Job Description

Make an Impact
As a Planner IV, you will lead complex, multi-faceted planning and design projects that shape communities and create meaningful impact for clients. You will collaborate with planners, architects, designers, engineers, consultants, public stakeholders, advisory groups, and legislative bodies to move projects from concept through implementation. You will bring deep expertise in community development, land use, urban design, transportation, housing, zoning, economic development, and placemaking to deliver thoughtful, equitable, and high-quality planning solutions.
Deliver Results
· Lead complex planning and design projects, including written reports, short- and long-range plans, policies, presentations, ordinance recommendations, and implementation strategies.
· Develop design concepts, graphic presentations, and 3D renderings that communicate multifaceted ideas to diverse audiences.
· Coordinate project work with architects, designers, engineers, construction administrators, consultants, developers, and clients to ensure strong collaboration and successful outcomes.
· Engage public stakeholders, advisory groups, multi-jurisdictional clients, and legislative bodies to build consensus and navigate complex community conversations.
· Review comprehensive plan amendments, re-zonings, annexations, site plans, plats, and other planning documents for compliance with applicable codes and standards.
· Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, staff hours, project expenses, invoices, and documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
· Mentor less experienced staff, provide technical guidance, support professional development, and contribute to business development and cross-team marketing efforts.
Required Qualifications
· Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Architecture, or related field.
· AICP, IEDC, LEED, or similar professional credential.
· Typically 15 years of post-graduate planning experience, including experience with land planning principles and elements of neighborhood, street, and landscape design.
· Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
· Strong knowledge of state planning laws, municipal zoning ordinances, environmental laws, site planning, urban design best practices, and risk management considerations.
Preferred Qualifications
· Master’s Degree in Planning or a related field.
· Experience leading complex public engagement, multi-jurisdictional planning, and consensus-building efforts.
· Competency with design software such as SketchUp, Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign.
· Demonstrated experience mentoring staff, leading project delivery teams, and supporting new business development initiatives.

People Matter
Each individual’s background, knowledge, ability, and experience contributes to strengthening our organization and projects. Our dedication to diversity includes company provided training and education, equitable recruitment, a grassroots employee DEI committee, and robust community partnerships.

Progressive Companies is comprised of people with a variety of abilities, races, colors, religions, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, veteran statuses, and more. As an equal opportunity employer, we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements of innovative design. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Transforming Spaces. Empowering People.

The talented professionals of Progressive Companies are designers of a bold new future, creating high-performance structures and pathways, delivering on today’s needs and preparing for what’s to come. We live by the idea that design isn’t simply about beauty, it’s about improving strategic outcomes—what we call Performance Based Design. Our work spans across the nation, allowing team members to work on a variety of exciting projects and maximize impact as trusted partners to our clients and communities.

Sustainable and Inclusive

We are dedicated to human-centered, sustainable, and inclusive design practices. We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to building trust, respect, and truly innovative design making spaces welcoming and accessible to all. Our sustainability approach embraces the AIA 2030 Commitment, together with a range of high performance, restorative, and regenerative strategies with a focus on climate responsive results to maximize positive impact in our industry.

Employee Owned

We act like owners—because we are. From modest beginnings of four original engineering partners in 1962, to almost 300 architects, engineers, designers, and consultants across multiple regional offices today, the energy, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurial mindset you expect from a CEO come standard with every team member.

Culture of Excellence

The firm is continually ranked as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation®, with comprehensive benefits including an award-winning wellness program, hybrid work schedule, summer hours, profit-sharing, and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). We take our work seriously, but have fun along the way, which fuels the creative spirit and supports a focus on work and life integration.
Progressive Companies is committed to development and growth of team members through continuing education, mentorship, growth opportunities, and more. We are dedicated to giving back to our communities, with paid service-learning hours available to every employee and corporate sponsorship for a wide range of community organizations and activities.