The Neighborhood Design Center, a legacy nonprofit that partners with community leaders to envision better parks, public spaces, streetscapes, and more, seeks a Programs Director for our Architecture & Community Planning team. Programs with this team include pro-bono and fee-based architecture and planning services as well as place-based arts and real estate technical assistance.
This role is for a leader who is excited to inspire a dedicated team of design professionals, secure work and resources for the team, bring engagement and design acumen to the organization, and serve as a part of the organization’s Leadership Team. The 5-8 person Architecture & Community Planning team works across the Baltimore and Prince George’s offices. Their team is engaged on upwards of 50 projects per year ranging from vacant lot projects to community master plans, arts spaces to storefronts, and placemaking to affordable housing. This position requires the ability to advance a vision for community-engaged architecture and planning aligned with the NDC mission and organizational values, and bring knowledge of innovative and best practices in the field.
This is a full time, salaried position. NDC offers a competitive salary and benefits package including paid time off, health, dental and vision insurance, professional development support, and a retirement plan. The Program Director reports to the Executive Director, works a flexible 40 hour work week, and will be required to work some evenings and weekends.
Team Management
- Department Director who is responsible for building, maintaining, and managing a team of 5-8 people
- Supervise the team by providing direction, input, and feedback
- Manage team workflow to ensure a rewarding work experience and outstanding deliverables that above all meet partner needs and align with mission
- Monitor, evaluate, and review the productivity and impact of staff, projects, and programs and work towards continuous improvement
- Support staff to build skills and capacities through professional development plans and mentoring
- Oversee hiring and employee performance reviews and fill in for staff when team positions are open
- Build and cultivate a creative environment for the team in which they engage in constructive dialogue and peer-to-peer learning
- Coordinate with our Contracts, Billing, and Project Management leader to effectively utilize our project and workload management tools
Business Development
- Develop business for the department including lead generation, project scoping, and proposal writing with our contracts and billing lead
- Ensure prompt and timely responses to new and recurring proposal requests
- Forecast business prospects
- Facilitate marketing efforts across their team with our Deputy Director and the marketing consultants
- Build relationships with existing and new funders, community partners, and other stakeholders to sustain, build, and improve programs
Leadership
- Manifest the mission and values of the organization, with a focus on community partner outcomes, in collaboration with the Leadership Team
- Develop and foster new initiatives to build organizational impact
- Represent interests of your team within NDC leadership
- Develop and implement the annual NDC budget and multi-year strategic plans with the Leadership Team
- Represent the organization at fundraising events and special events
- Build and improve external organization relationships by active participation in appropriate organizations and professional gatherings
- Produce thought leadership writing and presentations that advance NDC’s practice and raise organizational profile
Design
- Provide input and guidance to staff related to good design practice and industry standards
- Design and conduct community engagement events as required by project and program objectives
- Produce design deliverables as needed to meet project scopes and organizational financial goals
Your Qualifications
- Self starter with an aptitude for collaboration, an open mindset, and focus on community outcomes
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in architecture field or allied, such as community/urban planning
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in architecture field or allied, such as community/urban planning, community development, landscape architecture, public participation / community engagement. Some work experience in the field of architecture is preferred
- Ability to prioritize effectively across a dynamic environment and multiple workflows
- Proven leadership and business development skills; nonprofit experience and strong partner relationships in NDC’s practice area preferred
- Project and program management experience, including fiscal and schedule management
- Experience in team supervision, including the mentorship and development of staff
- Clearly articulated understanding of and commitment to social justice and equity
- Able to work at both NDC offices and community partner project locations as needed
- Facility for leading meetings, both remote and in-person
- Effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
- Impactful public-speaking abilities
- Facility with Adobe CS and knowledge of AutoCAD, ArcGIS, Sketchup, Revit desirable
- References and personal portfolio of work
Additional requirements
- Driver’s License and use of personal vehicle (mileage reimbursable)
- Must pass a background check (position may require work at schools and other public institutions)
- Familiarity with Maryland / DC area regional context and regulations
- Occasional field work in all seasons and most weather, and may include lifting up to 25 lbs.
- All NDC staff are currently working at least 3 days per week in the office. As a Programs Director, regular in office work at both locations (Prince George’s and Baltimore) are required
Apply through their original job posting. You will need the following to apply:
- Resume & Work samples: In one pdf, please include the following:
- Resume
- Work samples: three relevant examples of work from the past 5 years. Include the following components: project title, community partner/client, milestones with dates, description of project, and your role; file not to exceed 10MB
- Three professional references
- Cover letter: within your cover letter please share a brief statement of how your work or practice addresses racial justice, social equity, or design justice and how your lived experience has influenced that work