Project Director, Land Use

A Better City Published: February 8, 2019
Location
Boston, Massachusetts
Second Location
Boston, MA 02109, United States of America
Skill Level
Mid Level
Job Type
Full-time
Categories
Planning / Land Use

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Description

~ Born out of the need to engage the business community during construction of Boston’s “Big Dig” in the late 1980s, A Better City (ABC) has emerged as a diverse group of business leaders united around a common goal — to enhance Boston and the region’s economic health, competitiveness, vibrancy, sustainability and quality of life. ~

With 130 members from businesses and major institutions across multiple sectors, ABC operates between the private and public sectors leveraging technical expertise and research capabilities to shape key policies, projects and initiatives.  

By amplifying the voice of the business community through collaboration and consensus across a broad range of stakeholders, A Better City develops solutions and influences policy in three critical areas central to the Boston region’s economic competitiveness and growth — transportation and related infrastructure, land use and development, and environment and energy.

In 2015, ABC undertook a strategic planning process designed to build on its successes addressing Big Dig-related transportation and infrastructure issues and to expand its portfolio to support Greater Boston’s economic growth and sustainability. Out of that plan came an ambitious commitment to expand ABC’s focus and to integrate transportation issues with cutting-edge environmental issues related to climate, resilience and land use, as evidenced by ABC’s leadership on:

  • The Go Boston 2030 Transportation Master Plan
  • The ABC Transportation Management Association
  • The Green Ribbon Commission’s Commercial Real Estate Working Group
  • The Global Warming Solutions Act Implementation Advisory Committee
  • The Sustainable Buildings Initiative, and
  • The Greenway Business Improvement District.

A Better City continues to play an active research and advisory role, having prepared highly regarded reports on energy storage opportunities for commercial buildings; the economic benefits of transit investment; the commercial net zero energy building market; and voluntary resilience standards for commercial facilities among others.

Position Overview

The Project Director will lead A Better City’s public realm and land use/development initiatives. The focus is on ensuring the successful completion of diverse projects related to innovative interim public space projects in Boston. These projects include:

  • The creation of urban design proposals for new interim pedestrian plazas and parklets;
  • The evaluation of completed public space interventions; and
  • The creation of a short documentary about pilot public space projects.

These public realm installations pilot the City of Boston’s new interim public realm guidelines co-developed by A Better City, Utile, and the Boston Transportation Department under the Public Realm Planning Study for Go Boston 2030.  In addition, the Project Director will collaborate with other ABC staff to conduct diverse public and industry-specific events on land use and development issues.

The Project Director will report to the Executive Vice President.  Funding for this position is grant-based for 12 months.  ABC is looking to secure additional funds.

Position Responsibilities

Project Management

  • Manage A Better City’s public realm and land use initiatives, which include:
  • Overseeing the creation of urban design proposals for new interim pedestrian plazas and parklets;
  • Evaluating completed public space interventions;
  • Creating a short documentary about pilot public space projects.
  • Working independently and/or with businesses and/or community partners on logistical planning, preparation, and facilitation of design charrettes, Board meetings, industry events, and stakeholder meetings;
  • Designing and implementing an evaluation process to assess public space projects;
  • Hiring and managing consultants; and
  • Procuring furniture and materials for public space projects.
  • Pilot the City of Boston’s new interim public realm guidelines, developed by A Better City, Utile, and the Boston Transportation Department under the Public Realm Planning Study for Go Boston 2030.
  • Design and coordinate events on land use and development issues for ABC members and the general public, and focus group meetings to inform ongoing urban planning initiatives, led by local and state agencies.
  • Work collaboratively with ABC staff to:
    • Develop strategies that emphasize collaboration and partnerships with the City of Boston and Greater Boston communities;
    • Promote the active engagement of the ABC Board of Directors and the larger business community; and
    • Promote quality management, and create and evaluate metrics that track programmatic effectiveness.
  • Work with External Relations staff and consultants to use social media to promote ABC’s land use agenda, and organize selected membership meetings, events and related public forums.

Management

  • Contract with and oversee the work of consultants hired to provide project-specific services.
  • Participate actively in organizational and cross-program planning.
  • Work collaboratively in the development, submittal and reporting of grant applications that support related work.
  • As requested, participate in board meetings, committee meetings, and programmatic and fundraising-related special events.

Position Qualifications

The Project Director will present a range of project management skills related to urban design, planning and coordination. The successful candidate will present the following:

  • 4-10 years’ experience in urban planning, urban design, landscape architecture and/or community development.
  • At least one year’s professional experience with public realm planning and/or design.
  • Excellent project management and coordination/planning skills.
  • Ability to read architectural and construction drawings.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Ability to speak to diverse and sophisticated audiences.
  • A bachelor’s in Environmental Design, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban Studies, or related field required. A master’s in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, or related field preferred.

Compensation

A Better City offers a competitive salary and a robust benefits package that includes:

  • Health insurance (60% employer paid for individual or family plan)
  • Dental insurance (60% employer paid for individual or family plan)
  • 401k retirement plan with $2,500/year employer match
  • Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance
  • 15 days/year vacation
  • 10 days/year sick leave
  • 13 holidays/year
  • 2 days/year personal leave

To Apply

  • Interested candidates are invited to click "Apply" below to sendi a resume, cover letter and 2 samples of applicable work (PDF with maximum size 10 MB). 
  • Your cover letter should detail how your professional experiences and expertise are relevant to this position.  
  • Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
  • Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their resumes immediately, and no later than January 31, 2019.

ABC is an equal opportunity employer.

When you apply for this position, please say you saw this job on Green Dream Jobs!!

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