Associate Principal, Senior Urban Planner - AECOM

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AECOM is actively seeking an Associate Principal, Senior Urban Planner to support our Federal practice. For this role, AECOM offers the freedom and flexibility to work on our hybrid schedule being a combination of in office time and remote work. This leader will have a broad sphere of influence throughout the West Region, with our preference to have this leader seated in Orange or Los Angeles, CA offices.

Associate Principal, Senior Urban Planner

AECOM's Urban Planning Group and Federal Planning Group form a powerhouse of expertise dedicated to shaping both the local and national landscapes. With our Urban Planning team, we bring together a diverse group of specialists committed to creating vibrant, sustainable urban environments. From crafting comprehensive master plans to designing transit-oriented developments, we prioritize livability, resilience, and economic vitality to shape the future of cities and communities worldwide.

In parallel, our Federal Planning Group focuses on providing strategic planning and advisory services to federal agencies across various sectors. We specialize in navigating complex regulatory frameworks, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and stakeholder engagement. Whether it's infrastructure development, environmental planning, or military installations, our team leverages its technical expertise and understanding of federal requirements to deliver mission-critical projects on time and within budget. Together, we support agencies in achieving their objectives and serving the public interest, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive future for all.

Job Overview:

As an Associate Principal, Federal Urban Planner at AECOM, you will play a crucial role in planning and developing projects for various federal agencies. You will be responsible for providing expertise in urban planning principles, regulations, and best practices to ensure that projects align with federal guidelines and objectives. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

Core Responsibilities:

Lead Business Development Initiatives:

• Spearhead the identification, pursuit, and acquisition of new projects in alignment with the company's strategic objectives.

• Cultivate and nurture relationships with existing and potential clients, understanding their needs and delivering tailored solutions.

• Collaborate with the leadership team to develop and execute comprehensive business development strategies, ensuring sustainable growth and market expansion.

Client-Centric Leadership:

• Champion a client-centric approach across all project phases, prioritizing client satisfaction, and fostering long-term partnerships.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, addressing inquiries, resolving issues, and proactively anticipating future needs.

• Lead by example, instilling a culture of exceptional service delivery and client engagement within the team.

Urban Planning and Project Development:

• Utilize expertise in urban planning principles, regulations, and best practices to conceptualize and develop innovative solutions for federal projects.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to formulate and appraise plans and standards, ensuring alignment with federal guidelines and objectives.

• Assess the feasibility and soundness of proposed planning products, providing strategic insights to optimize project outcomes.

Technical Advisory and Compliance Oversight:

• Serve as a trusted advisor and consultant on technical specialties related to urban planning, offering guidance on facility types, federal standards, and program functions.

• Monitor and ensure compliance with federal guidance governing installation planning activities, mitigating risks and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements.

Collaborative Leadership and Continuous Improvement:

• Partner with Principal Planning leaders on all planning-related matters, leveraging expertise and experience to drive operational excellence.

• Evaluate the operations and activities of assigned responsibilities, identifying areas for improvement and recommending modifications as needed to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Minimum Requirements

• 8 years of experience + Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning / Landscape Architecture /  Architecture or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education

• Due to the nature of the work in this role, US citizenship is a requirement for this position

Preferred Requirements

• 15+ years of experience with master planning /site planning products for military installations or other federal agencies

• Strong understanding of US Military culture

• Strong workshop facilitation skills

• Ability to travel

• AICP certification strongly preferred

• Knowledge of federal planning regulations, including NEPA, Section 106, and other relevant statutes.

• Proficiency in GIS software, CAD tools, and other urban planning technologies.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically and creatively.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Familiarity with sustainability principles, smart growth strategies, and resilient design concepts is are among strongly preferred suite of skills.

Additional Information

• Relocation support within the domestic United States is available for this role

• Sponsorship is not available now or in the future for this role

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.