Landscape Designer / Estimator / Sales / Account Executive (Hardscape and Landscape)

About the job

Smith Paving, Inc. is a Birmingham-based contractor, licensed and bonded in Alabama (AL #22314), with 35 years of experience in asphalt, concrete, and civil work throughout the Alabama market. The company is developing its landscape and hardscape division and is seeking a Landscape Designer / Estimator / Sales / Account Executive based out of our Birmingham office.

Are you a hungry, driven sales professional who loves to take on new challenges and is not afraid of hard work? Do you want a role where you meet the client, design the project, price it, close it, and are paid directly on the results? If you are a motivated closer with real design and hardscape knowledge who wants to see the fruits of your labor in the ground and on every commission check, we want to talk to you. The package includes a guaranteed base salary, uncapped monthly gross profit commission, performance milestones that can push total compensation well past $300,000 , and a 100% company-paid Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Platinum family medical plan.

The Landscape Designer / Estimator / Sales / Account Executive is responsible for generating new business, designing hardscape and landscape projects, preparing accurate estimates, and closing profitable work for the division. This is a sales-driven position with full design and estimating responsibility. The successful candidate will develop and maintain a book of business, meet with clients, produce buildable designs and renderings, price and present proposals, negotiate and close contracts, and serve as the client's primary point of contact from first meeting through project completion. The position combines business development, design, and estimating in a single role, reports directly to ownership, and offers a ground-floor opportunity in a new division backed by an established company.

Location: Birmingham, Alabama office; flexible hybrid schedule; travel throughout the Southeast as required

Responsibilities

Responsibilities and Essential Duties include the following (other duties may be assigned):

•        Develop and maintain a book of business with clients including homeowners, builders, architects, property managers, and HOAs throughout the Alabama market.

•        Identify, qualify, and pursue residential and commercial hardscape and landscape opportunities, including outdoor living, retaining wall, drainage, and site improvement projects.

•        Prospect through referrals, builder and architect relationships, supplier showcases, and community and industry events; maintain consistent weekly outreach activity.

•        Conduct initial client consultations to establish scope, budget, and design intent.

•        Perform site visits to measure and assess existing conditions, grading, drainage, utilities, access, and setbacks, and document the site for design.

•        Develop buildable concept and construction designs for hardscape: paver patios and driveways, retaining walls (segmental block, poured concrete, natural stone), walkways, steps, outdoor kitchens, fire features, and site drainage.

•        Develop softscape designs as required: planting plans, grading and drainage, irrigation, and landscape lighting.

•        Produce construction drawings and 2D/3D renderings in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Vectorworks Landmark, DynaSCAPE, or similar.

•        Apply applicable construction standards: base depth and compaction, drainage, engineered wall requirements, CMHA (ICPI/NCMA) installation standards, local permitting, and HOA submittals.

•        Perform quantity takeoffs and develop cost estimates for pavers, block, stone, base, geogrid, plant material, labor, equipment, and subcontractors.

•        Solicit, review, and level quotes from paver and block suppliers, nurseries, stone yards, and subcontractors; identify gaps and risk.

•        Prepare and submit proposals with a defined scope of work, inclusions, exclusions, and assumptions.

•        Present designs and proposals to clients, negotiate scope and pricing, and close contracts at target margin.

•        Manage design revisions and client-requested changes through a formal change order process.

•        Coordinate permitting, HOA approvals, and engineered wall submittals as required.

•        Maintain the division bid board and CRM with current lead, proposal, and award status.

•        Track close rate, margin, and sales performance against division goals.

•        Hand off sold projects to the project manager with complete drawings, scope, budget, and material takeoffs.

•        Serve as the client's primary point of contact from initial consultation through project completion.

•        Resolve design, scope, and pricing issues that arise during sales and construction in coordination with the project manager.

•        Maintain supplier relationships and current pricing for hardscape materials and plant stock.

•        Represent Smith Paving at industry events, supplier showcases, and client functions.

Education/Qualifications/Experience/Skills

Education - Skills - Knowledge - Qualifications & Experience

•        Degree in Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Horticulture, Construction Management, or related field, or equivalent experience; Alabama landscape architect (PLA) licensure would be a significant advantage

•        Minimum 5 years of design, estimating, and sales experience in hardscape and landscape construction; portfolio of built work required

•        Proven track record of closing profitable work; an established book of business in the Alabama market is strongly preferred

•        Sound technical knowledge of hardscape and landscape construction methods, materials, costs, and failure points

•        Proficient in at least one landscape design package and Excel; 3D rendering capability preferred

•        CMHA (ICPI/NCMA) installer or designer certification a plus

•        Working knowledge of local permitting, HOA submittal, and engineered wall requirements

•        Excellent oral and written communication skills

•        Excellent interpersonal and customer relations skills; an outgoing, relationship-driven personality comfortable presenting to homeowners, builders, and commercial clients

•        Strong commercial instincts; direct and decisive in negotiation, with the ability to hold pricing and margin and manage design changes through a formal change process

•        Strong problem-solving abilities and a get-it-done attitude

•        Highly self-motivated and results-driven; comfortable with performance-based compensation tied directly to the work you sell

•        Superior organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple designs and proposals concurrently

•        Valid driver's license and clean driving record; willingness to travel throughout the Southeast for client and site visits

Compensation

•        Base salary: $45,000 to $60,000 per year, based on experience and current book of business.

•        Uncapped 4% gross profit commission on every job, paid monthly upon project completion; gross profit is defined as total contract value less direct subcontractor labor and direct material costs

•        Performance-based division milestones: tiered holiday bonuses split between Thanksgiving and Christmas, based on division net profit, with realistic targets to clear $125,000 to $250,000 in additional annual compensation; full tier structure provided at interview

•        Uncapped total earnings potential well past $300,000

Benefits

•        100% employer-paid Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Platinum family medical plan; zero employee payroll deduction

•        Company vehicle

•        Company credit card

•        iPad Pro with 3D design and rendering software

•        Unlimited mobile data plan

•        Flexible hybrid schedule

• The above description covers the principal duties and responsibilities of the position. It is not a complete listing of all miscellaneous, incidental, or similar duties that may be required from day to day. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Smith Paving, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.