City of Cambridge Massachusetts
Director of Community Planning & Design
City of Cambridge Massachusetts, Cambridge, Massachusetts, us, 02140
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The Community Development Department (CDD) is the planning agency for the City of Cambridge. Our mission is to foster a livable, sustainable, just, and equitable community. CDD has four divisions - Community Planning & Design, Economic Opportunity & Development, Transportation Planning, and Zoning & Development. Together, we engage and collaborate with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to make Cambridge a desirable place to live, work, learn, play, and innovate.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the direction of the Assistant City Manager for Community Development, the Director of Community Planning & Design works collaboratively with department leadership to advance complex planning activities. The Director leads the City's land use and community plans, programs, and policies. Direct reports include a 9-person team of planners, urban designers, and landscape architects. The team carries out land use planning, urban design reviews, park and public space planning and design, and arts and cultural planning. The ideal candidate will be creative, innovative, detail-oriented, and experienced in visible and controversial projects. Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:
DIVISION OVERSIGHT:Actively supervise and manage staff in the following areas: long-range comprehensive planning; mixed use district and residential neighborhood planning; urban design review; arts and cultural planning; park and public space planning and design; and placemaking.Develop and oversee the division's annual strategic planning, staffing, workplan, and budget.Direct and coordinate the work of project teams and the division's full portfolio of projects and programs.Direct division staff to manage projects, set targets with timelines, and ensure that all participants are aware of expectations. Ensure that plans are data-driven, evidence-based, and actionable. Lead the team to collaborate and achieve consensus on projects that involve multiple disciplines and people with diverse opinions.CULTURE & STAFF DEVELOPMENT:
Create an inclusive, supportive, learning and growth focused team culture for the Community Planning and Design Division.Develop leadership capabilities in staff including skill development and strong team orientation.Support the team in developing innovative solutions to difficult problems.PROGRAMMATIC LEADERSHIP:
Lead citywide and area-specific planning and urban design studies and projects that balance goals of diverse planning disciplinesManage open space planning and design processes for parks and public spaces in collaboration with other departmentsOversee urban design project review of major development projectsOversee arts and cultural planning and placemaking effortsLead and participate in community meetings with neighborhood organizations, developers, and public officials; engage the community and other constituencies to solicit input and feedback.As needed, represent the department on committees and at public meetings of various elected and appointed bodies such as the City Council, Planning Board, City committees and other advisory committees.MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, or related field and a minimum of 9 years of professional work experience in urban planning, including 3 years in a supervisory role. A Master's degree in urban planning, architecture, or a related field may be substituted for 2 years of experience.Demonstrated experience managing direct reports and teams in comprehensive assignments.Experience in project management, including the ability to navigate complex relationships and to identify, develop, and deploy resources across multiple initiatives.Track record of driving execution of effective solutions to complex problems and mediating alignment across stakeholders.Experience managing and supervising staff effectively and fairly.Prior experience and demonstrated success working in a diverse community.Strong public engagement and consensus-building experience, especially involving stakeholders with diverse interests and opinions.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Applicant must be comfortable working in a multidisciplinary team environment and in settings with extensive community participation.Excellent presentation and communication skills, both written and oral.Good judgement and excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with a diverse range of City employees, volunteer board/committee members, elected and appointed officials, and members of the public.Ability to provide effective supervision and staff management. Demonstrated ability to lead and develop leadership in others.Experience managing multiple demands and ability to prioritize workloads, multitask and meet deadlines while working in a fast-paced environment.Overall computer proficiency including general office applications (Microsoft Office suite) and advanced applications (e.g., Adobe Acrobat).Applicant must be innovative and eager to take initiative to tackle issues and enhance organizational excellence.Strong strategic planning, community engagement, communication, and public presentation skills.Ability to build collaborative relationships with senior leaders, subject matter experts, public, staff, and elected and appointed officials.Excellent analytical skills with high attention to detail.Deep sense of humility, curiosity, and learning-orientation.Good judgement, high ethical standards, and personal integrity.Ability to navigate a highly public and political environment.The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.Ability to handle a dynamic workload with constantly changing priorities.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of the Cambridge community is preferred.AICP certification preferred.PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Ability to read and analyze large quantities of information. Must have sufficient mobility to get back and forth from the office to offsite meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT : Standard office environment, which includes fluorescent lighting and air conditioning. Moderate noise level, which can elevate with phone calls and walk in members of the public. Busy office work environment characterized by multiple work demands from department staff, a great deal of customer interaction, and heavy email and call volume. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City's Telework Policy depending on operational needs.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Please upload the below documents to complete your application:
