Details
05/19/2025
Senior Planner
Planning NEXT
Pay Range: $75,000-$90,000
Our Company
Planning NEXT is a private planning practice that helps clients and communities create a shared sense of purpose and place. Since 1997, the company has built a national reputation for leadership in visioning, planning and facilitation. Planning NEXT’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to community engagement, including record-setting large-scale public events and a range of innovative techniques for acquiring meaningful insight from the public. The firm has a proven track record of creating visions and plans rooted in a community’s values and unique character that are implemented over time for long-lasting impact.
About the Position
Position: The Senior Planner position is responsible for managing and supporting projects with a target of 40-80% of time spent on project management and the remaining time spent on project support and administrative duties. The exact ratio of project management to support will depend upon company needs and may fluctuate over time. For projects that Senior Planners are managing, they are responsible for supervising Planners and Intern Planners, as well as overseeing and coordinating all aspects of a planning process from preparation tasks to document finalization. The focus for Senior Planners includes developing and maintaining client relationships, planning and coordinating the overall sequence of tasks so that the project is delivered on time and on budget, and tracking the scope and budget. For both projects they are managing and supporting, Senior Planners are responsible for overseeing specific tasks involved in a project such as the development of communications and outreach plans; preparation for public engagement events; facilitating or supporting public engagement events; managing and facilitating process and planning committees, analyzing and presenting research; overseeing the development and maintenance of project websites; producing draft content and overseeing the production of final reports and plan documents. Senior Planners are also tasked with performing office administrative, marketing, and other functions as delineated below to help keep the office running smoothly.
Professionalism: Being professional is an essential function of this position, especially when dealing with clients or fellow employees. This is true whether in person, over the telephone, virtually, or through email. All employees are entitled to a 100% non-hostile environment.
Essential Responsibilities
Project Coordination: Coordinate and complete projects that the Senior Planner is managing on time and within budget and scope. Develop a detailed project plan to monitor and track progress. Manage changes to the project scope, schedule, or costs. Prepare for and facilitate regular conference calls and/or meetings.
Quality Control: Ensure tasks are being completed to a high standard.
Relationship Management: Establish and maintain relationships with clients, subconsultants and other partners and vendors.
Mentorship and Staff Management: Mentor, support, and reinforce relationships with all staff (planners and intern planners). Delegate specific tasks to planners and intern planners and oversee and review tasks given to them.
Billing Support: Complete monthly billing and invoicing and overall budget tracking for managed projects.
Process Improvement: Continually look for new ways to improve our process, products, and deliverables.
Research: Conduct research and data collection on community conditions and trends and work with planners when they are conducting research to assist them in presenting information in a clear and compelling manner in multiple formats.
Spatial Data Analysis and Mapping: Using ArcGIS, gather and analyze third-party spatial data from various sources to identify trends, patterns, and relationships that can inform decision-making processes for communities. Produce high-quality maps, charts, and visualizations to communicate spatial information effectively to stakeholders, including city officials, departments, and the public to help tell important stories about communities.
Graphic and Process Materials: Prepare or review and oversee preparation communications and outreach materials for planning processes, including the design of print collateral and online communications tools including website design, online survey, and engagement tools.
Facilitation Support: Facilitate or support public workshops and events, facilitate small groups, and analyze public input gathered.
Writing and Editing: Draft text for planning documents and interim deliverables that is technically competent while also accessible to the intended audience(s). Edit or assist with editing and formatting plans and other documents.
Company Marketing: Support general marketing, including content generation and formatting for proposals, conferences, articles, and awards.
Presentations: Present to planning committees, elected officials, and at local and national conferences.
Professional Development: Work with their supervisors to prepare a professional development plan on an annual basis and to undertake training to further develop key skills (technical, writing, etc.) and management capabilities.
Other duties as needed.
Required Skills
In addition to valuing the integration of meaningful community input with strategic and comprehensive planning, the following skills are required.
Ability and willingness to mentor and coach planners and intern planners.
Ability to manage dual responsibility of both managing and supporting projects, including effectively communicating with supervisors regarding time management and prioritization of work.
Excellent outward-facing communications skills (with clients, public, and internal staff)
Excellent organization and task management capabilities.
Strong writing and editing skills.
An aptitude for visual/graphic presentation.
Understanding client service techniques and problem resolution.
Ability to listen, collect information, and process appropriately.
Ability to follow detailed instructions.
Ability to independently produce high-quality work in a distracting work environment.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally using proper grammar and solid comprehension of the English language.
Ability to meet and exceed established deadlines and respond promptly to clients and co-workers.
Ability to cooperate, collaborate, and communicate with co-workers, supervisors, vendors, the public, and others involved with our business.
Ability to manage projects and tasks and take ownership and responsibility over project goals.
Maintain professionalism and a consistent and positive client service image when interacting with vendors, clients, and co-workers.
Understanding of and compliance with company policies and procedures, including safety procedures.
A complete familiarity with the company’s philosophy and services is required and is easily attained within the first 90 days of employment.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in city planning or related field.
Experience: 5 years’ experience in an office position with similar duties, including some project management experience.
Accreditation: Relevant professional accreditation (AICP or equivalent).
Technology:
Proficiency in using MS Office software and Adobe Creative Suite is expected.
Proficiency in ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online (mapping, data management, and analysis) is required.
Management: Desire to mentor staff and manage the work.
