Landscape Architecture Design Leader

Api Partners - New York, NY

Full-time - Senior

New York, NY

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

The East Coast Design Leader for Landscape Architecture is a pivotal role within a leading international multi-disciplinary practice known for its design excellence and technical innovation. This position is responsible for providing clear vision and direction for innovative and responsive design across various projects, including Commercial, Hospitality, Civic + Cultural, Science + Technology, Education, Healthcare, Government, Aviation + Transportation, Justice, Recreation + Wellness, Retail, Sports, Recreation + Entertainment, Tall Buildings, and Workplace projects. The Design Leader will work closely with clients and project teams to elevate design standards and foster a culture of design excellence throughout the practice. This role involves developing and maintaining strong client relationships, assisting with project pursuits, and representing the firm as a key leader in the landscape architecture domain. The Design Leader will be accountable for project financial performance and team collaboration, ensuring that the design quality meets the firm's high standards. They will lead conceptual design discussions, promote sustainable solutions, and oversee the design team to ensure that the design intent is realized. The position also requires participation in marketing and business development opportunities, mentoring less experienced staff, and engaging in the recruitment of new talent. The Design Leader will play a crucial role in identifying new business opportunities while nurturing existing client relationships, thereby contributing to the firm's growth and success in the landscape architecture sector.

Responsibilities

• Designs and manages landscape architecture projects
• Ensures the project design quality while developing compelling solutions to design problems
• Promotes and maintains firm's reputation for design excellence
• Listens and responds to client goals and offers excellent solutions and service
• Leads conceptual design excellence; initiates project design and idea discussions
• Follows a holistic and integrated approach to design focusing on creating high performing sustainable solutions
• Originates and develops creative design concepts and the design documents during the design development phase
• Demonstrates creative thinking abilities and contributes to Firmwide design excellence
• Demonstrates reliable understanding of the relationship between design and constructibility
• Maintains strong communication and relations with other firm practices and resources
• Oversees design team or less experienced designers to ensure design intent
• Fosters a commitment to external and internal client service
• Assists in preparation of proposals; participates in interviews and public presentations
• Identifies new business opportunities while developing current client relationships
• Participates in marketing and business development opportunities
• Actively promotes collaborative and innovative culture
• Mentors and directs the work of less experienced staff, may participate in professional development reviews and 'Lessons Learned' sessions
• Participates in interviews and recruiting of professional staff
• Conducts research and seeks thorough understanding of client needs for project requirements and design solution opportunities
• Engages clients in explorations that respectfully challenge their understanding of appropriate design solutions
• Assists in the preparation and delivery of design presentations to clients and drives consultant work to achieve design goals
• Works closely with project teams with respect to budget and schedule constraints
• Leads project design reviews and builds a design culture
• Communicates design intent in a clear and compelling way; demonstrates the incorporation of client's requirements and goals within design solution
• Serves as project designer on selected projects—conceive and execute design, being mindful of clients' needs, requirements, project budget, schedule, and site issues
• Identifies new business opportunities while developing current client relationships
• Participates in marketing and business development opportunities
• Leads design competition teams
• Develops and nurtures positive client relationships
• Guides preparation of award submittals and design PR
• Mentors and coaches developing talent
• Participates in staff evaluations, compensation decision-making and allocation of resources in the business unit
• Encourages staff exploration and innovation to achieve project design excellence and continual improvement

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture or equivalent in education or experience required
• Master's degree in Landscape Architecture preferred
• 15 years of experience, with at least 5 years as a lead project designer or design director
• Published and/or award-winning projects a plus
• Licensed Landscape Architect with current registration required
• LEED accreditation or Green Associate preferred

Nice-to-haves

• Proficiency in AutoCAD; preferred not required
• Proficiency in Rhino, Enscape, GIS, Affinity or Adobe Suite software preferred
• Proficiency in BIM, Revit preferred

Benefits

• Career Advancement Services
• Sustainable Design