Director of Planning and Design

and the job listing Expires on June 4, 2026

The Waterfront Alliance is a civic organization that brings together a diverse alliance of more than 1,100 Partners with ties to the New York–New Jersey waterways. Founded in 2007, our mission is to lead the way for thriving and resilient waterfronts, shorelines, and coastlines, together. Key programs and advocacy areas include climate resilience, public access to the waterfront, the working waterfront, and climate education.

The Director of Planning and Design will lead and grow the WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) program, and resilience and design planning projects for the organization.

Developed by the Waterfront Alliance and a cross‑cutting field of experts, WEDG is an award‑winning rating system and platform for resilient, sustainable, and accessible waterfront development. WEDG is a flagship program of Waterfront Alliance and has established Waterfront Alliance’s presence nationally. WEDG has graduated more than 1,500 individuals trained as WEDG Professionals and created a robust network of sites that have earned WEDG Verification or are doing so in eleven states.

WEDG is used by communities as a guide for waterfront planning, a regulatory and compliance tool for municipalities and agencies, and a best practice toolkit by the design community.

Waterfront Alliance seeks an experienced professional with deep expertise in resilient, sustainable, and equitable waterfront design, along with strong business development acumen to lead the WEDG program. This is an exciting opportunity for an entrepreneurially minded resilient design expert with a passion for coastal and waterfront design, environmental science, land use policy, business development, client services, and strategy implementation.

Reports to: President and CEO

Classification: Full‑time, Exempt

Salary and Benefits: The salary is $90,000 to $110,000. Waterfront Alliance offers a comprehensive benefits package, including employer‑paid medical, dental, and vision insurances; life insurance; 401K retirement plan with employer match; commuter and FSA benefits, paid time off, paid sabbatical after five years, professional development opportunities, and more.

Location: New York, NY (Hybrid)

Required Travel: Up to 25%

The Director of Planning and Design will be responsible for leading the growth and execution of the WEDG program and oversee current and future design projects in Waterfront Alliance’s portfolio. The Director is a member of the organization’s leadership team and will work closely with fellow directors of communications, events, programs, and policy. This role will serve as the organization’s subject matter expert on matters of waterfront design and construction, infrastructure, and planning initiatives.

This is a highly public‑facing role. The Director will serve as a primary point of contact and manage relationships with WEDG Associates nationwide, as well as key agency, municipal, and corporate partners.

The Director of Planning and Design is responsible for overseeing, managing, executing, and growing core WEDG services and the various administrative tasks associated with them:

• WEDG Verification: The review and certification of waterfront projects against the WEDG guidelines
• WEDG Professionals: The professional education and credentialing program
• WEDG Policy & Finance: Development of local and state policy in various geographies, ESG finance, and insurance engagement
• WEDG Community Action: Direct engagement with local advocacy organizations to support neighborhood activism around WEDG and connect WEDG to community‑driven priorities that expand and improve access to waterfronts.
• Manage staff (mix of part‑time, temporary, and full‑time), program budget, and strategic planning.
• Collaborate across Waterfront Alliance’s program teams to integrate WEDG principles into program strategy and implementation.

The Director of Planning and Design will drive WEDG’s business development strategy through a multi‑pronged approach:

• Build relationships with municipal agencies, design firms, environmental partners, philanthropic funders, and…