Master Planning Manager

Workshop/APD•New York, NY

4d•$100,000 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Workshop/APD is seeking a seasoned Site and Master Planner to lead strategic planning and design integration across large-scale and complex projects. The role calls for experience in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, or planning, and the ability to translate client goals, regulations, and site realities into coherent master plans, strategic frameworks, and implementation roadmaps. It combines leadership, design thinking, research, and collaboration with clients, design teams, engineers, and stakeholders. The manager leads planning and design work, entitlement and approvals strategies, stakeholder engagement, and project management. They serve as the day-to-day lead and primary client contact on assigned projects, manage project delivery with the Principal in Charge, and contribute to business development and studio knowledge sharing. Workshop/APD describes its studio as collaborative and supportive, with a flexible hybrid schedule, generous time-off policies, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, a 401(k) with profit sharing, and opportunities for mentorship, performance coaching, design reviews, and continued education.

Requirements

7 to 10 years of experience in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, or planning, with significant master planning experience.
Professional degree in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, planning, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing project scope, schedule, and fee.
Strong understanding of urban design principles, zoning, land use, entitlements, and permitting processes.
Strong graphic, visualization, and presentation skills at multiple scales, from district plans to street-level studies.
Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in AutoCAD, Rhino and Grasshopper, GIS (ArcGIS or QGIS), Adobe Creative Suite including InDesign, and Microsoft Office.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in urban design, planning, architecture, or landscape architecture.
Professional licensure (RA or RLA) or AICP certification.
LEED AP or LEED ND accreditation.
Working knowledge of Revit, SketchUp, and a real-time rendering tool such as Enscape.
Experience presenting to public agencies and leading community engagement.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of master plans for mixed-use, multi-phase developments, and urban transformations.
Translate client objectives, planning policy, and site data into clear frameworks and phased delivery plans.
Integrate land use, multimodal mobility, public realm, sustainability, and infrastructure strategies.
Lead site analysis, land use programming, and yield and feasibility studies, coordinating with development and real estate economics consultants where needed.
Develop and manage project briefs, program matrices, performance criteria, and design guidelines to guide the handoff into schematic design.
Oversee master plan documentation, including zoning and layout plans, mobility networks, phasing, and implementation roadmaps.
Lead entitlement and approvals strategy, and coordinate regulatory and environmental review with the project team and consultants.
Prepare and present planning studies, analyses, and design guidelines to clients, review boards, and public agencies.
Plan and lead stakeholder and community engagement, including meetings, workshops, and supporting materials.
Write planning narratives, reports, and design guideline documents.
Serve as day-to-day lead and primary client contact on assigned projects.
Manage project scope, fee, schedule, and staffing with the Principal in Charge.
Coordinate consultant scopes and contracts, and track project budget and invoicing.
Lead multidisciplinary teams and manage collaboration between architects, landscape architects, engineers, and consultants.
Contribute to proposals, fee estimates, and client interviews.
Mentor junior team members and contribute to firm-wide knowledge sharing and standards.