Visionary Landscape Architecture Lead at GHD
GHD Region & Office Location: Abu Dhabi
Role Purpose: We are looking for a Visionary Lead Landscape Architect to join our global design team. This role is perfect for a creative thinker who is passionate about reimagining outdoor spaces and integrating sustainable design principles. The ideal candidate will have a distinctive perspective and strong communication skills to effectively convey and present design concepts to key clients.
As a Visionary Landscape Architect, you will be instrumental in shaping high-quality design solutions, with a primary focus on the visioning and conceptual stages of projects. You will develop forward-thinking landscape designs while ensuring feasibility and excellence throughout the entire design process. This position also offers opportunities for ongoing professional growth, and candidates with established industry recognition are preferred.
Key Duties:
- Conceptual Design: Develop high-level design concepts that incorporate sustainability, aesthetic impact, and user-centered design, elevating spaces through innovative landscape solutions.
- Project Leadership: Lead projects from visioning through to concept and guide a cross-disciplinary team through remaining design stages, meeting budget and timeline constraints.
- Client Engagement: Act as a design partner to clients, clearly communicating the vision, value, and impact of design choices, fostering trust and long-term relationships.
- Sustainability and Resilience: Advocate for green infrastructure, biodiversity, water management, and resilience planning within all projects, aligning designs with sustainability objectives.
- Collaborative Ideation: Work closely with architects, urban designers, environmental scientists, and engineers to create integrated, holistic solutions that align with the project’s goals and context. Actively engage with GHD Design’s global design review panel.
- Design Documentation and Quality Control: Oversee the development of project documents, ensuring design consistency and legibility.
- Research and Innovation: Stay updated on industry trends, materials, and design technologies, and integrate cutting-edge approaches to improve and differentiate project outcomes.
- Mentorship and Development: Inspire and mentor junior designers, sharing insights and expertise to foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
- Internal Collaboration: Create and foster an internal network of design professionals, sharing knowledge and innovation across the enterprise.
Performance Indicators:
- Project Success: Delivering projects with high-quality design outputs to the satisfaction of the client.
- Innovation Implementation: Number of projects where innovative sustainable practices and unique design solutions have been effectively incorporated.
- Client Satisfaction: Client feedback scores and the frequency of repeat business or referrals from clients.
- Design Excellence: Recognition received for project excellence, such as client feedback, design awards, publications, or positive media coverage.
- Sustainability Goals: Achievement of project sustainability targets, including reduced environmental impact, increased biodiversity, and adherence to green certifications.
- Team Development: Growth and performance of junior team members under your mentorship, and positive feedback on leadership.
- Network: Fostering and growing your internal network to build collaborative relationships.
Experience and Knowledge:
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture or related field; licensure as a Landscape Architect is preferred.
- Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in landscape architecture, with a demonstrated portfolio of visionary, impactful projects.
- Design Excellence: Proven ability to deliver creative, innovative designs that balance ecological, aesthetic, and functional needs.
- Sustainable Approach: Knowledge of sustainable practices, LEED, Estidama, and other green principles.
- Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to present ideas persuasively to clients and stakeholders.
- Technical Proficiency: Experience with design software (e.g., AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite), Lumion or similar, and familiarity with BIM and GIS tools would be advantageous.
Grade Level Indicators:
- Execution: Ensures company standards are implemented and adhered to across all projects. Coordinates regular design reviews with peers in the same business group to develop a strong design culture and design excellence.
- Problem Solving: Deals with complex technical or operational problems with limited supervision.
- Project Scope: Responsible for the initial design leadership of medium to large-scale projects, with ongoing guidance throughout the lifecycle of the project.
- Business Development: Leads the development and submission of proposals for routine, low-risk projects. Maintains client relationships and ensures client loyalty and repeat work through excellent customer service and delivery.
- People Management: Trains and mentors team members on the job.
- Communication: Communicates and delegates assignments, sets internal deadlines for a project, and monitors and reports on progress until deadlines are met.
- Finance: Delivers on own projects/project assignments within allocated budget. May have day-to-day budget responsibility for projects as Project Manager.
- Direction Received: Decisions and problem-solving are guided by operating policies, processes, and procedures for the Region. Receives guidance from the Business Group Leader/Supervisor and general review of deliverables.
GHD Behavioural Competencies:
- Commercially Aware: Demonstrates working knowledge of external forces impacting GHD; financial, market, economic, legal, and regulatory environments and how GHD responds to them commercially.
- Agile Learner: Actively learns through experimentation and experience and seeks ways to grow and be challenged by new and novel conditions.
- Client Centric: Anticipates and prioritizes client needs and takes action to provide a high-quality client experience.
- Enabler of Self and Others: Demonstrates trust by bringing the best of self, valuing others' contributions, and engendering confidence and trust with others.
Why GHD: At GHD, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We believe in fostering a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and professional growth. Our global presence offers unique opportunities to work on impactful projects that make a difference in communities around the world. Join us and be part of a team that is dedicated to excellence, sustainability, and making a positive impact.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Are you ready to shape the future of landscape architecture with GHD? Apply now and join our team of visionary designers!
