Senior Landscape Architect

SR. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Job Description                                                                        

The Sr. Landscape Architect reports directly to the Planning Practice Lead  or her/his designee and will be responsible for managing and delivering landscape designs, site plans, master plans, and reports, managing projects and deliverables, providing technical guidance and expertise, supervising staff, as well as managing project objectives within the scope and schedules, providing quality control over the product development, and positively interfacing with clients, collaborating on the delivery of related where assigned and other duties detailed below.  The Sr. Landscape Architect should also maintain regular communication with the respective program/project Client Managers (CM).

The Sr. Landscape Architect manages workloads and schedules to ensure that their projects are performing as intended throughout the processes of project design, bidding, and construction management. Sr. Landscape Architect adjusts quickly to changing priorities and responds with creative and effective solutions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with Project Managers to ensure that quality assurance and quality control standards are met
• Maintain a high level of performance in a fast-paced environment, adapting to and overcoming changing priorities and deadlines
• Work with Project Managers to adapt projects in accordance with zoning ordinances, building codes and accessibility guidelines
• Assist with producing construction documents and reports by way of effective and appropriate communication with team members, consultants, vendors, and clients
• Balance project demands for multiple projects simultaneously
• Assist with completing projects in a timely manner
• Assist in delivering projects in alignment with the client’s professional and technical standards

Client Responsibilities

• Ensure the timely delivery of landscape plans and other deliverables that meet and/or exceed the relevant standards required by code and by the client
• Use excellent creative skills and ability to translate customer requirements into design
• Provide the highest quality customer service
• Conduct program/project kick-off meetings where team members are introduced, and program background, scope and schedule, roles and responsibilities are discussed
• Execute program/project in accordance with the contract scope of work at a high level of quality, in accordance with the established schedule
• Establish with clients their preferred method of receiving status, reports, and other updates and ensure on-going communication with client. Build and maintain positive client relationships by setting up clear communication in the beginning of a program and maintain it throughout the program
• Understand the client’s business and business needs to design effective processes and teams
• Working with the CM, build trust over the long term and create deeper, wider connections with clients
• Identify, document and prioritize scope changes and facilitate approval process with the client and subcontractors as needed, via contract amendments
• Manage client expectations throughout project life-cycle by recording overall goals of the relationship, project-specific objectives, a detailed timeline and an outline of deliverables and by maintaining open and honest communication at all times
• Assist the CM and Delivery Group Leads and in cross-selling and up-selling capabilities and services, where appropriate

Operations Responsibilities

• Review landscape plans and other deliverables and provide quality control / quality assurance
• Identify scope of project and develop documents outlining key program objectives, goals, plans, requirements, estimates, schedules, and budgets
• Ensure estimates of time, cost, performance level, and materials are accurate and meet program requirements
• Make modifications to plans and schedules as necessary
• Coordinate with other practice areas within the firm to ensure programs/projects satisfy compliance obligations.  Prepare and participate in quality review checks
• Responsible for coordinating all program/projects communications with internal and external stakeholders
• Manage general project administration including contracts, risk management, billing and accounts receivable
• Responsible for on-going communications and formal project reviews with both the CM and Resilience & Recovery Delivery Group Lead
• Manage team members and sub-consultants’ performance

HR Responsibilities

• Manage team(s) by facilitating commitment and productivity, removing obstacles, and motivating team members
• Manage resources and staffing levels within the project(s) to meet project requirements including updating project plans to forecast staffing needs
• Effectively communicate relevant project and task information to all levels of the project staff
• Establish and manage staff performance and expectations, providing performance feedback formally and informally
• Actively mentor, coach, and guide junior landscape architects
• Work with the Planning Practice Lead and Resilience & Recovery Delivery Group Lead to identify staffing needs, vet candidates, and onboard new team members
• Identify resources needed and mobilize company resources, through liaison with the Planning Practice Lead and Resilience & Recovery Deliver Group Lead to create program teams capable of completing effective, quality work

Financial Responsibilities

• Responsible for effectively and efficiently estimating, tracking, and reporting program/project costs
• Responsible for program/project revenue and profitability
• Manage the Accounts Receivable ledger with the client, including coordinating with the CM to assist in collections of overdue amounts
• Responsible for consultant/sub-consultant team member invoices and managing A/P
• Track and manage time and budget against as-bid baseline
• Responsible for line item approval for program budget expenditures

Preferred Qualifications:

• Organized self-starter with the ability to handle numerous projects and prioritize workload
• Be detail-oriented, with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects from start to completion, on time and on budget
• Experience in stakeholder management, creating an effective team environment, building strong relationships, negotiation, solving problems and issues, resolving conflicts, managing resources and communicating effectively at all levels of an organization required
• Knowledge or experience with project management tools (project control, tracking and measurement), documentation tools, and reporting tools required
• Knowledge of and experience in applying quality management principles
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program/project management for landscape architecture programs/projects
• Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture or related discipline
• Professional Landscape Architecture licensure in Louisiana required and licensure in other states is preferred
• Proven record of completing landscape Design/ Build Projects on budget
• Ability to manage simultaneous Design/Build Projects from initial client contact through all phases of the project, including generating contracts, schematic design, managing initial budget, CD set, construction administration and completion of project
• Be knowledgeable of and have experience with detailed concrete, masonry, stone and wood construction methodologies and implementation.
• Be knowledgeable of drainage design, soil types, native/local plants and horticultural best practices.
• Be capable of working with design teams and consultants through all design stages from concept through construction
• Highly proficient in AutoCAD
• Highly proficient in Sketch-up is preferred
• Proficient in Abode Creative Suite Products is preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office and cloud based collaborative software and file sharing products

CSRS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.