Senior Planner / Planning Leader

Verdantas•Newmarket, DE

16h•$100,000 - $115,000

About The Position

Welcome to Verdantas, where innovation meets sustainability, and your career finds purpose! At Verdantas, we’re redefining environmental consulting and sustainable engineering through our use of cutting-edge modeling and digital technology and our genuine commitment to people. Our work spans high-growth sectors like water resources, resilient land use, energy transformation, and civil infrastructure. Our commitment to excellence, across more than 90 offices, is championed by a team of over 2,000 experts, scientists, engineers, geologists, and technical specialists, embedded in a people-focused culture, prioritizing the well-being of our employees, clients, and the communities we serve. We partner with clients to deliver smart, data-driven solutions to complex environmental and infrastructure challenges. We don’t just solve problems; we help shape a more sustainable future. Join a people-first culture that values your well-being, empowers your growth, and amplifies your impact. At Verdantas, your career goes beyond the expected, and your work helps build a better world. Ready to shape the future of resilient communities? Verdantas is seeking a Senior Planner / Planning Leader to launch and grow a new planning group across the Northeast , working side by side with our established environmental, water, energy, and civil infrastructure teams. Preferred location is within the Northeast Area (i.e., New England, New York, and the MidAtlantic), with flexibility across Verdanta's office locations. This role offers a unique opportunity to build a team from the ground up while embedding planning expertise into integrated solutions for public-sector and government clients. This position plays a key role in connecting planning services with Verdantas’ existing technical disciplines, strengthening our ability to deliver integrated, client-focused solutions for public-sector and government agencies. As a Senior Planner / Planning Leader, you will support complex planning projects, mentor planning staff, and supporting strategic growth of Verdantas’ government-focused planning services in the Northeast. This role will work closely with engineers, landscape architects, environmental scientists, and market sector leaders to deliver integrated solutions for municipalities, counties, state agencies, and regional authorities.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, or a related field; or a Bachelor’s degree with significant progressive planning experience
8–15+ years of professional planning experience, with a strong emphasis on public-sector work
Demonstrated experience leading planning projects and client relationships
Experience and established relationships with State and Local governments in one or more of the states within the Northeast Area
Strong understanding of municipal and state planning processes, zoning codes, land development regulations, and public engagement
Proficiency with planning and visualization tools (ArcGIS Pro/Online, Adobe InDesign, and related platforms)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to boards, commissions, and elected officials
Ability to think strategically, manage multiple priorities, and support market growth initiatives

Nice To Haves

AICP certification is preferred but not required

Responsibilities

Lead and manage complex planning projects for municipal, county, regional, and state government clients
Serve as a trusted advisor to public-sector clients on land use planning, zoning, comprehensive plans, redevelopment, transportation planning, and policy initiatives
Work with Area Market Sector Leaders to identify, lead, and execute capture planning efforts as part of active business development
Provide technical oversight and quality control for planning studies, plans, and reports
Collaborate with civil, transportation, environmental, and water teams to deliver multidisciplinary solutions
Support business development efforts, including client relationships, proposal development, scopes, and fee estimates for government projects
Mentor and guide planners and emerging professionals; support staff development and team growth
Participate in public meetings, stakeholder engagement, and elected-official presentations
Help shape the strategic direction of Verdantas’ planning group in the Northeast, with a focus on government growth, long-term contracts, and trusted-client relationships