Job Description

Senior Urban Planner

VHB, a nationally recognized integrated planning, design, environmental, and engineering firm, is seeking a Senior Urban Planner for our Raleigh, North Carolina office. The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill-Cary area, including Wake, Durham, and Orange Counties, is a dynamic region in need of innovative planning solutions. The ideal candidate is a talented, energetic, and creative professional with a passion for working in a collaborative, close-knit team environment.

Responsibilities

• Grow and expand the planning practice in the Raleigh-Durham region while mentoring junior staff.
• Lead urban planning, land use, and transportation projects for both public and private clients.
• Develop and manage comprehensive plans, corridor studies, transit-oriented development (TOD) plans, and small-area plans.
• Drive business development, including client relationship building, preparing planning strategies, and supporting regional market leaders in the real estate, institutional, state and local government, transportation, and energy sectors.
• Develop project strategies and oversee the preparation of development applications and planning documents for both public and private sector projects.
• Research, interpret, and draft land use regulations, comprehensive plans, community profiles, and demographic analyses.
• Analyze data and create visualizations and graphics to communicate planning concepts effectively.
• Prepare written planning documents with supporting graphics, maps, and diagrams; summarize information collected by others; and compile detailed reports.
• Lead community engagement initiatives, including designing materials for community involvement, presenting at public meetings, and interpreting feedback to inform planning actions.
• Collaborate with VHB staff, clients, and consultants to ensure timely project advancement.

Skills and Knowledge

• Expertise in innovative technology-enabled planning, including social equity, sustainability, climate action/adaptation, smart growth, and public health planning.
• Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, including planners, traffic and civil engineers, and environmental specialists.
• Ability to independently manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and interact professionally with clients and staff.
• Confidence and skill in public speaking to diverse audiences, including laypersons, stakeholders, and team members.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as ArcGIS and Excel, and the ability to create maps with GIS, Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp, CAD, or other graphic software.
• Experience with statistical analysis is a plus.
• Detail-oriented and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to quality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, InDesign, Excel, and other relevant production software.

Minimum Qualifications

• 11-15 years of professional planning experience required, with 15+ years preferred.
• Previous experience in a private consulting firm is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Urban Design/Studies, or a related field required.
• A Master's degree is preferred (may substitute for one year of experience).
• Proven experience in business development and preparing successful proposals.
• Experience with planning and design in the Raleigh-Durham metro area.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in managing/mentoring staff.
• AICP certification is a plus.

We are VHB! We're an inspired and innovative team of engineers, scientists, planners, and designers who partner with clients in the transportation, real estate, institutional, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments. Our work helps improve mobility, enhance communities, and contribute to economic vitality. We do this while balancing development and infrastructure needs with stewardship of our environment.

Our people make us great! VHB provides a differentiating employee experience, which includes:

• Diverse and inclusive culture of collaboration and innovation
• Opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects
• Community and social responsibility as sustainable stewards
• Focus on learning, development, and career growth
• Best-in-class benefits, including flexible, hybrid workplace

We are consistently rated one of the top AEC firms to work for across our 30+ offices on the East Coast. We're growing, and we hope you'll join us.

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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