---
title: 'Principal Planner at Apex Companies'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-planner-apex-companies-fort-myers-sr1qv0z277jn'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-07'
---

# Principal Planner at Apex Companies

- **Company:** Apex Companies
- **Location:** Fort Myers, FL / Naples, Italy
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-11-04
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-07
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/apexcompanies/jobs/5473538008

## Job description

Are you driven to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact? At Apex, we’re building more than a consulting and engineering firm—we’re creating a place where your career accelerates, your contributions matter, and your potential is fully realized. We believe your growth is our growth, which is why we invest in your development at every stage of your career. Here, you’ll work on projects that shape communities, protect the environment, and create lasting impact, all while being empowered with the autonomy and flexibility to do your best work.

Fueled by high-quality delivery, exceptional client retention, and strategic acquisitions, Apex Companies continues to rank among the fastest-growing firms in the AEC industry, recently recognized by the Zweig Group for our industry-leading growth. Our success is grounded in strong leadership, a collaborative culture, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes.

As we continue to expand, we're looking for high-performing professionals who are ready to lead, collaborate, innovate, and create impact. At Apex, you help shape what's next. When we succeed together, we share in that success. All Apex positions are eligible for annual bonus opportunities, reinforcing our commitment to recognizing and rewarding meaningful contributions that drive our collective growth.

This role is eligible for a $20,000 sign-on bonus, subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's sign-on bonus program.

We are seeking an experienced Principal Planner to lead and grow our Planning practice. This senior leadership position is responsible for the overall success of the group, including team leadership, project delivery, client relationships, business development, financial performance, and long-term practice growth.

The Principal Planner will provide strategic and technical leadership across a diverse portfolio of public- and private-sector projects, including comprehensive planning, land development codes, corridor and area plans, master planning, entitlements, residential and commercial development, parks and recreational facilities, institutional projects, and other community development initiatives.

Your Responsibilities:

Core Functions

- Lead and provide strategic direction for the Planning practice, including staff development, workload planning, technical quality, financial performance, and long-term practice growth.
- Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing team of planners, designers, technicians, and supporting professionals.
- Promote a collaborative, accountable, and client-focused team environment while supporting recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and career growth.
- Lead the preparation and review of comprehensive plans, land development codes, plan amendments, corridor and specific area plans, master plans, feasibility studies, conceptual site plans, and entitlement documents.
- Provide senior-level planning guidance for residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, institutional, transportation, and other public- and private-sector development projects.
- Research and evaluate land use, zoning, development standards, infrastructure, environmental conditions, transportation access, permitting history, and other factors affecting project feasibility and entitlements.
- Coordinate with clients, engineers, architects, attorneys, municipal staff, developers, and other stakeholders to establish project objectives and develop effective planning and development strategies.
- Oversee the preparation of Comprehensive Plans, Plan Amendments, and Plan Updates in accordance with applicable Florida Statutes and local land development regulations.
- Review site plans, zoning applications, comprehensive plan amendments, and other planning and entitlement documents for technical accuracy, regulatory compliance, and overall quality.
- Represent clients and projects before municipal staff, planning boards, elected officials, community organizations, and other public agencies.
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with municipalities, developers, property owners, architects, engineers, attorneys, and other industry partners.
- Identify and pursue new clients, projects, markets, and strategic opportunities that support the continued growth of the Planning practice.
- Lead or contribute to proposals, presentations, interviews, professional organizations, and other business development and industry activities.
- Collaborate with engineering, environmental, surveying, transportation, water resources, and other technical practices to pursue and deliver multidisciplinary projects.

Project Management

- Oversee planning projects from initial proposal and scope development through successful completion.
- Prepare and manage project scopes, budgets, schedules, staffing plans, fee proposals, and client deliverables.
- Conduct project kick-off and coordination meetings to establish responsibilities, communication protocols, deliverables, schedules, and execution plans.
- Monitor project financial performance, including budgets, staff utilization, scope changes, invoicing, collections, and overall profitability.
- Proactively identify scope creep, scheduling concerns, project risks, resource needs, and performance issues, implementing corrective actions when necessary.
- Maintain regular communication with clients and project stakeholders to coordinate information, resolve challenges, evaluate performance, and identify additional opportunities.
- Ensure projects meet contractual requirements, technical and quality standards, client expectations, schedules, and financial objectives.
- Provide senior-level quality assurance and technical oversight while mentoring project managers and staff in effective project delivery.
- Report project, client, staffing, and financial performance to company leadership and recommend improvements that strengthen the overall Planning practice.

What we're looking for:

- 8+ years of progressively responsible planning experience, preferably including consulting, land use planning, community development, entitlements, or municipal planning.
- Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Current AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification through the American Planning Association (APA) required.
- Demonstrated experience leading planning projects, teams, and client relationships.
- Strong knowledge of comprehensive planning, zoning, land development regulations, entitlements, and development review processes.
- Experience with business development, proposal development, client management, and practice growth strongly preferred.
- Florida planning and land development experience strongly preferred.

