Title: Principal Planner

Division: Planning & Landscape Architecture

Salary Range: $100,000 - $150,000

LJA recognizes that our success depends on the quality of the people that we hire. We are currently seeking highly talented individuals that take pride in their work, function exceptionally well in team environments, and contribute to the overall success of the company. As a 100% employee-owned company, we promote an entrepreneurial spirit that helps drive the bottom line and the long-term professional and financial success of our employees. With more than 50 office locations, LJA is growing and ready for talented people to help us build our future.

Summary: We currently have an opening on the Planning and Landscape Architecture team as a Principal Planner. The Principal Planner will lead the business development activities and building relationships with clients, including directing all projects for the Colorado Division. The priorities for this position include strategic planning, product design, quality assurance and problem resolution. The Principal Planner must execute product design to meet company objectives, collaborate with management, and develop systems and controls to ensure compliance with quality standards. The position reports to a Senior Vice President with an advancement opportunity to a Director level position.

General Responsibilities:

• Lead the Planning practice in all facets of projects including project management, team coordination, production, client liaison, and marketing.
• Duties include design of conceptual and schematic land plans, site planning studies, writing variance and zoning request documents, working with staff in various cities throughout the region on approval of projects, performing land use analysis, and preparing reports. Must be able and willing to mentor less experienced planning staff.
• Required design skills include the preparation of new community plans including detailed layout of residential lots, commercial, office, institutional, parks, and open space and public land uses.
• Must be able to research, organize and write reports, and listen, facilitate, and speak effectively in front of groups.
• Must be able to discuss and defend variance, zoning, and other project requests in a public forum.

Required Education:

• Undergraduate Degree in Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or other design-related fields.

Required Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years’ of progressively responsible experience in planning preferably with community-based planning, from conceptual plans to detailed lot plans, but must also have diverse interests, intellectual curiosity, and an interest in producing a range of innovative and creative products to meet client needs.
• 3+ years’ experience as a practice leader and manager with direct reports
• Individual must be detail orientated, able to conduct research, and express results.
• AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Excellent computer graphic skills are required and traditional “hand” graphic ability is a plus.
• Must demonstrate experience in both leading and working within a team structure.
• Strong design skills, organizing information in written and drawn formats, knowledge, understanding, and ability to work within the parameters of zoning codes and design guidelines along with ability to provide assessment for development locations is required.
• Strong communication skills are required.
• Ability to build strong relationships.

This position is eligible for an annual performance/merit bonus and excellent benefits including Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401k and health insurance. Please go to www.lja.com/join-our-team/ for a full benefits list.