Senior Planning Project Manager — Community & Land Use

Poulos-; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Pape-Dawson Engineers in Chattanooga seeks a Project Manager, Planning to lead community and land-use projects for federal, state, and local clients. You will balance technical planning expertise with project leadership, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery and regulatory compliance.

You will manage scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing, serve as main client contact, coordinate with engineering and environmental teams, mentor staff, and help grow business through proposals and outreach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Community/Regional Planning, Urban Planning, or related field.
• Active AICP certification required.
• 6+ years of professional planning experience.
• Experience managing planning projects and small teams.
• Strong knowledge of zoning and land-use regulations.
• Excellent written, verbal, and client-facing communication.

Responsibilities

• Manage planning projects from scope development through final adoption and implementation.
• Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, and staffing.
• Serve as primary contact for clients, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Lead multidisciplinary coordination with engineering, environmental, and related teams.
• Oversee preparation of comprehensive plans, zoning updates, land-use studies, and related planning documents.
• Monitor financial performance, forecasting, invoicing support, and budget tracking.
• Lead community engagement efforts including workshops, public meetings, and stakeholder coordination.
• Mentor and supervise planners and technical staff, providing guidance and performance feedback.
• Support business development efforts through proposal preparation, interviews, and client relationship building.
• Uphold QA/QC standards and ensure high-quality deliverables.

Skills

Project management

Client communication

Team leadership

Budget management

Zoning knowledge

Land-use regulations

Public engagement

Proposal development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Planning

Job description

Pape-Dawson Engineers in Chattanooga seeks a Project Manager, Planning to lead community and land-use projects for federal, state, and local clients. You will balance technical planning expertise with project leadership, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery and regulatory compliance.

You will manage scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing, serve as main client contact, coordinate with engineering and environmental teams, mentor staff, and help grow business through proposals and outreach.