The purpose of the Landscape Architect is to lead the design team in generating ecologically-impactful designs for every client and to ensure that the SOG standards for design, client experience, and employee experience are upheld within the design team.
 

Role + Responsibilities

• Ensure that an amazing client experience is upheld, and provide valuable education along the client journey to enroll them in our values and practices as they express in their specific design
• Integrate research and company best practices based on our values into designs
• Manage the design team
• Hold performance reviews and regular feedback sessions
• Hold team accountable to process, standards, and timeline
• Set and manage the design calendar
• Provide feedback to the Operations Director to refine and execute the VE process
• Continue to optimize the design process to improve efficiency
• Oversee team hiring and off-boarding
• Train the design team and new design staff
• Meet regularly with designers to ensure their questions are answered, and the designs embody SOG’s best practices and values.
• Measure and record relevant KPIs
• Hold team accountable to KPIs
• Execute tactical work in the yearly strategic plan and work closely with the Operations Director to ensure that the strategy is effective and progressing 
• Provide sales process feedback to the Operations Director
• Coordinate with Marketing team and Education team to integrate design feedback and client FAQs into digital products and content streams
• Maintain appropriate load of clients and projects,  also functioning as a designer
• Make sure the design team has the support and tools that they need to be able to do their jobs well
• Oversee that client-facing deliverables are visually compelling

• Other related assignments as necessary
• Conduct hiring interviews for new team members
• Provide letters of termination to staff when needed
• Conduct exit interviews with all employees on team who leave SOG 

Day in the life of the Lead Designer

This is a dynamic position that requires the ability to shift between a variety of tasks easily. As the team leader, the Landscape Architect needs to be comfortable giving kind yet clear feedback and the ability to receive and integrate feedback. At Shades of Green, we value hard conversations and the ways they allow us to deepen trust with our team members. You will regularly shift from independent design drafting to client calls and presentations and will need to adapt our process to meet the project's needs. You will conduct site visits with designers, coach your staff,  meet with team members individually and as a group, and conduct regular feedback and performance reviews. Your role as a leader is to inspire and cultivate your team, connecting them back to their purpose and the company’s purpose, so they see their work as both meaningful and inspiring. 

Requirements

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Willingness to have tough conversations. “Clarity is kind.” ~Brene Brown
• Experience managing a team
• Fluency in LandFX CAD, Adobe Suite, and GSuite. 
• Fluency in ecological design, edible, medicinal, and regionally appropriate plants
• Strong aesthetic understanding of the built environment
• Fluency in water management strategies
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to self-direct work 
• Ability to work directly with clients and appropriately manage expectations
• 5+ years of professional experience in landscape design and/or landscape architecture

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

• Compensation between $65,000-$80,000/year commensurate with experience. 
• 40 hours per week 
• Two weeks of paid time off at 40 per week per year (does not roll over)
• Optional enrollment in employee health insurance paid by SOG at 50%  
• Paid holidays as listed in employee handbook (11 total days)
• 16 hours of paid sick leave per year 
• $400 continuing ed stipend per year
• End of year distribution of 5% profit share calculated at hours contracted per year