Who We Are:

Topiarius is a landscape design, build, and maintenance company. Since 2003, our mission has been to design, create, and maintain luxurious outdoor sanctuaries because we believe that people deserve to live beautifully outdoors. You can learn more about Topiarius at www.topiarius.com.

The Role:

Topiarius Design Studio is the design genius behind the outdoor sanctuaries that we create and maintain. From an urban oasis to a luxury lakeside retreat garden in SE Lake Michigan, the challenge of exceeding clients’ expectations is the motivating factor in bringing these designs to life.

The RLA position leads the studio to produce outstanding landscape designs that are ahead of design trends as well as managing the design staff responsible for creating award-winning designs. This position is responsible for new construction designs, upgrades and enhancements for legacy clients, and management of style guides and presentation documentation. This position collaborates significantly with sales staff to gain insight into client demands and collaborates with the operations staff to maintain accurate designs and drawings, and as needed provide on-site visits for installation guidance (such as plant placement). This position reports to the Executive Vice President (EVP) of Sales and Design.

This position’s success is measured by meeting productivity timelines, quantity of innovative ideas that are built, and quantity of final output that correspond to the sales team’s sales goals. As the development of the studio occurs, additional measurements such as professional development, growth and retention of staff, quantity of quality award submissions, and quantity of national designs may be developed/implemented.

What You Will Do:

• Collaborate regularly with sales staff to clarify client design retainers: establishing design intent, scope, and budget.
• Perform site analyses by taking accurate property measurements and photographs of sites, while noting grade changes, elevations adjustments, property lines and drainage issues.
• Prepare CAD design drawings of landscapes/site analyses by starting with concept sketches, style inspiration guides, drafting, and refining them to finished presentation drawings, styling boards and reference images.
• Prepare computer generated 3D rendered views of the designs with Sketchup and Podium (a photorealistic software).
• Communicate with clients for scheduling site visits, acquiring plat of surveys, or any other needed design support documents.
• As needed, meet with clients and their salesperson to review conceptual ideas for projects. Once a construction contract is sold, perform site visits to aid operations’ project managers with any details or explanations.
• Research and follow permit regulations for specific design elements.
• Apply for and/or facilitate permit applications for all subcontracted and in-house permit services.
• Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings.
• Coordinate pre-production project meetings.
• Attend project launch meetings as needed.
• Use CRM database (HubSpot) to manage all accounts and communications on a daily basis.
• Keep abreast of client challenges, document in appropriate software, and provide proactive solutions in a timely manner.
• Work cooperatively with all Topiarius staff to provide quality, seamless client service.
• Collaborate and contribute to the creative process as a member of the company by participating in strategizing, working with internal and external partners, and making recommendations for changes to meet market trends, competitive threats, or strategic plans.
• Generate and implement strategies to learn about and teach the design team and company at large about new products and materials.
• Train design staff on design elements, styles, construction techniques to foster a company environment and ethos around implementing new ideas and working comfortably in a variety of locations.

Team Leader

• As a design team leader/manager, you will direct your team to:
• Generate estimates and contracts that calculate the accurate costs of materials, labor, and equipment, ensuring that gross profit goals are achieved.
• Review and understand sold contracts in order to place and track orders of special material items (e.g., containers, furniture, retractable shades, fire features, water features, décor).
  
• Produce and continuously update production packets and project spreadsheets with design details for each client working with designers, project manager, and shop operation manager.
  
• Direct staff to maintain and organize sample library.
  
• Organize and track images for styling images and client projects.
  
• Seasonally download and organize client project photos.

Who You Are:

You identify with our culture. Topiarius employees are expected to perform with honesty, creativity, and respectfulness. We do this by serving with an upbeat and positive attitude. We do this by learning through asking questions, learning from other people, collaborating with our team, and improving on our mistakes. And we do this by delivering on our work product through communication, goal setting, preparation, efficiency, and meeting deadlines.

You are a curious leader. You see the vision of a preeminent design studio because you know how to develop a curious team. As a leader you lean into creativity and are constantly inspired by what you see. You want to find ways to incorporate your inspirations into real life construction builds because you know that how you lead and teach is by example. You also respect tried and true design elements and techniques. You have the ability to think holistically about projects, providing decisive and concise information to the team and clients.

You aim for professional and operational excellence. You are someone that doesn’t just show up to “phone in” the day. You are mature and professionally dressed, ready to produce. Your lists are clear, organized, and prioritized. You actively track activities in assigned software(s). You exude pride in all that you do and are humble enough to know when you need to ask for help.

You enjoy working with a team. In this role, you understand that you need to direct and help colleagues to generate the information you need, whether it’s design work, estimate creation, or marketing collateral. You have many skills, you understand that others do as well, and recognize that in order to succeed you will have to collaborate regularly with every one of your talented colleagues at Topiarius.

Required Background:

• A degree in Landscape Design or Architecture.
• 8+ Years’ Experience (including schoolwork/internship).
• Ability to renew or register as Landscape Architect in Illinois within 30 days of hiring.
• Experience leading a team(s).
• Ability to handle many details accurately with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and handle multiple responsibilities and projects simultaneously.
• Proficient in Microsoft programs.
• Proficient in CAD software.
• Proficient in Google SketchUp.
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and/or Photoshop.
• Skilled at InDesign and photo rendering software (like Podium).
• Knowledge of horticulture and construction materials for Chicagoland and communities along the southwest side of Lake Michigan.
• Ability to take photos using a camera or mobile phone.
• Thinks outside traditional design – “out of the box.”
• Has experience with different genres of design.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written skills.
• Strong interest in current design trends - loves learning.
• Strong commitment to meeting Topiarius’ quantitative and qualitative goals.
• Fluent in English.

Other Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience / proficiency with Land F/X AutoCAD.
• Experience with Aspire estimating software.
• Familiar with working in city environments.
• Expertise with "Green" technology and design.
• Experience in-field doing landscaping and construction.
• Skilled at free-hand drawings/renderings.
• Experience with Podium.

Expected Activity and Movement:

• This role requires visual acuity to perform activities such as viewing a computer terminal and analyzing data and figures.
• Routinely works at a desk.
• Moves about outdoors to analyze and coordinate work (stairs and elevators included).

What We Provide:

Hours and Compensation:

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 5 pm. This position is expected to be available during office hours and flexible for scheduling client meetings throughout the week including Saturdays (not Sundays).

Annual Salary: $100,000 – $125,000

Benefits:

• 8 paid holidays
• Paid Time Off (up to 120 hours / 15 days in first year)
• Paid Sick Time (up to 40 hours each year)
• Medical and dental insurance plans (PPO/HSA and HMO options)
• Vested with 3% of salary in Topiarius retirement plan. Available after 1 year of employment and 1,000 hours of work.
• Complimentary Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability plans
• Mileage reimbursement
• Company cell phone
• Continuing education opportunities.
• Dog friendly office.

Relocation fees are not offered for this position.

Other Details:

Topiarius is a non-union shop. Final candidates may be required to undergo a background check. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or other status protected by applicable law. Nothing in this job description restricts the supervisor’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Final candidates will be required to participate in a design and estimating exercise.

To Apply:

First, we highly encourage you to visit Topiarius’ website (www.topiarius.com) to become familiar with our company.

If you are interested in joining our team, please apply and be sure to include a portfolio of your work and cover letter. We will contact you if we are interested in scheduling an interview. Please refrain from phone calls.