Principal Landscape Architect

About the opportunity We are retained by a highly regarded boutique landscape architecture studio to find their inaugural Miami Principal. This is a confidential search.The firm is opening its Miami office as the first step in a multi-city expansion. The Principal will be the founding leader of that office — responsible for winning work, leading design, building the team, and shaping the culture. For the right person, this role carries a genuine, structured path to firm partnership directly tied to the growth they drive.Key responsibilitiesGenerate and win new work across the Miami and broader South Florida marketBring existing client relationships and cultivate new ones with developers, architects, municipalities, and referral partnersLead proposals, fee negotiations, and contract scopingSet and uphold design vision and quality across all Miami projects, from concept through construction documentationOversee day-to-day office operations — workload, staffing, and resourcingMentor and develop junior designers, building a high-performance team as the office scalesPartner with firm leadership on hiring, strategy, and future expansionRequired qualificationsLicensed Landscape Architect (PLA) — Florida licensure or ability to obtain promptlyBachelor's or Master's degree in Landscape Architecture from an accredited programmeDemonstrated success in business development with an existing book of clients and relationshipsPortfolio strength in luxury residential and/or hospitalityProven experience leading design across the full project lifecycleTrack record of mentoring and developing staffDeep knowledge of South Florida's market, climate, plant palettes, and regulatory environmentStrong command of grading, drainage, hardscape, planting design, and construction documentationProficiency in AutoCAD and Adobe Creative SuitePreferred qualificationsEstablished network across South Florida, East Coast, Caribbean, or Latin AmericaExperience building or leading a studio or officeExposure to multifamily, commercial, or institutional sectorsProficiency in SketchUp, Rhino, or GISFinancial acumen around project profitability and office operationsWhat's on offer$180,000–$200,000 base salary depending on experiencePerformance bonus tied to business developmentA genuine, structured path to firm partnershipFull autonomy to lead, hire, and shape the Miami office from day oneThe agility and culture of a boutique studio — with the ambition of a firm on the rise#J-18808-Ljbffr