Principal Planner

Apex Companies, LLC; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-subsidized medical and dental

401k match

Tuition assistance

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Apex Companies, LLC, a leading engineering and consulting firm, seeks a Principal Planner to lead land development projects, coordinate with clients and municipal authorities, and mentor staff. You will oversee planning studies, policy development, and project delivery across multiple sites, while contributing to growth and client satisfaction.

Join a dynamic, nationwide firm with opportunities for professional advancement, competitive compensation, and a culture that values collaboration,

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in related field.
• Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Business Administration or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Confer with clients, engineering personnel, and Architects on policy objectives or land development program.
• Research, compile and analyze data on site conditions, location, soils, vegetation, access, drainage, and current land uses for feasibility studies and land use plans.
• Prepare plans for land development considering standards and client objectives for vegetation, structures, roads, parking, utilities, and landscaping.
• Prepare Comprehensive Plans, Plan amendments, and Plan Updates per Florida Statutes.
• Make presentations to municipal officials regarding comprehensive planning, zoning, and land development projects.
• Assist with review of site plans, zoning applications, and comprehensive plan amendment applications.
• Prepare proposals, execute projects, maintain budgets and schedules, analyze variances and negotiate changes.
• Maintain contact with clients and vendors, discuss projects, resolve conflicts, and identify new opportunities.
• Conduct project kick-off meetings and ensure clear execution plans and schedules.
• Identify and solicit potential clients/projects and maintain information on new opportunities.
• Identify areas needing improvement and recommend corrective actions to improve project performance.
• Build, manage and maintain a staff including designers, technicians and associates.
• Train team members in responsive, client-focused communication and industry knowledge.
• Mentor staff on project knowledge and best practices.
• Attend educational workshops and participate in professional societies.

Skills

Project management

Client coordination

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Planning or related field

Job description

Are you driven to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact? At Apex, we're building more than a consulting and engineering firm-we're creating a place where your career accelerates, your contributions matter, and your potential is fully realized. We believe your growth is our growth, which is why we invest in your development at every stage of your career. Here, you'll work on projects that shape communities, protect the environment, and create lasting impact, all while being empowered with the autonomy and flexibility to do your best work. Fueled by high-quality delivery, exceptional client retention, and strategic acquisitions, Apex Companies continues to rank among the fastest-growing firms in the AEC industry, recently recognized by the Zweig Group for our industry-leading growth. Our success is grounded in strong leadership, a collaborative culture, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes. As we continue to expand, we're looking for high-performing professionals who are ready to lead, collaborate, innovate, and create impact. At Apex, you help shape what's next. When we succeed together, we share in that success. All Apex positions are eligible for annual bonus opportunities, reinforcing our commitment to recognizing and rewarding meaningful contributions that drive our collective growth.

Responsible for preparation and review of community wide comprehensive plans and land development codes, specific area plans such as corridor plans, and site specific plans and documentation for entitling projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, parkways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites by performing the following duties:

Core Functions:

• Confer with clients, engineering personnel, and Architects on overall policy objectives or land development program.
• Research, compile and analyze data on site conditions, geographic location, soils, vegetation, access, land survey information, drainage, location of structures, past permitting records and current land uses, policies, zoning requirements and development standards for preparation of feasibility studies, land use plans, master concept plans, and conceptual site plans.
• Prepare plans for land development, considering standards, requirements and client objectives for existing and proposed conditions related to vegetation, locations of structures, roads, walks, parking areas, fences, walls, utilities, landscaping, and coordinate arrangement of existing and proposed land features and structures.
• Prepare Comprehensive Plans, Plan amendments, and Plan Updates in accordance with Florida Statutes.
• Make presentations to municipal officials regarding comprehensive planning, zoning, and land development projects.
• Assist with review of site plans, zoning applications, and comprehensive plan amendment applications.

Project Management:

• Prepare proposals, execute projects, maintain project budget and schedule. Analyze variances (e.g., scope creep); Negotiate changes in scope/contact; Invoice and collect payment per contract terms; Initiate corrective actions; Report results to management.
• Maintain contact with clients and vendors by meeting regularly with key clients to discuss current projects, correlate all pertinent information, resolve conflict, evaluate performance, and identify other business opportunities either with current clients or through referrals.
• Conduct project kick-off meetings for organization and enrichment to assure there is understanding of project approach and what the execution plan and schedule for each project will be.
• Identify and solicit potential clients/projects, as appropriate, and maintain information on new sales, new opportunities, and account issues/news.

• Identify areas needing improvement and recommend corrective action to improve overall project performance.

Develop Staff:

• Build, manage and maintain a staff including designers, technicians and associates
• Train Team members to practice responsive, client-focused communication.
• Mentor staff on industry knowledge, project knowledge, process knowledge and best practices.

Maintain Professional and technical knowledge:

• Attend educational workshops.
• Review professional and market segment publications.
• Establish personal networks.
• Participate in applicable professional societies and trade associations.

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years of experience in related field
• Bachelors Degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Business Administration or equivalent

Apex Job Title: Principal Planner

Why you'll love working for us:

• Company-subsidized medical and dental.
• Company-paid life, short, and long-term disability.
• 401k match, tuition assistance, and more.
• Cross-training and the ability to work on a variety of projects.
• Performance-based bonuses or other incentives.
• Working with the best and brightest in the industry.
• 2,000+ employee national firm with 70+ locations across the US.

We believe in equality for all and celebrate the diversity and differences of our employees, customers, and communities. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. Apex aims to make apexcos.com accessible to all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, please contact [e-mail] or [phone]. Likewise, feel free to reach out to us if you would like to view or discuss Apex policy related to equal employment opportunity or have any related concerns. EO/AA/VEV/Disabled Employer