Planning Department Lead

What We’re Looking For:

Michael Baker International is seeking an experienced Planning Department Lead to grow strategic planning initiatives for cities, counties, and other clients, such as general plans/general plan elements, specific plans, community plans, master plans, zoning ordinances, and other advance planning initiatives. This role is pivotal in shaping sustainable, resilient, and community-aligned environments across a variety of local government contexts. You will bring deep expertise in urban planning, local regulations, and interdisciplinary collaboration to deliver innovative, client-focused solutions.

What You’ll Do:

Strategic Leadership, Growth and Business Development

• Partner collaboratively with senior leadership to shape and execute a bold growth strategy for Michael Baker’s planning, urban design, and resilience practice in Southern California and across the West.
• Lead the identification, positioning, and pursuit of transformative planning, master planning, and design-led opportunities with cities, counties, special districts, and select private-sector clients aligned with Michael Baker’s strategic priorities.
• Expand the firm’s portfolio to include visionary master plans, district plans, design frameworks, and resilience-driven implementation plans.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to craft and implement growth strategies that expand our planning portfolio.
• Champion innovation, creativity, and thought leadership in long-range planning, urban design, and resilient community development.
• Represent Michael Baker at professional conferences, industry panels and public forums, e.g., APA, ULI, AIA, resilience and design-focused convenings.

Client-Focused Project Leadership

• Provide executive oversight and strategic guidance on complex planning and design projects, ensuring alignment with client objectives, schedules, budgets, and quality expectations.
• Position Michael Baker as a strategic partner in the marketplace, by emphasizing value creation, placemaking, resilience, and long-term community outcomes.
• Lead and support business development with public and private sector clients, and bring established professional relationships in the Southern California marketplace.
• Anticipate client needs and proactively address challenges, fostering trust and satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.

Planning, Design and Resilience Excellence

• Lead the development of general plans/general plan elements, comprehensive plans, specific plans, community plans, zoning updates, and site planning efforts for cities and counties.
• Integrate urban design, landscape, mobility, sustainability, and resilience principles into planning projects from the outset.
• Ensure planning and design solutions are innovative, equitable, and grounded in strong technical and regulatory understanding

Technical Expertise and Regulatory Compliance

• Provide expert guidance on California planning practice, including the Planning and Zoning Law, housing legislation, Safety Element and climate mandates, and related state and local requirements
• Ensure all work products meet technical, legal, and professional standards while remaining accessible and actionable for decision-makers and the public.

Collaborative Leadership and Operational Excellence

• Partner with internal multi-disciplinary leaders (including land development, engineering, water, transportation and resilience teams) to drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary planning team in Santa Ana, working closely with other planners throughout the West, capable of executing several large projects concurrently.
• Assess and refine planning processes to enhance quality, innovation, and client outcomes.
• Mentor emerging leaders and support professional development, licensure, and creative growth across the team.

What You Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience preparing general plans, specific plans, zoning codes, or other long range policy documents in California.
• Demonstrated experience working with public-sector clients; experience with private developers or public-private partnerships is strongly preferred.
• AICP certification is preferred.
• Deep understanding of local government operations, community engagement, and planning frameworks.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, GIS, CAD, visualization platforms and emerging planning technologies.. Strong leadership, facilitation, communication, and strategic project management skills
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally.

Compensation:

The approximate compensation range for this position is $136,427.20 – $236,371.20 This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

Why Choose Us:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits

ABOUT US

Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.

Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.

We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.

We Make a Difference.

Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status.

EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.

*It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

*There is no current application deadline. Michael Baker will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.