Principal-level Urban Planner/Designer

Placeworks•Santa Ana, CA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

PlaceWorks is seeking a full-time, experienced urban planner/designer to lead and expand the established Urban Planning and Design Practice Area in our Orange County office. In this position, you will have the opportunity to build on our portfolio of work in urban revitalization and development, working for both public- and private-sector clients, and will be expected to leverage your relationships and increase the visibility of PlaceWorks’ design capabilities by winning new projects that complement the goals of PlaceWorks and the firm's Design Team. You will also be expected to mentor less experienced, aspiring professionals into leadership positions. Our Design Team works in a cross-disciplinary, collaborative environment across multiple office locations on projects where urban design and site planning are integral components. Our work covers all types of urban infill and revitalization, including corridor and downtown revitalization, transit area planning, mall conversions, industrial area transition, residential infill, and objective design standards. Typical work includes preparing Specific Plans, Master Plans, visioning packages, site concepts, urban design analyses, active transportation and streetscape recommendations, design guidelines, and zoning recommendations. In addition, our General Plan practice often requires urban design and form-based components as part of larger General Plan updates. An understanding of the real estate market, entitlement, and California laws related to planning and housing is important. Our firm's Associate Principals and Principals are perceived as innovators, thought leaders, and influencers in the industry. They also have a demonstrated ability to successfully lead, manage, and oversee staff, complex projects, high-level presentations, strategic marketing, business development, and client relations—all of which are key competencies the ideal candidate must possess.

Requirements

10-15+ years of urban planning and design experience, ideally working for private-sector consulting firms, though public-sector experience may also qualify.
At least 10 years of related work experience and project management experience.
Experience managing multiple projects.
Successfully overseen and coordinated major components of planning and design projects of all sizes within budget and schedule.
Experienced in winning new clients and projects for the firms worked with.
Comfortable as a leader in the process of business development.
Understand residential, mixed-use, commercial, and industrial products being built in California.
Highly motivated self-starter who can work both independently and in a dynamic, highly collaborative environment.
Good listener with excellent verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to effectively engage clients, agency staff, stakeholders, and the public in a professional and confident manner.
Comfortable with and proven yourself to be an engaging public speaker and presenter.
Able and willing to attend client meetings, community workshops, and public hearings, including those that may occur on evenings and weekends.
Strong leadership capabilities.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in urban planning and design, architecture, landscape architecture, or a related field.
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
Reliable means of transportation to and from work, and to perform site visits, attend meetings, and support project needs as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a hybrid work environment with regular in-office collaboration (minimum two days per week) and flexibility for remote work as needed.

Responsibilities

Lead and expand the established Urban Planning and Design Practice Area.
Leverage relationships and increase the visibility of PlaceWorks’ design capabilities by winning new projects.
Mentor less experienced, aspiring professionals into leadership positions.
Prepare Specific Plans, Master Plans, visioning packages, site concepts, urban design analyses, active transportation and streetscape recommendations, design guidelines, and zoning recommendations.
Prepare urban design and form-based components as part of larger General Plan updates.
Lead proposal strategy and preparation.
Develop and manage budgets.
Coordinate staff and subconsultants.
Provide team leadership.
Oversee schedules.
Conduct billing and financial review.
Manage contract negotiation and administration.
Handle client communication.
Ensure quality assurance/quality control.
Manage stakeholder and community engagement.
Win new clients and projects.
Prepare and provide direction for the scope and content of planning documents.
Represent PlaceWorks at interviews, public hearings, community workshops, and professional conferences.
Attend client meetings, community workshops, and public hearings, including those that may occur on evenings and weekends.
Travel as needed.
Mentor and develop staff, fostering an environment where others can grow, contribute meaningfully, and share in project success.
Delegate effectively, provide clear direction, and deliver timely, constructive feedback.
Grow and lead staff members.
Promote an inclusive, respectful, and empowering workplace culture.