Director of Planning & GIS

About Us

Larson Design Group (LDG) is an award-winning, employee-owned Architecture, Engineering, and Consulting Firm. Guided by our core values, we’re expanding our team, opening new offices, and adding new offerings to provide responsive, innovative solutions to clients nationwide.

Being 100% employee-owned directly impacts our culture: it drives our decision-making, motivates our teams, increases our productivity, improves retention, and contributes to the future success of our company. Our culture is one where we work hard for our clients and for each other – and we have fun collaborating, sharing experience and expertise, and learning along the way. We’re passionate about delivering exceptional quality, elevating client relationships, enriching the careers and lives of our employee-owners, and enhancing the communities where we live and serve.

At LDG, we strive to create an organization where people want to work. We offer a flexible work environment, paid training for required licensures, competitive benefits, bonus plans, and a company-funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) while supporting your professional and personal growth.

Your Opportunity + Impact
The Director of Planning & GIS will oversee the development of master planning, programming, asset management, utility planning, and conceptual design documents and graphics, with a particular focus on projects supported by federal contracts. This role requires a blend of strategic leadership, project management, and experience navigating government regulations and contracts. The Director of Operations manages professional staff to ensure staffing, scheduling, budgeting, project delivery, quality, client satisfaction and staff development needs are being met. This position is responsible for leading department specific client and business development initiatives. This position is responsible for the service lines performance to ensure that goals for sales, revenue, profitability, quality, client growth/sales, and sustainable growth are met.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead Planning and GIS Initiatives: Oversee the development and execution of master planning, programming, asset management, utility, and conceptual design projects, including those under federal contracts.
• Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary team of planners and technical staff in the creation of planning and design documents and graphics.
• Federal Contract Expertise: Ensure compliance with federal contracting requirements, including project management, timelines, and reporting for government-funded project
• Business Development: Responsible for developing and leading a business development strategy that focuses on key wins, building and maintaining client relationships, maintaining a brand presence in the industry, and leading/reviewing proposals.
• Strategic Planning and Performance: Assist in preparing division strategic plan and annual business plan and budget. Work with staff to execute against established goals. Monitor contracts, subcontracts, change orders and other agreements to ensure that established procedures are being followed. Supervise the delivery of high-quality, compliant work within the established budget and timelines. Manage both domestic and international projects.
• Financial Reporting – Works closely with VP – Operations and Financial Analyst to monitor department’s financial performance (Sales, Revenue, Profit, Backlog, Overhead)
• Collaborate - Closely with the Operational leaders and Corporate Service Team leaders to ensure programs and initiatives are aligned with company’s strategic goals. Collaborates with peers to ensure division and interdisciplinary project needs are satisfied.
• Client and Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with clients, government agencies, and stakeholders, offering strategic consultation throughout the planning and development process.
• Administrative Tasks – Participation in administration involves responsibility in activities that include but are not limited to development and ongoing management of the PM process, sales process, financial administration, personnel supervision, recruitment, and company strategic planning. Utilizes LDG systems to complete timesheets, expense reports, and other job specific tasks according to the schedule established.

Education and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of fifteen (15) years’ experience in related discipline.
• Licensure/Certification: AICP, PMP certification or similar is highly desirable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possesses knowledge of strategic and business planning processes to plan and implement department initiatives,
• Proven expertise in leading complex, large-scale urban planning projects, particularly those involving government contracts.
• Experience overseeing the development of master planning, programming, and conceptual design documents and graphics. Strong understanding of federal contracting regulations, reporting requirements, and compliance.
• Knowledge of computer applications including Microsoft Office, database management and Internet applications
• GIS programs and applications
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the editing, oversight or preparation of technical reports, and the presentation of information to government entities and various committees.
• Can exercise good judgement and maintain confidentiality
• Strong client management skills.

Work Environment/Travel Requirements
Frequent domestic and international travel as needed to position LDG with partners and clients for meetings, project opportunities, conferences, seminars, etc. is anticipated.
EEO Statement
Larson Design Group, Inc. is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization.