Landscape Architecture Practice Lead

McAdams•Charlotte, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

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. Develop the Landscape Architecture Practice in Charlotte At McAdams, we invest in growth-minded leaders who are eager to build, innovate, and elevate those around them. As the Landscape Architecture Practice Lead for the Charlotte metro, this role drives the growth and strategic direction of McAdams’ landscape architecture practice. The leader in this position will oversee operations, elevate design quality, develop talent, and expand the firm’s client base and market presence — serving as the primary driver of performance and practice evolution. This role plays a key part in generating new business, strengthening partnerships, and collaborating across service lines to deliver integrated, high-quality work. While engaged in project delivery, focus on team development and leading the practice is front and center — setting direction, removing barriers, and positioning the team for sustained growth and success.

Requirements

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

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 metric 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 supporting 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