Principal Landscape Architect

TYG Landscape Architecture; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

TYG Landscape Architecture in Los Angeles is seeking a visionary Principal to lead the Los Angeles office, guiding creative direction, culture, and growth for the studio. The role demands a licensed landscape architect with a distinguished portfolio and a history of leading complex, high-profile projects.

The candidate will shape design direction, mentor top talent, and build meaningful client relationships while representing the practice within the landscape architecture community and beyond.

Qualifications

• Licensed PLA with a distinguished professional track record and a portfolio demonstrating exceptional design quality.
• 10+ years of progressive experience at leading landscape architecture or multidisciplinary firms, with leadership experience.
• Strong technical expertise translating ambitious concepts into buildable work and guiding projects through implementation.
• Recognized design leadership and professional reputation in the design community.
• Entrepreneurial and collaborative leadership mindset to co-lead a studio and grow the practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead the studio, shaping creative vision, culture, strategy, and growth in partnership with office leadership.
• Lead high-profile design work from concept through implementation with rigorous design and technical judgment.
• Build and mentor a high-performing team and foster a collaborative studio culture.
• Cultivate clients and business opportunities through an established professional network.
• Represent the practice externally through thought leadership and design advocacy.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Client relationship management

Design excellence

Technical execution

Education

Licensed landscape architect (PLA)

10+ years of progressive experience

Job description

A leading landscape architecture and design practice is seeking a visionary and accomplished Principal to lead its Los Angeles office. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a licensed landscape architect with a distinguished design portfolio, strong technical expertise, and a passion for creating meaningful, enduring places.

Working closely with office leadership and the broader practice, this role will help shape the creative direction, culture, and growth of the Los Angeles studio. The ideal candidate brings a strong reputation within the design community, experience at leading design firms, and the ambition to make a meaningful impact through both projects and people.

Responsibilities

• Lead the studio, shaping its creative vision, culture, strategic direction, and continued growth in partnership with the office leadership team.
• Lead high-profile design work from concept through implementation, bringing a rigorous design sensibility, strong technical judgment, and a commitment to design excellence.
• Build and mentor a high-performing team, fostering a collaborative studio culture that develops talent, encourages experimentation, and maintains high standards of design and delivery.
• Cultivate clients and business opportunities, leveraging an established professional reputation and network to develop meaningful relationships and pursue work aligned with the studio's ambitions.
• Represent the practice externally, contributing to the profession through thought leadership, public engagement, design advocacy, and participation in the broader landscape architecture and design community.

Requirements

• Licensed landscape architect (PLA) with a distinguished professional track record and a portfolio demonstrating exceptional design quality.
• 10+ years of progressive experience, ideally gained at highly regarded landscape architecture, architecture, or multidisciplinary design firms, with experience leading complex, high-profile projects.
• Strong technical expertise, with a demonstrated ability to translate ambitious design concepts into technically rigorous, buildable work and guide projects through implementation.
• Recognized design leadership and professional reputation, with the ability to inspire teams, influence clients, and contribute meaningfully to the wider design discourse.
• Entrepreneurial and collaborative leadership mindset, with the vision, energy, and interpersonal skills to co-lead a studio, develop its people and market presence, and make a lasting impact on the practice's work and culture.