---
title: 'Landscape Architecture Practice Lead at McAdams'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/landscape-architecture-practice-lead-mcadams-charlotte-north-carolina-7q6tyh5bnj3x'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Landscape Architecture Practice Lead at McAdams

- **Company:** McAdams
- **Location:** Charlotte North Carolina, United States
- **Posted:** 2026-08-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/mcadams/jobs/5215724007

## Job description

McAdams is a full-service land planning, landscape architecture, civil engineering, transportation, and geomatics firm located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida. We seek to partner with our clients to create meaningful experiences through inspired design. Our employees are what make McAdams different. We bring experiences to the forefront of everything we do, and to do that takes special people.

Develop the Landscape Architecture Practice in Charlotte

At McAdams, we invest in growth-minded leaders who are eager to build, innovate, and elevate those around them. As the Landscape Architecture Practice Lead for the Charlotte metro, this role drives the growth and strategic direction of McAdams’ landscape architecture practice. The leader in this position will oversee operations, elevate design quality, develop talent, and expand the firm’s client base and market presence — serving as the primary driver of performance and practice evolution.

This role plays a key part in generating new business, strengthening partnerships, and collaborating across service lines to deliver integrated, high-quality work. While engaged in project delivery, focus on team development and leading the practice is front and center — setting direction, removing barriers, and positioning the team for sustained growth and success.

## Why McAdams

Joining McAdams isn’t just a career move; it’s an invitation to be part of something extraordinary. We’re growing, and our people are a big part of that. From exciting projects to a culture that embraces creativity, choosing McAdams means choosing a workplace where you’re not just an employee — you’re a vital piece of our success story.

We invest in leaders who want to build:

- Opportunities to shape strategy and grow a practice
- Exposure to high-impact projects across multiple market sectors
- A united, team-first culture
- A platform for long-term career growth and leadership development

See what our teammates have to say about their experience at McAdams: https://youtu.be/XnX3G3m75uU?si=ijoQMf1E6E7dmayT

What You’ll Do

- Build, lead, and grow the landscape architecture practice within the market, establishing a clear vision for the group and driving sustained expansion through strong client relationships, market presence, and strategic positioning
- Align the practice’s vision and strategy with the broader Planning + Design service line strategy as well as market-specific goals, ensuring local efforts contribute to firmwide priorities and long-term growth
- Own the overall health and performance of the practice, monitoring key metric such as backlog, revenue, utilization, profitability, staffing capacity, and accounts receivable, and taking proactive action to maintain a balanced, high-performing operation
- Drive business development efforts including generating new client relationships, expanding existing accounts, and identifying opportunities that position the practice for long-term growth
- Strengthen the practice’s presence and reputation in the market, actively engaging in industry events, conferences, and professional organizations to build relationships, enhance visibility, and position the firm as a leader in landscape architecture
- Actively lead and support proposal and pursuit efforts, partnering with marketing and others to develop compelling strategies, define scope, and position the practice to win new work
- Lead and develop a high-performing team, providing coaching, mentorship, and clear direction while fostering a collaborative, accountable culture supporting both individual growth and team success
- Proactively plan for the future of the practice, aligning team capabilities with growth goals by identifying talent needs, closing skill gaps, and advancing succession and development strategies
- Guide the design direction and quality of work across the practice, ensuring projects reflect the firm’s design ethos and contribute to a strong, competitive portfolio
- Partner across service lines to deliver integrated solutions, strengthening internal collaboration and positioning the firm to pursue and win multidisciplinary work
- Provide oversight and direction on project work, staying engaged in key or complex projects to support delivery, remove barriers, and ensure outcomes align with client expectations and firm standards—while maintaining primary focus on leading the practice rather than day-to-day project management
- Set the tone for the practice, modeling leadership behaviors, reinforcing firm values, and contributing to broader firm initiatives and strategic priorities

What You’ll Bring

- Bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited program in Landscape Architecture, City/Community/Regional Planning, Urban Planning, or related field required
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in landscape architecture, planning, design, or a related field
- RLA licensure required
- Demonstrated leadership experience with responsibility for team performance, financial outcomes, and client relationships
- Extensive experience in private land development design projects, with the ability to lead and guide teams through complex site, entitlement, and regulatory challenges
- Deep expertise in landscape architecture design, with a strong emphasis on creativity, design excellence, and high-quality project outcomes
- Proven track record in business development, including developing new clients and expanding existing accounts
- Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage clients, teams, and stakeholders effectively
- Ability to lead in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple priorities while maintaining focus on strategic objectives
- Proficiency with relevant design and business software tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office)
- Commitment to collaboration, team development, and continuous improvement

Work Environment + Physical Demands

The characteristics described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. When properly requested and when feasible (without undue hardship to the company), reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

- Work will primarily be in an office setting with limited opportunities to be exposed to adverse environmental conditions
- Work will be primarily working with fingers by picking, pinching, typing, and grasping often with repetitive motion
- Must have visual acuity for viewing a computer screen, the ability to talk, hear and sit for extended periods of time
- Must be able to carry, lift, push/pull up to 5 pounds frequently and up to 30 pounds occasionally
- Additional physical duties may be required as necessary

Ready To Lead With Us?

