Senior Campus Planner

SmithGroup; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

3 weeks PTO first year

8 federal holidays

Wellbeing resources

401(k) matching

Job summary

SmithGroup’s Los Angeles office seeks a Senior Campus Planner to lead high‑level campus planning projects for higher education clients. You will steer interdisciplinary teams, manage client relationships, and guide project deliverables through all phases, balancing design excellence with strategic goals.

The role emphasizes leadership in business development, client satisfaction, and collaborative problem solving within a hybrid work environment, with regional/national travel as needed.

Qualifications

• A professional degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Planning or equivalent.
• 15+ years related experience preferred and/or training in AE Industry.
• Registration or licensure in relevant field.
• Successful track record of winning campus planning work with higher education clients.
• Experience with higher education clients through all phases of campus planning projects.
• Sustainability credentials and/or commitment to achieve certification within six months of hire.
• Demonstrated effectiveness and a strong commitment to teamwork and client satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Provide team leadership, management, and strategy for the Campus Planning Studio.
• Lead interdisciplinary campus planning teams as Team Lead or Project Manager.
• Present findings and recommendations in meetings with stakeholders.
• Communicate planning issues to campus and community stakeholders at public meetings.
• Lead production of project presentations, plan reports, and deliverables.
• Support business development with Campus Planning Studio Leader and Market Leader.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Client management

Project management

Team leadership

Communication

Travel coordination

2D/3D software proficiency

Education

Architecture degree

Landscape Architecture or Urban Design (optional)

Tools

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Suite

ArcGIS

SketchUp

Microsoft Office

Job description

SmithGroup is an integrated design firm with a reputation for cultivating a top-ranked culture while pioneering award-winning innovative design solutions. We blend research, data and technology with ingenuity and a creative spirit to deliver resilient, inclusive spaces that solve our clients' greatest challenges. Our teams create exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology, workplace, mixed use, higher education, cultural, waterfront, parks and open spaces, and urban environments. We are looking for passionate problem solvers who want to elevate design, push boundaries and create a more resilient future.

The Los Angeles office of SmithGroup is looking for a Senior Campus Planner to join our team.

Working with us, you will:

• Provide team leadership, management, and strategy necessary for the continued growth of our Campus Planning Studio consistent with SmithGroup's strategic themes of growing the firm, building expertise, and thinking holistically.
• Lead interdisciplinary campus planning teams by serving in Team Lead, Lead Campus Planner, and/or Project Manager roles.
• Participate in, and often lead, team meetings involving internal colleagues, consultants, and/or clients to share findings and recommendations with meeting participants.
• Communicate planning issues, opportunities, and recommendations to a wide variety of campus and community stakeholders as part of public meetings.
• Lead efforts around production of project presentations, plan reports and all project deliverables to ensure an integrated and cohesive outcome.
• Identify target clients and support business development plans with the Campus Planning Studio Leader, Market Leader, Regional Higher Education Leaders and Business Development Director(s).
• Maintain relationships with past clients and proactively develop relationships with current/new clients.
• Provide marketing leadership via active participation in projects through all phases, from initial client contacts through marketing pursuits, sales efforts, and contract negotiations.
• Represent SmithGroup's higher education and campus planning expertise through attendance and/or presentations at local, regional, and national conferences.
• Work with the Campus Planning Studio Leader to meet technical and administrative targets.
• Participate in recruiting, coaching, and career development of staff.
• Consistently exhibit and demonstrate a commitment to SmithGroup's core values - passion, sustainability, equity, community, curiosity, and integrity.
• Work with design leadership to always advance the design quality of our work.

An ideal candidate has:

• A professional degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Planning or equivalent combination of related experience and/or training.
• 15+ years related experience preferred and/or training (or equivalent combination of education and experience) in the AE Industry.
• Registration or licensure in relevant field.
• Successful track record of winning campus planning work with higher education clients.
• Experience with higher education clients through all phases of campus planning projects.
• Sustainability credentials and/or commitment to achieve certification within six months of hire.
• Demonstrated effectiveness and a strong commitment to working in a team-based setting, delivering high client satisfaction and technical competence.
• Strong leadership skills in the areas of business development; professional and civic involvement.
• Strong business acumen and critical thinking skills in the pursuit of the work.
• The ability to take responsibility and ownership to meet standards, budgets, and deadlines.
• The ability to manage clients, project teams and project processes with ease.
• High-level understanding of 2D programs including AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite and ArcGIS; and 3D programs including Sketchup, along with Microsoft Office suite.
• A high degree of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel regionally and/or nationally 25-30%.

At SmithGroup, we are committed to helping our staff thrive with great projects and time to unwind. We offer flexible scheduling, a hybrid work environment, 3 weeks of PTO within your first year of employment with the option of purchasing additional time off, 8 paid federal holidays, plus 15 extra Fridays off! Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellbeing resources, paid parental leave, a flex spending account and voluntary insurance options. We invest in your future through our 401(k) program with employer matching, tuition reimbursement program, one-on-one career coaching and professional development opportunities. While we may ultimately pay more or less than a posted salary range, at the time of posting the anticipated salary range for this position is $135,000 to $159,000 annually and you are eligible for a performance-based bonus each year.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.If you require reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].