledge in areas of design including, but not limited to, site design, planting design, and constructability.

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General Responsibilities & Expectations:

• Oversee project design styles, aesthetics, and quality to ensure high-quality required for clients’ needs in decision-making and marketing.
• Coordinate Studio workloads to maintain project timelines and keep team workloads balanced.
• Through the design process, recognize and deliver projects that meet client needs, budgets, and capacity.
• Work closely with Studio Leads (SL) to continuously develop their skills in graphic communication, efficiency, and knowledge in areas of design including, but not limited to, site design, planting design, and constructability.
• Work with Graduate Landscape Designers and Landscape Designers to develop basic design and graphic communication skills.
• Identify and Mentor junior staff with advanced skills that may be ready to move into an ASL position.
• Develop a Studio Team focused on integration of new technologies in the design process. The primary focus of this studio will be developing techniques for enhanced communication with clients to reduce miscommunication and increase client expectations for final deliverables.
• Continuously explore and implement new and innovative design techniques, technologies, trends, and solutions.
• Assist in the creation of materials in response to RFQ’s and RFP’s as part of team project pursuits.

Leadership Expectations:

• Attend and participate in relevant professional and community organizations to present research and innovation in practice, grow professional network & skills, and to increase exposure of the team to broader regional and national audiences.
• Actively work with senior staff to implement new and improve existing techniques, tools, and processes in both delivery and administration of projects.
• Assist on scheduling and workloads to maintain balanced calendars for Junior Staff
• Maintain billing of projects and support Principals and Project Managers in keeping projects within budget
• Lead meetings, conversations, and initiatives with Senior Staff and Clients
• Participate in the development of proposals and SOQs.

Work with Leadership Team on overall BD strategy and develop and execute personal BD strategy as part of growth towards Principal promotion.