Why you'll love working for us:

- Company-subsidized medical and dental.
- Company-paid life, short, and long-term disability.
- 401k match, tuition assistance, and more.
- Cross-training and the ability to work on a variety of projects.
- Performance-based bonuses or other incentives.
- Working with the best and brightest in the industry.
- 2,000+ employee national firm with 70+ locations across the US.

Apex Job Title: Principal Planner

Req ID: 12272

## #LI-TB1

We believe in equality for all and celebrate the diversity and differences of our employees, customers, and communities. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. Apex aims to make apexcos.com accessible to all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, please contact Talent@apexcos.com or (301) 417-0200. Likewise, feel free to reach out to us if you would like to view or discuss Apex policy related to equal employment opportunity or have any related concerns. EO/AA/VEV/Disabled Employer

TO ALL RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: Apex Companies does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes for any of our job postings to our career’s sites, or to any employees of Apex Companies or affiliates. Apex Companies is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

## About Apex Companies

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Apex Companies is a national multidisciplinary consulting and engineering firm providing environmental, infrastructure, health & safety, and compliance services to public and private clients.
- **Entity Type**: Private (owned by Morgan Stanley)
- **Headquarters**: Rockville, Maryland, United States
- **Founded**: 1988
- **Founders**: Not publicly available

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Environmental Services, Engineering, Consulting, Infrastructure, Water Management, Health & Safety
- **Target customers**: B2B – public agencies (federal, state, local), private sector (energy, transportation, manufacturing, real estate, aerospace, telecommunications)
- **Mission/purpose**: “Shaping a safe, sustainable, and equitable future” – supporting the natural and built environment through engineering excellence.

## Products & Services
Apex offers a suite of professional and field services across four main pillars:
- **Environmental**: Compliance, assessment, remediation, permitting, and expert witness/litigation support.
- **Infrastructure**: Multidisciplinary planning, design, and delivery for transportation, water, energy, and telecommunications.
- **Health & Safety**: Workplace health, safety, and regulatory compliance services.
- **Compliance & Assurance**: Environmental data management and compliance platform (ARTEMIS®), ESG and resiliency consulting, and integrated water/wastewater/stormwater management.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not disclosed (privately held)
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue estimated at $250 million (LinkedIn company data)
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Parent company is Morgan Stanley. Key clients include confidential aerospace firms, Colonial Pipeline, Oregon DEQ, and numerous public agencies.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Ranked #13 All-Environmental Firm by ENR (2024) and #68 in Top 200 Environmental Firms
  - Named a 2026 Hot Firm by Zweig Group
  - Over 100 new grads hired in the last 4 years
  - 367 active job postings as of mid-2025, with monthly posting growth of +53.6%
  - 20% of employees promoted annually
  - Operates in all 50 U.S. states and 6 countries (India, Pakistan, China, Philippines, Egypt)

## Competitive Advantages
- **National footprint with local expertise**: Offices nationwide and a large, multidisciplinary team (864 employees) able to serve clients across diverse sectors.
- **Broad service line integration**: Clients can access environmental, engineering, compliance, and H&S services under one roof – reducing complexity and cost.
- **Award-winning track record**: Consistently recognized by ENR, Zweig Group, and Environmental Business Journal, which signals reliability and technical excellence.
- **Proprietary technology platform (ARTEMIS®)** for environmental data management, adding a digital differentiator.
- **Private equity backing (Morgan Stanley)** provides capital for acquisitions and growth (evidenced by acquired firms like Environmental Partners, PBS, etc.)

## Strategic Focus
- **Current priorities**: Continue expanding service lines and geographic reach, especially in water, ESG, and infrastructure. Invest in talent development and digital tools (ARTEMIS®).
- **Growth direction**: Organic growth through career development and promotions, plus strategic acquisitions to deepen capabilities. Emphasis on recruiting early-career talent and experienced professionals to support a growing project pipeline.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Collaborative, inclusive, and community-focused. Employees contribute paid time off and payroll donations to support colleagues and external charities. “We care. We collaborate. We deliver.”
- **Career development**: Individual Development Plans (IDPs), dual career tracks (management and technical), in-house SME workshops, conference attendance, tuition reimbursement, and on-demand training via Apex Online University.
- **Benefits**: Competitive pay, bonuses, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), company-paid life and disability, wellness programs, paid time off, holidays, and financial planning support (retirement, tax-deferred savings).
- **Work environment**: Mix of office, field, and remote work depending on role. Many positions involve client-site visits and fieldwork. The company supports flexible arrangements but does not publicly advertise a fully remote policy.
- **Recognition**: Employees have won awards such as Daily Journal of Commerce’s Women of Vision and IEA Associate of the Year.
- **Diversity & Inclusion**: Stated commitment to diversity and inclusion as a collaborative foundation.

## Sources
1. [apexcos.com](https://apexcos.com/)
2. [apexcos.com/careers/](https://apexcos.com/careers/)
3. [apexcos.com/careers/why-apex/](https://apexcos.com/careers/why-apex/)
4. [apexcos.com/careers/grow-with-us/](https://apexcos.com/careers/grow-with-us/)
5. [linkedin.com/company/apex-companies-llc](https://www.linkedin.com/company/apex-companies-llc)

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