Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Urban Project Manager

🎯 Role Definition

The Urban Project Manager is responsible for planning, managing and delivering urban development, streetscape, transportation and infrastructure projects across municipal, commercial and mixed‑use settings. This role leads multidisciplinary teams of designers, engineers and contractors; secures permits and approvals; administers contracts and budgets; and drives stakeholder and community engagement to deliver high‑quality, safe, on‑time and on‑budget outcomes that align with land‑use policy, sustainability goals and economic development objectives.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Assistant Project Manager — Urban / Infrastructure
Urban Planner or Transportation Planner (entry/intermediate)
Civil Engineer (site/infrastructure focus)

Advancement To:

Senior Urban Project Manager / Program Manager
Director of Urban Development / Head of Capital Projects
Development or Infrastructure Portfolio Manager

Lateral Moves:

City Planner / Public Works Project Manager
Transportation Program Manager
Real Estate Development Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead end‑to‑end delivery of urban projects (streetscapes, plazas, transit‑oriented development, complete streets, stormwater and utilities) from initiation and feasibility through design, procurement, construction and closeout, ensuring scope, schedule, budget and quality objectives are met.
Develop and manage comprehensive project schedules using MS Project, Primavera or equivalent tools; monitor critical path, identify slippages and implement recovery plans to maintain on‑time delivery.
Prepare, manage and report on project budgets including cost estimates, cash flow projections, contingency management and monthly financial reporting to stakeholders and funders.
Direct consultant procurement, scopes of work, RFP/RFQ development, consultant selection, contract negotiation and ongoing contract administration to ensure deliverables meet technical and contractual requirements.
Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams (landscape architects, civil/structural/transportation engineers, utilities, environmental specialists) to integrate land‑use, mobility and infrastructure solutions that meet regulatory and community objectives.
Lead permitting and regulatory approval processes (zoning, site plan review, building permits, encroachment permits, NEPA/CEQA compliance, environmental permits), prepare submittals and negotiate conditions with municipal, regional and state agencies.
Serve as primary project contact for municipal departments, utility companies, transit agencies, elected officials and community groups; build consensus and resolve conflicting priorities to advance projects.
Oversee construction management and contract administration during construction, including site inspections, RFI responses, change order negotiation, progress claims review and contractor coordination to ensure compliance with specifications and safety regulations.
Implement risk management and mitigation strategies, conduct risk registers and contingency planning to minimize schedule, cost and regulatory exposure.
Manage community and stakeholder engagement programs: develop outreach strategies, facilitate public meetings, prepare technical presentations, respond to public comments and incorporate community feedback into project decisions.
Administer grant applications, funding agreements and reporting obligations (federal, state, regional grants) and coordinate with finance teams for compliance and drawdowns.
Prepare and present clear, concise project status reports, board memos, and executive summaries for internal leadership, funding partners and elected officials.
Ensure project delivery supports sustainability, resilience and public realm objectives, integrating green infrastructure, multimodal mobility and climate adaptation measures where applicable.
Establish and enforce quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures for design deliverables, construction works and project documentation.
Lead procurement and implementation of third‑party consultants and contractors for specialty work (traffic modeling, geotechnical, environmental remediation, utility relocations).

Secondary Functions

Develop scopes and lead preparation of feasibility studies, cost‑benefit analyses, and business cases to support project prioritization and capital program planning.
Maintain and update GIS‑based project inventories and mapping assets to support planning, permitting and asset management activities.
Support the development of procurement strategies and alternative delivery methods (design‑build, CMAR, PPP) and advise on contractual risk allocation.
Provide mentorship and supervision to junior project staff, assistant project managers and interns; support professional development and review work products for technical accuracy.
Monitor construction site safety programs and liaise with safety officers to ensure contractor compliance with OSHA and local safety requirements.
Coordinate utility coordination and relocations with private and public utility providers, negotiate agreements and manage schedules to minimize impact to construction timelines.
Support post‑construction closeout activities including as‑built documentation, O&M manuals, warranty management and final acceptance with owners and stakeholders.
Track and report on project KPIs (budget variance, schedule variance, safety incidents, community satisfaction) to optimize delivery practices and inform continuous improvement.
Support policy development and provide technical input to planning initiatives, zoning amendments and urban design guidelines that affect project implementation.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Project management and delivery of urban infrastructure and development projects (streetscape, utilities, public realm).
Proficiency with project scheduling tools: MS Project, Primavera P6, or equivalent.
Construction contract administration and construction management experience (RFI, change orders, pay applications, claims).
Strong budgeting and cost control skills, including cost estimating, forecasting and financial reporting.
Experience with permitting and compliance frameworks (CEQA/NEPA, local land use code, environmental permitting).
Familiarity with transportation planning and traffic engineering concepts, multimodal design and complete streets principles.
Proficiency in technical design review (site plans, grading, stormwater, civil details); familiarity with AutoCAD, Civil 3D and/or Revit preferred.
GIS / ArcGIS skills for mapping, asset inventories and spatial analysis.
Experience with procurement processes, RFP/RFQ development and consultant oversight.
Knowledge of sustainability practices and green infrastructure design (LID, bioswales, permeable pavements).
Grant writing and federal/state funding administration experience.
Understanding of utility coordination, ROW acquisitions and easement negotiation.
Experience with alternative delivery models (design‑build, CMAR) and public‑private partnership frameworks is a plus.
Contract negotiation and vendor management skills.

Soft Skills

Strong stakeholder engagement and public communication skills with demonstrated experience running effective public meetings and community outreach.
Leadership and team management: ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior staff.
Excellent written and verbal communication; able to prepare technical reports, executive summaries and persuasive presentations for elected officials and community groups.
Problem solving and critical thinking with ability to make timely decisions under pressure.
Negotiation and conflict resolution skills when dealing with contractors, consultants and public stakeholders.
Time management and prioritization across multiple simultaneous projects.
Political acumen and the ability to navigate municipal processes and elected leadership dynamics.
Attention to detail and a commitment to quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
Adaptability and resilience in fast‑changing project environments.
Customer‑focused mindset with an emphasis on delivering value to communities and stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Public Administration, or related field.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or MBA.
Professional certifications such as PMP, LEED AP, AICP, or Professional Engineer (PE) are highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Urban Planning and Design
Civil / Environmental Engineering
Architecture
Construction Management
Public Policy / Public Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–10 years of progressive experience in urban project delivery, infrastructure or public works; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.

Preferred: 8+ years delivering municipal, transit, streetscape or large civil/public realm projects with demonstrated experience in permitting, construction administration, stakeholder engagement and budgetary control. Experience working with local government, transit agencies or major developers is a plus.