Lead Planner: Urban & Community Development

Jobtailor; Arizona; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Dekker's Planning Studio is seeking a capable planner to lead diverse urban planning projects in the United States. You will guide scopes, schedules, budgets, and client relationships, coordinating planners, architects, engineers, and visualization specialists to deliver integrated solutions with strong communication materials.

You will also drive stakeholder engagement, produce visuals and maps, and provide strategic guidance on zoning and development processes across public and private

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Planning or related field from an accredited university.
• 3–7 years of professional experience in urban planning or related office environment.
• AICP certification preferred, but not required.
• Strong verbal, written, and graphic communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and planning‑related tools such as GIS, SketchUp, or similar software.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills.
• Ability to research, analyze, and synthesize complex planning concepts.
• Excellent problem‑solving, collaboration, and consultation skills.
• Ability to translate client goals and ideas into visual and tangible materials.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning projects from initiation through implementation, managing scope, schedule, budget, deliverables, and client expectations to ensure successful project outcomes
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, stakeholders, and project partners, facilitating meetings, guiding decision‑making, and building strong, long‑term relationships
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams, coordinating planners, landscape architects, architects, interior designers, engineers, and visualization specialists to deliver integrated planning solutions
• Oversee the preparation and quality of planning deliverables, ensuring technical accuracy, feasibility, and alignment with project goals, best practices, and client objectives
• Develop compelling planning narratives, graphics, maps, diagrams, and presentation materials that clearly communicate complex ideas to clients, stakeholders, public officials, and community members
• Lead stakeholder and community engagement efforts, facilitating public meetings, workshops, interviews, and presentations across a range of public and private‑sector projects
• Direct specialized planning efforts, including comprehensive plans, campus master plans, development strategies, entitlement processes, site planning, and implementation frameworks
• Support business development activities, including proposal preparation, interviews, client relationship management, and the development of pursuit materials and thought leadership content
• Contribute to the growth and evolution of Dekker’s Planning Studio, helping shape project approaches, mentoring team members, and advancing planning practice across the firm
• Provide strategic guidance on zoning, entitlements, policy analysis, and development processes, helping clients and internal design teams navigate complex planning and regulatory challenges
• Collaborate across Dekker’s offices and practice areas, leading projects that range from community and campus planning to economic development, housing, civic, healthcare, and corporate environments

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Graphic communication

GIS

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Data analysis

Qualitative analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's in Planning

Master's in Planning

Tools

GIS

SketchUp

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

Dekker's Planning Studio is seeking a capable planner to lead diverse urban planning projects in the United States. You will guide scopes, schedules, budgets, and client relationships, coordinating planners, architects, engineers, and visualization specialists to deliver integrated solutions with strong communication materials.

You will also drive stakeholder engagement, produce visuals and maps, and provide strategic guidance on zoning and development processes across public and private