We are seeking a Senior Planner / Urban Designer to join our growing planning practice in either Charlotte, NC or Columbia, SC. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative, collaborative professional who is passionate about placemaking, community engagement, and designing environments that create lasting impact.
The ideal candidate brings 5–8+ years of planning or urban design experience and enjoys working across a diverse portfolio that includes local governments, higher education campuses, faith-based organizations, preservation initiatives, and community development projects. You'll collaborate closely with clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams while helping shape meaningful places from vision through implementation.
Role and Responsibilities
- Collaborate with planning leadership to develop and execute planning and urban design projects.
- Lead and support master planning, urban design, and community planning initiatives.
- Conduct research, site analysis, and planning studies to inform design recommendations.
- Facilitate public meetings, workshops, charrettes, and community engagement efforts.
- Prepare compelling presentations, graphics, reports, and planning documents.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, community stakeholders, and public officials.
- Support business development efforts and contribute to proposal development.
- Travel as needed to support project and client needs.
- Contribute to a collaborative, creative, and design-focused studio culture.
Experience and Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a related field.
- Master's degree preferred.
- 5–8+ years of professional planning, urban design, or architecture experience.
- Experience working with municipalities, higher education, community development, or campus planning projects preferred.
- Strong design, graphic communication, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Rhino, CAD and/or Revit; GIS experience is a plus.
- Experience with comprehensive plans, design guidelines, zoning, form-based codes, or community planning initiatives preferred.
- Excellent written, verbal, and public presentation skills.
- Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple projects in a collaborative environment.
- AICP certification (or pursuit of certification) or architectural licensure is preferred.
Salary and Benefits
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
- Collaborative, design-driven studio culture.
- Opportunity to shape communities through meaningful planning and urban design projects across the Southeast.
