Experienced Landscape Architect/Designer - Recreation Focus

Naperville, IL
Full Time
Experienced

About Us

At Hitchcock Design Group, we are passionate about transforming spaces and enriching lives through imagination, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainable design. As an award-winning landscape architecture and planning firm, our mission is to improve communities by creating innovative outdoor spaces where people live, work, and play. Every project we undertake blends creativity with sustainability, crafting environments that are memorable, functional, and environmentally responsible.

Careers at Hitchcock Design Group

Ready to ignite your career in landscape architecture and planning? At Hitchcock, we believe in more than just great design; we invest in our people. Here, you’ll enjoy top-of-market compensation and benefits, personalized mentorship from Principal-level leaders, and access to our in-house education programs to fuel your growth. Our team thrives on design excellence, inclusivity, and balance, creating a culture where every voice matters and every contribution counts. We empower you to pursue projects that match your skills and passions while providing the tools and support to advance your career. Join Hitchcock, where you’ll be part of a team that champions your success and drives meaningful change in communities nationwide.

The Position

We are looking for a talented and experienced Landscape Architect/Designer with 8-15 years of experience to join our team at Hitchcock Design Group. This role is ideal for a professional with a passion for recreation, parks, and community spaces. The ideal candidate will have experience with recreation-related training, such as Playground Safety (CPSI), familiarity with Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants, and expertise in comprehensive master planning for parks and recreation.

As a key leader, you will oversee projects from conceptual design through construction, maintaining design excellence, ensuring client satisfaction, and aligning with our brand values. Your responsibilities will include managing project schedules, budgets, and resources, as well as guiding production teams and coordinating with consultants and contractors. We value strong problem-solving, time management, and communication skills, along with the ability to independently drive project tasks and deliver innovative, recreation-focused design solutions.

Additionally, you will mentor junior staff, foster client relationships, and identify new business opportunities that contribute to the growth and success of our firm. Successful completion of the LARE exam is required. More information below.

Skills you need to be able to do this job:

  • Alignment with Hitchcock Design Group's Core Values: Design Excellence, Collaboration Equity, and Life Balance
  • Ownership of the completeness and accuracy of deliverables you prepare
  • Strong time management skills with the ability to prioritize, delegate, and guide others on projects
  • Strong problem-solving initiative and self-awareness of when to seek guidance or delegate tasks
  • Ability to manage and execute project tasks independently with minimal oversight.
  • Successful completion of the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE) through the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB)
  • Critical thinking skills to anticipate challenges and proactively develop solutions.
  • Professional communication skills, including confidently conveying design ideas and articulating project details to clients and team members
  • Understanding of project budgets, scope, industry documentation, legal ramifications, risk assessment, contracts, and bidding
  • Collaboration skills with a proven ability to coordinate with consultants, subconsultants, and contractors to align with design intent
  • Demonstrate leadership by embodying Hitchcock Design Group’s core values and supporting the advancement of the firm and co-workers
  • Proven ability to drive innovative design solutions and foster a positive work environment
  • Working knowledge of business functions, including preparing invoices and handling billing inquiries
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, and Adobe Suite; knowledge of LandFX, Revit, GIS, SketchUp, Lumion, and 3DS Max is a plus

Job Duties:

  • Lead multiple projects across various phases, ensuring design integrity and consistency with Hitchcock Design Group’s brand
  • Manage projects from conceptual design through construction, including coordination with subconsultants, production staff, vendors, and clients
  • Conduct project meetings and manage schedules, budgets, deliverables, and resources effectively.
  • Maintain accountability for the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of project documents and presentations
  • Monitor and communicate project progress, budgets, and accounts receivable status to clients and workgroup leaders
  • Lead design efforts, guide production teams, and efficiently integrate client feedback to meet project objectives
  • Assist clients with strategy development to meet their project needs, constraints, and schedules
  • Demonstrate ownership of tasks and project outcomes with a commitment to high-quality work
  • Develop proposals, contracts, and fee estimates; manage client relationships and act as the primary point of contact
  • Proactively identify business development opportunities, nurture client partnerships, and add value to the company
  • Mentor junior staff by providing guidance, setting expectations, and fostering professional growth

What We Offer:

  • Flexible/Hybrid Work Environment: Choose the work location that best fits your needs. We prioritize work-life balance.
  • Generous Time Off: 25 days of paid time off annually, plus 9 holidays and 1 floating holiday
  • Retirement Benefits: Self-directed 401(k) with a 4% employer contribution, no match required
  • Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% employer-paid health insurance, including an employee assistance program, discount vision plan, and $50,000 in group life insurance
  • Dental Insurance: Fully covered dental plans to keep your smile healthy
  • Family-Friendly Leave: Short-term disability insurance, also applicable as maternity leave, and an extra week of PTO for paternity leave
  • Professional Memberships: Coverage for association dues, including ASLA, APA, and others, for active participants
  • Bonus Opportunities: Performance bonuses, year-end profit sharing, signing bonuses, anniversary gifts, and more at the employer's discretion
  • Growth and Learning: Access to continuing education classes, conferences, and seminars as approved, plus internal learning and growth opportunities
  • Mentorship and Development: A personalized growth plan and mentorship program tailored to your career path
  • Team Connection: Engage with colleagues through fun events like design charrettes, office Olympics, happy hours, game nights, picnics, team sports, and philanthropic activities

Equal Opportunity Employer

Hitchcock Design Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

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