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Practice Lead Landscape Architecture at McAdams in Charlotte, NC
Skills
Job Description
McAdams is a full-service land planning, landscape architecture, civil engineering, transportation, and geomatics firm located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida. We seek to partner with our clients to create meaningful experiences through inspired design. Our employees are what make McAdams different. We bring experiences to the forefront of everything we do, and to do that takes special people. Position Overview
The Landscape Architecture Practice Lead is responsible for building, leading, and growing the landscape architecture practice within the Charlotte metro area. This role serves as the primary driver of the practice’s performance – overseeing operations, advancing design quality, developing talent, and expanding the firm’s client base and market presence.
As a key leader, the Practice Lead is accountable for the overall health of the practice, including financial performance, workload management, team development, and client relationships. This role plays a critical part in generating new business, strengthening existing partnerships, and collaborating across service lines to deliver integrated, high-quality projects.
While the Practice Lead remains engaged in project delivery, their primary focus is on leading the practice – setting direction, removing barriers, and positioning the team for sustained growth and success.
Key Responsibilities
- Build, lead, and grow the landscape architecture practice within the market, establishing a clear vision for the group and driving sustained expansion through strong client relationships, market presence, and strategic positioning.
- Align the practice’s vision and strategy with the broader Planning + Design service line strategy as well as market-specific goals, ensuring local efforts contribute to firmwide priorities and long-term growth.
- Own the overall health and performance of the practice, monitoring key metrics such as backlog, revenue, utilization, profitability, staffing capacity, and accounts receivable, and taking proactive action to maintain a balanced, high-performing operation.
- Drive business development efforts including generating new client relationships, expanding existing accounts, and identifying opportunities that position the practice for long-term growth.
- Strengthen the practice’s presence and reputation in the market, actively engaging in industry events, conferences, and professional organizations to build relationships, enhance visibility, and position the firm as a leader in landscape architecture.
- Actively lead and support proposal and pursuit efforts, partnering with marketing and others to develop compelling strategies, define scope, and position the practice to win new work.
- Lead and develop a high-performing team, providing coaching, mentorship, and clear direction while fostering a collaborative, accountable culture that supports both individual growth and team success.
- Proactively plan for the future of the practice, aligning team capabilities with growth goals by identifying talent needs, closing skill gaps, and advancing succession and development strategies.
- Guide the design direction and quality of work across the practice, ensuring projects reflect the firm’s design ethos and contribute to a strong, competitive portfolio.
- Partner across service lines to deliver integrated solutions, strengthening internal collaboration and positioning the firm to pursue and win multidisciplinary work.
- Provide oversight and direction on project work, staying engaged in key or complex projects to support delivery, remove barriers, and ensure outcomes align with client expectations and firm standards – while maintaining primary focus on leading the practice rather than day-to-day project management.
- Set the tone for the practice, modeling leadership behaviors, reinforcing firm values, and contributing to broader firm initiatives and strategic priorities.
Skills + Experience
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited program in Landscape Architecture, City/Community /Regional Planning, Urban Planning, or related field required.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in landscape architecture, planning, design, or a related field.
- RLA licensure required.
- Demonstrated leadership experience with responsibility for team performance, financial outcomes, and client relationships.
- Extensive experience in private land development design projects, with the ability to lead and guide teams through complex site, entitlement, and regulatory challenges.
- Deep expertise in landscape architecture design, with a strong emphasis on creativity, design excellence, and high-quality project outcomes.
- Proven track record in business development, including developing new clients and expanding existing accounts.
- Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage clients, teams, and stakeholders effectively.
- Ability to lead in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple priorities while maintaining focus on strategic objectives.
- Proficiency with relevant design and business software tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office).
- Commitment to collaboration, team development, and continuous improvement.
Work Environment + Physical Demands
The characteristics described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. When properly requested and when feasible (without undue hardship to the company), reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
- Work will primarily be in an office setting with limited opportunities to be exposed to adverse environmental conditions, when conducting field work, exposure to outside environmental conditions should be expected.
- Work will be primarily working with fingers by picking, pinching, typing, and grasping often with repetitive motion.
- Must have visual acuity for viewing a computer screen, the ability to talk, hear and sit for extended periods of time.
- Must be able to carry, lift and push/pull up to 5 pounds frequently and up to 30 pounds occasionally. When working in the field, the need to carry, lift and push/pull up to 50 or higher pounds may occur.
- Field-based work will involve long-term standing and frequent walking as well as include common hazards encountered while maneuvering through project sites.
- Must have the ability to see, smell, hear, talk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel and twist, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, sit, stand, and walk.
- Additional physical duties may be required as necessary.
McAdams is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard for race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran's status, or any other legally protected status.
If you need assistance with our online application system process, please contact the Human Resources Team at 919.361.5000 or hrteam@mcadamsco.com.
Please read these notices for important information regarding applying for work with McAdams.