Adaptation Planning Manager

Northern California Chapter; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern California Chapter seeks an Adaptation Planning Manager to lead innovative climate adaptation planning projects. The role involves collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and significant community engagement. Candidates should have a degree in landscape architecture or urban planning, with 5-10 years of relevant experience.

The annual salary ranges from $100,000 to $125,000, reflecting the importance of resilience and adaptation in urban design within the San Francisco Bay Area.

Qualifications

• 5 – 10+ years professional experience in landscape architecture, architecture, planning, or urban design.
• Experience with vulnerability and risk assessment, and adaptation strategies for flooding.
• Strong project management and consultant coordination experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovative climate adaptation planning processes.
• Partner with principals to direct multidisciplinary teams.
• Design community engagement processes with effective communication.

Skills

Urban planning

Climate science

Project management

Communication skills

Community engagement

Data analysis (ArcGIS)

Education

Degree in landscape architecture, urban design, and/or urban planning

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

THE POSITION: ADAPTATION PLANNING MANAGER

Over the past decade, CMG has established itself as a leader in resilience and adaptation planning and design across the Bay Area. We have helped lead San Francisco’s Waterfront Resilience Program, are leading the OAAC ADAPT team in developing Alameda and Oakland’s Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan and are partnering with communities throughout the region on transformative coastal flood protection projects. As climate challenges accelerate, the need for bold, design-driven, science-based adaptation leadership has never been greater. To meet that moment, we are growing our resilience and adaptation planning team.

We are seeking a landscape architect, urban designer, or planner to lead high-impact adaptation planning and design projects. Note, that although the focus is currently on planning efforts, we believe strong design skills are an integral part of the job.

In this role, you will draw on your expertise in urban and adaptation planning, design, climate science, coastal ecology, and regional landscape systems to lead ambitious climate adaptation planning efforts. You will bring a strong grasp of big-picture systems and long-term change, paired with the ability to guide strategic, practical, and collaborative processes with multidisciplinary teams, stakeholders, and communities.

We are seeking a person who will:

• Lead innovative climate adaptation planning processes and shape forward-looking adaptation strategies.
• Partner closely with principals to direct complex, multidisciplinary consultant teams, client groups, and stakeholders.
• Build trusted relationships that advance project goals and strengthen collaboration across teams.
• Design and lead effective community and stakeholder engagement processes using strong communication and facilitation skills.
• Drive project delivery, including fees, work plans, and teaming strategies.
• Help strengthen workplace culture and institutional knowledge by sharing ideas and information across the practice.

EXPERIENCE + SKILLS

Resilience and adaptation planning demand cross-disciplinary thinking, design fluency, and strong project leadership. We are seeking a mid-level professional with experience spanning disciplines and urban planning and design. Most of all, we are looking for a passionate, capable person ready to deepen the skills outlined below and help shape this growing area of practice.

We hope to find someone with:

• A degree in landscape architecture, urban design, and/or urban planning.
• 5 – 10+ years professional experience in landscape architecture, architecture, planning, or urban design.
• Experience with climate science, vulnerability and risk assessment, and adaptation strategies for coastal or inland flooding and/or other climate risks.
• Strong project management and consultant coordination experience.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Experience with community engagement methods.
• Experience with ArcGIS and the ability to analyze large data sets.
• Ability to translate complex planning data and concepts into clear, engaging graphics and narratives.
• Working knowledge of how to carry planning or design ideas through to implementation.
• Ability to manage digital design tools and workflows.

PERSONAL APPROACH

We work in highly collaborative teams and place real value on the distinct strengths, perspectives, and initiative each person brings to the studio.

We’d love to connect if you:

• Take initiative, own the accuracy of your work, and ask for help when needed.
• Bring both independence and enthusiasm to design studies and technical documentation.
• Enjoy finding creative solutions to complex challenges.
• Value others’ input, see dialogue as essential to constructive review, and approach work with curiosity.
• Can thoughtfully develop and guide processes for colleagues and clients toward a shared goal.
• Live in the San Francisco Bay Area and can work in our studio weekly.

COMPENSATION

The annual salary range for this position is $100,000 – $125,000.

CMG Landscape Architecture is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate difference and are committed to cultivating a studio culture that supports both design excellence and quality of life. We aim to attract and retain talented people with a wide range of perspectives that reflect the world around us.