Landscape Architecture & Master Planning Market Leader

ESP Associates, Inc.; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

PTO

10 Paid Holidays

Health Insurance

Teladoc

Short-Term Disability

Job summary

ESP Associates, Inc. in Charleston seeks a Market Leader for Land Planning and Landscape Architecture to lead our studio, drive growth, and mentor staff. The role encompasses executive leadership, project oversight, and client development across a multidisciplinary team.

The position focuses on master planning, site design, entitlement management, and public engagement, spanning urban, residential, commercial, and recreational projects with opportunities to shape a growing regional practice.

Qualifications

• Degree in Landscape Architecture or Planning from an accredited program preferred.
• Professional registration as a Landscape Architect or Certified Planner.
• 10+ years of professional Land Planning / Landscape Architecture experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead Landscape Architecture and Planning team in Charleston office.
• Partner with Clients to advance master plans and site plans; manage entitlement processes.
• Oversee design development, contract documents, cost estimates, client relations, and staff supervision.
• Build the team and drive department growth.
• Present to public officials and planning boards; engage the public.

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Business development

Public engagement

Mentoring staff

Education

Bachelors in Landscape Architecture or Planning

Professional licensure as Landscape Architect or Certified Planner

Tools

AutoCAD/Civil 3D

Adobe Creative Suite

SketchUp

Microsoft Office

Job description

ESP is seeking a creative and established Land Planner/Landscape Architecture Market Leader for our well-established in Charleston. This individual will be at the helm of overall staffing, supervision, management, and growth of the studio.

• Are you an established Land Planner / Landscape Architect professional looking to make a difference in the community around you as well as across the region?
• Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit and enjoy empowering early-career professionals?
• Do you want to build a team that specializes in creative design and planning?

As a leader contributing to employee development and management of departmental activity, this individual will ultimately be responsible for:

• Managing clients and undertaking business development activities,
• Preparation of proposals/ contracts, and
• Representing ESP and client(s) in public settings.

ESP is proud to offer more than a place to build your career, we are a team. As our Market Lead for Charleston, you will spearhead our growth from a brand-new, modern urban office space. Built on a foundation of trust and performance, we empower our people through flexible work schedules and a fluid work environment that respects your personal time. Our multidisciplinary environment brings together professionals across engineering, surveying, planning, environmental, geosciences, SUE, and CEI, with plenty of opportunities to connect beyond the workday. From team outings and volunteer events to company-wide step challenges, summer celebrations, and friendly competitions, there’s always an opportunity to get involved, get to know your coworkers, and have a little fun along the way.

Responsibilities:

• Leadership and direction of Landscape Architecture and Planning team in the Charleston office.
• Partnering with Clients to advance master plans / small area/corridor plans, develop site plans, managing the rezoning & entitlement processes, and implement improvements.
• Management of design development, preparation and/or administration of the contract documents, cost estimates, agency correspondence, client relations, staff supervision and mentoring. Exciting projects include large-scale master planned developments, urban infill sites, residential, commercial sites, greenways/park and recreation, and various mixed-use projects, along with various amenities and other recreational project components.
• Building the team and overall growth of department.
• Presentations to Public officials and Planning boards, along with public engagement.
• Partnering with clients to advance master plans/ small area/corridor plans, develop site plans, manage the entitlement processes, and implement improvements.
• Business development and marketing of clients including networking, active participation in professional development forums, presenting work to professional organizations, writing proposals, and maintaining budgets and backlog reporting for projected work.
• Project contract preparation, invoicing, and financial reporting.

Qualifications:

• A degree in Landscape Architecture or Planning from an accredited program preferred.
• Professional registration as a Landscape Architect or Certified Planner.
• 10 or more years of professional Land Planning / Landscape Architecture experience with a diverse and dynamic portfolio.
• A strong background in the land development design industry, Site and Master Planning along with oversight of landscape architectural construction documents (CD) and construction administration (CA) including related technical layouts, grading plans, planting plans, details and hardscape design.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD/Civil 3D, Adobe Creative Suites (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Sketchup), Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).
• Excellent financial management skills.
• Demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment with the ability to adjust to project priorities and requests of multiple clients.
• Experience working with local codes, ordinances and public agency standards related to land development design and related entitlement processes.
• Strong business development skills along with knowledge of the local land development market.
• Strong collaborator and presenter in front of boards and Councils for multiple project types.
• Ability to liaise with public and private sector clients, maintain client relationships, manage projects and mentor staff.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership and communication skills that will allow you to effectively and professionally interact with clients, government officials and the public.
• Experience with developing and following a formalized QA/QC program.
• Candidates must be able to pass a drug screen, background check, and have a satisfactory driving record in accordance with the company’s driving (MVR) policy.

Corporate Information:

ESP is a multi-discipline engineering design and consulting firm providing our clients with civil engineering, surveying, planning/landscape architecture, geosciences, environmental, subsurface utility engineering, and construction engineering inspection.

Through years of dedicated service to our clients, ESP has received a designation of 189 on the 2026 ENR Top 500 Design Firm rankings. For the firm's primary territory, the ENR Texas & Southeast Top Design Firms, ESP received a 2026 ranking of 53.

ESP offers an excellent employee benefits package including:

• Competitive compensation with yearly performance reviews and discretionary annual bonuses
• 401(k) (Traditional & Roth plans) with a guaranteed employer match of 100% up to the first 3% and 50% on the next 2% (eligibility after 60 days)
• PTO (Paid Time Off) & 10 Paid Holidays
• VTO (Volunteer Time Off) of 4 hours each year (prorated during first year based on hire date)
• Tiered Health, Vision & Dental Insurance Options (eligibility after 30 days)
• Behavioral Medicine through Teladoc
• Short-Term Disability Insurance (Employer paid)