Mid- to Senior-Level Urban Planning and Design Project Manager

American Planning Association; Berkeley (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee-owned

Job summary

PlaceWorks is seeking a mid- to senior-level Urban Planning and Design Project Manager to join our Berkeley studio. The role requires 6–12 years of urban planning and design experience, with project management and strong client communication skills.

The position involves collaborating on planning and design projects, supporting our California offices, and participating in public outreach, workshops, and marketing efforts. A hybrid work model with in-office collaboration is available.

Qualifications

• Experience managing urban planning/design projects for public or private clients.
• Strong client communication and ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
• Marketing, business development, and proposal experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead urban planning and design projects in collaboration with principals.
• Support multiple offices statewide and work with cross‑state teams.
• Contribute to marketing, client development, and proposal efforts.

Skills

Project management

Client communication

Marketing & BD

Public speaking

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in urban planning & design

Tools

AutoCAD

Rhino

SketchUp

ArcGIS

Job description

Job Description

PlaceWorks is seeking a full-time, mid- to senior-level Urban Planning and Design Project Manager to join our design studio in Berkeley. We are looking for an individual with 6 to 12 years of urban planning and design experience for public-sector and/or private-sector clients. The individual must also have project management experience and strong client communication skills. Senior-level candidates should also have marketing and business development experience.

Project experience can include planning and urban design, including specific plans and area plans for corridors, station areas, waterfronts, and/or downtowns; public realm and streetscape plans; and design guidelines and objective design standards.

Working in a collaborative and casual work environment under the guidance of project principals, this project manager would work on a variety of planning- and design-related projects, providing support to both our Southern and Northern California offices and working with team members across the state. Our firm is deeply involved throughout California in the acceleration of housing development and the revitalization of our built-out communities.

You’re most likely a fit if:

• You are passionate about urban planning and design and love planning for the future of communities and making a difference with your work.
• You understand urban building/development types, including commercial, mixed-use, and residential.
• You can write and illustrate design standards and guidelines; how-to guides and/or toolkits for both residential and non-residential development; and design-based zoning standards for specific plans or focused municipal code revisions.
• You can coordinate and review the work of junior staff assisting in these work products.
• You’re skilled with developing digital graphics associated with opportunities and constraints mapping, site planning, and urban design framework plans.
• You have experience preparing and designing buildout scenarios to test and illustrate draft standards/codes.
• You’re able to travel to and perform site visits as a project requires.
• You enjoy supporting authentic engagement with diverse communities and you’re willing to jump in to help with/participate in public outreach efforts, including multi-day design charrettes. You may be asked to coordinate events or meetings, prepare and assemble materials/supplies, present, and/or facilitate discussions at workshops.
• You’re comfortable with facilitation and public speaking at workshops, hearings, etc.
• You’re interested in actively participating in marketing, business development, and proposal efforts.
• You can work both independently and in a highly collaborative environment, including a hybrid work environment with regular in-office collaboration (minimum two days per week) and flexibility for remote work as needed.
• You have a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in urban planning and design, architecture, landscape architecture, or a closely related field.
• You are proficient with Microsoft Office and the Adobe Creative Suite. AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, and/or ArcGIS are desired, but not required.
• You’re able and willing to attend client meetings, community workshops, and public hearings, including those that may occur on evenings and weekends, and are willing to travel as needed.
• You have a reliable means of transportation to and from work, and to perform site visits and attend meetings when needed.

In addition to the above, for an Associate position, you’re most likely a fit if:

• You have experience being responsible for some aspects of project management for projects of all sizes and are skilled at carrying out multiple assignments with various project managers. Project management responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Developing and monitoring project budgets and schedules
  • Preparing client and team meeting agendas and summaries
  • Coordinating and delegating staff assignments
  • Reviewing first drafts of work products
  • Supporting day-to-day team coordination and communication

In addition to the above, for a Senior Associate position, you’re most likely a fit if:

• You can support junior team members and cultivate a culture in which all staff feel respect, trust, and safety and are empowered to be their authentic selves.
• Managing multiple projects is second nature, and you have successfully overseen and coordinated almost all aspects of project management for projects of all sizes within budget and schedule. Project management responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Developing and monitoring project scopes, budgets, and schedules
  • Facilitating client and team meetings
  • Coordinating and delegating staff assignments
  • Reviewing draft work products
  • Supervising and mentoring staff
  • Leading day-to-day team coordination and communication
  • Reviewing contracts and invoices
  • Managing project and budget
• You have experience in business development and marketing, including:
  • Identifying job leads
  • Developing and maintaining client relationships
  • Preparing proposals, including project scope, schedule and budget
  • Participating in interviews

Other desired skills include hand drawing and fluency in a language other than English.

The pay range for this position is $85,000 to $165,000 per year, depending on experience and other relevant factors.

About PlaceWorks

Based in California, PlaceWorks is a 100% employee-owned planning, design, and environmental consulting firm. The firm’s expertise and services span a wide range of practices, including city planning, urban design, landscape architecture, environmental review, GIS, and community participation. Our interdisciplinary, holistic approach integrates sustainability, economic vitality, community goals, and collaboration with our clients in the planning and design process. With a 50-year history of providing award-winning projects, we are passionate about our work and, together with our clients, will continue to create great places. Learn more about the work we do and how we do it at: https://placeworks.com/.

PlaceWorks’ mission is to envision and create great places, and that includes our own workplace. You can view the perks and benefits we offer our employees at: https://placeworks.com/our-culture/.

PlaceWorks is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at PlaceWorks are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, military and veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other status covered by applicable federal, state, or local law.