Sr. Studio Lead - Land Development

LJA; Myrtle Beach (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time off (PTO)

Comprehensive benefits

Family support

Education support

Referral bonuses

Community impact

Professional development

Career growth

Fun culture

Job summary

LJA Land Development is seeking a Senior Studio Lead to provide strategic oversight of complex planning and design projects. You will collaborate with Principals and Directors on client strategy, guide large-scale efforts, and mentor staff.

The role demands advanced design judgment, leadership, and strong stakeholder engagement. Based in a professional environment, you will coordinate with engineers, landscape architects, and other consultants, and contribute to business development through

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in planning, land development, or a related field.
• AICP, ENV, PLA, AIA, CNU, LEED, or other job-related certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight of complex planning and design projects from concept through implementation.
• Set design direction and standards for the studio, and hold the work to them.
• Collaborate with Principals and Directors on complex issues, client strategy, and group direction.
• Serve as liaison with clients, stakeholders, and public agencies.
• Lead client communications and support business development, including proposals and fees.
• Mentor Studio Leads, Project Managers, and junior staff.
• Oversee professional development, performance, and adherence to project deadlines.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, landscape architects, and other consultants.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure project objectives are met.
• Represent the company by actively participating in relevant professional associations and organizations to expand contacts, forge strategic partnerships, and gather market intelligence.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Client engagement

Communication

CAD

AutoCAD

Team mentoring

Education

Degree in Planning/Land Development/Urban Design/Architecture

AICP or related certification

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Illustrator

Job description

LJA is offering an exciting opportunity that will allow you to reach your full career potential. The structure of our organization is designed to amplify your capabilities while gaining the benefits of being an employee-owner. What truly sets this opportunity apart is the chance to collaborate every day with dedicated, skilled, and supportive leaders. Whether you are in the office, in the field, or behind the scenes, working at LJA gives you the chance to grow through hands-on experience and exposure to a broad range of clients and services.

WHAT MAKES LJA DIFFERENT

At LJA, our employee-owners take pride in their work and their workplace. We’re guided by leaders who foster a culture of respect, collaboration and a shared vision of success. Our difference is evident in the experiences and opportunities we provide:

• Employee-owned. Client-focused
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Consistently ranked as a Top Workplace
• Internal recruitment team, in-house training, and a marketing department specific to our industry
• We celebrate flexibility, allowing every team and office to lead with their proven approach
• Our culture champions continuous learning and personal growth
• We believe success comes through constant evolution and communication
• We are passionate about having fun and making money, all while creating impact

POSITION OVERVIEW

As a Senior Studio Lead at LJA Land Development, you will provide strategic oversight of complex planning and design projects and of the studio’s work. The position operates independently and collaborates with Principals and Directors on complex issues, client strategy, and group direction. Responsibilities include leading large-scale planning and design efforts, directing staffing and process improvements, serving as liaison with clients and stakeholders, and mentoring Studio Leads, Project Managers, and junior staff. The position requires advanced technical, design, and political judgment, and strong communication with team members, clients, and public agencies.

A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE

• Provide strategic oversight of complex planning and design projects from concept through implementation.
• Set design direction and standards for the studio, and hold the work to them.
• Collaborate with Principals and Directors on complex issues, client strategy, and group direction.
• Serve as liaison with clients, stakeholders, and public agencies.
• Lead client communications and support business development, including proposals and fees.
• Mentor Studio Leads, Project Managers, and junior staff.
• Oversee professional development, performance, and adherence to project deadlines.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, landscape architects, and other consultants.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure project objectives are met.
• Represent the company by actively participating in relevant professional associations and organizations to expand contacts, forge strategic partnerships, and gather market intelligence.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS

• Degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Architecture, or related field.
• AICP, ENV, PLA, AIA, CNU, LEED, or other job-related certification.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in planning, land development, or a related field.

IDEALLY, YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE

• Demonstrated strategic thinking, advanced leadership, and organizational skills.
• High level client engagement, including agency negotiations and stakeholder engagement.
• Advanced technical, design, and political judgment.
• Measurable contribution to group growth.
• Strong proficiency in CAD software, Adobe Illustrator, and other relevant design tools.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with team members, clients, and stakeholders.
• Detail oriented with a critical eye for design and the ability to provide constructive feedback.

LEVEL UP WITH LJA

At LJA, we’re 100% employee-owned. This drives results, rewards ambition and supports long-term success for every team member. With almost 100 locations and 3,000+ employee-owners (and growing), we’re building something big! We want you to be part of it. Your future grows here.

• Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.
• Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave to help you focus on what matters most.
• Education Support: Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.
• Referral Bonuses: Know great talent? Get rewarded for helping us grow.
• Community Impact: Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
• Professional Development: Memberships to industry organizations to keep you connected and growing.
• Career Growth: Great internal mobility opportunities to advance your career.
• Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.

To Executive Search Firms & Staffing Agencies: LJA, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from any agencies that have not signed a service agreement. All unsolicited resumes will be considered LJA's property. This includes resumes submitted directly to hiring managers without contacting LJA's Human Resources Talent Department.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.