Urban Design, Planning & Landscape Architecture; UDPLA Studio Lead

Urban Design, Planning & Landscape Architecture (UDPLA) Studio Lead - ( 192291 )

The UDPLA Studio Lead manages a professional staff and collaborates with design and planning principals to market and deliver projects in a variety of market sectors, including but not limited to civic, health, higher education, science and technology, transportation / transit and water resources. The Studio Lead promotes design excellence through effective team and discipline leadership, management of staffing resources and planned growth and diversification of the studio.

• Take responsibility for studio operations and design production, including work planning and projections, quality and technical excellence
• Supervise, mentor and develop staff, including inspiring positive morale, professional development, technical training, recruiting and retention
• Develop strong internal and external client relationships; engage in business development and marketing efforts to win work
• Function as project manager and/or project task lead on concurrent projects, championing design excellence and quality project delivery
• Proactively collaborate across urban design, landscape architecture and planning disciplines, as well as partner with other disciplines at HDR to support business development and project delivery
• Work cooperatively with other UDPLA studio leads and the Regional Lead to support workshare, practice growth and implementation of key initiatives
• Implement, monitor and support company policy, including QMS procedures and collaboration with area leadership on related audits and project reviews
• Actively participate in relevant design and community activities that further HDR’s brand

• Bachelor’s degree and/or master’s degree in landscape architecture, urban planning or urban design from an accredited university
• 10+ years of collaborative, multidisciplinary design team experience demonstrating leadership in urban design, planning or landscape architecture on a variety of project types and scales
• Experience and passion for sustainable and regenerative design
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, client and team engagement skills
• Strong team leadership, mentoring, motivational, organizational and time management skills
• Experience working in all design phases, including site analysis, site planning, grading and drainage, conceptual design, construction documentation and construction observation
• Proficiency in AutoCAD / Civil3D, Land F/X, Revit and Adobe Creative Suite
• Extensive knowledge and experience with local and regional markets
• Willing and available to travel for work
• Preference will be given to candidates currently practicing in the New Jersey market.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 7 years experience
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

United States
- New Jersey
- Pennington

Urban Design, Planning, Landscape Architecture

Full-time

Regular

Business Class :
Urban Design-Planning-Landscape Architecture

Apr 10, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.