Senior Lead (Place Management)

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview
A Senior Lead directs multiple projects with minimal oversight and leads programs or core company functions while standardizing delivery and contributing to firm strategy. This role bridges execution and leadership through a system-thinking approach to improving how work gets done. They have strong leadership and influence across all levels of the organization, showing the ability to operate at the highest levels of strategy and execution. This role is responsible for both helping to develop, and operationalizing, the vision and direction of the partners in a way that enables success for the project teams, and mechanizing consistency and quality of how work gets executed.

This Senior Lead is responsible for one key company program: Place Management services. Uncommon Bridges provides a wide range of services to Place Management organizations (Business Improvement Districts/Areas, Assessment Districts and related organizations under different names) that help to create prosperous downtown districts, vibrant neighborhood commercial corridors and livable urban places for all. This Senior Lead will direct projects including technical services (district formation, reauthorization and evaluation), organizational development services (strategic planning, visioning, and facilitation) as well as other projects with stakeholder and community engagement elements. This Senior Lead will build on the firm’s deep expertise and industry relationships to build the next chapter of the firm’s work focused on placed-based economic development, revitalization, placemaking and helping to build communities that are safe, active and welcoming. This position will work in close partnership with the firm’s Senior Lead responsible for the Data & Mapping program.

PRIORITY REVIEW DEADLINE: Friday, May 29, 2026, close of business (Pacific Standard Time)

About Uncommon Bridges

Uncommon Bridges is a consulting firm located in downtown Seattle next to Pike Place Market. Established in 2009 (as BDS Planning & Urban Design), Uncommon Bridges specializes in building consensus and unlikely coalitions, communicating complex information, demonstrating leading ideas, and shaping organizations. We build more vibrant, just and thriving communities by braiding inclusive process, consensus leadership, impactful organizations, and meaningful places into everything we do. Key services include Strategic Planning & Visioning; Facilitation; Research & Analysis; Business Improvement District (BID) Formation, Renewal, & Expansion; Community & Stakeholder Engagement; Policy & Program Development; Government Relations & Strategy; and Cultural Placemaking. Examples of current and past client work can be found at The company has a strong culture of transparency, flexibility, equity, and open communication, and is a majority people of color- and woman-owned small business.

Subject Matter Expertise

A Senior Lead is a mid- to senior-level career professional who possesses strong leadership, people management, relationship management and self-promotion skills.

• Leadership — Ability to design, plan, lead and manage large complex projects from conception to completion alone and/or with a larger technical project team.
• People Management — Ability to supervise project team members on tasks assigned and serves in an organizational supervisory role to project managers.
• Relationship Management — Maintains strong relationships and can develop new clients and develop new business.
• Self-Promotion — Ability to effectively market his, her, or their own skills and abilities internally and externally.

This Senior Lead must have a proven track record of strategic leadership in helping to create prosperous, vibrant and livable commercial districts and communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct multiple projects with minimal oversight, ensuring quality, efficiency, and alignment
• Lead programs or core company functions (i.e. data, quality control [standards, processes, training], industry-focused program [Placement Management], etc.)
• Standardize tools, workflows, and delivery practices across projects
• Owns senior stakeholders and complex client relationships
• Lead and develop teams, and influence hiring decisions; may supervise Project Managers
• Drive high-quality execution across facilitation, research, engagement, and deliverables
• Develop business development strategies, participate in pursuit decisions, and secure new work

Working Conditions:

The position offers dynamic opportunities for personal and company growth in an exciting and fast-paced environment. Uncommon Bridges is a small team that requires every team member to be nimble and flexible with their workload and skill sets.

Location — Hybrid: work in the firm’s downtown Seattle office a minimum of three days per week; in-office days encouraged to align with full team meetings (i.e. staff meeting) to foster collaboration. Remote work allowed for the remaining days.

Travel — Travel may be necessary to project locations, locally, regionally, and beyond. The frequency and duration of travel will depend on project requirements and client locations.

Schedule — This position requires flexibility to meet project deadlines, attend client and community-based meetings, and address urgent project issues. Flexibility in working hours is essential.

Communication — Frequent communication with team members, stakeholders, clients, and vendors through email, chat, phone, video conferencing, and in-person meetings is essential.

Community Interaction — This position often involves engagement activities requiring interaction with community members, some of which have complex needs, have experienced trauma, or are otherwise vulnerable.

Stress Levels — This a demanding role which requires involvement in multiple projects simultaneously, handling tight timelines and deadlines, and resolving complex issues. The ability to be mindful of one’s stress response and to self-regulate in the moment to support oneself and others, as well as maintain a solution-oriented approach toward problem solving, is important.

Requirements

Key Skills

• Advanced leadership and people management
• Strategic thinking and systems design
• Executive communication and influence
• Business development and relationship management
• Operational and delivery excellence

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Seven (7) years of experience in related project work is required.
• Experienced in project management, project planning, consulting, nonprofit management, public agency program management, planning, public involvement, public policy, public administration, facilitation/mediation, issue-based or candidate campaigns, and/or a related field.
• Experienced in placed-based economic development and/or downtown or commercial corridor revitalization.
• Strong skills in word processing, data management and presentation software including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides).
• Experience in and/or ability to learn video conferencing software (i.e. Zoom), project management software (i.e. Trello, Airtable) and Macintosh/Apple computers.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Master’s degree, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Existing client relationships.
• Direct experience in the Place Management industry, running a place management organization, and/or involvement in industry organizations (i.e. International Downtown Association).

Benefits

Salary, Position Type and Supervision Structure

Salary: $126,400 – $149,500

Type: FULL-TIME, EXEMPT

Supervisor: Partner

Benefits

The firm offers health (medical, dental, optical) insurance, 11 fixed paid holidays, three floating paid holidays, paid time off (increasing with years of service), a retirement plan with company match, Paid Family & Medical Leave and an Employee Assistance Program. We offer a hybrid work environment and flexible work schedules.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Uncommon Bridges is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Individuals of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.