Landscape Architecture & Master Planning Market Leader

ESP is seeking a creative and established Land Planner/Landscape Architecture Market Leader for its Charleston studio. This individual will helm overall staffing, supervision, management, and growth of the studio, empowering early‑career professionals and building a team that specializes in creative design and planning.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and direction of the Landscape Architecture and Planning team in the Charleston office.
• Partnering with clients to advance master plans, small‑area/corridor plans, develop site plans, manage rezoning and entitlement processes, and implement improvements.
• Management of design development, preparation and/or administration of contract documents, cost estimates, agency correspondence, client relations, staff supervision, and mentoring.
• Delivery of large‑scale master‑planned developments, urban infill sites, residential, commercial, greenways/park and recreation, mixed‑use projects, and related amenities.
• Presentations to public officials, planning boards, and public‑engagement sessions.
• Business development and marketing, including networking, participation in professional forums, presenting work, writing proposals, and maintaining budgets and backlog reporting.
• Project contract preparation, invoicing, and financial reporting.
• Building the team and overall growth of the department.

Qualifications

• Degree in Landscape Architecture or Planning from an accredited program (preferred).
• Professional registration as a Landscape Architect or Certified Planner.
• 10 + years of professional land planning/landscape architecture experience with a diverse portfolio.
• Strong background in land‑development design, site and master planning, and oversight of landscape architectural construction documents and construction administration.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD/Civil 3D, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, SketchUp), and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent financial management skills.
• Experience in fast‑paced, multidisciplinary environments and ability to adjust to project priorities and multiple client requests.
• Knowledge of local codes, ordinances, and public‑agency standards related to land‑development design and entitlement processes.
• Strong business‑development skills and familiarity with the local land‑development market.
• Effective collaborator and presenter before boards and councils for various project types.
• Ability to liaise with public and private sector clients, maintain relationships, manage projects, and mentor staff.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills.
• Experience developing and following a formalized QA/QC program.
• Ability to pass a drug screen, background check, and maintain a satisfactory driving record per company policy.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation with yearly performance reviews and discretionary annual bonuses.
• 401(k) (Traditional & Roth) with employer match: 100 % up to the first 3 % and 50 % on the next 2 % (eligibility after 60 days).
• PTO (Paid Time Off) and 10 paid holidays.
• Volunteer Time Off (VTO) of 4 hours per year (prorated during first year).
• Tiered health, vision, and dental insurance options (eligibility after 30 days).
• Behavioral medicine through Teladoc.
• Employer‑paid short‑term disability insurance.
• Long‑term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Pet insurance.
• Education reimbursement opportunities.
• Flexible and dependent benefits plan.
• Referral bonuses.

Company Information

ESP is a multi‑discipline engineering design and consulting firm providing civil engineering, surveying, planning/landscape architecture, geosciences, environmental, subsurface utility engineering, and construction engineering inspection services. ESP ranked #189 on the 2026 ENR Top 500 Design Firm list and #53 in the ENR Texas & Southeast Top Design Firms for 2026.