Housing Element Project Manager — Lead Growth & Engagement

BKF; Pleasanton (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Profit sharing

401k

Job summary

BKF is seeking a Project Manager for Housing Element Services within the Community Planning practice. This role leads project delivery and business development for 7th cycle Housing Element work, engaging with city and county staff, stakeholders, and clients across California and the LA metro area.

A background in RHNA, AFFH, and housing policy is essential. The role blends project leadership, client relationship management, and pursuit strategy, with remote/hybrid flexibility and travel as

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in community planning with focus on Housing Element preparation and implementation.
• Experience as Project Manager or lead on at least one 6th cycle Housing Element update (2021–2029).
• Working knowledge of RHNA methodology, site inventory requirements, rezoning programs, and AFFH analysis.
• Experience contributing to business development, including proposals, RFP responses, and client presentations; seller‑doer preferred.
• Strong community engagement skills with experience facilitating public meetings and outreach materials.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to present housing policy topics clearly.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced consulting environment.
• Remote/hybrid position; candidates established in the Bay Area or LA metro preferred.
• Willingness to travel as needed to support project sites and meetings.

Responsibilities

• Project Management & Delivery: manage Housing Element update projects from background reports to HCD certification and public engagement.
• Business Development & Pursuit Leadership: identify opportunities, lead proposals, and coordinate with Practice Lead on go-to-market strategy.
• Community Engagement: lead public outreach, workshops, stakeholder meetings, and AFFH‑compliant engagement.
• Client Engagement: serve as main client contact and represent the firm at events and meetings.
• Collaboration & Team Development: mentor junior staff and collaborate across Planning, Environmental, and Housing teams.

Skills

Project Management

Housing Element

Community Planning

Business Development

Public Engagement

Proposal Development

Stakeholder Engagement

Public Speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning/Public Policy

AICP Certification Preferred

Job description

BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering, construction management, environmental, planning, and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years.

At BKF, you’ll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.

The Project Manager – Housing Element Services leads project delivery and business development for Housing Element work within the Community Planning practice. This role reports to the Community Planning Practice Lead and is responsible for driving the firm’s growth in 7th cycle Housing Element updates and implementation, building on a track record of 6th cycle delivery. The Project Manager should have hands-on experience managing Housing Element updates from background analysis through HCD certification, along with a working knowledge of RHNA methodology, site inventory requirements, rezoning programs, and affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH) analysis.

This is a seller-doer role. The Project Manager will manage a portfolio of Housing Element projects while also leading the identification, pursuit, and capture of new 7th cycle opportunities, working closely with the Practice Lead on pipeline strategy and proposal development.

Responsibilities

Project Management & Delivery:

• Serve as Project Manager on Housing Element update and implementation projects, including background reports, site inventories, program development, rezoning, and public engagement through HCD certification.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, and subconsultant coordination to ensure quality delivery and client satisfaction.
• Guide clients through HCD review cycles and evolving state housing law requirements.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary internal teams across planning, environmental, and engineering disciplines.

Business Development & Pursuit Leadership:

• Lead the firm’s strategy for identifying and pursuing 7th cycle Housing Element opportunities, with a focus on the Bay Area and LA metro markets.
• Track upcoming Housing Element RFP releases and position the firm ahead of key pursuits.
• Lead proposal development and RFP responses, partnering with the Practice Lead and Business Development team on go-to-market strategy.
• Build and maintain relationships with city and county planning staff, HCD, and housing stakeholders.
• Contribute to the achievement of overall Planning sector sales and booking goals.

Community Engagement:

• Lead public outreach and engagement efforts for Housing Element updates, including community workshops, stakeholder meetings, and public hearings.
• Develop accessible outreach materials that clearly communicate housing policy and program concepts to diverse communities.
• Apply an equity lens to engagement strategy, consistent with AFFH requirements.

Client Engagement:

• Serve as a key point of contact for project clients, maintaining strong relationships and proactively addressing client needs.
• Represent the firm at local industry events, conferences, and public agency meetings.

Collaboration & Team Development:

• Work collaboratively with the broader Community Planning team and other service lines, including Resiliency, Environmental Compliance, and Housing.
• Support mentorship and professional development of junior staff, with a path toward supervising direct reports as the Housing Element portfolio grows.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in community planning, with a focus on Housing Element preparation and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience serving as Project Manager or a lead team member on at least one 6th cycle (2021–2029) Housing Element update.
• Working knowledge of RHNA methodology, site inventory requirements, rezoning programs, and AFFH analysis.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to business development, including proposals, RFP responses, and client presentations; prior seller-doer experience preferred.
• Strong community engagement skills, with experience facilitating public meetings and developing outreach materials.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to present complex housing policy topics clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced consulting environment.
• Remote/hybrid position; candidates established in the Bay Area or LA metro area are preferred.
• Willingness to travel as needed to support project sites, client meetings, and regional offices.
• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, or a closely related field is required.
• AICP certification is preferred.

Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.

Work Conditions: Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.

• The typical base salary range for this position is $139,744.8 - $170,799.2 annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly.
• Competitive salaries, profit sharing, and 401k.
• Generous paid time off packages.
• 9 Paid Holidays.
• Flexible schedules.
• Education reimbursement, paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.
• BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.

BKF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

BKF does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF, BKF reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.

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