Landscape Architect

Landscape Architect – Design Lead (Sports & Recreation Facilities)

Full-Time, Exempt | Columbus, Ohio | Regional Travel

Base pay: $88,000-$103,000 (level-dependent; exceptional senior candidates may be considered above range)

Bonus-eligible | Company vehicle | Winter Flexibility | Clear Path to Director/Practice Leader

Build designs that work after opening day.

Explore an opportunity with a small but growing sports and recreation facilities firm handling construction/renovation, construction management, and facility management.

Our clients is hiring for a design-rooted leader to elevate their documentation, coordination, and professional standards so projects are constructible, maintainable, and successful long after the ribbon cutting.

This position is perfect for someone who loves design craft and wants their work to perform in real operations – not just look good in a presentation.

• A design-first leadership role with real ownership.
• A chance to build a niche practice centered on community over commercialization.
• Direct client relationship ownership and early involvement.
• A seat at the table with real influence on how projects are delivered.

• Heavy CAD production or drafting.
• Pay apps or invoice chasing.
• A lone-wolf position – our technical staff supports CA and delivery.

If you are leaving a big firm because of bureaucracy, silos, or waiting your turn, this role is designed to be the opposite:

• End-to-end leadership: early planning through design, site coordination, and closeout.
• Owner-minded design: we bring deep, lived experience from the Owner side and care about the details that prevent long-term headaches.
• Real feedback loop: 90%+ of clients continue working with us – you see your designs used and operated in-situ and get better every year.
• No office politics: high standards, high trust, high humor; outcome-focused team.

• Lead design from concept through construction documents for sports and community recreation sites.
• Raise the bar on documentation quality, coordination, and professional standards.
• Coordinate with consultants and stakeholders (civil/site, utilities, permitting, specialty scopes).
• Integrate constructability, maintenance, and operations thinking into design decisions.
• Lead early-stage client process: take ideas and turn them into clear, trusted plans and narratives that build alignment.

• Participate in OAC meetings and project coordination.
• Perform site observations and field markups/redlines (Bluebeam/markup workflow).
• Support closeout: punch/backpunch, final coordination, and last-5% completion.
• Make real-time calls in the field when needed with a bias for action.

• Landscape architecture or site/civil design leadership experience.
• Strong coordination instincts (consultants, stakeholders, constructability, details).
• Comfort participating in construction-phase coordination and site observations.
• Ability to communicate clearly with clients and build trust.
• Valid driver’s license; comfort with regional travel.

• Licensure (Ohio or ability to obtain reciprocity).
• Sports/recreation facility experience.
• Familiarity with grading, drainage, ADA, and site utility coordination.
• Bluebeam/markup workflow and ability to redline effectively.

• Flexible WFH schedule during winter months (aligned with project needs).
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance Reimbursement Arrangement.
• Paid holidays:
  Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Wed‑Fri of Thanksgiving week, and annual holiday shutdown (approx. Dec 20‑Jan
  3).
• Company vehicle (pickup/SUV) for travel from home to job sites.
• Tech provided: laptop + Surface/Mac Book or iPad (your choice).
• Continuing education & conferences.
• 401(k) with company match (after 6 months).

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