We seek an experienced professional to lead our Los Angeles, California studio. The role is responsible for developing business, leading work of great content, building capacity within the offices so that they are economically sustainable, and mentoring the next generation of leaders in our studios. Design Workshop Inc. is an internationally recognized firm focused on landscape architecture, urban design, community and regional planning, market analysis and strategic services. We believe that when environment, economics, art, and community are combined in harmony with the dictates of the land and needs of society, magical places result-sustainable places of timeless beauty, significant value, and enduring quality. Through a closely collaborative process at all levels, Design Workshop is dedicated to creating legacy projects for our clients, for society and for the well-being of our planet. Our pioneering efforts have been recognized with more than 260 awards from such organizations as the American Society of Landscape Architects, the American Planning Association, and the Urban Land Institute.

Our Studio Practice Leader role is responsible for the overall performance of the studio and staff by leading the office and building capacity within the four objectives of Leadership, People, Content and Business.  They are responsible for all decisions made by the office.  Finally, he or she as a practice leader is required to live our Legacy Design principles and be a champion of its implementation in all aspects of the work and practice.

Role Attributes and Expectations:

Our role requires the successful individual to model a balanced combination of people and technical skills: site design, technical design documentation and construction observation experience; demonstrated ability in project management and business development; successful management of projects from conceptual design through completion of construction documents; proven experience producing drawings and specifications from the schematic stage through construction observation; self-motivated with the ability and desire to lead others in the design and construction documentation/construction observation process.  A leader in this role must have the proven ability and desire to engage and retain clients as well as mentor less-experienced staff.  Studio Practice Leaders take on:

• Resource Management - assuming a high profile firmwide leadership position, exercising sound decision making.
• Strategic Planning – developing a long-range strategic plan for areas of responsibility and the efficient use of resources; identifies critical objectives and plans to achieve them; understanding the long-term impact of decisions and setting plans for the mitigation of any negative impact.
• Business Development – contributing to business development through thought leadership; expanding relationships with existing clients; developing new practice area.
• Legacy Design Practices and Systems Development Support – promoting quality management and control ideas to improve systems, processes and the use of resources that significantly impact the firm; thoughtfully enabling the development and integration of practices for quality systems.

Candidate Profile Requirements:

• Undergraduate and/or graduate degree from an accredited landscape architecture program.
• Landscape Architecture licensure.
• Project management skills and experience.
• Leadership/Talent development experience.

Candidates with a master’s degree or dual degrees in both landscape architecture and urban design, architecture or planning are strongly encouraged to apply. We embrace hybrid work schedules; and to ensure effectiveness in the role, the successful individual should first plan to become an integral part and dedicated presence in the studio as our workshops mean the world to us and help us take our collaborative approach to an award-winning level. If this opportunity is on your career path and worth exploring, then please submit an online employment application to express interest.  Qualified applicants will be contacted via email to schedule an initial interview.  Our application submission and interview scheduling period start immediately and closes Monday, June 3, 2024.  A complete application includes: 1) a cover letter, 2) a resume and, 3) work samples/portfolio. Please note that the combined set of documents uploaded may not exceed 10 Megabyte's.  

Design Workshop is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

The salary range for this opportunity is $80,000 - $100,000 and a final offer to join the firm is based on our understanding of your demonstrated professional skills and experience. 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.