Associate Principal - NC

Role Overview

The Associate Principal is a senior project leader who represents projects to clients, collaborators, and the broader profession. This role serves as a primary client contact and contributes to project, business, and firm leadership. The Associate Principal begins assuming Principal-in-Charge responsibilities, overseeing Project Managers’ execution of work with guidance from a supporting Principal on select aspects such as client interface, high-level design, and presentations. This position brings deep expertise in one or more critical practice areas and develops a growing understanding of business and operational leadership.

Background Profile

• 15+ years of professional experience
• Professional degree in Landscape Architecture (BSLA, BLA, MLA), Architecture (MA), or Planning
• Licensed Landscape Architect or Architect

Reporting & Collaboration

• Reports to the Managing Principal
• Supported by an assigned Principal on active projects
• Participates in principal-level consensus decisions and leadership meetings

Core Skills & Competencies

• Mastery of Senior Associate-level responsibilities
• Ability to articulate strategic goals, market position, and professional qualifications to clients and collaborators
• Demonstrated capability to manage significant projects and client relationships with substantial independence
• Deep expertise in one or more key service areas such as master planning, conceptual design, construction documentation, or construction administration
• Thorough understanding of proposal requirements and successful participation in proposal and qualification development
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate teams, foster collaboration, and maintain productivity
• Emerging executive presence with confidence representing the firm in client, consultant, and public settings
• Comprehensive understanding of consultant roles, scopes, deliverables, and coordination requirements
• Ability to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities across disciplines and guide teams accordingly
• Advanced conceptual and/or technical design skills in at least one critical area of practice
• Full understanding of internal standards, systems, and protocols, with the ability to enforce consistency
• Experience directing and reviewing work on large-scale or complex planning and site design projects
• Ability to mentor, review, and guide Project Managers and junior staff
• Capability to lead preparation of master planning, conceptual, schematic, and construction documentation deliverables with Principal support
• Strong understanding of project lifecycles, scope definition, scheduling, and effort estimation
• Proven ability to manage project budgets, financial performance, and risk

Key Responsibilities

• Assume elements of the Principal-in-Charge role with appropriate support
• Contribute to firm visioning, strategic planning, and business initiatives
• Advise on one or more business or operational functions
• Ensure all projects meet high standards of design quality, execution, and professionalism
• Foster a positive and high-performing work environment through leadership, mentorship, and clear communication
• Participate in site visits, reviews, and client engagements as needed
• Support business development efforts, including proposal strategy, review, and final edits
• Ensure clear understanding of contracts, scopes, schedules, budgets, and project goals across teams
• Review and approve consultant scopes and coordination efforts
• Lead or participate in client, proposal, and public presentations, delegating when appropriate
• Guide the design and planning process to achieve design excellence, client satisfaction, and financial success
• Maintain quality control across all deliverables through reviews and redlines
• Track and communicate project financial status, risks, and opportunities to senior leadership
• Participate in hiring and interviewing for senior studio and operational roles

Success Metrics

• Client satisfaction and retention
• Financial performance of projects
• Quality and consistency of design and deliverables
• Contribution to office goals, systems, and priorities
• Staff development and mentorship
• Leadership demonstrated through actions and example
• Team-first mindset in all internal and external interactions
• Proactive problem-solving and collaboration with leadership peers
• Continued growth in leadership and executive presence