Senior Planning Project Manager

Are you an initiative taker with a passion for planning, design, and client engagement? Are you a skilled Senior Planning Project Manager who wants to take your career to the next level? Do you have a passion for planning, design, and client engagement? Are you a skilled project manager who wants to take your career to the next level?

Come work for Ayres, a growing planning and design team.

We’re seeking an innovative principal planner, urban designer, and senior planning project manager to oversee our Tampa planning team and manage a growing portfolio of exciting projects centered on innovative and resilient solutions. Put your passion for improving the environment and communities to work as you plan, design, and help implement resilient strategies for our expanding and diverse client base. Success will be defined by your professional capabilities and ability to collaborate effectively. This position offers the opportunity to manage projects, grow professionally, and help shape the future of our Tampa team. We offer a rewarding career with meaningful work in a flexible environment based in Tampa.

Local knowledge of the Tampa Bay/Central Florida region, and the planning, development, and community ecosystems within it, is strongly desired.

Join Ayres – a USA TODAY Top Workplace recognized in both 2025 and 2026 – where people-first leadership, collaboration, and professional growth create an environment where great teams do their best work.

On any given day, you will:

• Manage the team’s planning and design efforts on a wide range of projects with a diverse client base.
• Oversee the development of studies, plans, designs, and project deliverables by applying advanced planning and design practices, community engagement methods, and strong partnerships with stakeholders, client staff, and elected officials.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary staff across the firm, including urban planners, economic development specialists, landscape architects, environmental scientists, and engineers.
• Lead and manage regional business development efforts, including proposal strategy, project interviews, budgeting, and timeline planning, to secure work that supports team workload targets, staff growth, and long‑term client relationships.
• Participate in activities with professional organizations such as APA, Main Street, ULI, CNU, etc., including conferences and contributions to thought leadership in community planning and urban design.
• Mentor and manage emerging planners through the USF Fellowship Program, strengthening our partnership with the University of South Florida and supporting the next generation of planning professionals.

Required qualifications:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in urban planning, urban design, or a closely related field.
• Advanced knowledge of community planning, urban design, regulatory planning, site planning, plan review, brownfield redevelopment, transportation planning, parks and recreation planning, historic preservation, affordable housing, grants and funding, and community engagement.
• 10-15 years of relevant experience managing community planning projects and preparing project deliverables and presentations for public and private entities.
• 3 years supervising a team of two or more employees.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, GIS, Adobe Creative Suite, public engagement platforms, and internet applications.
• Valid driver’s license with a good driving record.
• Strong familiarity with planning issues, trends, stakeholders, and professional networks in the Tampa Bay region.

Desired skills and experiences:

• Collaborative attitude and even temperament.
• Ensure clear organizational structure and integrity practices.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Excellent communication and people skills, including the ability to communicate graphically and verbally with the public, clients, and peers.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification (preferred) or equivalent.

Benefits of being part of the Ayres team: 

• Health, dental, and vision Insurance.
• Short and long-term disability and life insurance.
• Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and 401K with company match.
• PTO, paid holidays including two floating holidays, and a flexible work schedule.
• Professional development opportunities.

Please note, benefits vary depending on job status. To learn more about our great benefits, visit our website at https://www.ayresassociates.com/careers/the-ayres-advantage/

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer