Planning Manager

The Presidio Trust is seeking a Planning Manager to join its Planning and Compliance Department. The Presidio Trust is an innovative federal agency responsible for preserving and sharing the Presidio—a 1,500-acre national park site at the Golden Gate that blends rich history, cultural significance, and extraordinary natural beauty. Once a military post under three flags and the ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone, the Presidio is now one of the most biologically diverse parks in the nation and a vibrant destination with beaches, museums, trails, homes, and workplaces.

Reporting to the Director of Planning and Compliance, the Planning Manager leads the Agency’s planning, sustainability, GIS, zero waste, urban design, and long-range planning programs, providing both day-to-day oversight and long-term direction. The role helps shape Agency-wide policies related to land use, transportation, sustainability, and resource management, and ensures GIS and data systems consistently support planning, operations, and project delivery. This position also advances climate resiliency, waste reduction, water conservation, renewable energy, and other sustainability priorities.

Working closely with the Executive Team, Project Managers, Finance, Operations, and consultants, the Planning Manager helps set project priorities, support capital and long-range planning, and advance complex projects. The role manages consultant teams, supports planning and design review processes, ensures alignment with adopted planning documents, tracks and shares performance data, prepares leadership presentations, and improves internal tools and workflows. This position supervises a multidisciplinary team and promotes continuous improvement across the department.

This is a full-time position with benefits and a starting pay range of $172,458 to $188,706, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The starting base salary is dependent on the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Applications received by July 24, 2026 will receive first consideration.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day management of the Agency’s planning, sustainability, GIS, zero waste, urban design, and long-range planning programs in alignment with Agency-wide direction.
• Manage the Agency’s 20-year capital and replacement project inventory, including but not limited to working with the Executive Team and Project Managers on updating prioritization criteria and project scopes, schedules and costs.
• Develop, implement and manage the Agency’s sustainability program to advance climate resiliency, waste reduction, water conservation, renewable energy adoption, and other sustainability goals, in coordination with the Sustainability Planner and Zero Waste Manager.
• Lead the GIS Program, ensuring that spatial and land use data systems serve as the “source of truth” for Agency planning and operational decisions and project implementation.
• Participate in the Agency’s Planning Review process and support the Planning Review Team in their use of efficient review and project tracking processes.
• Co-chair the Design Review Committee, ensuring consistent application of adopted policies, design guidelines and standards.
• Develop, update and execute Agency-wide policies and procedures regarding land use, transportation, resource management, public realm and sustainability.
• Manage consultant contracts and interdisciplinary teams conducting technical and implementation-focused studies in financing, operations, facilities planning, land use, transportation, sustainability, and resource management.
• Lead and participate in cross-divisional working groups consisting of agency leadership and subject matter experts to identify and introduce proactive planning, design, and implementation measures that advance the Agency’s planning and sustainability goals, financial stability, and operational excellence.
• Participate in Agency-wide technology and database management initiatives to improve data integration, coordination and decision making.
• Track, collect, analyze, and present Planning & Compliance department performance metrics against Agency key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate program effectiveness and inform strategic decisions.
• Assist the Director with departmental work planning, workload management and the annual planning process for Planning & Compliance Department operations and projects.
• Support the Planning Review Team in their use of efficient review and project tracking processes.
• Prepare and present memorandums and PowerPoint presentations for the Leadership Team, Executive Team, and other stakeholders.
• Establish, document and maintain Planning & Compliance Department procedures, tools and workflows to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly and indirectly supervise a team of seven (7) professionals in the Planning Office, which includes Sustainability, Zero Waste, Urban Design, Planning, and GIS.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include providing feedback, coaching, and guiding professional development of individual staff members; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; authorizing time off; addressing complaints and resolving problems; and as needed, interviewing, hiring, and training new employees.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in urban planning, landscape architecture, environmental planning, civil engineering or a closely related field.
• Minimum of ten years of professional experience in urban or park planning experience, including the planning, design, and construction of projects involving utility upgrades, transportation improvements and historic properties.
• At least four years of supervisory experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
• At least four years of experience in long-range planning, policy development, and program implementation, including preparation of general plans, master plans (campus/facility), specific plans, or area plans.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects from inception through implementation, including project scopes, schedules, budgets and consulting contracts.
• Strong knowledge of principles, practices and methods of design, engineering, and project management as applied to architecture, planning, design, permitting, construction, inspection, operation, and maintenance.
• Knowledge of budgeting, capital planning, and public-sector financial management.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations and compliance, including NEPA/CEQA, and applicable laws, codes and regulations.
• Proficiency with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) systems and applications, including spatial analysis, data management, and mapping to support decision making.
• Knowledge of urban design, land use, transportation planning and public realm development principles, including development and application of design standards.
• Knowledge of sustainability practices, including zero waste, biodiversity, water conservation, sustainable landscapes and stormwater, renewable energy, energy-efficient design, and transportation.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and coordinate with executive leadership, project managers, and internal departments and consultants.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including preparing reports, presentations, memorandums, and dashboards for senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, plans, drawings, and technical documents and legal materials.
• Ability to develop, apply and enforce agency policies, procedures, rules regulations and standards.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines, budgets, and agency objectives.
• Ability to manage consultants and their contracted budgets and scopes of work.
• Proficient with standard office software and project management tools; ability to maintain accurate project records and documentation.

Desired Qualifications

• Innovative, detail-oriented, and experienced in highly visible/controversial projects.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret research data for reports and apply mathematic techniques in practical situations.
• AICP Certification
• LEED Certification
• A passion for the mission and values of the Presidio Trust.

Background Check
This position is subject to an employment background check which shall consist of a review of applicable county, state and Federal criminal and civil records, state bankruptcy indexes, driver’s license, education, employment history and, if relevant, professional licenses. An individual’s granting of a background check and resulting report is voluntary. However, employment is contingent upon the successful completion of an employment background check. The Presidio Trust may refuse to hire an individual, may rescind an offer of employment to an individual, or may review and terminate the employment of a current employee not successfully completing the background check.

Financial Disclosure
This position will require the completion of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Form 278, Public Financial Disclosure Report, both as a New Entrant into the position and annually thereafter. The purpose of the financial disclosure system is to assist employees and their agencies in avoiding conflicts between official duties and private financial interests or affiliations.

The Presidio Trust is an equal opportunity employer, offering a competitive benefits package. To learn more, visit www.presidio.gov/about/presidio-trust/careers.