UrbanPlan Manager

ABOUT ULI:

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members. Founded in 1936, the Institute has more than 48,000 members worldwide, representing the spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines across private enterprise and public service.

As the preeminent multidisciplinary real estate forum, ULI facilitates the open exchange of ideas, information, and experience among local, regional, national, and international industry leaders and policymakers dedicated to creating better places. The mission of ULI is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The UrbanPlan program is an engaging hands-on simulation exercise in which participants—students, public officials, community members and land use or commercial real estate industry members —learn the market and nonmarket forces that shape urban development.

UrbanPlan is searching for a manager to join our small and collaborative team that supports the administration and delivery of UrbanPlan programs hosted by ULI National and District Councils, primarily across North America but in Europe and Asia as well.

This position is based in Washington, DC and requires working from the ULI headquarters office in downtown DC four days a week, Monday through Thursday.

The position is a great opportunity for someone interested in working with industry, public and nonprofit leaders to promote holistic understanding of the development process and build participants’ skills and capacity to address critical land use and development challenges. The Manager works closely with the Head of UrbanPlan, UrbanPlan staff at ULI National and District Councils, and staff on other ULI headquarters teams such as the ULI Impact Lab and the ULI Foundation.

The ideal candidate will have 7-10 years of experience, familiarity with the real estate and land use industry, and established relationships in the public and private sector with both individual practitioners and government agencies or industry groups aligned with ULI’s mission and the mission of the ULI Impact Lab. The Manager must have excellent written communication and public speaking skills. Experience with teaching or leading workshops, podcasting, social media, website management, email communications, presentations and/or annual reports is preferred.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Management

• Serve as liaison to 15-20 ULI District Councils participating in UrbanPlan, ensuring regular communication of UrbanPlan updates and opportunities and timely responses to inquiries and requests for assistance from local UrbanPlan staff and stakeholders.
• Provide virtual and in-person support for UrbanPlan trainings and events across the Americas as needed.
• Assist Head of UrbanPlan with tracking UrbanPlan HQ program costs.
• Assist with maintenance of and improvements to UrbanPlan program and volunteer management systems in Smartsheet.

Impact

• Assist Head of UrbanPlan in tracking of global UrbanPlan participation and impact data.
• Collaborate with teams within the ULI Impact Lab to broaden UrbanPlan’s reach and strengthen the impact of UrbanPlan programming by leveraging resources and opportunities across Impact Lab teams.
• Develop data-driven means of storytelling to communicate UrbanPlan’s impact to a variety of audiences, including member leaders, donors and the public.

Marketing and Communications

• Create and implement a marketing and communications plan for the UrbanPlan program.
• Manage UrbanPlan communications initiatives, including, but not limited to, the UrbanPlan monthly newsletter, email blasts, press releases and quarterly and annual reports.
• Assist Head of UrbanPlan in drafting quarterly reports to donors and ULI leadership and responding to requests for data and information related to UrbanPlan from other ULI headquarters teams.
• Manage the UrbanPlan website and social media accounts and enhance them with timely, fresh content related to UrbanPlan deliveries, opportunities and impact.
• Coordinate with ULI national and district councils to align UrbanPlan communications with global branding guidelines and optimize reach and impact of UrbanPlan-related social media posts.
• Coordinate with the staff of Urban Land magazine on timely features spotlighting UrbanPlan events, volunteers and donors.
• Work with the ULI Foundation team to create materials to promote philanthropic support of UrbanPlan.
• Measure and track the effectiveness of marketing and communications plans and initiatives.

Relationships

• Develop and maintain strong and productive working relationships with District Council, National Council and ULI Headquarters staff.
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with outside organizations whose mission aligns with UrbanPlan to expand UrbanPlan’s reach and impact.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience & Education

• Professional Experience: 5-10 years of related professional experience; preferably within a national non-profit or member-based organization or a private sector entity serving commercial real estate or land use clients, and focused on communications, education or curriculum development, and member relations and/or working with local chapters.
• Industry Knowledge: Interest or experience in urban planning, placemaking, commercial real estate, land use, housing, and/or sustainability is preferred.
• Other Experience: Previous experience in public speaking, conducting workshops or trainings, planning and hosting events, managing volunteers or interacting with clients, members and/or donors is a plus.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; degree in communications/marketing, business/public administration, real estate, urban planning, or related degree desirable.

Technical Skills

• Core Proficiency: Microsoft Office 365 (specifically Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Co-Pilot, Outlook Planner).
• Platform and Systems Knowledge:Familiarity with (or a strong willingness to learn) the following is a plus:
  • LMS/CMS: Thinkific, NetFORUM.
  • Operations: Sage Intacct (Accounts Payable), or Cobblestone and DocuSign (Contract Management).
  • Marketing/Comm: Higher Logic/Real Magnet, Slack, and Zoom Meetings/Webinars.
  • Project Management: Microsoft Planner and/or Smartsheet.
• Hard knowledge: Familiarity with grant administration, budgeting, pro forma analysis, Transit Oriented Development principles, sustainable design standards, Public Private Partnership (P3) frameworks, and/or fiscal impact or cost-benefit analysis is helpful.

Key Competencies

• Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills suited for a high-volume customer-facing role, both within and outside of the organization.
• Public Speaking: Strong public speaking and facilitation skills.
• Interpersonal Skills: Adept at creating welcoming environment for program participants and cultivating positive relationships with internal and external customers.
• Time and Project Management: Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaboration: Ability to work across teams to identify opportunities, efficiently deploy resources and maximize impact.
• Problem Solving: Adept at troubleshooting technical issues and making sound operational decisions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is committed to shaping the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide, and we embrace our core values of integrity, collaboration, inclusion, and excellence in service to our members. In alignment with the Board of Directors’ strong commitment to in-person collaboration, our roles require regular on-site presence to foster teamwork, innovation, and organizational effectiveness. ULI’s primary workplace remains its offices, where in-person collaboration supports our mission and service to members.
• Occasional domestic travel (up to five (5) days per year depending on program needs).
• Must lift up to 30 lbs., work extended hours for events, and sit/stand for prolonged periods.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
The salary range for this position is $65,800 to $71,500. Actual compensation will be based on experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. 

ULI offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and life insurance; generous vacation leave; and a retirement plan with employer match.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

To apply, please follow the link. Please submit a résumé and a letter of interest/cover letter. 

ULI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran or active military status, non-citizenship or citizenship status, arrest or conviction record, credit history, salary history, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or partnership status, familial status, unemployment status, status as a victim of domestic violence or sexual violence, or any other status protected by applicable law.

EOE/m/f/d/v. No relocation reimbursement is offered at this time.