Project Executive - Land Planning Market

About Us

At Gresham Smith, we call it Genuine Ingenuity. Our culture is the cornerstone of who we are, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. United by our Core Purpose-to plan, design, and consult to create healthy and thriving communities-we deliver innovative solutions for life's essential infrastructure and institutions.

What sets us apart is our dedication to care for our people, our clients, and the places we call home. We are more than a team of professionals-we're a community built on commitment, integrity, respect, and teamwork.

Why Gresham Smith?

When you join Gresham Smith, you're joining a place where you can connect and thrive. Our employees consistently recognize us as a Best Place to Work because we go above and beyond to ensure that you feel valued, supported, and empowered.

About You

We're looking for someone who has:

* Bachelor's or Master's in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, or related discipline.

* 10+ years of industry experience, including leadership of land planning projects and teams.

* Proven track record of client relationship development and successful business strategy execution.

* Professional licensure or certification preferred (PE, PLA, AICP, or similar).

* Passion for leadership and mentoring, with the ability to engage effectively across diverse personalities and communication styles to build strong, collaborative relationships.

Most importantly, you bring genuine curiosity, creativity, and a collaborative spirit-someone who wants to do great work with great people.

About the Role

We are seeking a visionary and entrepreneurial Project Executive to lead and expand our Civil and Landscape Architecture practice.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our land planning services, foster long-lasting client relationships, and build a comprehensive portfolio of impactful projects across our national footprint.

The successful candidate will lead with a growth mindset, guide high-performing multidisciplinary teams, and drive market strategy through deep industry connections and a people-first approach. As a Project Executive, you will:

Culture & Team Excellence

* Lead and mentor high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.

* Communicate consistently with direct reports, peers, market leadership, and internal clients to ensure alignment and transparency.

* Actively participate in professional organizations and community engagement initiatives to build industry presence.

* Model and reinforce Gresham Smith's core values of integrity, teamwork, respect, and commitment in every client and team interaction.

* Support workforce development and individual growth through coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback.

Project Success

* Lead strategic and technical efforts across a broad portfolio of land planning projects, including master-planned communities, commercial developments, urban infill, campus design, parks, streetscapes, and high-performance green infrastructure.

* Ensure consistent, high-quality deliverables in alignment with firm-wide practice standards and client expectations.

* Lead internal staffing and resource planning to align with project demands and long-term business goals.

* Encourage innovation, cross-collaboration, and resiliency in project delivery.

Business Strategy & Client Success

* Identify and pursue strategic business development opportunities in Middle Tennessee and surrounding regions, with flexibility to support broader geographic pursuits.

* Build, manage, and deepen relationships with public and private sector clients - developers, municipalities, and institutions - to drive repeat business.

* Lead contract negotiations, establish project fees, and ensure financial success aligned with market and firmwide profitability goals.

* Collaborate across internal markets to leverage multi-disciplinary strengths.

* Advise project teams from concept to completion, ensuring successful outcomes based on schedule, budget, client satisfaction, and quality metrics.

Your work will directly contribute to shaping environments where people live, work, and thrive, all while growing your career within a supportive, people-first culture.

Join Us

If you're excited to bring your talents to a collaborative, people-first environment where you can make an impact while growing your career, we'd love to hear from you.

Here's what you can expect:

Professional Growth:
In-house Learning, Tuition Reimbursement, Licensure Support, Professional Organization Engagement.

Culture that Cares: 93% of employees say they feel cared for, and 96% are confident in our future success.

Competitive Benefits:

* Flexible Schedules & Generous PTO

* Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, Wellness Programs)

* 401(k) with Company Match

* Short- & Long-term Disability, Paid Life & AD&D

* Supplemental, Critical Care, Pet, Legal &  Insurance

* Family Planning and Parental Leave

* Mass/Public Transit Program

* Telemedicine and Employee Assistance Program

Gresham…