FIRM

Merrill Morris Partners (MMP) is a woman-owned landscape architectural consulting firm with a 40-year history of delivering placemaking projects to private and public owners. We have offices in Oakland and San Francisco, but we serve projects throughout California. The diverse talents and depth of experience of our designers make our work efficient and effective. We listen, adapt, and communicate easily and often to best manage time and cost to the project. We naturally create innovative solutions with environmentally responsible designs.
                       		  

 

The heart of our practice is the people we work with: owners, clients, design teams, agencies, and communities. MMP’s landscape architects, planners, urban designers, and support professionals have the creativity and experience needed to meet design challenges and to successfully attain consensus and approvals. We take pride in working with multidisciplinary teams to bridge commercial and public interests. We contribute to the communities we serve by creating outdoor spaces that bring people closer to nature.

Placemaking
At MMP we are passionate about creating beautiful landscapes that are meaningful, engaging, authentic, and sustainable. We design outdoor spaces related to their regional context, resulting in well-adapted, efficient, and cost-effective landscapes that naturally evoke authenticity. When appropriate, MMP integrates the history and social traditions of an area to provide cultural integrity and connect the community to the legacy they have inherited and to the neighbors who share it. We enjoy highlighting the natural systems of a site to remind users of the wonders of nature and the environment.
 

Technical Expertise

MMP brings essential problem-solving skills to facilitate the design and construction of complex landscapes while meeting functional needs and available maintenance practices. Our construction documents are clear, complete, and buildable to facilitate a well-integrated design package. All deliverables are reviewed by senior staff to ensure quality control. In addition to traditional design services, we also have the graphic design and technical writing capabilities to create an effective entitlement package, visual resources analysis, develop facility standards, and create maintenance manuals for landscape elements such as stormwater facilities, irrigation systems, and plantings.

 

Sustainability

MMP is a strong advocate for sustainable design principles in all building projects. We use local materials, incorporate native and climate-adapted plants, reduce waste, and encourage biodiversity. In fire-prone areas, we produce landscapes that are defensible and firewise. We integrate stormwater planters, downspout splash gardens, and other best management practices to mimic the way nature slows, stores, and filters stormwater. We have experience implementing the following green sustainable rating systems: United States Green Building Council (USGBC) guidelines, Build It Green GreenPoint checklist, and the ReScape (Bay Friendly) Landscape guidelines.

 

Durability

Sometimes the most affordable design is not the cheapest; it’s one that lasts. It’s timeless, enduring, and resilient. MMP designs outdoor spaces that continue for decades to be elegant, durable, and easy to care for. Plants are selected for adaptability to the site and ease of maintenance. MMP designs projects that stand up to active use, respond to maintenance requirements, meet our clients’ needs, and are quality of life improvements for the people that use them.

 
 

 

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

As a small, woman-owned business, MMP commits to building equity, diversity and inclusion into our strategic planning policy and priority setting. We commit to a bias-free hiring process while building equitable pathways to wealth-building opportunities for all employees. We support equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work through project selection: mitigating environmental degradation, adding green space to low-income neighborhoods, and meaningfully engaging communities.
 
 
 

 

Woman-owned, Small & Local Business Certifications
 

US SBA - SB

CA GSA - SB (micro)

CUCP/Caltrans - DBE, SWBE

CPUC - WBE

San Francisco - WLBE, Micro LBE

Port of Oakland - SBE, LIABE, VSBE

Alameda County - SLEB

ACTC - LBE, SLBE, VSLBE

VTA - SWBE

LA METRO - SBE

 

 

 

PEOPLE

JOIN OUR TEAM

We have the following job opportunities!

JOB TITLE
Landscape Architect/Designer with 3-5 Years’  Experience
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full Time
JOB DESCRIPTION

Employer Profile
Merrill Morris Partners (MMP) is a progressive, woman-owned business with offices in San Francisco and Oakland. We are seeking landscape architect/designers who are creative, inspired to make an impactful contribution to our profession, and able to complement and support our studio team. We maintain an open studio environment: you will work first-hand with experienced senior staff, providing you with an excellent opportunity for growth and professional advancement within the firm. We promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing as a part of our office culture, giving each team member a chance to contribute from conceptual design through construction.

 

Mission & Values

MMP provides services on a wide variety of project types in predominantly urban environments. We are committed to sustainability and social equity, diversity, and inclusion. We prefer projects that mitigate environmental degradation, add green space to underserved neighborhoods, and meaningfully engage communities. Our leading areas of project expertise are transit and transportation related projects; green infrastructure; streets, parks, and urban open space; educational facilities; and multi-family housing. MMP’s client base is broad in both the public and private sectors. We provide services primarily in the Greater Bay Area. 

 

Benefits

MMP provides full-time employees with a comprehensive insurance plan which includes group health, dental, and vision coverage. The group health plan offers a selection of providers; MMP covers 100% of dental, vision and base group health insurance premiums. We have a flexible paid ‘Personal Time Off’ policy combining holidays, sick leave, and vacation time. MMP offers an employee directed SARSEP retirement plan and commuter checks. The firm provides a profit share/bonus/SARSEP contribution to employees based on annual successes.  

