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Placemaking Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Design & Tenant Delivery * Support the project's overall master planning, retail integration, design and plan check processes with a focus on placemaking, design excellence, and long-term value ...

OHOH specializes in the design and fabrication of public art, architectural placemaking, product prototyping, and experiential design. We are a fun, creative collective of artists working in a fast ...

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

OHOH specializes in the design and fabrication of public art, architectural placemaking, product prototyping, and experiential design. We are a fun, creative collective of artists working in a fast ...

SHOP ASSISTANT

San Francisco, CA

$17 - $21.50/hr

SHOP ASSISTANT | ONE HAT ONE HAND One Hat One Hand is a design and fabrication company specializing in architectural placemaking, large-scale public art, product prototyping and experiential design.

SHOP ASSISTANT

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$17 - $21.50/hr

SHOP ASSISTANT | ONE HAT ONE HAND One Hat One Hand is a design and fabrication company specializing in architectural placemaking, large-scale public art, product prototyping and experiential design.

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Placemaking Design information

What is the difference between Placemaking Design vs Urban Designer?

AspectPlacemaking DesignUrban Designer
CredentialsDesign degrees, certifications in placemaking or landscape architectureUrban planning or design degrees, certifications in urban planning
Work EnvironmentPublic spaces, community projects, parks, plazasCity-wide planning, infrastructure, zoning
Industry UsageCommunity-focused projects, local government, landscape firmsMunicipalities, urban planning agencies, architecture firms

Placemaking Design focuses on creating vibrant, community-centered public spaces, emphasizing aesthetics and user experience. Urban Designers work on broader city planning, infrastructure, and zoning to shape urban environments. While both roles aim to improve urban life, Placemaking Design is more community and design-oriented, whereas Urban Design involves comprehensive city planning and development strategies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a placemaking designer?

To thrive as a Placemaking Designer, you need expertise in urban design, landscape architecture, and community engagement, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with design software like AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and GIS tools is typically required. Strong collaboration, creative problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you engage stakeholders and translate community needs into impactful spaces. These skills are crucial for creating vibrant, inclusive environments that foster social interaction and improve quality of life.

What is placemaking design?

Placemaking design is a collaborative approach to planning and designing public spaces that focuses on creating vibrant, engaging, and accessible environments for people. It involves understanding the needs and aspirations of a community and integrating them into the design of parks, plazas, streetscapes, and other shared spaces. The goal is to foster a strong sense of place, encourage social interaction, and improve the overall quality of life in a neighborhood or city.

How does a placemaking designer typically collaborate with local communities and stakeholders during a project?

Placemaking designers often work closely with local residents, business owners, and municipal agencies to ensure that public spaces reflect the unique needs and identities of the community. This collaboration usually involves organizing workshops, conducting surveys, and holding public forums to gather input and feedback throughout the design process. Engaging stakeholders early and often helps build trust and results in more successful, inclusive, and sustainable spaces. The designer acts as both a facilitator and an advocate, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and integrated into the final design.

What are popular job titles related to Placemaking Design jobs in California?

For Placemaking Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Placemaking Design jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Placemaking Design jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Placemaking Design jobs?

Cities in California with the most Placemaking Design job openings:

Infographic showing various Placemaking Design job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

Vice President, Retail Development

Related

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Related Companies rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

127th of 203 rated real estate companies


Job description

Responsibilities
Related California is seeking a Retail Development Senior Project Manager or Vice President, subject to experience and qualifications, to support the development and execution of the retail strategy, delivery, and ongoing asset performance for the retail component of Related Bristol (www.relatedbristol.com) - a transformational, multi-phase mixed-use redevelopment in Orange County. This role will serve as an integral member of the Bristol development team and will be responsible for driving retail performance across the full lifecycle - from planning and visioning through design, construction execution, leasing, tenant deliveries, and stabilized operations.
The ideal candidate is a highly organized, collaborative, and results-oriented development professional who is detailed oriented, commercially sharp, and comfortable navigating complex issues across multiple stakeholders and layered ownership / legal structures - including competitive dynamics given the Project's location directly across from South Coast Plaza and other dominant regional retail centers.
Retail Strategy & Development Execution
  • Support retail strategy for a large-scale, multi-phase mixed-use project including phasing, program, economics, delivery, and long-term performance.
  • Coordinate across development, construction, leasing, capital markets, legal, marketing, and asset management to align retail execution with overall project objectives.
  • Support key decision making related to tenant mix, customer experience, public realm integration, and mixed-use interfaces.

Leasing Strategy & Competitive Positioning
  • Assist in managing leasing strategy in a highly competitive trade area impacted by non-compete and radius restrictions.
  • Support the development and management of merchandising mix, tenant criteria, and leasing strategies across marketing leasing and operations.
  • Actively participate in LOI and lease negotiations, lease and tenant evaluation, produce work letters, and where appropriate, retailer joint ventures.
  • Maintain ongoing market intelligence on key OC retail comps, tenant movement, exclusives, and competitive positioning.
  • Assist with selection and oversight of third-party leasing agents and commission structures.

