Senior Project Manager, Urban Design

Our Vision: To make New York City the global model for inclusive innovation and economic growth, fueled by the City’s diverse people and businesses. 

Our Mission: To create shared prosperity across New York City’s five boroughs by strengthening neighborhoods and growing good jobs.

Position Overview: The Senior Project Manager (SPM) will support and work with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement plans for complex projects involving multiple stakeholders. This position will be responsible for working directly with a Neighborhood Strategies Vice President to spearhead inter-departmental and inter-agency coordination. 

The primary focus will be leading various NYCEDC’s urban design workstreams and playing a central role in NYCEDC’s planning work and may be asked to support the project management. They will perform architectural and urban design tasks at various scales, providing support relating to site planning, overall massing and architectural expression, streetscape, landscape, and sustainable design to the Neighborhood Strategies Department’s work on multiple projects. Additional tasks include managing consultants, setting urban design workplans and scopes, developing visualizations for decision making and external communication, briefing senior leadership and external stakeholders, developing overall urban design strategies as part of master planning and site redevelopment projects, and visioning towards goals.

The diverse Urban Design portfolio encompass projects across all five boroughs that vary in scale, typology and include long-term planning and strategy to direct infrastructure to project implementation.

Recent projects include: bringing waterfront greenways to underserved communities in Northern Manhattan, designing an innovative climate master plan for flood protection and open space in the Financial District and South Street Seaport, and envisioning a revitalized public realm around the Broadway Junction transit hub in East New York, planning for the public realm around a future Metro-North Station in the Morris Park section of the Bronx, and supporting the design of waterfront open space on public sites in the South Bronx and other parts of New York City.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

– Lead the urban design workstreams of Planning Division’s interdisciplinary teams to produce quality work product, meet milestones, and communicate across various audiences
– Provide urban design technical assistance and guidance to Department staff on an as-needed basis
– Plan, organize and conduct zoning, land use and urban design studies, research data, analyze built environment conditions, prepare 3D massings, maps and written reports
– Develop criteria and design guidelines for large-scale planning efforts and neighborhood studies
– Prepare conceptual designs and development design criteria, and coordinate with agency staff and other involved agencies
– Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the NYC Zoning Resolution as well as urban design and planning trends
– Build and maintain relationships with other urban design leads across government and the nonprofit and private sectors
– Support reviewing and drafting urban design components of requests for proposals (RFPs) and other public procurements
– Organize and prepare graphic and written materials, and present to NYCEDC staff and leadership, community boards, elected officials. and public agencies
– Coordinate with other agency representatives on Department studies, projects and ULURP applications
– Perform other related tasks and projects
– Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
– Master’s degree in architecture, landscape architecture, and/or urban design strongly preferred. Applicants without a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s degree in urban planning will be considered if the qualifications are met below.
2-3 years of full-time experience related to urban design and development
– Strong urban design capabilities and experience with physical planning and design practices including site planning, building massing, and layouts
– Knowledge of climate resiliency and sustainability measures and best practices
– Strong ability to represent the built form, urban design concepts, and site plans in a variety of ways including free-hand sketches, 3D modeling, and computer-based rendering and modeling tools such as Rhino 3D, SketchUp, and AutoCAD
– Graphic design and geospatial -analyses skills preferred, including Adobe Creative Suite and ArcGIS
– Familiarity with the NYC Zoning Resolution, building codes, and the public land use review process
– Demonstrated ability to self-manage as well as superior project management skills including the ability to complete tasks in a timely fashion with minimal supervision.
– Understanding of urban design best practice examples from around the world
– Strong interpersonal, written, verbal and analytical skills.
– Ability to facilitate community outreach processes and translate design concepts into approachable materials that can be understood by a wide range of audiences
– Strong entrepreneurial, interpersonal, and leadership skills; should be a self-starter and take initiative
– Occasional travel across the five boroughs of New York City
– Must obtain/maintain New York City residency within 180 days of hire

As of August 2, 2021, all new hires must be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus as defined by the CDC, unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation for religion or disability

Applicants who are chosen for an interview should bring copies of their design portfolio. Interviews will also include an urban design skills test. A final decision about the position’s title will depend on the selected applicant’s qualifications and experience.

About Us: NYCEDC is New York City’s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. Our mission is to create shared prosperity across New York City’s five boroughs by strengthening neighborhoods and growing good jobs. We do this by developing, managing, and implementing expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment and strengthen the city’s competitive position.

NYCEDC is dedicated to the creation of a dynamic, equitable, and sustainable urban economy. We are making sure that whatever happens next, happens right here in New York City—and that all New Yorkers are a part of it.

NYCEDC offers many unique advantages for an exciting and fulfilling career. As part of our team, you’ll enjoy:
– The unique opportunity to make an impact on New York City
– Working on diverse, unique, and challenging projects
– Working closely with teams of creative, highly motivated, and passionate people
– Learning opportunities designed to enhance the practical skills and business knowledge of our employees
– Excellent benefits, including company-paid 401(a) pension plan, 457(b) tax-advantaged retirement savings plans, medical, dental and vision benefits, generous paid family leave and paid time off, and other perks

The New York City Economic Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our diversity and inclusion mission is to attract, retain, and engage a diverse workforce comprised of talented people. NYCEDC employees can expect to work as part of a highly engaged, passionate and inclusive workforce where everyone’s contributions are valued, respected and make an impact on one of the best and most diverse cities in the world!