Planning and Design Manager (Strategic Advisor 3, Exempt)

Posting number: 2026-00625

Department: Seattle Center

Job classification: Strategic Advisor 3, Exempt

Posting type: Open

Categories: Redevelopment, Project Management

Summary

About Seattle Center — The Cultural Heart of the Pacific Northwest

Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of Seattle and home to more than 30 partner organizations, including Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Pacific Science Center, SIFF, and many others. Anchored by world-class attractions, historic venues, public art, and a dynamic calendar of free and affordable events centered around the iconic International Fountain, Seattle Center brings together arts, culture, sports, and community year-round.

As a department of the City of Seattle and anchor of the Uptown Arts and Cultural District, Seattle Center serves residents from across the Puget Sound region alongside visitors from around the world.

In partnership with Friends of Waterfront Park, Seattle Center provides operations, maintenance, and public safety services for Waterfront Park, while Friends leads park experience, programming, and stewardship along Seattle’s downtown waterfront.

With the launch of the Seattle Center Strategic Vision and 10-Year Action Plan, Seattle Center is at a pivotal moment. Among the initiatives of the Action Plan is a bold reinvestment in Seattle Center’s public spaces, for which the Planning and Capital Development team will be leading. We are simultaneously hiring both a Planning and Design Manager (PDM) and a Design and Construction Manager (DCM) while preparing to plan and execute a major capital program. The Planning and Design Manager and Design and Construction Manager will work closely with the Director of Planning and Capital Development to lead these efforts. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for both positions.

About this position:

We are seeking a Planning and Design Manager (PDM) who can manage Seattle Center’s master planning efforts, oversee the Center’s real estate portfolio, and support the development and execution of a potential major capital program. This position reports to the Director of Planning and Capital Development.

The PDM will be responsible for management of campus planning efforts and stewardship of the existing 2008 Seattle Center Century 21 Master Plan. They will represent and advocate for Seattle Center in a variety of city planning forums, including in City Planning Initiatives. They will manage Seattle Center’s transportation planning efforts and relationships with transportation agencies and partners. 

The PDM will work closely with the DCM to support execution of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and participate in strategic decisions on capital priorities and funding strategies. 

The position oversees planning staff and works closely with a number of key Seattle Center staff, tenants, and stakeholders. The PDM is expected to provide expert consultation and mentorship to project managers and planning staff. 

This position will hold and oversee relationships with major stakeholders on and off campus, including campus tenants and community groups. The PDM will represent Seattle Center and its capital projects in various public venues, including before the Seattle Design Commission, Department of Construction and Inspections, and Landmarks Preservation Board among others.  

This position involves assignments that are highly complex and sensitive in nature. Substantial judgment and initiative will be essential to the success of the projects managed by this position.

Examples of duties

Here is more of what you will be doing:

• Serve as a technical resource to the Director of Planning and Capital Development on complex technical issues related to project management, funding, value engineering, contracting, sustainability, planning, land use issues, permitting, design, and construction management
• Oversee planning, design, permitting, procurement, and construction of capital projects and programs
• Oversee staff preparation and maintenance of project schedules, budgets, and quality control performance objectives
• Oversee project management workload and provide leadership with portfolio delivery plans
• Provide guidance to project managers and planning and professional staff. Coach and mentor, manage performance, and ensure training of staff for professional growth and development and succession planning
• Collaborate and cooperate with other divisions to advance strategic capital planning and asset preservation and integrate owner requirements from multiple lines of business into the design and construction o