VP, Landscape Design & Urban Planning

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Founded in 1998, the Client is a landscape architecture and urban planning firm headquartered in Winter Park, Florida.

The Firm focuses primarily on private development projects, supporting developers and homebuilders throughout the planning, entitlement, and design process. With a lean team of eight professionals, the firm manages approximately 35–40 active projects across Central Florida, including Orange, Seminole, Polk, Volusia, Brevard, and Osceola counties. Its scale gives senior leaders unusual visibility across the full project portfolio, client base, and operating rhythm of the business. 

The Firm is known for its technical expertise, strong client relationships, and deep familiarity with the entitlement and permitting processes across local jurisdictions. The firm maintains a collaborative culture focused on quality work, strong work ethic, and exceptional client service.

OPPORTUNITY

This offers a rare opportunity to step into a central leadership role at a respected boutique landscape architecture and urban planning firm with deep relationships across the Central Florida development community. The firm specializes in integrating landscape architecture, land planning, and entitlement strategy to guide private development projects from early master planning through permitting and construction. 

This search is being launched as the Firm looks toward its next chapter. The Founder and Principal is seeking a senior leader who can help carry forward the firm’s reputation, deepen client relationships, and potentially grow into a succession-level leadership role over the next several years. For the right candidate, this is an opportunity not only to lead important work, but to help shape the future direction and continuity of the firm. 

The VP, Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, will manage a significant portion of the firm’s active project portfolio while serving as a key liaison with clients, municipalities, and internal design staff. 

Established Reputation in the Central Florida Development Community

The Firm has built long-standing relationships with developers, builders, and municipalities across Central Florida.  Key strengths include:

• Strong reputation for quality, responsiveness, and practical development insight
• Long-standing relationships with developers, builders, and municipal stakeholders
• Deep knowledge of local entitlement, zoning, and permitting processes
• Consistent project pipeline supported by referrals and repeat client work  

Opportunity to Work Across the Full Development Lifecycle

This provides professionals the opportunity to work across both design and development strategy.

High Visibility and Project Leadership

The VP, Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning will play a key role in project execution and client relationships. Responsibilities include:

• Managing multiple active projects
• Coordinating with developers, engineers, and municipal staff
• Presenting projects at public hearings and review boards
• Leading internal design coordination

High-Impact Boutique Firm Environment 

The Firm's boutique structure gives senior leaders direct access to decision-making, clients, and project strategy. The VP will have meaningful autonomy, close partnership with the Founder and Principal, and the ability to influence both project outcomes and the future operating model of the firm. Benefits of the firm structure include:

• Direct access to leadership
• Ability to shape project strategy and client outcomes
• High level of professional autonomy
• Collaborative, relationship-driven culture with close access to firm leadership 

Opportunity to Build Relationships Across the Development Community

Central Florida development is highly relationship-driven. This role provides the opportunity to build relationships with:

• Private developers and homebuilders
• City and county planning staff
• Development Review Committees and advisory boards
• Community stakeholders through public hearings

Over time, this role allows the individual to develop a recognized presence within the Central Florida development community.

Succession-Oriented Leadership Opportunity

For the right candidate, this role offers a meaningful path toward broader firm leadership as the Firm plans for its next chapter. The Founder and Principal is looking ahead to long-term succession and is seeking a leader who can earn increasing responsibility across client relationships, project strategy, team leadership, and overall firm direction.

Over time, this individual may have the opportunity to play a central role in firm continuity, leadership transition, and the long-term growth of the business.

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

Reporting directly to the Founder and Principal, the VP, Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning will oversee a significant portion of the Firm's active project portfolio while serving as a key leader across client relationships, project strategy, entitlement coordination, and internal team management. 

Key Areas of Focus

Project Management:

• Manage multiple projects from concept through construction
• Coordinate timelines, deliverables, and permitting milestones across approximately 35–40 active projects
• Coordinate with civil engineers, planners, surveyors, and other development consultants throughout the design and permitting process
• Guide projects through the full development lifecycle, from early concept planning through entitlement, permitting, and construction

Design Oversight:

• Develop and review conceptual landscape and site plans, including hand-drawn concept sketches during client meetings
• Oversee planting plans, irrigation plans, hardscape design, and construction documentation prepared by drafting staff
• Support construction-phase coordination and site inspections to ensure design intent is executed properly

Urban Planning & Entitlements:

• Support master planning and density studies
• Prepare preliminary subdivision plans
• Coordinate comprehensive plan amendments and zoning applications
• Present projects to Development Review Committees and planning boards

Permitting & Regulatory Coordination:

• Coordinate with city and county planning departments
• Manage arbor permits and site development approvals
• Navigate entitlement and permitting processes across jurisdictions

Client & Stakeholder Management:

• Serve as a primary contact for developers and project stakeholders
• Represent projects at public hearings, planning boards, and community meetings
• Collaborate directly with clients in working sessions to develop concept plans and site layouts
• Maintain strong client relationships and ensure high levels of client satisfaction

Relationship Development & Business Development:

• Support the continued growth of the firm through strong client relationships
• Identify opportunities to expand work with existing developer and builder clients
• Participate in project meetings, community discussions, and industry interactions that strengthen the Firm's presence in the regional development community

Team Leadership:

• Manage and develop four drafting professionals
• Review plans during the design and permitting process and ensure efficient workflow

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate is a senior landscape architecture and land planning professional who combines technical credibility with strong client presence, practical entitlement experience, and the ability to lead in a hands-on boutique environment. This person should be comfortable moving between design review, municipal coordination, developer conversations, team leadership, and broader business-building responsibilities. 

Education/ Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture
• Licensed Landscape Architect in the State of Florida
• Approximately 10+ years of experience in landscape architecture, land planning, and private development work; candidates with deeper experience are strongly encouraged to engage. 
• Significant experience working within the Central Florida development market, including familiarity with municipal planning and entitlement processes across jurisdictions such as Orange, Seminole, Polk, Volusia, Brevard, and Osceola counties
• Experience working within multi-disciplinary firms (engineering, planning, or landscape architecture environments preferred)

Candidates should demonstrate experience with both design and entitlement-related work.

Technical Mastery:

• Landscape and planting design
• Irrigation and hardscape design
• Concept plans and construction documentation
• Ability to develop and communicate site concepts through hand sketches and concept drawings during client meetings
• Arbor assessment and permitting
• Construction administration

Urban Planning & Entitlement Experience:

• Master planning and density studies
• Preliminary subdivision plans
• Comprehensive plan amendments
• Zoning and land-use approvals
• Development Review Committee presentations
• Navigating municipal entitlement and permitting processes

Software Proficiency:

• AutoCAD
• Land F/X
• SketchUp
• Adobe Photoshop
• Microsoft Office

Leadership Attributes:

• Strong project management capabilities, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards for quality, timelines, and client service
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to build strong client relationships and represent projects in meetings, public hearings, and collaborative working sessions
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial leadership style suited to a small firm environment, with comfort taking ownership across multiple aspects of project delivery and contributing to business development over time

COMPENSATION

Competitive base salary, performance-based bonus, standard benefits package, and the opportunity to pursue a long-term leadership path tied to the future growth and continuity of the firm.