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.
What this role is (and is not)
This role is:
● 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.
This role is NOT:
● Heavy CAD production or drafting.
● Pay apps or invoice chasing.
● Estimating.
● A lone-wolf position – our technical staff supports CA and delivery.
Why this role is different
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.
What you will do
Design leadership (primary focus):
● 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.
Construction administration / field coordination (supported):
● 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.
What we are looking for
Must have (some combination):
● 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.
Preferred:
● 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.
● Public-sector/K-12/municipal procurement familiarity.
Additional benefits
● Bonus-eligible
● 15 days PTO starting Day 1.
● 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.
● Cell phone stipend: $400/year.
● Tech provided: laptop + Surface/MacBook or iPad (your choice).
● Continuing education & conferences.
● 401(k) with company match (after 6 months).
● Annual bonus
How to apply
Email resume + a short note about your design leadership experience to Leslie Swisher
(leslie@archipro.com) or call 866-966-2488. Include work samples: photos, plans, redlines/details,
project summaries, or a portfolio.
Tagged as: Landscape Architect, Landscape Designer, Owners Representative, Project Manager
