Commercial Principal

Arcadia; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing program

Hybrid and flexible working

Industry membership

Career development

Job summary

Arcadia Landscape Architecture is seeking a Principal – Commercial in Australia to lead client relationships, grow the project pipeline and drive financial performance across a portfolio of landscape architecture projects.

You will operate at the intersection of business development, client management and design leadership, representing Arcadia in the market and shaping opportunities that align with our purpose and strategy.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of professional experience in landscape architecture, urban design or related design disciplines.
• Proven track record of winning and managing significant projects from pursuit through delivery.
• Strong commercial acumen including fee structures, project financials, margins, forecasting and BD investment.
• Exceptional client-facing and stakeholder communication skills with credibility for Arcadia.
• Experience leading tender responses, fee proposals, negotiations and strategic submissions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor and develop high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop and convert new business opportunities aligned to Arcadia’s capabilities, purpose and 3-year strategy.
• Lead and coordinate tender responses, EOIs, fee proposals and capability submissions.
• Build, manage and deepen long-term relationships with clients across government, institutional and private sectors.
• Take ownership of the commercial performance of your project portfolio, including fees, margin, WIP, invoicing and forecasting.
• Partner with Technical Principals and delivery teams to ensure client expectations are clearly set and delivery is seamless.
• Represent Arcadia at industry events, client forums and professional bodies to strengthen market position.
• Lead, mentor and develop a team while building commercial thinking, proposal capability and client confidence across the practice.

Skills

Client relationship management

Business development

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder communication

Leadership

Tendering & proposals

Job description

Job Category: Principals & Studio Leadership

Job Description

About Arcadia

Arcadia Landscape Architecture is an award-winning, design and purpose-driven landscape architecture and urban design practice located in Australia and New Zealand. With studios in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Auckland and Gold Coast, we are dedicated to shaping a future where our landscapes tell stories of innovation, sustainability, and cultural connection.

About the Opportunity

Arcadia is growing, and we are at a point where the right senior leaders will have a real opportunity to shape what comes next. We know that great Principal-level talent does not all look the same, some people thrive in technical delivery, some in commercial and client leadership, and others sit somewhere between the two. This opportunity is about finding where your strengths, ambition and energy best align, then giving you the platform to make a genuine impact across our projects, people, clients and studios.

As Principal – Commercial, you will be a senior leader in the business, focused on growing client relationships, building a strong project pipeline and driving the commercial performance of landscape architecture projects. You will sit at the intersection of business development, client management and design leadership, representing Arcadia in the market and helping shape opportunities that align with our purpose and strategic ambitions.

A glimpse into your day

• Identify, develop and convert new business opportunities aligned to Arcadia’s capabilities, purpose and 3-year strategy.
• Lead and coordinate compelling tender responses, EOIs, fee proposals and capability submissions.
• Build, manage and deepen long-term relationships with new and existing clients across government, institutional and private sectors.
• Take ownership of the commercial performance of your project portfolio, including fees, margin, WIP, invoicing and forecasting.
• Partner with Technical Principals and delivery teams to ensure client expectations are clearly set and the transition into delivery is seamless.
• Represent Arcadia at industry events, client forums and professional bodies, helping strengthen our market position.
• Lead, mentor and develop a team while building commercial thinking, proposal capability and client confidence across the broader practice.

The expertise you’ll bring

• 12+ years’ professional experience in landscape architecture, urban design, architecture or a related design discipline.
• A proven track record of winning and managing significant projects from pursuit through to delivery.
• Strong commercial acumen, including fee structures, project financials, margin management, forecasting and business development investment.
• Exceptional client-facing and stakeholder communication skills, with the ability to build trust and represent Arcadia with credibility.
• Experience leading tender responses, fee proposals, negotiations and strategic submissions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor and develop high-performing teams.
• Existing networks across government, urban development, education, health, public realm or community sectors will be highly regarded.
• AILA registration, or working towards registration, is desirable.

The Arcadia Way (how we work)

Our team of brilliant minds come from many walks of life, each one a character with stories to tell. These diverse and different ways of thinking enable us to maintain fresh perspectives and innovate continuously. Whether it’s design excellence or streamlined processes, we go to every length to make sure that clients and communities are getting the best possible results.

Arcadia’s high calibre team is what keeps clients coming back for more. That’s why we provide our team with industry-leading tools and training to continually develop our skills, achieving maximum fulfilment and growth.

Why you will love working with us

• Wellbeing, celebrated: daily Studio breakfast, lunch and snacks, EAP for you and your family, skin checks, flu vaccinations, ski trip and end-of-year conference and more!
• Work that matters : our projects shape communities, public spaces and places connected to Country. Meaningful, complex and award-winning work with a lasting impact.
• Room to grow: we are a practice with real ambition and we back our people to grow with it. New challenges, leadership opportunities, specialist development — we invest in what comes next for you.
• A place you belong: different backgrounds, disciplines and perspectives are genuinely valued here. We are building something inclusive by design.
• Career pathways with clarity: clear career frameworks and structured development pathways so you can see where you are heading and what it takes to get there.
• Leadership opportunities: as Arcadia grows across studios and geographies, so do the opportunities to lead. We grow our leaders from within.
• Industry recognition: fully paid annual industry membership, conference representation and a genuine culture of sharing knowledge and staying curious.
• Flexibility that works: hybrid and flexible working, because great work can happen in different ways.

Arcadia Landscape Architecture is a place where purpose and people meet. We are dedicated to building a business that is inclusive by design— our Studios are a safe space where everyone belongs and is encouraged to excel.

We actively seek perspectives from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and individuals of all backgrounds and abilities. We value the strength that diversity brings to our work and our culture. Please advise us of any adjustments you may need during the recruitment phase to ensure you can participate fully and comfortably.

A Note on Work Rights

To be considered for this opportunity, you must hold the legal right to live and work in Australia.