 

Team Work Schedule/Location 

MMP in-office/hybrid work requirements are flexible. Office expectations are for staff to work a minimum of 3 days a week in either of the offices (Oakland or San Francisco).  For team building and professional growth, Junior Staff are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to work five days a week in-office. 
QUALIFICATIONS

Required Skills & Qualifications: 

  • Degree in Landscape Architecture from an accredited program 

  • 3-5 years office experience with demonstrated AutoCAD production capabilities, presentation graphics, and articulate written, spoken and visual communication 

Preferred Landscape Architectural Technical Experience: 

  • Basic planting design and horticultural knowledge, including California appropriate, native and climate-adapted plant material 

  • Basic landscape construction materials, methods, detailing and specifications 

  • Basic understanding of grading and drainage  

  • Familiarity with Stormwater Best Management Practices 

  • Familiarity with Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) 

  • Familiarity with ADA Regulations 

  • Familiarity with or certified ReScape (Bay Friendly), LEED, SITES 

  • Irrigation system design a plus 

Software Skills:

  • Proficiency in AutoCAD and Microsoft Office  

  • Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and SketchUp  

  • Ideal candidate would have experience in Lumion, Rhino and/or other visualization software  
HOW TO APPLY

We look forward to hearing from you and telling you about the opportunities at Merrill Morris Partners!

MMP is an Equal Opportunity employer who values workplace diversity.

 

TO APPLY:

Please email a cover letter, resume and portfolio/samples of relevant work in PDF format (up to 10MB, link to download if larger)
 to econnolly@merrill-morris.com. 

Applicants must have a valid US work permit. 
JOB TITLE
Landscape Architect, Senior Associate/Studio Team Leader
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full Time
JOB DESCRIPTION

Senior Associate/StudioTeam Leader: (15 years plus, with 5 years leading and managing design staff)

This position is for a senior management level practitioner with a proven record of leading teams and multiple projects simultaneously. The ideal candidate is ambitious and motivated to advance into all aspects of design team leadership and studio management. Outstanding candidates show expertise in contract administration, display dynamic marketing and business development skills. 

 

We are looking for a California Registered Landscape Architect with stellar client references and a portfolio of demonstrated professional experience directing and managing the design and implementation of built work. This equates to a seasoned senior associate project manager with excellent communication skills, a refined sense of design, environmental stewardship and in-depth knowledge of the construction process for both public and private sector clients.

 

This position is instrumental to establishing studio culture and, as such, exceptional leadership, interpersonal, listening and communication skills are essential. The individual will be expected to successfully provide studio senior project management including client relations, contract management (scope, schedule, budget), and work products; lead and mentor team members, research and champion project pursuits, develop strategies and proposals contributing both written and graphic material.
QUALIFICATIONS

Studio technology and Software skills should include proficiency in AutoCAD and Microsoft Office, experience with Adobe Creative Suite, ideally one would have experience in SketchUp, Lumion, Rhino and/or other 3D software.
HOW TO APPLY

How to Apply 

Please send your cover letter, resume, and portfolio or work samples (PDF format, up to 10MB, or via download link if larger) to info@merrill-morris.com. Applicants must have a valid U.S. work permit.

MMP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace.
JOB TITLE
Marketing Manager
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full Time
JOB DESCRIPTION

Marketing Manager - Shape the Future of Design with Us!

 

Minimum requirements: 4-5 years A & E marketing experience 

 

Ready to make an impact?
MMP is looking for a dynamic, creative, and collaborative Marketing/Proposal Manager to join our passionate team. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, love storytelling through design, and have a knack for turning ideas into compelling marketing strategies, this is your opportunity to shine.

 

As our Marketing Manager, you will be the driving force behind our proposals, marketing collateral, website, and social media presence. You will lead the charge on pursuits by writing, editing, coordinating, and crafting persuasive narratives that showcase our expertise. From sleek brochures to engaging presentations, your work will help define our brand and win exciting projects.

 

This is more than a job. It is a chance to bring your vision and creativity to a studio that values innovation, collaboration, and design excellence.

 

About Us

Founded in 1980, MMP is a tight-knit team of 10+ professionals dedicated to creating vibrant, sustainable spaces. We believe in knowledge-sharing and community building to shape the future of our built environment. Our projects span transit and transportation, streetscapes, campuses, housing, schools, parks, and urban open spaces primarily across the Greater Bay Area.

 

Why Join MMP?
We offer a full-time role with potential for a hybrid schedule, a collaborative culture, and the chance to make a real impact in shaping the spaces where communities thrive.
QUALIFICATIONS

What You Will Do

  • Lead and manage proposals, schedules, and team coordination
  • Craft compelling narratives and marketing materials that set us apart
  • Keep our marketing assets fresh and organized including project descriptions, resumes, brochures, and more
  • Research upcoming projects and track opportunities
  • Support our digital presence through website updates and social media

What We Are Looking For

  • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, English, Journalism, or related field
  • Strong writing and communication skills with a creative edge
  • Proven ability to manage marketing projects independently
  • Experience producing A&E proposals and juggling multiple deadlines
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign) and Microsoft Office
  • Familiarity with CRM systems (VantagePoint/Deltek a plus)

The position is full-time with potential for a hybrid schedule.
HOW TO APPLY

Join Our Team! Please submit one PDF no larger than 10MB to - info@merrill-morris.com

Craft a cover letter related to your experience that you think would set you apart.

Provide resume and work samples - proposal/statement of qualifications.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.