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Principal Planner

Fort Myers, FL; Hybrid; Naples, FL

Are you driven to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact? At Apex, we’re building more than a consulting and engineering firm—we’re creating a place where your career accelerates, your contributions matter, and your potential is fully realized. We believe your growth is our growth, which is why we invest in your development at every stage of your career. Here, you’ll work on projects that shape communities, protect the environment, and create lasting impact, all while being empowered with the autonomy and flexibility to do your best work.
 
Fueled by high-quality delivery, exceptional client retention, and strategic acquisitions, Apex Companies continues to rank among the fastest-growing firms in the AEC industry, recently recognized by the Zweig Group for our industry-leading growth. Our success is grounded in strong leadership, a collaborative culture, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes.
 
As we continue to expand, we're looking for high-performing professionals who are ready to lead, collaborate, innovate, and create impact. At Apex, you help shape what's next. When we succeed together, we share in that success. All Apex positions are eligible for annual bonus opportunities, reinforcing our commitment to recognizing and rewarding meaningful contributions that drive our collective growth.

 

This role is eligible for a $20,000 sign-on bonus, subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's sign-on bonus program.

We are seeking an experienced Principal Planner to lead and grow our Planning practice. This senior leadership position is responsible for the overall success of the group, including team leadership, project delivery, client relationships, business development, financial performance, and long-term practice growth.

The Principal Planner will provide strategic and technical leadership across a diverse portfolio of public- and private-sector projects, including comprehensive planning, land development codes, corridor and area plans, master planning, entitlements, residential and commercial development, parks and recreational facilities, institutional projects, and other community development initiatives.

Your Responsibilities:

Core Functions

  • Lead and provide strategic direction for the Planning practice, including staff development, workload planning, technical quality, financial performance, and long-term practice growth.
  • Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing team of planners, designers, technicians, and supporting professionals.
  • Promote a collaborative, accountable, and client-focused team environment while supporting recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and career growth.
  • Lead the preparation and review of comprehensive plans, land development codes, plan amendments, corridor and specific area plans, master plans, feasibility studies, conceptual site plans, and entitlement documents.
  • Provide senior-level planning guidance for residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, institutional, transportation, and other public- and private-sector development projects.
  • Research and evaluate land use, zoning, development standards, infrastructure, environmental conditions, transportation access, permitting history, and other factors affecting project feasibility and entitlements.
  • Coordinate with clients, engineers, architects, attorneys, municipal staff, developers, and other stakeholders to establish project objectives and develop effective planning and development strategies.
  • Oversee the preparation of Comprehensive Plans, Plan Amendments, and Plan Updates in accordance with applicable Florida Statutes and local land development regulations.
  • Review site plans, zoning applications, comprehensive plan amendments, and other planning and entitlement documents for technical accuracy, regulatory compliance, and overall quality.
  • Represent clients and projects before municipal staff, planning boards, elected officials, community organizations, and other public agencies.
  • Maintain and strengthen relationships with municipalities, developers, property owners, architects, engineers, attorneys, and other industry partners.
  • Identify and pursue new clients, projects, markets, and strategic opportunities that support the continued growth of the Planning practice.
  • Lead or contribute to proposals, presentations, interviews, professional organizations, and other business development and industry activities.
  • Collaborate with engineering, environmental, surveying, transportation, water resources, and other technical practices to pursue and deliver multidisciplinary projects.

Project Management

  • Oversee planning projects from initial proposal and scope development through successful completion.
  • Prepare and manage project scopes, budgets, schedules, staffing plans, fee proposals, and client deliverables.
  • Conduct project kick-off and coordination meetings to establish responsibilities, communication protocols, deliverables, schedules, and execution plans.
  • Monitor project financial performance, including budgets, staff utilization, scope changes, invoicing, collections, and overall profitability.
  • Proactively identify scope creep, scheduling concerns, project risks, resource needs, and performance issues, implementing corrective actions when necessary.
  • Maintain regular communication with clients and project stakeholders to coordinate information, resolve challenges, evaluate performance, and identify additional opportunities.
  • Ensure projects meet contractual requirements, technical and quality standards, client expectations, schedules, and financial objectives.
  • Provide senior-level quality assurance and technical oversight while mentoring project managers and staff in effective project delivery.
  • Report project, client, staffing, and financial performance to company leadership and recommend improvements that strengthen the overall Planning practice.

What we're looking for:

  • 8+ years of progressively responsible planning experience, preferably including consulting, land use planning, community development, entitlements, or municipal planning.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Current AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification through the American Planning Association (APA) required.
  • Demonstrated experience leading planning projects, teams, and client relationships.
  • Strong knowledge of comprehensive planning, zoning, land development regulations, entitlements, and development review processes.
  • Experience with business development, proposal development, client management, and practice growth strongly preferred.
  • Florida planning and land development experience strongly preferred.

Why you'll love working for us:

  • Company-subsidized medical and dental.
  • Company-paid life, short, and long-term disability.
  • 401k match, tuition assistance, and more.
  • Cross-training and the ability to work on a variety of projects.
  • Performance-based bonuses or other incentives.
  • Working with the best and brightest in the industry.
  • 2,000+ employee national firm with 70+ locations across the US.
Apex Job Title: Principal Planner

Req ID: 12272

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