"Academic Director of Landscape Architecture (71100)"

About Pratt

Pratt Institute provides the creative leaders of tomorrow the professional knowledge and experience to make a better world. A world-class and internationally ranked college with programs in art, design, architecture, liberal arts and sciences, and information studies, Pratt offers nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The Institute's impact expands beyond its 25-acre residential campus in Brooklyn to cutting-edge facilities throughout the borough, a landmark building and public gallery in Manhattan, as well as an extension campus, Pratt Munson College of Art and Design in Utica, New York. On Governors Island, Pratt is a core partner on the Stony Brook University team selected to develop the New York Climate Exchange, a research and educational hub poised to establish New York City as the global leader for the most pressing issue of our time: climate change. Another extension of Pratt's campus is the Research Yard, a 20,000-square-foot facility that brings together the research activities of Pratt Institute under one roof in the Brooklyn Navy Yard (BNY).

Since our founding in 1887, Pratt has upheld the belief that education should be accessible to all who wish to learn. As a community, we define ourselves as standard setters who are:

• Resourceful and collaborative problem solvers,
• Socially responsible and equity-centered creatives,
• Adaptable and resilient global stewards,
• Inquisitive and compassionate community members.

Description

Pratt Institute School of Architecture invites applications for the position of Academic Director of Landscape Architecture, a leadership role within the Department of Graduate Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design (GA/LA/UD). Reporting to the Department Chair of the GA/LA/UD, the Academic Director will provide visionary academic and administrative leadership for the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program, guiding its growth and advancement while fostering a supportive educational environment for students and faculty.

The successful candidate will be an innovative educator and mentor with experience in leadership, program administration, and land-based pedagogy. They will have an established track record in landscape architecture practice and/or research and are expected to actively continue their scholarly or professional work. The role includes facilitating faculty recruitment and development, mentoring full- and part-time faculty, guiding program review and renewal processes, and contributing to the overall mission, goals, and strategic initiatives of the MLA program. The Director will oversee curriculum development that balances studio-based learning with land-based pedagogy, connecting students directly to ecological systems, cultural histories, and the materials of the living landscape.

Examples of Duties

Program Leadership

• Lead the MLA program under the Chair of Graduate Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design (GA/LA/UD).
• Shape the strategic vision for the program, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and accreditation standards.
• Advance a curriculum that connects design innovation with land-based learning, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
• Administer program operations, including:
  • Fiscal management
  • Course offerings and faculty assignments
  • Student advising, recruitment, and retention
• Represent the program within the school, profession, and broader public contexts.
• Contribute to the visibility of the program in New York City's design and landscape communities.
• Participate in Institute-level committees, service, and research with a limited teaching load (maximum of two courses per semester).

Mentorship & Faculty Development

• Serve as a mentor and leader who supports both faculty and student growth.
• Foster a culture of care, respect, and collaboration.
• Recruit, evaluate, and mentor faculty in collaboration with the Chair.
• Encourage reflective teaching and support professional development through mentorship programs and peer learning.

Qualifications

Required Education

• Terminal degree in Landscape Architecture, MLA or higher.

Required Experience

• Minimum 10 years combined academic and professional experience in landscape architecture.
• Record of scholarship, creative work, or research with demonstrated impact through publications, exhibitions, or public engagement.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing curriculum development and implementation
• Experience mentoring faculty and supporting academic growth.

Required Skills

• Clear and compelling intellectual vision demonstrated through practice and/or scholarship.
• Strong leadership and mentorship skills, with experience managing diverse teams.
• Proven administrative and organizational abilities.
• Excellent communication, writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Intercultural competence and ability to collaborate with diverse students, staff, and community partners.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with landscape architecture history, contemporary practice, and the professional community in New York City.
• Understanding of East Coast ecoregions and their cultural contexts.

For best consideration, application materials should be submitted by January 9, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. First-round interviews will be conducted via Zoom, and finalists will be invited for on-campus visits in the Spring 2026 semester.

To apply, please submit the following materials:

• A letter of interest, addressing your qualifications as outlined by the position's responsibilities;
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Portfolio of approximately 10 examples of recent creative, professional, and/or scholarly work;
• Statement of administrative and leadership philosophy, including mentorship;
• Statement alignment of your creative, professional, and/or scholarly work with the values of Pratt as described in this position;
• Example course syllabus;
• Names and contact information for three references

Please Note: We are currently unable to support new H-1b visas for candidates residing outside of the United States.

Benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• HSA
• Company Sponsored Basic Life & AD&D
• Company Sponsored Long Term Disability
• Flex Spending Account (Health, Dependant Care)
• Commuter Benefits (Transit & Parking)
• Disability (NYS)
• Voluntary Short Term Disability
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• 403B Retirement Plan
• Voluntary Supplemental Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off (Vac & Sick)

Supplemental Information:

About the new Master of Landscape Architecture Program

The Master of Landscape Architecture graduated its first cohort in May 2025, received Candidacy status in 2024, and will hold its accreditation site review in March 2026. The program balances theory, design, and practice to support human well-being and environmental uplift, emphasizing equitable and enduring landscapes that address both community needs and the challenges of environmental change. The program draws upon the rich history and interdisciplinary approaches of the School of Architecture, offering students unique opportunities to explore methods of representation, prototyping, and testing that are relevant to contemporary practice. The curriculum encourages a holistic understanding of environmental, social, and system-level resilience, preparing graduates to navigate the complexities of professional practice in a changing world.

About the Department

The Graduate Architecture, Landscape Architecture, & Urban Design department is dedicated to the pursuit of design inquiry across complex and evolving fields of study. Our goal is to cultivate our students' ability to ask challenging questions that deepen their understanding of building and living environments. Together, we work across design practices, professions, and disciplines to meet the challenges and opportunities of our times.

About the School

The Pratt Institute School of Architecture (SoA) educates future leaders in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, urban and community planning, construction management, real estate practice, environmental management, historic preservation, and urban placemaking. We see the design, planning, and management of the built environment as tools for addressing the critical issues of our time. Students at the Pratt SoA build the skills and knowledge needed to respond to these complex and evolving challenges in a uniquely versatile, innovative, and ethical way in an environment of disciplinary, intellectual, and cultural diversity.