Job Details
Are you looking for an opportunity to positively impact our communities, the quality of urban settings, and the natural environment? Otak is hiring a Planning Leader/Manager who will function as a leader within our planning, landscape architecture, and urban design practice in the Redmond, Washington office. Lead a team of professionals to grow our award-winning public planning portfolio and expand our capabilities to make a difference in communities today, tomorrow, and for the next generation. Our planners and urban designers are experts at working with our public and private clients to envision a desired future and create distinct places with enduring value.
The Planning Leader/Manager will focus on building business opportunities and leading exciting projects in the Puget Sound region and beyond. The ideal candidate will be a leader in planning and urban design and bring creativity and an entrepreneurial approach to their work. You will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with other disciplinary groups at Otak, such as architecture, civil and structural engineering, water and natural resources, and others.
What you'll do:
- Serving as a Planning Leader/Manager, you will lead planning and design projects in a wide variety of contexts, including comprehensive and urban growth area plans, station area and subarea plans, campuses, downtowns and neighborhoods, transit-oriented development, corridor plans and studies, and redevelopment areas.
- Lead and manage multidisciplinary teams to prepare comprehensive plans, area/master plans, development studies, and guidelines; prepare land use code, zoning text, and design standards.
- Interact with clients, engage with members of the public, facilitate stakeholder outreach, and deliver public presentations.
- Build upon your professional network to develop and maintain clients, identify project leads, and lead and create winning proposals.
- Prepare strategic business development plans, scopes of work, contract documents, schedules, and project work plans.
- Provide guidance, mentorship, technical oversight, and training to planning and design staff; collaborate with the Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design Team manager on hiring, retaining, and growing new staff to support planning and design projects.
What you bring: - Bachelor's degree is required. Master's degree in planning, urban planning, urban design, community planning, or a related field is preferred.
- Minimum 10+ years working in the planning field with an emphasis on experience working on public-sector projects in the Puget Sound region with a related client base.
- AICP certification is required, and other professional registrations and certifications are a plus.
- In-depth knowledge of the Washington Growth Management Act as well as other state land use laws and policies, and guidance for the Puget Sound region.
- Thorough working knowledge of city and county comprehensive planning processes, developing and amending zoning codes and design standards, equity in planning, climate change adaptation sustainability best practices, and other implications on planning design.
- Proven experience managing all aspects of project delivery, including proposals, contracts, schedules, budgets, and working with clients and teaming partners to achieve project success.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a commitment to producing technically-sound documents.
- Software proficiency Microsoft Office Suite. Experience working with GIS, scenario planning, and/or Adobe Creative Suite and various common platforms and tools that support planning, urban design, analysis, and public participation/community engagement.
Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate experience, qualifications, and work location as well as market and business considerations.
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year
Benefits At our core, we believe that supporting our communities begins with supporting our employees. No matter what stage you're at in your career, we have a comprehensive total rewards program to enhance your quality of life, help support your family, and assist you in achieving your personal and professional goals. Otak employees enjoy competitive salaries; discretionary performance bonuses; no-cost medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, HRA/HSA; a 401(k)-retirement match that is 100% vested immediately; a hybrid work schedule; Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual based on your industry experience rather than your seniority plus 9 paid holidays per year; a commuter allowance (based on your office location); support for your professional registration and/or certification fees; and much more! If you are out of the area and interested in relocating for this opportunity, relocation assistance may be provided.
Why work at Otak? Watch this short video: Our Why We're not just looking for skills and experience, having shared values is just as important! When you work at Otak, you aren't just joining a firm - you're joining a community. We believe our best work happens in a culture of collaboration and inclusion, where the expertise of diverse individuals can thrive in a foundation of teamwork. The work environment we create is built on a simple concept: working on interesting projects with interesting people. However, we don't just believe in cultivating our own community; we're also committed to enriching the communities around us with smart, creative solutions. We know our employees make an investment in us, so we're committed to making an investment in them. Seasoned experts and young professionals work together to encourage personal growth and skill development at all experience levels. Plus, we're expanding - and we're dedicated to developing an internal infrastructure with the strength and talent to support that growth.
Equal Opportunity Otak is proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. The Equal Opportunity policy at Otak, Inc. provides a fair and equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, nation origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, protected veteran status or disability or any other status(es) protected by law. Otak ensure nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and mandatory supplements to EEO (revisions).
At Otak, we recognize that inclusion is a practice, and we are determined to lead our industry by embedding that practice into our work. Cultivating an inclusive workplace environment is ongoing and consistent work, requiring dedication and commitment from every member of the organization. This commitment is reflected in Otak's promise to significantly increase employee diversity, impact the communities in which we work, and establish ongoing relationships within these communities.
Otak's Vision for an Inclusive Environment includes the following:
- We embrace diverse identities, and willingly engage across difference
- All employees can experience the workplace safely and show up as their authentic selves
- Fostering unique perspectives and an open exchange of ideas
- Engaging one another with curiosity rather than judgment
- Relationships are built on mutual trust, dignity, and respect
If you are a minority, veteran, person with a disability, or a member of the LGBTQA Community, we strongly encourage and welcome you to apply to any open position of interest. If you want to learn more about Otak, this position, or the company's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, contact our Human Resources Department at ...@otak.com.
*Please note, Otak is not accepting resumes from 3rd party recruitment agencies at this time.