Senior Project Manager Planning

MSA Professional Services, Inc.; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 79,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP stock shares

Medical, dental & vision insurance

PTO 17+ days

8 paid holidays

Parental leave

401(k) with company match

Bonus potential

Life & disability insurance

Job summary

MSA Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Senior Planner for our Appleton or Milwaukee office. The role involves collaborating with planners and engineers on a wide range of projects, from comprehensive planning to zoning updates and development entitlements.

We value entrepreneurial spirit, project management skills, and experience as a planning consultant. MSA is 100% employee-owned, with a long history and a commitment to flexible work arrangements, professional growth, and client-focused

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in planning required.
• AICP certification strongly preferred.
• Previous work experience in consulting is preferred.
• Requires authorization to work in the United States; no sponsorship provided.

Responsibilities

• Collect, analyze, and summarize data from various sources.
• Create plan documents, including planning policy content and document design.
• Design and assist with public engagement activities.
• Prepare policies for plans and ordinances that guide development.
• Provide technical support on zoning administration and code creation.
• Manage and coordinate the work of other planners on projects with budget/timeline focus.
• Lead the preparation of proposals and statements of qualifications.
• Mentor other staff members.

Skills

7+ years planning experience

AICP certification

Consulting experience

Authorization to work in the US

Education

Bachelor of Science in Community and Regional Planning or related degree

Master's degree

Job description

Location(s): Appleton, WI or Milwaukee, WI

Type: Full‑Time | Salaried | Hybrid Eligible | Flex Time Eligible

MSA is hiring a full-time Senior Planner in our Appleton or Milwaukee office location. This person will collaborate with our internal staff of planners and engineers to complete a wide variety of projects. Our planning group provides planning and design services to public and private clients in a variety of settings and addresses issues including comprehensive planning, downtown revitalization, economic development, park & rec planning, transportation planning, zoning updates/rewrites, and development entitlement and design.

We are seeking someone with experience and success as a planning consultant, someone who brings an entrepreneurial spirit and project management expertise to the improvement of communities in collaboration with colleagues and clients.

MSA specializes in the sustainable development of communities and is proud to be 100% employee-owned. With roots reaching back to 1919, MSA has grown from a rural land survey company into a leading multidisciplinary firm of nearly 550 engineers, architects, planners, funding experts, surveyors, GIS experts, environmental scientists, and more who are committed to making communities better places to live, work, and play.

Come join the ownership team here!

Employee Testimonial

"As an employee-owned company (100% ESOP), working at MSA is not just a job. We're genuine co-owners, and this ESOP setup promotes a culture of collaboration and engagement throughout MSA because we all have a direct financial interest as owners."

Responsibilities

The work you may do

• Collect, analyze, and summarize data from various sources
• Create plan documents, including planning policy (content) and document design (format)
• Design and/or assist with public engagement activities
• Prepare policies for plans and ordinances that guide community development
• Provide technical support on zoning administration and code creation
• Manage and coordinate the work of other planners on specific projects to ensure budget management and timely task completion
• Lead the preparation of proposals and statements of qualifications
• Mentorship of other staff

Qualifications

What you bring

Skills & Knowledge / Education & Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in Community and Regional Planning or related degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• 7+ years of experience in planning required
• AICP certification strongly preferred
• Previous work experience in consulting is preferred
• This position requires you to have authorization to work in the United States for any employer. We will not provide sponsorship for this position.

Why MSA

• Immediate ownership with 100+ years of community impact
• Collaborative culture with in-house experts for all disciplines across the firm
• Flexible work‑life integration
• Ongoing learning and professional growth opportunities for all positions
• Commitment to fostering a work environment where employees have a strong sense of inclusion and belonging
• Included on the "ENR Top 500 Design Firms" for over 27 straight years

Pay & Benefits*

• Compensation Range: $79,081 – $126,529 (commensurate with experience)
• Flex Time: Work 42 hours this week? Have 2 hours added to your Flex Time balance to use as time off in the future
• ESOP: Receive MSA stock shares annually, at no cost to the employee
• Medical, dental & vision insurance for you, spouse, domestic partner, and eligible dependents
• 17+ days PTO (potentially higher pending experience) + 8 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave regardless of birth parent
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Short‑term incentive program for annual bonus opportunities
• Company‑paid life & disability insurance
• Full eligibility requirements for listed benefits will be discussed during the hiring process

MSA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At MSA, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce, and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [e-mail]

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer