Principal Planner for Plan Implementation

City of Alexandria•Alexandria, VA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Planner for Plan Implementation position is within the Department of Planning & Zoning (P&Z) in the Neighborhood Planning & Community Development (NPCD) division. This role supports long-range planning and implementation activities, with a focus on economic and community development. The position plays a lead role in advancing and executing the City’s Comprehensive Plan, small area plans, redevelopment strategies, and other adopted City initiatives. The focus is on plan implementation and project delivery, translating adopted plans and policy direction into actionable projects, coordinated initiatives, and measurable outcomes.

Requirements

Highly motivated planning professional with extensive experience in conducting long range planning processes and the implementation of long-range plans and shorter-term strategies.
Expertise in community engagement, land use planning, development economics.
Demonstrated ability to manage and complete complex projects with competing priorities.
Supervisory experience.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Sound knowledge of planning principles and regulatory processes.
Ability to address the needs and challenges of a wide spectrum of stakeholders in an economically constrained market.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Experience and ease in public speaking.
Experience in coordinating across departments, supporting policy implementation, and contributing to process improvements.
Proficiency in GIS, Adobe graphics packages.
Strong organizational and customer service skills.
Four-Year College Degree.
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning, completion of college-level courses in urban planning, public administration, or a related field.
Progressive project management experience.
Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in urban planning or related field.
More than five years of progressive planning experience.
Experience with economic development and plan implementation.
Management of large- and small-scale complex urban projects.
AICP certification.
Supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Leads and coordinates implementation of adopted plans, planning studies, redevelopment initiatives, and strategic projects, with a focus on achieving measurable outcomes and advancing City priorities.
Develops implementation strategies, action plans, timelines, and coordination mechanisms to move adopted planning initiatives into execution.
Identifies opportunities, funding sources, partnerships, and regulatory considerations that affect implementation of adopted plans and initiatives.
Tracks implementation progress, development-related commitments, infrastructure improvements, and strategic initiative outcomes, and prepares status updates and performance measures.
Supports redevelopment and economic development initiatives through project coordination, implementation planning, and collaboration with public and private partners.
Supervises urban planners.
Performs other related duties as assigned.