Senior Manager, Planning and Design

About the Waterfront Alliance

The Waterfront Alliance is a civic organization that brings together a diverse coalition of more than 1,100 Alliance Partners with ties to the New York–New Jersey waterways. Founded in 2007, we build, transform, revitalize, and protect accessible waterfronts for all communities. Key programs and advocacy areas include climate resilience, public access to the waterfront, the working waterfront, and climate education.

The Waterfront Alliance is a regional leader in climate policy and waterfront revitalization with a focus on waterfront resilience. While the Waterfront Alliance is best known regionally, it is increasingly being recognized for its leadership across the Northeast and nationally.

About the Position

The Senior Manager, Planning and Design will support the national growth of the WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) program and manage Waterfront Alliance’s New York City design projects, including our Coney Island Creek Resilience Study. The role will serve as a subject matter expert on resilient design within the organization, oversee communications and strategic initiatives for WEDG, and serve as project manager for the Coney Island Creek Resilience Study and future similar initiatives.

The ideal candidate is an experienced professional in landscape architecture, architecture, engineering, or urban design.

Reports to: Chief Waterfront Design Officer

Classification: Fulltime, Exempt

Salary and Benefits: The salary is $80,000. 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 20%

Responsibilities

WEDG Program (60%)

• Lead communications for all aspects of WEDG including engagement of the WEDG Professionals Network through a quarterly newsletter and social media, written WaterWire articles, outreach to new prospects nationally, and announcements of WEDG Verifications.
• Lead the planning, marketing, and execution of the WEDG Professionals Course, a twice annual livestream event and an ongoing on-demand course.
• Represent WEDG and Waterfront Alliance at conferences, seminars, and meetings.
• Support WEDG business development efforts, including but not limited to, lead identification, resource creation to support program growth, relationship building with potential clients, and policy efforts.
• Manage program administration, data tracking, and coordination with other Waterfront Alliance staff.

Design Programs (35%)

• Maintain project progress, timelines, and milestones to ensure effective project delivery.
• Manage relationships with key partners including city agencies, partner organizations, the consultant teams, and project stakeholders.
• Lead reviews of consultant deliverables (including, but not limited to, concept-level design drawings, technical analysis, and stakeholder engagement materials).
• Represent Waterfront Alliance in stakeholder engagement with support from other staff.
• Manage communications with community members and other stakeholders.
• Manage reporting to granting agencies.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• As needed, the role will support other team members on projects that contribute to the overall mission of the organization including events, educational programming, and operations.

Required Skills and Attributes

• Five years of experience in architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, urban design, construction, or real estate development.
• Experience in design projects in a project management role. Consulting experience on design projects is a plus.
• Familiarity with and a passion for climate change, waterfront planning, land use regulations, and design.
• Excellent oral and written communications, presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once, as well as internal teams for marketing and program development, and external consultants.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work with a high degree of independence and entrepreneurialism.
• Licensure in landscape architecture, engineering, or architecture is a plus, as are sustainability certifications including WEDG, Envision, or LEED.

If they have not done so previously, the Senior Manager, Planning and Design will be expected to complete and pass the WEDG Professionals Course in their first two weeks.

How to Apply

Submit your resume and the answers to the prompted questions. Only complete applications will be considered. Position open until filled. No phone calls please.

As an equal opportunity employer, Waterfront Alliance encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, physical ability or any other legally protected basis.