Landscape Architecture / Planning Group Manager

Esp Associates; Morrisville (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

PTO & holidays

Volunteer Time Off

Health/Vision/Dental insurance

Job summary

ESP Associates seeks an experienced Land Planner/Landscape Architecture Group Manager for our Raleigh (Morrisville) studio to lead master planning and entitlement efforts. You will direct staff, engage with clients, and manage complex projects from concept through implementation.

The role emphasizes public engagement, business development, and coordinating with public/private clients while mentoring a growing team in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Landscape Architecture, Planning, or Civil Engineering from an accredited program preferred.
• Professional registration as a Landscape Architect, Certified Planner, or Professional Engineer.
• 8+ years of professional experience with a diverse and dynamic portfolio.
• Strong background in the land development design industry, Site and Master Planning, Rezoning & Entitlement.
• Ability to effectively communicate with strong freehand illustrations, renderings and graphics skills.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD/Civil 3D, Adobe Creative Suites (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Sketchup), Microsoft Office.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and direction of Landscape Architecture and Planning team in our Raleigh (Morrisville) studio.
• Partnering with Clients to advance master plans, develop site plans, managing the rezoning & entitlement processes, and implement improvements.
• Management of master planning, rezoning and entitlement process, preparation and/or administration of the contract documents, agency correspondence, client relations, staff supervision and mentoring.
• 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.

Skills

Leadership

Client communication

Business development

Team mentoring

Public speaking

Education

Landscape Architecture degree

Professional licensure

Tools

AutoCAD/Civil 3D

Adobe Creative Suite

SketchUp

Microsoft Office

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 Morrisville, NC, US

30+ days ago Requisition ID: 5344

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 the Raleigh (Morrisville) studio with a heavy emphasis on Master Planning, Land Entitlement, and Rezoning. This individual will be at the helm of overall staffing, supervision, management, and growth of the department.

• Are you an established Land Planner / Landscape Architect professional with a background in Master Planning, Land Entitlement and Rezoning?
• Do you enjoy public engagement and public speaking?
• 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 our Raleigh (Morrisville) studio.
• Partnering with Clients to advance master plans, develop site plans, managing the rezoning & entitlement processes, and implement improvements.
• Management of master planning, rezoning and entitlement process, preparation and/or administration of the contract documents, 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, Planning, or Civil Engineering from an accredited program preferred.
• Professional registration as a Landscape Architect, Certified Planner, or Professional Engineer.
• 8 or more years of professional experience with a diverse and dynamic portfolio.
• A strong background in the land development design industry, Site and Master Planning, Rezoning & Entitlement.
• Ability to effectively communicate with strong freehand illustrations, renderings and graphics skills that are expressive in both sketch and finished formats.
• 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)