All Things Urban

Pratt Center is the only university-based community development organization that operates at both the ground and policy levels, across New York's 5 boroughs, to help create more equitable and sustainable communities in an era of accelerating economic and environmental inequality.

We believe that effective urban planning is a bottom-up process that can best be achieved by first working to understand community dynamics and the real impact of choices, and then translating this understanding into public policy that effectively meets the needs of residents and businesses.

Pratt Center currently seeks to hire a Director of Policy and Planning (DPP). Under the guidance and supervision of the Deputy Director, the DPP will lead in the development of the Center’s policy & advocacy initiatives and campaigns on issues including economic and workforce development, transportation, sustainability and environmental justice, land use, and community development. The DPP will supervise a staff of urban planners and GIS specialists who manage data-driven research projects, community planning technical assistance projects, and other collaborations with research and community-based partners. The DPP will lead the development of new grant-funded or client-based policy and urban planning projects; and will oversee the implementation of the projects and the development of project deliverables including community plans, data visualizations, and policy platforms. Working in coordination with the Deputy Director, the DPP is responsible for the delivery of all of Pratt Center’s policy-related communications, including positions and testimony, policy reports researched by themselves as well as other staff, issue briefs and other policy publications, and other communications as needed. The DPP will coordinate this work with staff members working on other areas of Pratt Center programs including communications, fundraising, and program development.

The DPP is a member of the senior leadership team of Pratt Center and collaborates with the Deputy Director and Executive Director on setting the goals and objectives that enable the Center to meet its mission. This position has considerable contact and communication with non-Pratt entities including community-based groups, elected officials, City agency representatives, and many other external partners.

• Lead the development of Pratt Center’s policy and advocacy campaigns
• Oversee policy research, collect (or oversee collection of) and analyze original and secondary data, develop policy reports and other products
• Oversee the project managers of community planning technical assistance projects; responsible for the development of project work plans and budgets; responsible for implementation of all project tasks and creation of deliverables.
• Coordinate the use of a wide range of methods (planning, demographic, economic, and statistical research; GIS; participatory action research and surveys; etc.) to identify key issues, develop public policy solutions, and advocate for policy change.
• Coordinate and support policy research projects being conducted by program staff, from inception to publication.
• Serve as lead staff member to research and write reports for several specific policy projects.
• Represent Pratt Center in meetings with community-based organizations and clients, collaborating colleagues, at general community and coalition meetings, and with other stakeholders, including policymakers, and press.
• Supervise staff, interns and consultants as assigned
• Perform all other related duties as assigned

Education:

Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Policy or related field; or equivalent work experience.

Experience:

Five years minimum experience in urban policy and planning-related projects, research and/or policy development, and/or experience working in community-based organizations in low-income communities/communities of color. Experience with community and/or political organizing and a strong understanding of the various roles played in that process. Must have a high level of comfort in group settings with diverse stakeholders, and experience designing and implementing data-driven policy projects where racial, social and economic justice are a central theme. Must have considerable experience and comfort with public speaking, persuasive argumentation in group settings, and media advocacy. Some project management experience is required.

Skills:

Must have strong communication skills (written and verbal), and demonstrated community planning skills. Must have strong data manipulation and analysis as well as spatial visualization skills. Knowledge of community-based planning issues, including zoning and land use policy, is required. Familiarity with transportation, environmental justice, racial justice, real estate development, and affordable housing issues - as well as the New York City advocacy community working in these issue areas - is required. Must have strong personnel management skills. Must be adept with Microsoft office products.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pratt Institute recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.

We’re not fully sure whether this role is open to international candidates. If you would need visa sponsorship or work authorisation, we recommend checking directly with the employer before applying.