Texas Director, Planning

WESTWOOD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INC•Dallas, TX

14h

About The Position

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking an experienced Texas Director, Planning to lead the winning, management, and delivery of multiple planning projects, primarily for local government clients. This seller-doer role partners with clients to transform challenges into opportunities and turn plans into feasible, funded projects. The Director works with clients to advance planning decisions and collaborates with teams across Westwood disciplines to deliver projects and lead planning activities and staff. The role also builds one or more place-based teams of planners supporting public-sector clients across Texas. The Director leads comprehensive and master planning, client and stakeholder relationships, business development, public engagement, and production of plans and other deliverables. The role includes financial oversight of programs and projects, management and development of staff, project operations and quality assurance, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. The Director may support grant submissions and contributes to the firm’s thought leadership. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline and at least 15 years of relevant experience. A master’s degree and AICP and/or ASLA certification are desired. Candidates who are not already AICP certified must be committed to becoming certified through the American Institute of Certified Planners. Working knowledge of current planning and rendering software and proficiency with Microsoft Office are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Architecture, or a related field.
At least 15 years of experience in urban planning, master planning, development reviews, grant writing, project management, and building and managing teams.
Candidates who are not already AICP certified must be committed to becoming certified as a Planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Working knowledge of current planning and rendering software, such as ArcGIS, Civil 3D/AutoCAD, Photoshop, InDesign, or SketchUp.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to accurately prepare plan documents and reports within project deadlines.
Clear written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with peers in a team setting and independently.
Ability to review, understand, draft, and revise land use and zoning ordinances.
Ability to define and produce deliverables and execute initiatives across planning projects, including comprehensive planning, land use, parks and recreation, capital infrastructure and facilities, downtown planning, and historic preservation.
Ability to define and execute public processes that inform planning goals, objectives, and deliverables.
Thorough understanding of diverse community and regional planning theories and practice.
Ability and willingness to travel for client management and business development.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field.
AICP and/or ASLA certification.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive plans and master plans for communities, districts, and organizations.
Establish and maintain primary contacts and positive relationships with clients and stakeholders.
Generate leads and lead pursuits of contract opportunities across a variety of client types; support business development by identifying opportunities and preparing proposals.
Support management of clients and provide strategic advice on effective approaches and problem resolution.
Facilitate workshops, stakeholder meetings, public engagement sessions, public meetings, and other community engagement activities.
Translate technical concepts into accessible information for community members and decision-makers.
Deliver content and guidance for a range of planning initiatives and support current planning reviews for local jurisdictions needing staff augmentation.
Assist with development or revision of land use and zoning ordinances in support of community goals.
Manage production of project deliverables for grants, plans, projects, and reports; conduct research and analysis on clients’ history, structure, objectives, programs, and financial needs.
Support grant proposal content development and nationally competitive grant submissions, which may include NOFO compliance, preliminary scoping and engineering, mapping and data analysis, benefit-cost analysis, narrative development, agency engagement, and desktop environmental reviews.
Share knowledge and information with team members to improve processes and services; contribute to thought leadership through white papers, conference presentations, and publications.
Estimate, track, and report project costs; oversee project revenue and profitability; manage accounts receivable with clients and coordinate collection of overdue amounts with the Client Manager.
Oversee consultant and sub-consultant invoices and accounts payable; track time and budgets against project baselines; review and approve line-item budget expenditures.
Manage teams and direct reports by supporting commitment and productivity, removing obstacles, motivating staff, and supervising performance.
Manage project staffing and resources, forecast staffing needs, communicate project information, set performance expectations, and provide feedback.
Mentor, coach, and guide junior planners; coordinate with Division and Service Leaders on staffing needs, candidate review, and onboarding.
Review plans and deliverables for quality assurance and quality control; define project scope and document objectives, requirements, estimates, schedules, and budgets.
Ensure estimates of time, cost, performance, and materials meet program requirements; modify plans and schedules as necessary.
Coordinate with other practice areas on compliance obligations and prepare for and participate in quality reviews.
Coordinate project communications with internal and external stakeholders; manage project administration, including contracts, risk management, billing, and accounts receivable.
Maintain communications and formal project reviews with the National Service Lead and manage team members’ and sub-consultants’ performance.
Perform other duties as assigned.