Landscape Architect Senior Project Manager

Benesch; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Benesch's Landscape Architecture team in the Carolinas is seeking a Senior Project Manager Lead to guide planning and design for environmentally responsible land development, recreation, and public space projects. This full-time hybrid role is based in Charlotte and leads multidisciplinary teams while serving clients across the Carolinas and Southeast.

You will mentor staff, strengthen client relationships, and oversee budgets, schedules, QA/QC, and regulatory challenges across municipal,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Landscape Architecture, City/Community/Regional Planning, Urban Planning, or a related field from an accredited program.
• North Carolina PLA license (or ability to obtain through reciprocity within three months)
• 12+ years of progressive landscape architecture experience.
• Strong project management skills including budgeting, financial management, QA/QC, and resource planning.
• Experience leading public and/or private land development projects through complex design and regulatory challenges.
• Proven success in developing new client relationships, winning work, and growing existing accounts.
• Strong knowledge of North Carolina permitting processes and regulatory agencies.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated landscape architecture projects across municipal, educational, and private sectors.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and QA/QC processes to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Develop and grow client relationships to win and expand work within existing accounts.
• Navigate regulatory challenges and coordinate with permitting authorities to advance projects.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

QA/QC

Leadership

Mentoring

Business development

Client relationships

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Landscape Architecture degree

Job description

Simply Put, A Great Place to Work Benesch is a growing, multi-disciplined planning, engineering, and professional services firm. We enhance infrastructure and communities across the country - creating spaces and providing connections in ways that make a difference. We pride ourselves on being nimble enough to remain responsive to client needs yet large enough to offer exceptional bench strength. As a member of our team, you’ll have an opportunity to draw from those resources when you need them and, likewise, contribute your expertise when you have something to share. At Benesch, we are looking for candidates with varied backgrounds and worldviews. We are committed to offering an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Landscape Architect Senior Project Manager Lead

Benesch's Landscape Architecture team and help shape connected, resilient communities across the Carolinas and the Southeast. In this leadership role, you will guide planning and design services for projects that advance environmentally responsible land development, community infrastructure, recreation, and public space. This is an opportunity to continue growing a high-performing practice while delivering projects that expand access to recreation and education, improve mobility and accessibility, and enhance quality of life across the region, offering upward leadership.

• Municipal Infrastructure: Parks & Recreation Planning and Design efforts, Comprehensive Plans, Master Plans, Feasibility Studies, Community Planning, Site Design, Capital Improvement projects, Greenways, Multi-use paths, Parks, Public Works projects, Utilities, and Grant/Funding support.
• Clients include local, state, and federal agencies and corresponding departments.
• Educational Campus / Facilities, including K-12, Charter Schools, Universities, and Community Colleges: Long-standing collaboration with architects on school developments, including ongoing multi-project programs.
• Long-standing relationships and current projects with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, NCSU, ECU, APP State, and many community colleges.
• Private Development: Site selection, layout, design permitting, cost estimating, bidding, and construction support. Clients include various Health Care Providers, Commercial, Multi-Use, and Multi-Family Residential Developers.

Location

This full-time hybrid role is based in our Charlotte office, where in-office collaboration at least three days per week supports strong team connection, mentorship, and client service.

Impact You Will Have

As the Landscape Architecture Senior Project Manager, you will play a key leadership role in growing Benesch's Landscape Architecture practice in North Carolina while serving clients throughout the Carolinas and Southeast. You'll lead multidisciplinary teams, strengthen client relationships, mentor talented staff, and drive business development. Working alongside experts in civil/site, planning, transportation, structures, traffic, hydraulics, environmental services, aviation, rail, and economic development, you'll deliver integrated solutions that shape the communities we serve. With more than 1,200 professionals across 50+ offices - and North Carolina offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington - Benesch offers the resources, reach, and local presence to support ambitious growth across the state.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Landscape Architecture, City/Community/Regional Planning, Urban Planning, or a related field from an accredited program.
• North Carolina PLA license (or ability to obtain through reciprocity within three months); licensure in neighboring states is a plus.
• 12+ years of progressive landscape architecture experience.
• Strong project management skills, including budgeting, financial management, QA/QC, and resource planning.
• Extensive experience leading public and/or private land development projects through complex design and regulatory challenges.
• Proven success in developing new client relationships, winning work, and growing existing accounts.
• Strong knowledge of North Carolina permitting processes and regulatory agencies.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a strategic focus.
• Strong planning, design, and construction expertise, with a collaborative, positive leadership style.

Why Benesch

It’s simple. We invest in our people, not just our projects. Career growth that’s real with leadership development, training, and clear paths forward Strong financial future with up to 9% retirement contribution for benefit-eligible employees Flexibility that works with schedules that support your life Time to recharge with generous paid time off and parental leave for benefit-eligible employees Support beyond work through mentorship, hands-on experience, and opportunities to make an impact from day one Whether you’re starting your career or bringing years of experience, you’ll have the support and exposure to grow here.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

At Benesch, we believe great work starts with great people and that means creating a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Benesch is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants in all protected groups, including veterans and individuals with disabilities, or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws. Benesch is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with a physical disability or other impairment. If you are limited in your ability or are unable to access Benesch’s Careers website due to a physical disability or other impairment, you may request a reasonable accommodation by emailing [e-mail]. This option is only available to those in need of an accommodation due to a disability or other impairment. Please do not use this as an alternative method for general inquiries or status on applications, as you will not receive a response. Reasonable requests will be responded to as soon as possible on a case-by-case basis. If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here. Know your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal