Senior Program Manager
Community Improvement Projects

Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative is seeking an experienced professional to implement neighborhood-scale capital improvements and planning processes. The Senior Program Manager will help LANI partner with community members and City and County offices and agencies to conceive, fund, design, and build public spaces that meet local needs and reflect local pride and character, including parks and open spaces, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, business corridors, transit hubs, and safe, vibrant sidewalk environments. All LANI projects are grounded in community engagement with the goal to improve equity, safety, health, and prosperity for the people who live, work, and learn in our project neighborhoods.

Job Summary

Oversee implementation of capital and planning neighborhood-scale improvement projects, including oversight of design and construction, facilitation of community consensus planning, contract development and implementation, and preparation of internal and external reports.

Detailed Job Description

Construction Implementation:

• Follow requisite procurement guidelines and LANI community engagement process for selection of consultants/contractors, including but not limited to planners, designers, project managers, architects, engineers, construction managers, and/or construction contractors
• Work closely with construction managers to oversee all construction activities, including but not limited to invoice approval, prevailing wage procurement processes, contracts, permitting, purchase orders, change orders, and budgets
• Monitor and facilitate permit review process between various City agencies and architects
• Assist in securing help/support from City departments, County departments, City Council offices, and other elected officials, as needed
• Issue purchase orders for non-construction items, or for funds without construction management oversight, following appropriate procurement procedures
• Maintain construction files, contractor files, and consultant files

Community Outreach (willing to train otherwise qualified candidate):

• Create customized community outreach plans for each project
• Engage local communities in projects via meetings, workshops, or special events, hosted either by LANI, partner community-based organizations, or public agencies
• Create content for community engagement materials, including surveys, flyers, mailings, posters, etc.
• Build databases of community stakeholders for individual projects and recruit stakeholders to project Steering Committees
• Guide Steering Committees through project planning processes, including consultant selection and developing project budgets, and through construction implementation, including the change order process
• Facilitate Steering Committee meetings, including securing meeting rooms and providing agenda and minutes
• Form and facilitate project Technical Advisory Committees made up of relevant professionals and public agency representatives, which meet in parallel with project Steering Committees

Funder Contract Responsibilities:

• Develop contracts with relevant public agency funders
• Submit periodic reports and fund (draw) requests to various funding sources
• Monitor project budgets to assure that construction and design expenditures and activities do not go beyond fund allocations or outside the scopes of work
• Maintain funding contract files

Service Contract Responsibilities:

• Develop or assist in development of service contracts for LANI consultants/contractors, including, but not limited to consensus planners, project managers, architects, engineers, construction managers, and construction contractors
• Maintain service contract files
• Develop or assist with development of contract amendments and change orders

Contribute to LANI program development and planning

Participation in LANI Community Forum and other special events, as needed

Requisite writing, meeting attendance, communication and interface with LANI board members and staff, community members, elected officials, municipal officials, LANI consultants and contractors, and the general public, as required

Diversity at LANI

LANI is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from candidates of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women, and/or other historically underrepresented groups. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any legally protected status.

Work Environment

Hybrid: 3 days/week at home, 2 days/week in Downtown LA office (1 block from Metro light rail station)

Collaborative and supportive team and leadership

Opportunities for professional development

Compensation

$80,000-$90,000 annual salary range, depending on experience

Generous benefits package

11 paid holidays and paid office closure final week of December

Requirements

To perform effectively in this position, the candidate is required to have:

• Demonstrated experience managing planning and construction projects
• Knowledge of construction procurement
• Basic knowledge of construction permitting for A and B permit projects
• Familiarity with Department of Industrial Relations and prevailing wage/certified payroll requirements
• Exceptional organizational skills; detail oriented and able to work independently to complete projects on a deadline
• Commitment to team objectives and LANI's philosophies
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including editing for content, style and grammar
• Superior problem-solving skills demonstrating diplomacy and tact
• Computer skills including preparation of spreadsheets, word processing and presentation software
• Ability to hit the ground running to achieve necessary results
• Ability to develop and maintain a goal-oriented, positive attitude and be an effective team player
• Ability to interface equally well with colleagues, the Board of Directors, elected officials, funders, corporate partners, LANI community members and the general public
• Interest and knowledge of the communities of Los Angeles
• Flexibility to attend early morning, evening and weekend meetings, programs and special events, as needed
• Current California driver’s license and insurance
• Spanish or Korean language proficiency strongly preferred