Principal Urban Planner

Overview

Hybrid role with 3 days on-site in Detroit, MI. Relocation is offered.

A leading Midwest planning and design firm is seeking a Principal Urban Planner to support vibrant community development projects. The firm specializes in planning, zoning, building services, landscape architecture, urban design, and community and economic development, with a strong emphasis on public engagement.

This position is ideal for a passionate and experienced planning professional who is motivated by meaningful work that enhances quality of life in diverse communities. Principal Planners in this role contribute to a wide range of planning and design initiatives, take ownership of key projects, and collaborate within a high-performing, creative team environment. Work is delivered on time and on budget while maintaining strong technical and visual quality.

The Principal Planner is committed to assisting Senior Planners and Project Managers in providing ontime, on-budget planning and design work that is of the highest technical and creative quality. This position will be to support new and ongoing business in the Midwest. The ideal candidate will be able to work a hybrid schedule from the local office.

• Serve as Principal Planner on a multitude of projects, helping to deliver creative solutions to clients throughout the Midwest, primarily local units of government. Projects range from providing ongoing and continuing service in the areas of zoning, form-based coding, master planning, economic development, and placemaking, to special projects in planning, design, economic development, transportation, etc.
• Serve as primary client representative without supervision in front of municipal boards and commissions, concerned and engaged stakeholder groups, and professional peer organizations.
• Share knowledge and experience with other planners and collaborate with staff to efficiently solve problems and assist with professional development of team members.
• Successfully serve as Project Manager and manage project team, while maintaining orderly workflow, ensuring quality and on-time performance.
• Undertake projects or tasks beyond the routine, contributing to the long-term success and viability of the company. Prepare and monitor project budgets and provide written and oral project status reports to management.
• Take the lead in conducting potential client interviews and take the lead in drafting proposals in generating new client work. Achieve confidence and credibility with clients and deliver graphically rich work products, regardless of individual graphic skills.

• 6 to 8 years of experience in municipal consulting, or compelling and directly relatable experience (planning for a municipal government or private-sector organization)
• A master’s degree or equivalent experience in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or related field
• Advanced zoning skills and experience
• Project and budget management experience
• Ability to multi-task in ever changing, client-focused environment
• Public engagement experience and excellent public speaking skills
• AICP, NCI and/or other complimentary professional certifications a plus
• Ability to respectfully function as a productive and enthusiastic member of a team, under remote direction of their Leadership Team, Project Directors, and Project Managers
• Superior communication skills supported by interpersonal connections, speaking, and writing

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $100k – $110k. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.