What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Planning position at rvi?
Who We Are
Our purpose is to inspire people to be outside and engage in the community around them. As planners and landscape architects, we embrace every opportunity to advance this mission by creating memorable and engaging outdoor experiences.
Founded in 1982, RVi is a leading national planning and design firm with offices located in TX, CO, AZ, FL, GA, CA and NC. Our expertise encompasses a diverse range of projects, including community planning and design, resorts, parks, academic campuses, entertainment, commercial developments, hospitality venues, and veterans cemeteries across the nation.
We approach each new opportunity with an adventurous spirit, a collaborative mindset, and a desire to consistently raise the bar for our clients and for the communities we serve.
The Director of Planning will oversee the strategic direction, management, and execution of planning services in the Southwest Florida market from our Bonita Springs office. This leader will guide the planning team, cultivate strong client relationships, and drive business development efforts to expand RVi’s presence across the region. The ideal candidate is an experienced planner with a strong understanding of entitlement processes, client management, community engagement, land development trends, and design-driven problem solving.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, manage, and mentor the planning team in the Bonita Springs office.
- Oversee the full lifecycle of planning projects—from concept to entitlement to implementation.
- Develop and maintain trusted client relationships across private developers, municipalities, and regional agencies.
- Guide the creation of master plans, land use plans, zoning/rezoning applications, and development strategies.
- Collaborate across internal studios including landscape architecture and urban design.
- Prepare and deliver presentations to clients, stakeholders, and public boards.
- Support regional business development efforts through networking, proposal development, and partnership cultivation.
- Ensure projects meet quality, budget, and schedule expectations.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, or related field.
- 10 years of professional planning experience; prior leadership or management experience strongly preferred.
- AICP certification.
- Deep knowledge of Southwest Florida planning, entitlement, and development processes.
- Proven ability to lead teams and foster a collaborative, supportive environment.
- Strong communication, presentation, and client management skills.
- Experience preparing planning documents, conceptual designs, and regulatory applications.
Business development experience and a strong professional network in the region a plus.
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RVi Benefits: To attract and retain the best professionals in the industry, we aim to provide an excellent working environment and a progressive benefits program designed to support your personal and professional needs. We will support you to be a lifelong learner. You will be encouraged to give back to your community. Meeting deadlines, budgets and project objectives is important, but of equal importance is meeting your needs through training, advancement, and mentorships.
Work/Life:
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- Flexible work schedules are available for some positions
- Tenure Awards — Travel Vouchers to see the world based upon your travel preferences
Compensation:
- Competitive Compensation packages
- Annual bonuses, spot bonuses and peer recognition awards
- 401K match - 1:1 up to 4% of compensation
- Tuition Assistance
- Student Loan Repayment up to $25K
- Paid Licensing / Certification Fees and Renewals
- Financial Rewards for Obtaining Licensure
- Employee Referrals up to $5,000
- Annual Wellness Reimbursement up to $500 for anything wellness related (gym memberships, fitness tracker, home gym equipment, etc.)
- Dependent Care Match
Wellness:
- Medical (BC/BS), Dental (Delta), and Vision (VSP)
- Family Planning & IVF Benefits
- Pet Insurance
- Health Savings Account & Flex Spending Account options
- Employer paid LTD, STD, and life insurance
- Metlife Supplemental Benefits covering accident, hospitalization, and critical illness
- Member Assistance Program (MAP) with complimentary counseling sessions, legal benefits, financial consultations, and work/life referral services