If you’re ready to elevate a design practice, develop a team, and expand McAdams’ client base in Charlotte, NC, we’d love to connect.

McAdams is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard for race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran's status, or any other legally protected status.

If you need assistance with our online application system process, please contact the Human Resources Team at 919.361.5000 or hrteam@mcadamsco.com.

Please read these notices for important information regarding applying for work with McAdams.

- [Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal](https://mcadamsco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Know-Your-Rights_-Workplace-discrimination-is-illegal.pdf)
- https://mcadamsco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/E-Verify-Participation-Poster-English-and-Spanish.pdf
- https://mcadamsco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Right-to-Work-Poster.pdf

## About McAdams

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: McAdams is a full-service civil engineering, land planning, surveying, landscape architecture, water resources, transportation, and construction administration firm that creates meaningful experiences through inspired design.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Privately Held)
- **Headquarters**: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
- **Founded**: 1979
- **Founders**: John McAdams

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Civil Engineering, Land Planning, Landscape Architecture, Water Resources, Transportation, Geomatics, Construction Administration
- **Target customers**: B2B, serving municipal, education, healthcare, commercial, and residential development clients across 27 states
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "Meaningful experiences through inspired design" — bringing thoughtfulness to every detail to advance clients toward their vision while improving communities.

## Products & Services
- **Civil/Site Design**: Full-service civil engineering for land development projects, including site planning, grading, utility design, and stormwater management.
- **Water Resources**: Expertise in green stormwater infrastructure, floodplain management, watershed planning, and hydraulic/hydrologic modeling.
- **Transportation**: Planning, design, and construction administration for roadway, intersection, and multimodal transportation projects.
- **Planning & Urban Design**: Land planning, urban design, and community visioning services.
- **Geomatics**: Surveying, mapping, and geospatial data services including boundary, topographic, and construction staking.
- **Landscape Architecture**: Site design, streetscape, park, and greenway planning.
- **Construction Administration**: Construction observation, project management, and inspection services.

## Market Standing
- **Revenue**: Annual revenue of $38.4M (LinkedIn estimate)
- **Key Metric**: Total headcount of 436 employees (+6.4% YoY growth, +32 people)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly available (privately held, bootstrapped growth since 1979)
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Offices across Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas
  - Licensed in 27 states (AL, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, MO, MT, NE, NJ, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV)
  - Active job postings: 66 (monthly +15.8%, quarterly +73.7%)
  - Recognized as a Zweig Group Hot Firm and Best Firms to Work For
  - Employee headcount grew 6.4% year-over-year

## Competitive Advantages
- **Multidisciplinary expertise**: Combines civil engineering, planning, landscape architecture, water resources, transportation, and geomatics under one roof, offering integrated solutions.
- **Culture and values**: Strong emphasis on collaboration, passion, creativity, and giving back through the McAdams SHARES initiative (2% of annual earnings donated to local charities focused on housing, hunger, childhood education, and environmental stewardship).
- **Tenure and reputation**: 46 years of consistent operation with a track record of delivering complex projects across multiple states.
- **Employee development**: 216 internal training courses, mentorship programs, and a Young Professionals Group (YPG) for early-career growth.
- **Award-winning workplace**: Consistently recognized as a "Best Place to Work" regionally (TBJ, CBJ) and nationally (Zweig Group).

## Strategic Focus
- **Growth and expansion**: Continuing to add talent across all disciplines and offices, with a particular focus on data center, municipal, and commercial development markets.
- **Talent development**: Deep investment in employee training, mentorship, and career pathing to retain top talent and build future leaders.
- **Community impact**: Strengthening the McAdams SHARES charitable initiative and deepening engagement with local communities.
- **Innovation in design**: Advancing expertise in green stormwater infrastructure, sustainable site design, and resilient infrastructure.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: McAdams is consistently recognized as a Best Place to Work, with a culture centered on collaboration, passion, creativity, and giving back. Employees describe the environment as supportive, innovative, and community-focused.
- **Career Development**: Offers 216 internal training courses, mentorship programs, and a Young Professionals Group (YPG). Interns receive dedicated mentors and work on real projects with real impact.
- **Employee Resource Groups**: Includes McAdams UNITED (diversity, equity, and inclusion), YPG (professional development for 0-5 year employees), and McAdams SHARES (philanthropy).
- **Company Trips**: Every employee receives an annual stipend for company trips, strengthening team bonds across offices and disciplines.
- **Work Environment**: Hybrid/office-based depending on role and location. Offices are located in Raleigh (HQ), Charlotte, and other cities across NC, SC, FL, and TX.
- **Notable Perks**: Annual company trip stipend, robust training library, charitable giving program, and a strong internal community.
- **Engineering Culture**: Emphasis on continuous learning, creative problem-solving, and technical excellence. Engineers work on diverse projects from site design to water resources to transportation.

## Sources
1. [mcadamsco.com](https://mcadamsco.com/)
2. [mcadamsco.com/about/about-us](https://mcadamsco.com/about/about-us)
3. [mcadamsco.com/experience-mcadams](https://mcadamsco.com/experience-mcadams)
4. [mcadamsco.com/about/people](https://mcadamsco.com/about/people)
5. [linkedin.com/company/mcadams](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcadams)

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