Director of Planning and Design

Waterfront Alliance•New York, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Planning and Design will lead and grow the WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) program, and resilience and design planning projects for the organization. Developed by the Waterfront Alliance and a cross-cutting field of experts, WEDG is an award-winning rating system and platform for resilient, sustainable, and accessible waterfront development. WEDG is a flagship program of Waterfront Alliance and has established Waterfront Alliance’s presence nationally. WEDG has graduated more than 1,500 individuals trained as WEDG Professionals and created a robust network of sites that have earned WEDG Verification or are doing so in eleven states. WEDG is used by communities as a guide for waterfront planning, a regulatory and compliance tool for municipalities and agencies, and a best practice toolkit by the design community. Waterfront Alliance seeks an experienced professional with deep expertise in resilient, sustainable, and equitable waterfront design, along with strong business development acumen to lead the WEDG program. This is an exciting opportunity for an entrepreneurially minded resilient design expert with a passion for coastal and waterfront design, environmental science, land use policy, business development, client services, and strategy implementation.

Requirements

Eight or more years of relevant experience
Bachelor or Master’s degree in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, environmental studies, engineering, real estate, public administration, or a related field
Business development experience, with a penchant for entrepreneurialism
Experience in design and capital projects, with a strong preference for those with experience on either project consulting teams or as a project developer/agency owner
Experience in community engagement and working with a diverse range of stakeholders on projects, with experience and a focus on inclusive practices
Experience reviewing technical design material, including site plans, CAD files, environmental impact statements, engineering reports, stormwater calculations, and other documentation as part of the WEDG Verification process
Experience managing, executing, and developing complex programs, with a passion for strategy implementation, project management, and marketing
Familiarity with and passion for climate change and sustainability, and command of local (New York City and New Jersey) waterfront or maritime urban planning, design, and land use regulations, policy, and programs
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, presentation, and public speaking skills, including pitching WEDG to high-level executives and clients, as well as community audiences
Familiarity with professional education best practices in the resilience, environmental, and sustainable design space
Ability to manage multiple projects at once, as well as internal teams for marketing and program development, and external consultants who assist with project reviews and the WEDG Professionals course
Collaborative and team-oriented approach with the ability to build trust across disciplines, contribute to a positive and inclusive organizational culture, and thrive in a dynamic, mission-driven environment

Nice To Haves

Experience with design rating systems (WEDG, Green Globes, LEED, Envision, SITES, WELL, etc.) preferred
Nonprofit fundraising experience a plus

Responsibilities

Leading the growth and execution of the WEDG program and oversee current and future design projects in Waterfront Alliance’s portfolio.
Serving as the organization’s subject matter expert on matters of waterfront design and construction, infrastructure, and planning initiatives.
Serving as a primary point of contact and manage relationships with WEDG Associates nationwide, as well as key agency, municipal, and corporate partners.
Overseeing, managing, executing, and growing core WEDG services and the various administrative tasks associated with them, including WEDG Verification, WEDG Professionals, WEDG Policy & Finance, and WEDG Community Action.
Managing staff (mix of part-time, temporary, and full-time), program budget, and strategic planning.
Collaborating across Waterfront Alliance’s program teams to integrate WEDG principles into program strategy and implementation.
Driving WEDG’s business development strategy through building relationships with municipal agencies, design firms, environmental partners, philanthropic funders, and private developers nationally to secure project verifications, and expand philanthropic investment in community-driven and resilience-focused waterfront initiatives.
Leading the WEDG Professionals Network, creating opportunities for engagement and expansion.
Pursuing strategic project, leadership, and partnership opportunities that advance WEDG and strengthen Waterfront Alliance’s local, regional, and national profile.
Promoting WEDG through thought leadership on resilient design and strategic growth projects.
Developing strategies to promote WEDG through systems-level change (e.g., seeking WEDG’s use in Requests for Proposals, by the insurance community, in policy, and others).
Periodically revising the WEDG standards, course, and materials to reflect advances in the field.
Managing resilience and design projects and other programmatic priorities for Waterfront Alliance, such as ongoing work in Flushing Meadows Corona Park and Coney Island Creek, maritime infrastructure, Blue Highways and equitable public access.
Identifying opportunities for Waterfront Alliance to lead resilience, planning and maritime/Blue Highways initiatives, in partnership with program and development leadership.
Managing strategic direction of projects and relationships with key partners.
Developing RFPs and proposals for project opportunities.
Managing consultants, contracts, and stakeholder relationships.
Overseeing reports, advocacy, and communications that result from technical work to position the project for implementation.
Supporting the President & CEO with other organization-wide initiatives, fundraising, policy initiatives, and other duties as assigned.