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Senior Project Manager:
Community Engagement and Communications

Posted: February 21, 2024 | Open until position is filled

Position overview

 Zan Associates is in search of a full-time Senior Project Manager for Community Engagement and Communications. This person would manage multiple projects that help to empower communities to have a voice during the planning, designing and building phases for public infrastructure projects by overseeing community and engagement activities. Public infrastructure projects include places where people walk, bike, roll, take transit and drive; and places where people gather like parks, community and recreation centers. This position comes with a competitive salary and benefits package, and long-term career advancement opportunities. 


In this Senior Project Manager-level position, you would be part of a team of planners, engagement specialists and communications professionals, reporting to a team leader. You would lead projects: oversee and implement community engagement and communications activities for infrastructure planning, design and construction projects. You would be responsible for project management; staff oversight and workload coordination; quality control/assurance; work planning, schedule, scope, and budget management; and business development including proposal writing. 

Specific tasks associated with this role include:

  • Lead projects and tasks on behalf of Zan Associates, including management of project scope, schedule, and budget

  • Proactively manage multiple project schedules and work tasks

  • Provide quality assurance and quality control of all activities and materials

  • Plan, implement, and facilitate community engagement plans and strategies, including in-person and virtual events, pop-up tables, public meetings, presentations, and interactive activities

  • Advise clients on strategies for reaching and engaging priority communities and populations including communities typically underrepresented in the public engagement process

  • Supervise associate-level staff and manage project-related support staff

  • Oversee and/or prepare communications materials such as project fact sheets, project/event notifications (mailings, flyers, e-newsletters, media releases), event materials, social media posts, and website content

  • Oversee and/or prepare meeting/event notes and engagement summary reports

  • Stay up to date on community engagement, communications, and social media trends and innovations

  • Support company business development including proposal pursuits and writing, marketing and networking

  • Support company strategic visioning process and implementation

  • Work evening and weekend hours (Zan is committed to activities that engage people who are historically underserved and meeting people where they gather, which is often during evenings and weekends; frequency of these hours varies by season.)

Desired abilities and experience

The ideal person would have the following skills, experiences, and education:

  • Aligns with Zan’s core values:

    • We believe in the work we do

    • We have a culture of high performance

    • We are professionally opinionated

    • We prioritize inclusivity and belonging

    • We care about our team

    • We are fun to work with

  • Master’s or bachelor’s degree in urban planning, communications or a related field, and five or more years of experience, or equivalent mix of education and work experience

  • Experience and/or interest in community engagement, public process and infrastructure planning and design

  • Experience working for a consulting or professional services firm or a job where you need to track and report the hours you work to specific projects or clients; experience as a consultant in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is a plus

  • Experience successfully managing multiple projects with a focus on managing project scope, schedule and budget

  • Experience using project management software to plan and execute project work

  • Experience leading, supporting and inspiring staff 

  • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to perform work as part of a team and in a self-directed environment

  • Strong verbal and written communications skills including public speaking and the ability to rewrite/explain complex information so that the public can understand the issue

  • Growth-oriented mindset and ability to work in a fast-paced environment

  • Proficiency with the MS Office software suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

  • PMP, CAPM, or similar project management certification strongly preferred

  • Experience supporting diversity, equity and inclusion principles is a plus

  • Proficiency in multiple languages is a plus

  • Experience in visual communications is a plus

  • Experience with ESRI GIS is a plus

  • Must have a valid driver’s license

  • Interest in career advancement

Salary

Salary range is $74,260-$118,450 depending on qualifications.

Position location

Downtown Minneapolis. We offer a flexible work environment.

About Zan Associates

 Zan Associates’ core focus is to build communities by giving people a voice. Our purpose is to provide creative and authentic engagement, communications and planning primarily for public infrastructure projects. We hire people who want to influence and shape the communities we live, play and work in. We value diverse perspectives, and we seek to elevate historically underserved communities. We provide employees with competitive salaries and benefits including medical, dental and retirement, and perks like a flexible work schedule and location, a transit pass or bicycle/vehicle parking, cell phone, and frequent company and team outings. We are located in downtown Minneapolis and work with a wide range of public agencies in the Twin Cities, throughout Minnesota and in the Pacific Northwest.  More information about our firm can be found at zanassoc.com.  

How to apply

If you are ready to be part of the Zan Associates team, please send a cover letter with an explanation of why your experiences are relevant for this position along with your resume and references to Linda Spohr, Operations Manager: hr@zanassoc.com 


Zan Associates is a certified minority- and woman-owned small business, committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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