Senior Landscape Architecture Designer

Ground Studio is an award-winning landscape architecture studio with offices in Monterey, Napa, and Santa Barbara. Our work celebrates the uniqueness and diversity of each client and place, maintaining a consistent focus on design excellence, thorough project management, and superior service. Our process is rooted in collaboration, and team members are involved throughout the project duration, from design conception to details, demanding dedicated engagement in the entire process.

Currently, we are seeking a practiced and ambitious Senior Designer to join us in our Monterey studio. 

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This position is an opportunity for a highly motivated, engaged designer to be a thought partner on compelling design projects in a collaborative studio, while building their technical acumen through thoughtful work on landscapes at a variety of scales, phases, and typologies in some of the most beautiful locations in the world. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Senior Designers guide project teams through the oversight and direction of Project Managers in the typical studio process. The focus of this role is to provide inspiration, guidance, and oversight for project design and process for Project Managers.

• Exemplify the Ground Studio philosophy and core values to project teams, both internal and external
• Be a support for Partners by attending early design/site meetings and capturing big-picture ideas to inform the project story
• Develop a project story document and communicate the vision to Project Manager and Design Staff for the project
• Provide regular updates to Partners regarding project status and needs
• Coordinate with all Project Managers on project budgets and report to Partners on progress and updates regularly
• Present to project teams when needed in collaboration with or on behalf of Partners
• Be thoroughly versed in Project Workflow and Project Manager job description and be able to guide Project Managers in Ground Studio standards
• Guidance for Project Managers, including:
  • Design direction
  • Priority setting 
  • Encouraging responsiveness to the entire project team
  • Setting expectations for professional conduct
  • Seeking closure and completeness, with daily efficiency
  • Communicating clear expectations of all deliverables

SKILLS REQUIRED IN THE FOLLOWING:

• MAC OSX 
• Vectorworks Landmark, current year
• SketchUp
• MS Office Suite
• Adobe Design Suite
• Hand sketching and lettering
• Strong leadership and communication skills 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture or Architecture
• Licensed Landscape Architect (California license preferred, but not required)
• Currently authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa sponsorship now or in the future
• A minimum of 10 years in a high-level design leadership position at a comparable firm
• Possesses a knowledge of California Native and Mediterranean plants and planting design
• Training in horticulture and an awareness of industry best practices regarding planting is a plus

This is a full-time in-person position in our Monterey studio with a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. We follow a Compressed Work Week that typically allows for every other Friday off. Company benefits include paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and term life insurance coverage. Our company perks include education and wellness stipends, the potential for yearly bonuses, and participation in a 401K retirement plan.

At the time of posting this job, the hiring range for this position is between $110,000 and $150,000 annually.  Final salary decisions are made based upon the extent and relatedness of the candidate’s education and experience and considering internal equity and external market factors.