Application Guide
How to Apply for Practice Leader, Landscape Architect
at AECOM
🏢 About AECOM
AECOM stands out as a global leader in sustainable infrastructure and environmental solutions, with a mission to build legacies that endure. Their focus on innovative approaches to urbanism and planning makes them particularly attractive for landscape architects who want to work on large-scale, impactful projects. The company's commitment to sustainability and community engagement aligns well with professionals seeking meaningful work in the built environment.
About This Role
This Practice Leader role involves leading landscape architecture projects from concept through implementation while strategically growing the Northern California Urbanism + Planning practice. You'll be responsible for developing client relationships, securing work aligned with growth objectives, and fostering a collaborative studio culture. This position is impactful because it directly shapes urban environments and expands AECOM's design influence in a key geographic market.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve morning strategy sessions on Northern California market opportunities, followed by client calls to discuss potential projects. Afternoons could include reviewing landscape architecture designs with your remote team, providing feedback to advance projects while mentoring junior staff. You might end the day developing growth plans or preparing proposals for new urban design opportunities in the region.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who AECOM Is Looking For
- A passionate leader with 10+ years in landscape architecture who thrives in collaborative design processes engaging colleagues, clients, and communities
- Someone with proven experience in strategic planning and business development who can secure a portfolio of work aligned with Northern California growth objectives
- A design-focused professional who can bring design leadership to an established practice and mentor team members in a remote/hybrid environment
- An individual with strong client relationship skills who understands how to pre-position for opportunities in the urban design and landscape architecture market
📝 Tips for Applying to AECOM
Highlight specific experience with Northern California projects or markets, as this role focuses on growing that regional practice
Demonstrate how you've grown a design studio or practice area in previous roles, with quantifiable results
Showcase your remote leadership capabilities, as this position is fully remote but requires managing and inspiring a team
Include examples of how you've integrated sustainability into landscape architecture projects, aligning with AECOM's mission
Provide concrete examples of client relationship building that led to secured work, not just maintained relationships
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your experience with strategic growth planning specifically for design practices or studios', "How you've fostered collaborative design cultures in previous leadership roles", 'Specific examples of securing work through client relationships and business development', "Your approach to mentoring and advancing team members' professional growth in a remote environment"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → AECOM's recent Northern California projects in urban design and landscape architecture
- → The company's sustainability initiatives and how they integrate with landscape architecture practice
- → AECOM's Urbanism + Planning practice structure and recent growth areas
- → Industry trends in Northern California's urban design and landscape architecture market
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on design skills without demonstrating business development or strategic planning experience
- Providing generic leadership examples instead of specific experiences growing design practices or studios
- Failing to address how you would work remotely while building team culture and client relationships
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!