Planning Manager 2 - Design Studio

General Purpose of the Job

Manager and supervisor of the Design Studio section, leading all disciplines of the team, overseeing and coordinating all regulatory work, comprehensive studies, public meetings (e.g. Downtown Code Design Review Committee, Planning Commission) and internal design exercises and criteria standards.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Overall Section Management: Oversee the (3) branches of the Design Studio- Urban Design, Ecological Design & Design Implementation. Ensure full integration of strategy, analysis and production. Supervises all activities of professional, technical and/or clerical staff, including working with Management Team to assess internal resources and assign projects to individuals & teams. Instruct and train junior planners in architecture, urban design and ecological principles.

• Quality Control: Centralize point of quality control to ensure accuracy of all staff reports and section output. In addition to correct and current data, review to account for context, compelling persuasion and professional tone.

• Project Management & Prioritization: Oversee multiple concurrent urban design studies and corridor plans, ensuring all initiatives meet time sensitive deadlines. Ongoing monitoring of assigned projects including determining key internal presentations, content & cadence of public updates, and assessment/analysis of pertinent political ramifications.

• Regulatory Oversight: Ensure consistent interpretation of the Downtown Code (DTC) and Urban Design Overlays (UDO) across all staff reviews to provide predictability for the development community.

• Specific Work: Oversee and participate in studies and data analysis, presenting findings with the selected DS team to key constituents. Cross Departmental Collaboration: Act as the lead liaison between the Design Studio and other Metro Departments (e.g. NDOT, Water Services, Parks, Finance) to integrate key actions including infrastructure, East Bank development, etc. with quality urban design. Communication: Weekly reporting and coordination with other senior Planning management team members to ensure that division wide goals are addressed, implemented and communicated with one voice. Public Presentation & Advocacy: Representing the Planning Department at Planning Commission, Downtown Code Design Review Committee and Metro Council meetings to explain and defend policy and design recommendations and/or support senior planners and managers as they do so. Stakeholder Negotiation: Navigate complex discussions between developers, neighborhood residents and elected officials to reach consensus on controversial design and development issues. Establish and set the tone for conversations and relationships with design and development professionals and the broader community. Maintain credibility and collaboration to envision, strengthen and implement planning policies.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and trends in community, urban planning and real estate.

• Interdisciplinary Expertise: Maintains a deep understanding of architecture and landscape architecture along with familiarity with land use law with the ability to see three-dimensional implications of two-dimensional policies.

• Experience with professional architecture, landscape architecture and/or planning firm including ability to apply private practice experience and perspective to proposed planning policies.

• Political Savvy: Ability to navigate Metro Nashville’s unique political landscape, understanding the concerns of Metro Council members and neighborhood advocates.

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to community development.

• Ability to develop, implement, and/or modify policies and procedures.

• Ability to conduct studies, analyze findings, and determine trends and/or make recommendations.

• Commitment to sustainability. Maintain focus on creating “livable, walkable and sustainable” urban forms that align with the Nashville Next general plan.

• Ability to examine and modify the flow of work to increase productivity.

• Knowledge of legal principles of land development and zoning.

• Thorough knowledge of supervisory and management principles and practices, including supervising the work of others and examining and modifying the flow of work to increase productivity and work quality.

• Management and Mentorship: Committed to mentoring planners and managers, identifying gaps in skill sets, refining strengths and growing all people in the division in professional understanding.

• Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creatively helping to solve complex problems.

• Strong prioritization and negotiation skills.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to successfully work with and influence internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to present technical information to lay people in ways they can understand, including communicating effectively, both orally and in writing in plain language narratives for the general public.

• Ability to value and respect cultural differences, balance different perspectives, and to be intentional about expanding opportunities for all people.