Community Planning Lead

ABOUT THE POSITION

Community Planning Lead | Raleigh, NC

VHB is seeking a Community Planning Lead to help shape the future of the Raleigh-Durham metro area, one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions in the Southeast. Based in our Raleigh office, this role offers the opportunity to lead transformative planning projects that address the unique challenges and opportunities of Wake, Durham, and Orange Counties-from rapid population growth and housing affordability to equitable transit access and climate resilience.

VHB is focused on growing our regional market presence in key areas:

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
1. Affordable Housing Strategy & Policy
2. Comprehensive & Corridor Planning
3. Community Resilience Planning
4. University-Area Mobility & Land Use Planning
5. Downtown and Small Area Planning

As a nationally recognized leader in integrated planning, design, environmental, and engineering services, VHB is proud to help deliver community-driven solutions across the Triangle region. Join one of the Best Managed Companies of 2025 and collaborate with a talented team dedicated to building connected, sustainable, and inclusive places across North Carolina.

We're looking for a creative, strategic thinker who understands the nuances of planning in a high-growth, tech-driven, university-oriented market. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and are passionate about shaping the built environment through inclusive public engagement and interdisciplinary problem-solving-we want to hear from you.

• Expand VHB's planning practice across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and surrounding communities, with a focus on client relationships and high-quality project delivery.
• Lead urban planning, land use, and multimodal transportation projects that support fast-growing municipalities, research institutions, and regional transit agencies.
• Lead the development of comprehensive plans, corridor studies, TOD frameworks, housing strategies, and small area or station area plans tailored to the Triangle's needs.
• Collaborate with public sector clients, private developers, MPOs, and regional agencies to address growth management, infrastructure planning, and equitable access.
• Support business development by preparing proposals, cultivating relationships with local and regional decision-makers, and staying active in Raleigh-area industry organizations.
• Oversee zoning and land use research, demographic analysis, and plan implementation tools such as overlays, form-based codes, and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) amendments.
• Design and execute meaningful public engagement processes, including stakeholder meetings, workshops, and pop-ups, with a sensitivity to historically underserved communities.
• Grow and lead interdisciplinary teams of planners, engineers, and environmental scientists to develop context-sensitive and implementable recommendations.
• Present to planning commissions, town councils, and community groups across the region.

• Deep understanding of the regional development patterns, particularly Triangle region initiatives, and evolving land use and transportation priorities.
• Expertise in smart growth, transit-oriented development, housing equity, and sustainability planning within the North Carolina context.
• Comfortable engaging with diverse stakeholders, from elected officials and agency staff to residents and business owners.
• Strong project management, team leadership, and mentoring skills.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop), and presentation tools such as PowerPoint or Miro. Experience with SketchUp, AutoCAD, or statistical tools a plus.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical information to both professional and non-technical audiences.
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and highly organized.

• 11-15+ years of progressive planning experience, preferably with some focus on North Carolina or Southeast U.S. markets.
• Experience in a private consulting firm strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Urban Studies/Design, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• AICP certification or eligibility strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in business development, proposal writing, and client relationship management.
• Proven leadership in managing project teams and mentoring junior staff.
• Familiarity with local planning regulations, and community engagement best practices in Raleigh and the surrounding region.

Join us in shaping the Raleigh region's next chapter. Apply today to help VHB design communities that are connected, resilient, and rooted in local values.

We are VHB! We're an inspired and innovative team of engineers, scientists, planners, and designers who partner with clients in the transportation, real estate, institutional, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments. Our work helps improve mobility, enhance communities, and contribute to economic vitality. We do this while balancing development and infrastructure needs with stewardship of our environment.

Our people make us great! VHB provides a differentiating employee experience, which includes:

• Diverse and inclusive culture of collaboration and innovation
• Opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects
• Community and social responsibility as sustainable stewards
• Focus on learning, development, and career growth
• Best-in-class benefits, including flexible, hybrid workplace

We are consistently rated one of the top AEC firms to work for across our 30+ offices on the East Coast. We're growing, and we hope you'll join us!

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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