Principal of Landscape Architecture & Design Studio

A builder’s role. A leadership role. Not a pedestal.

We are seeking a Principal of Landscape Architecture & Design Studio to lead, scale, and professionalize our design operation as a true design-led growth engine for the company.

This is not a “head designer” role.
This is not a pure creative seat.
And it is definitely not a role for someone who wants to design in isolation.

This is a principal / builder role for a licensed landscape architect who understands that great design must sell, build, and perform financially—and who takes pride in leading teams, shaping culture, and converting vision into executed work.

Who This Role Is For

You are likely:

A licensed Landscape Architect with real-world experience on high-end residential and commercial projects
A player–coach who enjoys mentoring designers while staying close to the work
Someone with an entrepreneurial streak—you think in terms of opportunity, leverage, and return, not just aesthetics
Comfortable sitting with clients, builders, and executives—and speaking fluently about design, cost, constructability, and value
Grounded, collaborative, and confident without ego

If you believe design excellence excuses poor documentation, missed budgets, or unprofitable effort—this will not be a fit.

Who This Role Is Not For

This role is not for:

Architects who resist accountability for economics or sales impact
Leaders who want authority without ownership of outcomes

We value humility, discipline, and follow-through as much as creativity.

The Mission

As Principal, you will build and lead a scalable, profitable design studio that:

Serves as a primary sales engine for construction work
Upholds professional, regulatory, and documentation standards
Balances creativity with constructability and efficiency
Develops designers who can both design and sell

You will own the studio’s performance—creative, operational, and financial.

What You’ll Be Accountable For

Serving as Architect-of-Record when required, including reviewing, approving, and stamping plans
Setting and enforcing studio standards for design quality, documentation, and workflow
Leading, mentoring, and developing the design team (including hiring input)
Coaching designers on client communication, presentations, and selling design value
Participating in key client pursuits and strategic conversations
Ensuring design work drives profitable construction opportunities
Managing the economics of design, including:
- Recovery of all design labor costs
- Alignment with construction margin protection
- Disciplined tracking of design value (billed or embedded)
- Elimination of “free” or uncompensated design effort

Design here is respected—but it is never free, invisible, or disconnected from results.

Qualifications

Active Landscape Architect license, in good standing
Ability to stamp residential and commercial landscape architecture plans
8–10+ years of professional experience
Proven work in luxury residential and/or complex commercial projects
Prior leadership or mentorship experience within a design team
Strong understanding of preconstruction, construction workflows, and design economics

Compensation & Upside

Base salary: Starting at $95,000.00 annually
Incentive compensation tied to:
- Design-led construction revenue
- Design Studio net profitability
- Profitable studio growth during early expansion

This role is structured to reward disciplined growth, sales leadership, and sustainable profitability—not just output.

As the studio matures, compensation is expected to evolve toward increased base salary and long-term principal-level rewards.

The Environment

We are a long-established, privately held company with a long-term vision and clear succession plan. We value:

Professional rigor
Accountability without bureaucracy
Creative excellence grounded in reality
Leaders who build teams—not personal brands

If you are a licensed landscape architect who wants real ownership, real influence, and real accountability—and you enjoy building something that lasts—we should talk.

Frisella Nursery Inc

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Principal, Landscape Architecture & Design Studio