Senior Planner / Planning Leader

Verdantas LLC; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Work Environment

Paid Parental Leave

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life and AD&D Insurance

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Time Off + Holidays

Job summary

Verdantas LLC is seeking a Senior Planner / Planning Leader in Wilmington, DE, to establish and expand a new planning group. This role involves leading complex planning projects and mentoring staff, while fostering client relationships in the public sector.

The ideal candidate will bring 8–15+ years of experience in urban planning, preferably with public-sector involvement. The position offers a salary range of $100,000 – $115,000 and a flexible work environment, along with benefits such as medical and 401(k) matching.

Qualifications

• 8–15+ years of professional planning experience, emphasizing public-sector work.
• Demonstrated experience leading planning projects and managing client relationships.
• Strong understanding of municipal and state planning processes, zoning codes, and public engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex planning projects for government clients.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on land use planning and zoning.
• Mentor and guide planning staff to support their development.

Skills

Public-sector planning experience

Leadership in planning projects

Client relationship management

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree in Urban Planning or related field

Bachelor’s degree with significant experience

Tools

ArcGISPro/Online

Adobe InDesign

Job description

Verdantas is seeking a Senior Planner / Planning Leader to launch and grow a new planning group across the Northeast, working side by side with our established environmental, water, energy, and civil infrastructure teams.

Preferred location is within the Northeast Area (New England, New York, and the MidAtlantic), with flexibility across Verdanta's office locations. This role offers a unique opportunity to build a team from the ground up while embedding planning expertise into integrated solutions for public‑sector and government clients.

This position plays a key role in connecting planning services with Verdantas’ existing technical disciplines, strengthening our ability to deliver integrated, client‑focused solutions for public‑sector and government agencies.

As a Senior Planner / Planning Leader, you will support complex planning projects, mentor planning staff, and support the strategic growth of Verdantas’ government‑focused planning services in the Northeast.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and manage complex planning projects for municipal, county, regional, and state government clients
• Serve as a trusted advisor to public‑sector clients on land use planning, zoning, comprehensive plans, redevelopment, transportation planning, and policy initiatives
• Work with Area Market Sector Leaders to identify, lead, and execute capture planning efforts as part of active business development
• Provide technical oversight and quality control for planning studies, plans, and reports
• Collaborate with civil, transportation, environmental, and water teams to deliver multidisciplinary solutions
• Support business development efforts, including client relationships, proposal development, scopes, and fee estimates for government projects
• Mentor and guide planners and emerging professionals; support staff development and team growth
• Participate in public meetings, stakeholder engagement, and elected‑official presentations
• Help shape the strategic direction of Verdantas’ planning group in the Northeast, with a focus on government growth, long‑term contracts, and trusted‑client relationships

What You Bring

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, or a related field; or a Bachelor’s degree with significant progressive planning experience
• 8–15+ years of professional planning experience, with a strong emphasis on public‑sector work
• Demonstrated experience leading planning projects and client relationships
• Experience and established relationships with State and Local governments in one or more of the states within the Northeast Area
• Strong understanding of municipal and state planning processes, zoning codes, land development regulations, and public engagement
• Proficiency with planning and visualization tools (ArcGISPro/Online, AdobeInDesign, and related platforms)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to boards, commissions, and elected officials
• Ability to think strategically, manage multiple priorities, and support market growth initiatives
• AICP certification is preferred but not required

Salary Range: The compensation range for this position is $100,000 – $115,000, with final compensation determined based on years of experience, qualifications, and licensing status.

Benefits

• Flexible Work Environment
• Paid Parental Leave
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life and AD&D InsuranceShort-Term and Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off + Holidays

Verdantas is an EOE race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet.