Senior Urban Planner - Lead Projects & Mentorship

Bolton & Menk, Inc.; Saint Cloud (MN); On-site; USD 94,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP - Employee ownership (ESOP)

401(k) Match Program

Paid time off (PTO)

Health insurance

Flexible scheduling

Job summary

Bolton & Menk, Inc. seeks a Senior Planner to lead complex urban planning projects, work with clients, and guide strategy from concept to implementation. You will shape project direction and provide advisory support across planning disciplines.

Based in Minnesota with potential Duluth or St.Cloud locations, the role emphasizes mentoring staff, collaborating with engineers and landscape architects, and growing within an ESOP-driven, employee-owned firm that serves communities across the Midwest.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• Approximately 8-10+ years of progressive planning experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• AICP certification strongly preferred, but not required.
• Experience leading planning projects, client relationships, and stakeholder engagement efforts.
• Strong knowledge of land use planning, community development, zoning, entitlement processes, and planning best practices.
• Experience preparing planning studies, technical reports, development reviews, and public-facing documents
• Strong communication, facilitation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to project sites and client meetings as needed.

Responsibilities

• As a Senior Planner, you'll take a leadership role in managing planning projects from concept through implementation while serving as a key resource for clients and project teams.
• You'll lead and manage a variety of planning initiatives, including land use planning, comprehensive planning, development review, entitlement support, policy development, community engagement, and other community planning efforts.
• You'll analyze complex planning issues, evaluate trends and regulations, and provide strategic recommendations that help clients make informed decisions.
• You'll serve as a trusted advisor to communities, developers, public officials, and stakeholders by leading presentations, facilitating meetings, and guiding public engagement efforts.
• From community workshops and planning commission meetings to client strategy sessions, you'll help build consensus and move projects forward.
• In addition to project leadership, you'll play an important role in strengthening our practice by mentoring staff, reviewing technical work, contributing to business development efforts, and assisting with proposals and client pursuits.
• Most importantly, you'll enjoy the variety that comes with consulting. One day you may be leading a comprehensive planning effort, while the next you're helping a growing community evaluate development opportunities, facilitating public engagement, or collaborating with engineers and landscape architects on transformative community projects.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Public speaking

Mentoring staff

Education

Urban Planning or related degree

AICP Certification (preferred)

Job description

Bolton & Menk, Inc. seeks a Senior Planner to lead complex urban planning projects, work with clients, and guide strategy from concept to implementation. You will shape project direction and provide advisory support across planning disciplines.

Based in Minnesota with potential Duluth or St.Cloud locations, the role emphasizes mentoring staff, collaborating with engineers and landscape architects, and growing within an ESOP-driven, employee-owned firm that serves communities across the Midwest.