Urban Design & Planning - Planner IV

Progressive Companies; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the architecture and planning sector is seeking an experienced Urban Design & Planning - Planner III in Detroit. This role involves leading complex planning projects and collaborating with stakeholders, while ensuring compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in urban planning principles and possess necessary qualifications such as an AICP certification and a degree in a related field. Join a diverse team dedicated to producing high-quality, innovative designs and making a meaningful impact in communities.

Benefits

Hybrid work schedule

Comprehensive benefits including wellness programs

Mentorship and growth opportunities

Paid service-learning hours

Profit-sharing and employee stock ownership plan

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional planning experience.
• Strong knowledge of state planning laws and municipal zoning ordinances.
• Ability to manage complex projects and foster collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of reports and policy recommendations.
• Manage scope, schedule, and budget for planning projects.
• Facilitate community engagement efforts and build consensus.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Planning Principles

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Architecture, or related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

AICP certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

SketchUp

Revit

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

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As a Planner III, you will lead complex, multifaceted planning and design projects across various disciplines and communities. You will lead with purpose, translating planning concepts into actionable policies and visually compelling materials while engaging meaningfully with stakeholders. You will collaborate across departments to deliver integrated, equity-driven solutions that are rooted in placemaking, client goals, and long-term impact.

Deliver Results

• Lead the development of comprehensive reports, policies, presentations, and ordinance recommendations addressing community development, urban design, transportation, housing, zoning, and economic development.
• Coordinate and mentor cross-functional project teams, managing all phases of complex planning and design projects.
• Independently oversee project scope, schedule, and budget while proactively managing documentation, stakeholder relationships, and consultant coordination.
• Conduct and guide quality assurance reviews for plan amendments, zoning changes, and development applications to ensure compliance and risk mitigation.
• Facilitate inclusive community engagement efforts and effectively present to advisory groups, clients, and legislative bodies to build consensus.
• Contribute to new business development efforts through proposal writing and strategic client engagement.
• Model leadership by supporting junior staff, promoting ethical practices, and aligning deliverables with project goals and organizational values.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Architecture, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• AICP certification required.
• 10+ years of professional planning experience, including demonstrated expertise in land planning principles and design integration at the neighborhood and regional scale.
• Deep knowledge of state planning laws, municipal zoning ordinances, environmental regulations, and urban design standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office required; working knowledge of SketchUp, Revit/AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Adobe Creative Suite preferred.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, foster collaboration across disciplines, and navigate high-stakes public and private sector environments.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills with an emphasis on equity, engagement, and high-quality design.
  
  

People Matter

Each individual’s background, knowledge, ability, and experience contributes to strengthening our organization and projects. Our dedication to diversity includes company provided training and education, equitable recruitment, a grassroots employee DEI committee, and robust community partnerships.

Progressive Companies is comprised of people with a variety of abilities, races, colors, religions, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, veteran statuses, and more. As an equal opportunity employer, we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements of innovative design. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Transforming Spaces. Empowering People.

The talented professionals of Progressive Companies are designers of a bold new future, creating high-performance structures and pathways, delivering on today’s needs and preparing for what’s to come. We live by the idea that design isn’t simply about beauty, it’s about improving strategic outcomes—what we call Performance Based Design. Our work spans across the nation, allowing team members to work on a variety of exciting projects and maximize impact as trusted partners to our clients and communities.

Sustainable and Inclusive

We are dedicated to human-centered, sustainable, and inclusive design practices. We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to building trust, respect, and truly innovative design making spaces welcoming and accessible to all. Our sustainability approach embraces the AIA 2030 Commitment, together with a range of high performance, restorative, and regenerative strategies with a focus on climate responsive results to maximize positive impact in our industry.

Employee Owned

We act like owners—because we are. From modest beginnings of four original engineering partners in 1962, to almost 300 architects, engineers, designers, and consultants across multiple regional offices today, the energy, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurial mindset you expect from a CEO come standard with every team member.

Culture of Excellence

The firm is continually ranked as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation, with comprehensive benefits including an award-winning wellness program, hybrid work schedule, summer hours, profit-sharing, and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). We take our work seriously, but have fun along the way, which fuels the creative spirit and supports a focus on work and life integration.

Progressive Companies is committed to development and growth of team members through continuing education, mentorship, growth opportunities, and more. We are dedicated to giving back to our communities, with paid service-learning hours available to every employee and corporate sponsorship for a wide range of community organizations and activities.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Architecture and Planning

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