Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Planning Communities is a women-owned, certified B-Corporation specializing in socially and environmentally responsible planning and geospatial services. The Project Manager will independently lead multiple complex projects, manage scopes, schedules, budgets, invoicing, risks, and quality assurance, while overseeing client and stakeholder relationships and mentoring project staff.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with team members and stakeholders to define project scopes, objectives, deliverables, timelines, and budgets
- Develop project plans, including tasks, sub-tasks, budgets, and timelines, for projects of varying scale, including large, multi-phase engagements
- Work with firm leadership and the team to identify and assign team members to projects, clearly communicating roles and responsibilities
- Lead and contribute to all aspects of assigned projects, whether managing, supporting, or executing, by delivering high quality, creative work aligned with project goals
- Track project progress against the plan, identifying potential roadblocks and proactively addressing issues
- Monitor project budgets and profitability, adjusting scope or resourcing as necessary to maintain financial viability
- Manage the monthly invoicing process for assigned projects: prepare, review, and submit accurate client invoices on schedule, and track receivables in coordination with firm leadership
- Facilitate effective communication between team members, stakeholders, and clients through regular status updates and meetings
- Report project outcomes, financial status, and risks to firm leadership and escalate issues as necessary
- Support the execution of changes and updates to improve the company’s project management and invoicing systems
- Lead cross-functional QA/QC efforts to ensure high quality and integrity of all deliverables
- Build strong relationships with key partners and stakeholders (including vendors), managing expectations and addressing concerns promptly
- Regularly communicate project status and financial updates to firm leadership and clients
- Proactively identify and mitigate potential risks to project success and to the firm’s revenue targets
- Ensure project deliverables meet quality standards and adhere to established requirements
- Participate in project closeout activities, including documentation, final reports, financial reconciliation, and lessons learned analysis
- Contribute to and cultivate a collaborative and supportive team environment
- Encourage and contribute to cross-functional teamwork and knowledge sharing within the project team
- Mentor junior project staff and consultants on project management practices as the team grows
Skills
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in planning, environmental policy, sustainability, climate resilience, decarbonization, or a related field, with a minimum of 7–10 years of combined relevant planning and project management experience
- Demonstrated experience managing project management operations at a small firm or consultancy, including running multiple concurrent projects, owning budgets, and hitting revenue/invoicing targets, not solely large-institution project experience
- Proven track record independently managing several large, complex projects simultaneously (budgets of $150,000–$300,000+) without close supervision
- Hands-on experience with monthly client invoicing, budget tracking, and revenue reporting in a professional services or consulting environment
- Subject matter expertise in one or more of these priority areas: climate and carbon resilience; conservation and connectivity planning and human-centered mobility and net zero transit planning
- Demonstrated ability to independently research and analyze complex issues to develop practical, data-driven solutions for diverse planning and community challenges
- Strong project management skills, including facilitation, research, and developing plans and products
- Excellent communication and people skills to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders
- Ability to prioritize across a high volume of concurrent projects, manage deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities under real workload pressure
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify and resolve project issues
- Strong attention to deadlines and budgetary guidelines
- Proficiency in project management software tools (e.g., Scoro, Basecamp, Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project, etc.)
- Understanding of GIS and geospatial technologies and experience collaborating with professionals in this sector to integrate and deliver GIS products and services
- Understanding of design concepts for websites and GIS applications (e.g., hub sites, surveys) to help guide team developers who build these out
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and excellent presentation skills
- Ability to wear multiple hats and contribute to cross-functional initiatives as needed within a small team, while maintaining sustainable workload management
- Job Type: Full-time, remote work location based in the US
- Schedule: Monday to Friday, with occasional weekday or weekend travel required
- Ability to travel as needed to client locations for meetings, etc. Estimated 20%–25% annually
- Professional certification(s) such as AICP, PMP, GISP and/or other related certifications
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance (effective the 1st of the month following the start date).
- Paid Time Off (PTO) accrued at a rate of 10.67 hours per month, or 16 days per year for full-time employment.
- Paid holidays, including a Wellness Day and Floating Holiday.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match on the first 3% of employee contributions.
- Company-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and access to supplemental benefits.
- Opportunities for professional development, including certifications and affiliations.
- Work with a certified B-Corp purpose-driven organization.
- Full-time, remote work location based in the US.
Company Overview