Studio Practice Leader

Design Workshop; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401K with match

Paid time off

Volunteer support

Job summary

Design Workshop, a 100% employee-owned landscape architecture, planning and urban design firm, seeks Studio Practice Leaders to grow the practice, expand client relationships, and mentor the next generation of leaders while delivering high‑impact projects.

In this role, you will work with the Studio Leader to advance business, design excellence, and talent strategies across multiple markets, lead major projects from concept through implementation, and cultivate enduring partnerships with

Qualifications

• Professional landscape architecture licensure is required.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in landscape architecture from an accredited program.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage complex projects.
• Strong market relationships and industry credibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development and market leadership to grow the studio.
• Direct design and execution of landscape architecture, planning and urban design work.
• Partner with studio leadership to set strategy and talent priorities.
• Mentor and develop multiple levels of staff.
• Cultivate client relationships and expand opportunities across markets.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Client relationship building

Mentoring

Strategic thinking

Education

Professional landscape architecture licensure

Undergraduate/Graduate degree in landscape architecture

Job description

Overview

Shape the Practice. Grow the Business. Create Lasting Impact.

Design Workshop is seeking accomplished landscape architecture leaders to join our studios as Studio Practice Leaders. This is an opportunity for experienced practitioners who want to do more than lead great projects—they want to grow a practice, build enduring client relationships, mentor the next generation of leaders, and shape the future of an employee-owned firm. Design Workshop is a 100% employee-owned landscape architecture, planning and urban design firm shaping resilient, meaningful places where people and environments thrive. Founded in 1969, we practice globally from seven studios across the United States. Combining research, collaborative spirit and innovative design, we transform vision into measurable impact and places of enduring legacy. Our mission is to turn ideas into impact with collaborative spirit, overcoming complexity through design, process and purpose.

The Opportunity

Working in partnership with the Studio Leader/Principal, the Studio Practice Leader is responsible for advancing the studio across four interconnected areas: Business, Leadership, People and Content.

This is first and foremost a practice-building leadership role. Successful candidates will bring an established professional network, strong market relationships and a demonstrated ability to originate and secure significant new work. They will be recognized and trusted within the profession and among clients, developers, public agencies, allied consultants and other decision-makers relevant to their areas of practice.

Studio Practice Leaders are expected to actively cultivate new clients and markets while expanding relationships with existing clients. At the same time, Studio Practice Leaders remain actively engaged in the work, bringing design judgment, strategic thinking and technical expertise to complex challenges while creating opportunities for others to lead.

Responsibilities

What You Will Lead

Business Development + Market Leadership

• Leverage an established network of clients, industry leaders, collaborators and decision-makers to generate new opportunities and expand Design Workshop’s reach.
• Originate, pursue and secure new work aligned with the firm’s strategic priorities.
• Maintain a visible presence in relevant markets and industries through professional organizations, conferences, speaking, writing and thought leadership.
• Identify emerging markets, client needs and opportunities for new services.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of opportunities that contributes meaningfully to studio and firmwide revenue.

Design + Practice

• Lead consequential landscape architecture, planning and urban design work from vision and conceptual design through implementation.
• Bring strong design judgment, technical knowledge and strategic thinking to projects and client relationships.
• Advance design solutions that create measurable environmental, community and economic impact.
• Strengthen quality, rigor and consistency in our design and delivery practices.

Leadership + Strategy

• Partner with studio leadership to enhance business, practice and talent priorities.
• Serve as a visible leader within the studio and across Design Workshop.
• Develop long-range strategies for areas of responsibility and translate them into measurable actions and results.
• Champion collaboration across studios, disciplines, markets and geographies.

People + Mentorship

• Attract, mentor and develop talented professionals at multiple stages of their careers.
• Identify emerging leaders and create opportunities for them to grow.
• Foster a studio culture of curiosity, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Studio Practice Leadership combines business development success, market credibility, design excellence, and people leadership. Candidates should bring:

• A well-established professional network and strong client relationships within one or more of Design Workshop’s target markets or practice areas.
• A demonstrated track record of originating, pursuing and winning significant new work.
• Recognized expertise and credibility within the profession and relevant client markets.
• Significant experience leading complex landscape architecture, planning and/or urban design projects.
• Strong project management and financial management capabilities.
• Proven experience building, mentoring and leading high-performing teams.
• Professional landscape architecture licensure.
• An undergraduate and/or graduate degree from an accredited landscape architecture program.

Why Design Workshop

For more than five decades, Design Workshop has built a practice around the belief that great design can create meaningful and lasting impact. Our work has earned nearly 300 awards from organizations including the American Society of Landscape Architects, American Planning Association and Urban Land Institute. As a 100% employee-owned firm, we share both the responsibility and rewards of building a strong and enduring practice. Our Studio Practice Leaders have the opportunity to influence not only projects and clients, but the direction, culture and long-term success of the firm itself.

Design Workshop is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and make selection decisions based on job-related factors without discrimination based on any status protected by applicable law.

Compensation

Total compensation for this opportunity will be commensurate with experience based on a salary range of $90k-$150k. A final offer to join the firm is based on our understanding of your demonstrated professional skills and relevant achievements. We are an ESOP company funded entirely by company contributions; employees participate in ownership. This is designed as a long‑term retirement benefit, with employees’ accounts increasing as the value of the business increases. Similarly, we expect that as you contribute to growing the firm that you will continue to grow your compensation by qualifying for annual pay‑for‑performance merit increases, discretionary bonus payouts based on the firm's profitability and professional advancement awards.

In addition to pay, we provide comprehensive health, wealth and well-being benefits including

• employer paid medical plans with health savings account (HSA) options
• dental and eyecare coverage
• life, disability and pet insurances
• a 401K plan with a 5% company match
• personal time‑off benefits including financial support for volunteer efforts and the pursuit of professional memberships and certifications