Landscape Architecture / Planning Group Manager

Esp Associates; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

10 holidays

Health, vision & dental insurance

Teladoc

Short-term disability

Job summary

ESP Associates is seeking a seasoned Land Planner/Landscape Architecture Group Manager in the Charlotte area. The role leads the Landscape Architecture and Planning team, guides master plans, site plans, and entitlement efforts, and interfaces with clients to drive project success.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in land planning/landscape architecture, professional registration, and strong leadership, technical, and communication skills to manage multi-disciplinary projects and grow the office.

Qualifications

• Degree in Landscape Architecture or Planning from an accredited program preferred.
• Professional registration as a Landscape Architect or Certified Planner.
• 8+ years of professional Land Planning / Landscape Architecture experience.
• Experience with entitlement and permitting processes for Charlotte area.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD/Civil 3D, Adobe Creative Suite, and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead Landscape Architecture and Planning team in the Huntersville office.
• Partner with clients to advance master plans and development projects.
• Oversee design development, contract documents, cost estimates, and agency correspondence.
• Build the team and drive growth of the department.
• Present to public officials, planning boards, and engage the public.
• Drive business development, client networking, proposals, and budgets/backlog reporting.
• Prepare project contracts, invoicing, and financial reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Client relations

Business development

Mentoring

Public engagement

Proposal writing

Education

Landscape Architecture or Planning degree

Professional registration

Tools

AutoCAD/Civil 3D

Adobe Creative Suite

MS Office

SketchUp

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Regular Full-Time Charlotte, NC, US

30+ days ago Requisition ID: 5345

Established 35 years ago in Charlotte, NC, ESP Associates, Inc., has a commanding presence in and around the Carolinas. We are seeking a creative and established Land Planner/Landscape Architecture Group Manager for our well-established Huntersville, NC studio. 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.

Responsibilities:

• Leadership and direction of Landscape Architecture and Planning team in the Huntersville 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.
• 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.
• 8 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.
• An understanding of and experience with the entitlement and permitting processes for the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and surrounding communities.
• 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.
• Candidate 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 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 186 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)