Assistant Deputy Director of Design - City of Boston

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

The Urban Design Division is responsible for crafting and executing a beautiful, human-scale, and inclusive vision for the design of the built environment across Boston. We champion the transformative power of beautiful, sustainable, walkable communities for everyone that support social, mental, and physical health while improving resiliency and promoting equity.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Design, the Assistant Deputy Director will manage and supervise the urban design staff participating in design studies, planning initiatives, and developing design guidelines and zoning.

They will assist the Deputy Director and other senior staff in helping manage staff and activities and help coordinate with design and design review processes across City departments and agencies. They will assist the Deputy Director in developing the division’s systems and relationships to best deploy its expertise.

The general duties and responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below.

• Manage and coordinate the formulation, development, and establishment of urban design planning principles and activities that enhance Boston’s existing public realm-built character and facilitate excellence in the planning and development of Boston’s future urban character.
• Partner with departments within the Planning Cabinet and the City to best deploy design expertise.
• Lead, or advise staff on planning and design initiatives.
• With the Deputy Director of Design, oversee the preparation of urban design products, including urban design reports, analyses, policy statements, and graphic and written urban design guidelines as part of overall planning, rezoning, and development efforts. Ensure appropriate internal review prior to presentations or publication.
• Manage design review of complex projects, as directed, in particular those within the context of Master Plans, active planning initiatives, and at the intersection with City policy initiatives. Coordinate closely with the Deputy Director of Design and other leadership.
• Analyze, envision, and communicate to a wide variety of internal and external audiences the urban design opportunities and their benefits and issues, in particular physical development or physical planning contexts. Determine appropriate communications strategies to accomplish the full range of urban design priorities, from project to policy.
• Lead and/or participate in community engagement as needed. Prepare public presentations; participate in panels, committees, and task forces.

Management

• With support from the Deputy Chief of Urban Design, the Deputy Director of Design Review, and the Deputy Director of Design, work on staff professional development and management issues.
• Develop staffing plans and work assignments and oversee the implementation of the work program for design and urban design studies and planning staff. Work with the Deputy Director of Design and others to develop hiring plans for urban designers, urban design/planners, urban design technicians, and others with needed special expertise to achieve the work program, including as-needed consultants and interdepartmental teams.
• Manage the business and personnel of the urban design division, including annual staff performance reviews, human resource and personnel issues, and the compilation and submission of periodic volume and activity reports. Support development and administration of department budgetary needs. Approve expenditures within budgetary guidelines.
• Develop, implement, and manage systems and procedures for projects and team members.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, or a closely related field, plus ten (10) years of related professional experience. Candidates holding a bachelor's degree in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, or a closely related field with a minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience may also apply.
• Proficiency in design and office software, including AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite, and/or equivalent programs, is required.
• The work requires the ability to:
  • Mentor, manage, and guide staff to deliver on projects and department goals, achieve desired design and planning outcomes, and advance staff professional development.
  • Solve complex urban design, planning, and zoning problems across a wide range of scales.
  • Understand and interpret urban design and architectural drawings, such as plans, sections, and elevations.
  • Effectively and clearly communicate with a range of stakeholders graphically and verbally.
  • Work on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
  • Collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Application Requirements:

Applicants are required to submit work samples that illustrate strong graphic and written communication skills or one graphic work sample and one written work sample. Work samples need to be combined as a single PDF with the applicant's cover letter and resume.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:
Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/($114,000 - $150,000)
Hours per week: 35