Project Management
  • Author, maintain and manage the Project's budget, schedule and project tracker in coordination with overall Bristol development and team;
  • Manage and advance the project's plan check and building permits in coordination with the rest of the Bristol development and team;
  • Manage and participate in project meetings and presentations, including: design and planning meetings, internal and external presentations, project coordination meetings, stakeholder meetings, construction administration meetings, and various workshops;
  • Conduct recurring market research and other due diligence;
  • Manage third party consultant contracts, budgets, schedules, scopes of work and deliverables;
  • Review and summarize existing retail leases, author and maintain existing retail lease databases, and assist in the negotiation and acquisition of existing retail leasehold interests; and,
  • Underwrite new development and acquisition opportunities as they may occur.

Capital Markets, Financing & Reporting
  • Author and maintain complex pro formas, budgets and financial forecasts, project reports and investment memoranda that inform key project decisions and milestones.
  • Support underwriting inputs, presentations, diligence responses, and materials supporting investment strategy.
  • Support procurement and closing of construction financing, permanent financing and joint venture partnerships including due diligence processing, term sheet evaluation, legal document review and negotiations, title policy review, and other closing logistics.
  • Support the preparation of quarterly reports with the broader Bristol team for Related's Investment Committee and third-party partners covering leasing, construction, operations, budgets, and key decision items.

Retail Operation Oversight
  • Provide active owner oversight of retail operations in coordination with the Property Manager, including review and approvals of budgets, forecasts, CapEx, reporting, and annual reconciliations.
  • Oversee the pipeline of leasing transactions, renewals and rent reviews to drive value.
  • Manage investor, tenant, and stakeholder relationships

Construction Oversight & Owner Representation
  • Actively oversee retail construction execution including owner oversight of buyout and procurement, budgets, schedules, reporting, and change order negotiations.
  • Conduct recurring site walks, OAC meetings, and manage issue resolution tied to schedule, cost, design intent, and tenant delivery.

Design & Tenant Delivery
  • Support the project's overall master planning, retail integration, design and plan check processes with a focus on placemaking, design excellence, and long-term value creation.
  • Coordinate retail technical execution including tenant criteria integration, servicing/loading, back-of-house planning, storefront design standards, and signage/wayfinding.
  • Coordinate tenant delivery requirements across shell/core turnover, TI coordination, and opening readiness.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • 6-10 years of experience in retail or mixed-use development, retail-led development, or comparable owner/operator roles.
  • Experience supporting large-scale mixed-use projects with solid understanding of retail integration in a mixed-use environment, layered ownership/JV structures, shared infrastructure and complex cost allocations.
  • Strong retail development project management, analytical, organizational, and commercial skills.
  • Working knowledge of leasing, merchandising, and retail operations expertise, including experience navigating non-compete and radius-restricted trade areas.
  • Familiarity with key Orange County retail center comps and demonstrated experience with OC leasing, tenant mix, and operating practices is preferred.
  • Acumen for building relationships, particularly across retail, F&B and leisure sectors.
  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MBA/Real Estate/Architecture/Construction) a plus.

Core Competencies & Personal Attributes
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and eager to grow within a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative development environment.
  • Strong communicator able to navigate complex issues and drive alignment across stakeholders.
  • Collaborative, agile team player supporting a multi-disciplinary leadership structure.
  • Sound judgment, integrity and credibility representing ownership in high-stakes negotiations.
  • Strong external relationship management skills with the ability to navigate sensitive competitive dynamics and broker/tenant relationships in a high-profile market.

Compensation
The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will be eligible to receive discretionary bonus incentives and a comprehensive benefits package.
Anticipated base salary range: $200,000 - $250,000
Actual base salary within the anticipated range will be determined by several components including, but not limited to, the individual's experience, skills, qualifications, and market factors.
Overview
Firm Overview
Related California, the West Coast affiliate of Related Companies, is a fully integrated real estate firm that develops multifamily residential and mixed-use properties in California.
Since 1989, Related California has undertaken a range of transformational developments from best in class luxury high rise residential properties to the redevelopment of obsolete public housing, spanning a broad spectrum of urban infill, affordable, mixed-income and market rate multi-family developments. The company has a development portfolio of more than 19,500 residential units completed or under construction, and more than 4,200 affordable and 7,300 market rate units in pre-development.
Related California has a long history of community partnership, having collaborated with more than 40 municipalities and over 30 non-profit organizations throughout California, and has successfully developed and managed a broad range of property types throughout Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties. Related California has developed more than $9.3 billion in assets and has a track record of consistently developing communities that exceed industry benchmarks in design, construction, sustainability and property management. For more information about Related California, visit www.relatedcalifornia.com.
Company Overview
Formed in 1972, Related is one of the most prominent privately-owned real estate firms in the United States. Headquartered in New York City, the company has offices and major developments across the world. Related owns and manages a premier portfolio of assets valued at over $100 billion, including the 28-acre Hudson Yards neighborhood on Manhattan's West Side.
Related believes in investing in its talent and cultivates a positive, team-oriented environment where every voice is valued. Employees are encouraged to boldly take on new challenges, transcend the status quo, and demonstrate strong entrepreneurial spirit. In its relentless commitment to excellence, Related works to foster an innovative approach in its team members so that they can positively impact the communities in which they conduct business. Learn more about Related at www.related.com.
For information about how we use your personal information, including information submitted for career opportunities, please review our Privacy Policy at https://www.related.com/privacy-policy.
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