Land Planner Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Timmons Group is currently seeking a motivated, experienced Land Planner Project Manager to join our Private Development Land Planning practice, with the opportunity to grow into a leadership role over time. Our team supports private developers, economic development authorities, and rural localities across the Mid-Atlantic on entitlement, feasibility, and site planning for projects intended to be built - not research or academic studies. This is client-facing, delivery-focused work, closely integrated with civil engineering, landscape architecture, and other Timmons Group service lines.

We're looking for a technically strong planner and proven project deliverer, ready to work closely with senior leadership on fast-turnaround assignments for large-scale developers, EDAs, and rural localities pursuing housing, economic development, and mixed-use programs. Over time, this individual will help lead and grow the practice.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Practice Leadership & Project Management (35-45%)

• Lead and grow the Private Development Land Planning practice, including day-to-day management of a small technical team - assigning work, setting priorities, and ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Manage entitlement projects from proposal through approval, coordinating internal planning, civil engineering, and landscape architecture teams.
• Partner with senior leadership on fast-turnaround projects for EDAs, large-scale developers, and rural localities.
• Represent clients in rezoning, SUP, and other zoning cases, including public engagement and hearings.
• Prioritize work across multiple concurrent projects and staff assignments to meet deadlines.
• Maintain and grow client relationships, positioning Timmons Group for repeat and referral work.

Planning & Technical Production (25-35%)

• Set and lead technical best practices and quality standards across the team's production work, reviewing staff deliverables for accuracy and consistency.
• Analyze site conditions, zoning, and regulations to develop feasible layouts for residential, commercial, mixed-use, and recreational projects.
• Prepare planning-level cost estimates and feasibility analyses to support client decisions.
• Prepare and review entitlement documents, rezoning/SUP applications, and graphics for code consistency.
• Research and author feasibility reports with engineering and planning recommendations, including program frameworks helping rural localities and EDAs address housing and mixed-use needs.
• Produce deliverables using MS Office, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and GIS.

Business Development (15-20%)

• Partner with principals on proposal preparation, scope/fee development, and RFP/RFQ responses, including client interviews and presentations.
• Help identify and pursue new opportunities with developers, EDAs, and rural localities.

Team Development & Administration (10-15%)

• Supervise and mentor technical planning staff, including check-ins, workload balancing, feedback, and professional growth.
• Support staff recruiting, onboarding, and training as the practice grows.
• Participate in project budget/schedule reviews and internal planning meetings.
• Attend public, stakeholder, and technical committee meetings, including occasional evenings/weekends; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills/Requirements include but are not limited to:

• Bachelor's degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Engineering, or related field; Master's not required but is a plus. Experience will weigh more heavily than formal education.
• 8+ years in land planning, ideally with private development, entitlement, or economic/community development experience.
• AICP certification expected within one year of hire (not required at application).
• Demonstrated leadership potential, with prior experience supervising, mentoring, or leading technical staff strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication and client-management skills, including representing clients at public hearings.
• Strong, creative graphics skills; ability to distill complex regulatory information into clear public materials.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS is a must; also proficient with MS Office, AutoCAD (Civil 3D a plus), and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Understanding of, and capacity to productively use, AI tools in the evolving planning and design environment.
• Experience with proposals, fee estimates, and business development activities preferred.
• A high-energy, creative, flexible self-starter who thrives managing multiple concurrent client engagements.

Compensation: Our best estimate of the salary range for this position is $90,000-$120,000. Offers are based on a range of job-related factors such as internal equity, experience, skills, education, credentials and role complexity. Information on our comprehensive benefits package be found here.

The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

We are looking for high energy, creative, flexible, patient, self-starters who are willing to work at a dynamic pace. Candidates must share a commitment to our company's Vision, Mission and Shared Values.

Timmons Group is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Timmons Group is a full-service engineering and technology firm recognized nationally as a "Best Firm to Work For" by CE News. With 21 offices throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, we provide civil engineering, environmental, economic development, GIS/geospatial technology, landscape architecture, and surveying services to a diverse client base. As one of Engineering News Record's (ENR) Top 500 Design Firms for over 30 years, we are dedicated to being an employer of choice and providing our people with the best resources, technology, and culture to help them thrive in an engaging career development setting. For more information, visit www.timmons.com.

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