col·lab·o: something produced by two or more people working together
COLLABO is a dynamic planning and urban design practice leading innovative and equitable neighborhood revitalization projects that generate positive results and improve the lives of local residents.
Are you passionate about working with underserved communities to help achieve positive change?
Do you feel that urban planning should be action-oriented and lead to tangible results?
Do you think that your background can provide a fresh perspective on engagement and design practices?
We would love to speak with you!
COLLABO, a Chicago-based innovative urban planning and design firm, specializes in equitable neighborhood revitalization projects that yield positive outcomes and enhance residents' quality of life.​ We are seeking a Senior Associate to contribute to our practice of exciting local and national initiatives. Our current projects span across multiple states, including LA, CT, PA, OH, MI, MO, NM, OK, FL and SC.
Your background should be in urban planning, urban design, architecture, or landscape architecture, with significant experience in leading the development of neighborhood-scale plans or strategies. Experience in planning for affordable and mixed-income housing communities is highly desirable.
The ideal candidate should possess the following attributes:
A minimum of 7 years of experience in the field
An outgoing and energetic personality
Comfortable working in diverse community settings
Exceptional organizational skills
Outstanding communication abilities (visual, verbal, and written)
Experience and interest in meaningful community engagement
Ability to lead a team through challenging projects
As a Senior Associate you will help to shape our small but growing team and practice with responsibilities that will include:
Leading project urban design at neighborhood and site scale
Helping to lead and organize overall office workflows
Identifying partnerships and areas for business growth
Mentoring and guiding younger team members
Serving as project manager for several upcoming projects
Attending and leading meetings and outreach with residents, clients and partners
Assisting in the management and organization of community ambassadors
Developing planning and action strategies
Creating design illustrations or renderings
Assisting with implementation of early action projects
Assisting with website and social media creation and updates
Writing and editing plan documents and grant applications
Attending conferences, trainings and networking events.
We are a hybrid office and are seeking candidates who can work alongside our team in our downtown Chicago space three days a week. The role requires travel for various meetings, events, and activities in the communities we serve (once or twice a month).
At COLLABO, we recognize the importance of inclusion and diversity in all aspects of our work. We highly value team members and partners whose unique viewpoints and backgrounds reflect those of our host communities. If interested, please send a cover letter, resume and work samples to adam@collaboplanning.com.
COLLABO staff have led successful planning initiatives in diverse communities throughout the USA. The following is a sample of this project experience. Please click the postcard to learn more. Where will we go next?
Several projects below were completed at Camiros, Ltd and Van Meter Williams Pollack.
Collaboration is critical to the success of our plans. We strive to partner with innovative firms and organizations that bring unique expertise to address local challenges. Recent collaborators include:
