Description

Principal-Track Opportunity | Los Angeles Area

Base salary: $130,000–$160,000 annually, depending on qualifications and leadership experience, plus annual profit-sharing eligibility and benefits.

YKD is seeking a talented landscape design professional to lead its studio and help shape the next stage of an established Los Angeles–area landscape architecture and urban design practice.

Our work includes public infrastructure, transportation, streetscapes, waterfronts, and civic environments. We are seeking a leader who can strengthen project delivery, develop our team, build client relationships, and help expand our services in parks, education, and healthcare.

This position offers meaningful responsibility for design direction and daily studio leadership, with a path toward Managing Principal responsibilities and potential minority ownership based on demonstrated performance and mutual long-term fit.

The role

Lead landscape design from concept through construction documentation and construction-phase services. Direct project teams, maintain design and technical quality, coordinate consultants, and manage schedules, staffing, and project delivery.

Serve as a primary client contact, lead meetings and presentations, manage expectations, and help resolve scope and coordination issues. Lead proposals and support business development through strong relationships with clients, architects, engineers, and other project partners.

Manage daily studio operations, balance workloads, mentor staff, and establish clear expectations for quality, communication, and accountability.

What we are looking for

We welcome established project leaders and emerging leaders who have demonstrated the judgment and initiative to take on broader studio responsibilities.

Strong candidates will bring:

Design and project leadership: The ability to establish design direction, guide others, and deliver coordinated, technically sound work.
Client and team management: Experience leading client discussions, directing staff, managing priorities, and resolving project challenges.
Relevant project experience: Personally led park, education, healthcare, civic, or public-realm projects are valuable.
Southern California market knowledge and connections: Familiarity with regional clients, public agencies, approval processes, and architectural and engineering partners is preferred, along with established professional relationships and the ability to develop new ones.
California landscape architect licensure is preferred. Strong candidates actively progressing toward California licensure may be considered under an appropriate professional-supervision and development plan.

Compensation, benefits, and advancement

Annual base salary of $130,000–$160,000, with the offer based on relevant experience, qualifications, and demonstrated leadership responsibilities.

Annual cash profit-sharing bonus eligibility, separate from base salary and governed by a written incentive plan. Payments depend on qualifying firm results and applicable plan terms and are not guaranteed.

Company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for eligible employees, dependent coverage is separate.

Paid time off, paid holidays, and flexible scheduling, subject to company policy and project and client requirements.

A path toward Managing Principal responsibilities and potential ownership, based on performance, leadership development, and mutual long-term fit.

Workplace Type: Hybrid-Flexible, Office-Focused

YKD offers a flexible hybrid work environment, with most staff working three days in the office and two days remotely.

The Studio Leader is expected to maintain a strong in-office presence, particularly during the initial transition, to provide design leadership, mentor staff, and oversee studio operations.

We anticipate approximately 3–4 days per week in the office, with flexibility for remote work based on project schedules, team needs, and demonstrated leadership effectiveness. The arrangement will be mutually agreed upon.

To apply

Please send your résumé, selected portfolio, and a brief statement of interest to yunsoo@ykdla.com.

Include cover letter, two representative projects identifying your personal responsibilities for design direction, client communication, project delivery, and team leadership. Where relevant, describe your experience and professional relationships in the Southern California market.

Inquiries will be handled discreetly. Current employers will not be contacted without the applicant’s permission.