Principal-level Urban Planner/Designer

Job Summary

Required Qualifications

• •10-15+ years of urban planning and design experience
• •Experience working for private-sector consulting firms
• •Public-sector experience
• •Relationships
• •Winning new projects
• •Mentoring less experienced, aspiring professionals into leadership positions
• •Cross-disciplinary, collaborative environment
• •Urban design and site planning
• •Urban infill and revitalization
• •Corridor and downtown revitalization
• •Transit area planning
• •Mall conversions
• •Industrial area transition
• •Residential infill
• •Objective design standards
• •Specific Plans
• •Master Plans
• •Visioning packages
• •Site concepts
• •Urban design analyses
• •Active transportation and streetscape recommendations
• •Design guidelines
• •Zoning recommendations
• •General Plan updates
• •Urban design and form-based components
• •Understanding of the real estate market
• •Entitlement
• •California laws related to planning and housing
• •Leading, managing, and overseeing staff
• •Complex projects
• •High-level presentations
• •Strategic marketing
• •Business development
• •Client relations
• •Managing multiple projects
• •Overseeing and coordinating major components of planning and design projects of all sizes within budget and schedule
• •Leading proposal strategy and preparation
• •Budget development and management
• •Staff and subconsultant coordination
• •Team leadership
• •Schedule oversight
• •Billing and financial review
• •Contract negotiation and administration
• •Client communication
• •Quality assurance/quality control
• •Stakeholder and community engagement
• •Winning new clients and projects
• •Leading the process of business development
• •Preparing and providing direction for the scope and content of planning documents
• •Understanding residential, mixed-use, commercial, and industrial products being built in California
• •Hybrid work environment with regular in-office collaboration (minimum two days per week)
• •Flexibility for remote work as needed
• •Excellent verbal communication
• •Presentation skills
• •Interpersonal skills
• •Effectively engaging clients, agency staff, stakeholders, and the public in a professional and confident manner
• •Being an engaging public speaker and presenter
• •Representing PlaceWorks at interviews, public hearings, community workshops, and professional conferences
• •Attending client meetings, community workshops, and public hearings
• •Evenings and weekends
• •Travel as needed
• •Mentoring and developing staff
• •Fostering an environment where others can grow, contribute meaningfully, and share in project success
• •Effectively delegating
• •Providing clear direction
• •Delivering timely, constructive feedback
• •Strong leadership capabilities
• •Growing and leading staff members
• •Promoting an inclusive, respectful, and empowering workplace culture
• •Ensuring all staff feel valued and supported
• •Bachelor's or master's degree in urban planning and design, architecture, landscape architecture, or a related field
• •Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint)
• •Reliable means of transportation to and from work
• •Performing site visits
• •Attending meetings
• •Supporting project needs as required

Desired Qualifications

• •Experience working for public-sector consulting firms