ResumeCover Letter
The Community Development Department (CDD) is the planning agency for the City of Cambridge. Our mission is to foster a livable, sustainable, just, and equitable community. CDD has four divisions - Community Planning & Design, Economic Opportunity & Development, Transportation Planning, and Zoning & Development. Together, we engage and collaborate with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to make Cambridge a desirable place to live, work, learn, play, and innovate.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the direction of the Assistant City Manager for Community Development, the Director of Community Planning & Design works collaboratively with department leadership to advance complex planning activities. The Director leads the City's land use and community plans, programs, and policies. Direct reports include a 9-person team of planners, urban designers, and landscape architects. The team carries out land use planning, urban design reviews, park and public space planning and design, and arts and cultural planning. The ideal candidate will be creative, innovative, detail-oriented, and experienced in visible and controversial projects. Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:
DIVISION OVERSIGHT:Actively supervise and manage staff in the following areas: long-range comprehensive planning; mixed use district and residential neighborhood planning; urban design review; arts and cultural planning; park and public space planning and design; and placemaking.Develop and oversee the division's annual strategic planning, staffing, workplan, and budget.Direct and coordinate the work of project teams and the division's full portfolio of projects and programs.Direct division staff to manage projects, set targets with timelines, and ensure that all participants are aware of expectations. Ensure that plans are data-driven, evidence-based, and actionable. Lead the team to collaborate and achieve consensus on projects that involve multiple disciplines and people with diverse opinions.CULTURE & STAFF DEVELOPMENT:
Create an inclusive, supportive, learning and growth focused team culture for the Community Planning and Design Division.Develop leadership capabilities in staff including skill development and strong team orientation.Support the team in developing innovative solutions to difficult problems.PROGRAMMATIC LEADERSHIP:
Lead citywide and area-specific planning and urban design studies and projects that balance goals of diverse planning disciplinesManage open space planning and design processes for parks and public spaces in collaboration with other departmentsOversee urban design project review of major development projectsOversee arts and cultural planning and placemaking effortsLead and participate in community meetings with neighborhood organizations, developers, and public officials; engage the community and other constituencies to solicit input and feedback.As needed, represent the department on committees and at public meetings of various elected and appointed bodies such as the City Council, Planning Board, City committees and other advisory committees.MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, or related field and a minimum of 9 years of professional work experience in urban planning, including 3 years in a supervisory role. A Master's degree in urban planning, architecture, or a related field may be substituted for 2 years of experience.Demonstrated experience managing direct reports and teams in comprehensive assignments.Experience in project management, including the ability to navigate complex relationships and to identify, develop, and deploy resources across multiple initiatives.Track record of driving execution of effective solutions to complex problems and mediating alignment across stakeholders.Experience managing and supervising staff effectively and fairly.Prior experience and demonstrated success working in a diverse community.Strong public engagement and consensus-building experience, especially involving stakeholders with diverse interests and opinions.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Applicant must be comfortable working in a multidisciplinary team environment and in settings with extensive community participation.Excellent presentation and communication skills, both written and oral.Good judgement and excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with a diverse range of City employees, volunteer board/committee members, elected and appointed officials, and members of the public.Ability to provide effective supervision and staff management. Demonstrated ability to lead and develop leadership in others.Experience managing multiple demands and ability to prioritize workloads, multitask and meet deadlines while working in a fast-paced environment.Overall computer proficiency including general office applications (Microsoft Office suite) and advanced applications (e.g., Adobe Acrobat).Applicant must be innovative and eager to take initiative to tackle issues and enhance organizational excellence.Strong strategic planning, community engagement, communication, and public presentation skills.Ability to build collaborative relationships with senior leaders, subject matter experts, public, staff, and elected and appointed officials.Excellent analytical skills with high attention to detail.Deep sense of humility, curiosity, and learning-orientation.Good judgement, high ethical standards, and personal integrity.Ability to navigate a highly public and political environment.The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.Ability to handle a dynamic workload with constantly changing priorities.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of the Cambridge community is preferred.AICP certification preferred.PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Ability to read and analyze large quantities of information. Must have sufficient mobility to get back and forth from the office to offsite meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT : Standard office environment, which includes fluorescent lighting and air conditioning. Moderate noise level, which can elevate with phone calls and walk in members of the public. Busy office work environment characterized by multiple work demands from department staff, a great deal of customer interaction, and heavy email and call volume. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City's Telework Policy depending on operational needs.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Please upload the below documents to complete your application:
ResumeCover Letter